Where to find the best cheap eats in Brisbane

While the cost of living might be on everyone’s lips, that doesn’t mean good food can’t be – and cheap eats in this economy can absolutely be found.

Throughout Brisbane’s flourishing world-class dining scene, you’ll find budget eats that are big on value yet don’t short-change on taste. From hearty bowls of brothy ramen for $10, to two-for-one plant-based burgers and gold-coin fried chicken wings, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to penny-pinching options.

So, go and turn that change jar upside down and read on for the ultimate foodie’s guide to 15 stomach-rumblingly good cheap eats in Brisbane. (Prices are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change).

Banh Mi Factory | Zillmere and Newstead 

What do you get for $10 these days? Not much, although someone forgot to tell Banh Mi Factory. There you’ll get a Viet-style French baguette loaded up with all the good stuff—chargrilled meats and salad slathered in mayo and pate. Banh Mi Factory at Zillmere also do a mean pho (bathed in beef stock and slow cooked for 24 hours) alongside healthy noodle salads, rice paper rolls and Vietnamese iced coffee.

BrewDog | Murarrie and Fortitude Valley

Come for BrewDog’s craft beers—there are 28 on tap to choose from at their Murarrie taproom—and stay for a feed, with two-for-one vegan and vegetarian meals (half the menu is plant-based or gluten-free) on Mondays and all you can eat chicken and cauliflower wings on Wednesdays. Or check out their newest venture in Fortitude Valley, where you’ll find a selection of their best brews alongside $15 lunch specials and $5 schooners (available Monday to Thursday from 11am to 3pm).

remy’s | Paddington

This brunch, burger and booze spot in the inner-city suburb of Paddington is popular with locals for its good vibes and tasty food that’s all killer, no filler. The specials here are really special—we’re talking $6 cheeseburgers from 5-6pm Monday to Thursday, weekday lunch offers ($15 for a burger, side and drink), and meat-free Mondays where plant-based burgers are half-price.

Taro’s Ramen | CBD, South Brisbane, Ascot, Stones Corner

Former Japanese corporate executive turned Brisbane ramen king Taro Akimoto opened his first Taro’s Ramen all the way back in 2010. Now operating out of four locations, Taro’s is still the benchmark for ramen in Brisbane. For less than $20, get a bowl of authentic ramen packed with ingredients like Bangalow Sweet Pork, braised tofu and house-made noodles swimming in delicious pork-bone or plant-based broth.

Govinda’s | Brisbane CBD, West End

It’s all about simple, pure vegetarian food made with love at Govinda’s. Stop in at one of their two Brisbane locations and from just $11, fill your bowl or plate up from their smorgasbord of options—vegetable curry, dhal, cauliflower pakoras, or the ever-changing daily specials. But whatever you do, don’t walk out the door without trying one of their famous kofta balls. 

Bagel Boys | Various Locations

Start your day right with bagels that taste like they’re straight out of New York at Bagel Boys. Their NYC-style bagels are the real deal—mixed, rolled and kettle-boiled daily. Grab a simple cream cheese bagel or choose from the ‘bargain bagels’ menu with options like the ‘Little Piggy’ ham bagel or pastrami and swiss cheese bagel. You’ll find Bagel Boys in five locations including the CBD, Milton and at QUT (Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove) and the University of Queensland St Lucia.

Bloodhound Corner Bar & Kitchen | Fortitude Valley

Hipster dive bar vibes meet an intoxicating fusion of Indian and Peruvian ‘comfort food’ (think spicy butter chicken, nachos or naan pizzas) at this popular watering hole in the Valley. Follow your nose to Bloodhound Bar before 4pm and get 10 wings for just $10 or drop in on Wednesdays and enjoy three tacos for $10. Pair it with a schooner from their ever-rotating selection of 10 craft beers on tap or from the massive selection of bottles, tinnies and spirits.

