Do you want good quality, delicious food that is affordable on a student budget? If your answer is yes (and why wouldn’t it be?), we’ve got you covered with a list of the 10 best cheap eats in Melbourne! Read on to discover your new favourite foodie spots that won’t break the bank.
Vegie Tribe
You can’t go past Vegie Tribe for healthy vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Open seven days a week from 11am to 9pm, their all-you-can-eat buffet lunch is under $20 and offers a selection of delicacies that you won’t find anywhere else in the CBD.
As a bonus, students get an additional 10 per cent discount, and 10 per cent of Vegie Tribe’s profits go to animal welfare.
Delhi Rocks
Delhi Rocks is an award-winning family restaurant serving traditional Indian meals. They have a variety of dishes on their menu for under $20, including curries, chaats and biryani. Open until late seven days a week, Delhi Rocks is a great option if you’re craving a late-night study snack!
Soi 38
Soi 38 is a well-known Thai restaurant open six days a week for lunch and seven days a week for dinner. There are many affordable meals for less than $20 on their menu, including papaya salads, soups and spicy salads. Their generous serving sizes are also a win for students on a tight budget.
Udon Yasan
Located in the heart of the CBD, Udon Yasan is a game-changer in the Melbourne cheap eats category! This Japanese restaurant has food options for less than $5, with most of their noodle soup bowls priced under $10. Make sure you try their popular Deep Fried Chicken (Karaage) – you won’t regret it!
American Doughnut Kitchen
American Doughnut Kitchen has been operating within Queen Victoria Market since 1950, continuing to serve thousands of customers each week from their 1950s bus. Their delicious hot jam doughnuts are filled with raspberry/plum jam and rolled in sugar – you can buy five for $7.50 or 10 for $15. Make sure you order ahead if you want to skip the infamous queue!
Just Falafs
If you love crispy, delicious falafels, then this is the place for you! Open seven days a week from 11am to 9pm, Just Falafs have a variety of pita and plate options for under $20. Their menu also has many vegan and gluten-free choices. Grab one of their dishes and enjoy your meal in Edinburgh Gardens, which is located close by.
B3 Cafe
No list of Melbourne cheap eats would be complete without B3 Cafe. Serving baguettes, croissants, soup, coffee, cakes and more, B3 Cafe is a beloved fixture in the CBD. Incredibly, you won’t find anything over $10 on their menu, which includes a wide variety of baguettes in two sizes: the Petite Baguette for $6.50 and the Grand Baguette for $9.
Open Monday to Friday, this is a must-visit spot for anyone seeking a cheap meal in Melbourne.
Crossways
Another great option for vegetarians and vegans is Crossways Restaurant. Open six days a week from 11:30am to 8pm, the all-you-can-eat menu – which consists of two courses and a drink – only costs $9.50. There is even a different menu every day, making it easier than ever to add a little variety to your meals.
Göz City
Who doesn’t love fresh, stuffed Turkish flatbread? At Göz City, the team have spent decades mastering the art of gözleme making in Turkey and Australia. Their göz filling options include herbed chicken, minced meat and mushrooms, but they also have other menu options such as salads, borek fingers and pide. The best part? They’re all priced under $12!
Göz City is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm at two locations in the CBD.
Yoi Indonesian Fusion
Are you after an affordable luxury dining option? That’s precisely what you’ll get at Yoi Indonesian Fusion!
Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, this restaurant serves a range of traditional family recipes with a twist. Yoi Indonesian Fusion is especially famous for its Salted Egg Chicken, Spicy Smashed Fried Chicken and Martabak, with most of their menu prices coming in under $20.
Want to sample these menus but don’t live nearby? Don’t stress! Melbourne’s vast public transport network is your ticket to tasting the city’s best cheap eats. Best of all, you may be eligible for an International Student Travel Pass, which gives you 50 per cent off the cost of an annual myki pass.