Rita's Tequila & Taqueria | Teneriffe

Proudly serving ‘non-Mexican Mexican’, Rita’s Tequila & Taqueria puts a unique twist on Mexican classics through unique small batch boutique tacos like crispy miso eggplant or sriracha cauliflower. Get over hump day with half price tacos from 5 – 7pm on Wednesday (and Thursday if you want to come back for seconds) and shout yourself a tequila or mezcal cocktail with your savings.

Seoul Bistro | Sunnybank

Did somebody say KFC? Swap the Colonel for Korean Fried Chicken at Seoul Bistro in Sunnybank (Brisbane’s hotspot for authentic Asian cuisine), one of Brisbane’s best value all-you-can-eat restaurants. For just $26.90 you get unlimited fried chicken wings (choose from 10 different flavours such as sweet and sticky Korean chilli sauce and honey wasabi), garlic and thin-cut fries. 

David’s Noodle and Hot Pot | Sunnybank

Experience mala tang, a buffet-style way of eating that’s popular in the Xinjiang region in China at David’s Noodle and Hot Pot in Sunnybank. Grab a bowl and tongs and choose from 40 different fresh and preserved foods—such as quail eggs, bamboo shoots, Chinese wombok, lotus root or sliced lamb. Then, get your bowl weighed (you pay per 100 grams) and filled with Narati’s signature broth made from 50 different ingredients and voila—your very own Xinjiang-style meal. 

Big Roddy’s Rippin’ Rib Shack | Fortitude Valley, South Brisbane

Dollar coins aren’t good for much more than unlocking a supermarket trolley these days—unless you’re at Big Roddy’s Rippin’ Rib Shack, where you’ll get buffalo wings for a dollar (minimum five per order). Or try their lip-smackingly delicious secret recipe baby back pork ribs smothered in BBQ sauce, their pulled pork 'ribwich' with coleslaw, or their authentic poutine Canadian fries.

Streetcorner Jimmy | Teneriffe

Nestled in a heritage-listed former wool store along the river at Teneriffe, Streetcorner Jimmy is an inviting bar and eatery—furnished with bookcases and chesterfield lounges amongst bare brick walls—that serves up bar food favourites like flatbread pizza, pulled brisket burgers and hoagies alongside an extensive cocktail menu. Keep an eye out on their daily specials—we like the $25 250g black angus rump steak on Thursdays and the $20 ‘big shnitty’ on Friday.

Hai Hai Ramen | Paddington

Don’t like Mondays? We’ve got the antidote—a delicious bowl of brothy goodness at Hai Hai Ramen, where $10 gets you authentic Japanese ramen (available from 5 – 6pm Monday and Tuesday). Choose from tonkotsu (in Hai Hai’s signature 24-hour cooked pork bone broth), chicken or veg ramen and slurp it down with an ice-cold Kirin or Orion beer. Do we recommend it? Hai hai! (‘yes yes’ in Japanese).

El Camino Cantina | Various Locations

If you haven’t been to an El Camino Cantina yet, you’ve probably walked past one—it’s the place with the people wearing colourful sombreros and having a good time. The menu here is jam-packed with Tex-Mex classics like nachos, fajitas and tacos, with ridiculously cheap specials. Fill your belly with $2 tacos on Taco Tuesday or fly in on Wednesday for 10 cent wings (no that’s not a typo—just purchase a drink). You can find this joint in four locations — Bowen Hills, South Brisbane and Chermside.

Ruean Phae Thai | Teneriffe 

This is what you call a hidden gem. Wedged between Newstead and Teneriffe and surrounded by trendy boutiques, bars and brunch spots in restored woolstores and warehouses, it would be easy to pass Ruean Phae Thai’s unassuming setting in an old garage workshop without thinking twice. But step inside and you’ll be treated to some of Brisbane’s best value—and flat-out best tasting—Thai food, from Moreton Bay Bug in Penang curry to authentic Pad Thai.

Now you’ve got a taste for cheap eats in Brisbane, take a look the city's best budget accommodation.