40 cheap eats in Brisbane City

A week to go before payday and you're counting pennies? High-class tastebuds on a student budget? Or perhaps you’d like to #treatyoself to a Friday lunch out, but don’t want to spend more than a tenner? 

 

Whatever the case, great food at wallet-friendly prices has an undeniable appeal –  so we’ve tested and tasted these awesome Brisbane City eateries, takeaway joints, cafes and bistros that won’t have you draining your savings account. Check out these 40 cheap eats in The City that will give you change for $15. Simple.

1. $13 small bowl of chicken and chorizo paella from Paellaman at the weekly Brisbane City Markets.
2. Chilli cheese steak sub sandwich for $12.90 from Miel Container, William Street.
3. BRAT bagel – crispy bacon, rocket, aioli and tomato for $9.90, or buy a bagel to DIY for $2 at The Bagel Boys on Adelaide Street or George Street.
4. Spicy & sour soft pork bone soup for $13 at Kinn-Imm, QueensPlaza.
5. Crispy pork belly banh mi for $8.40 from Little Saigon Grill, Albert Street.
6. Steamed xiao long bao pork dumplings (9pcs) for $10.80 from New Shanghai, QueensPlaza.
7. Small salad combo of up to three choices for $9.90, or a Moroccan lentil burger for $10.90 from Vege Rama, Adelaide Street.
8. Mediterranean Turkish sandwich for $12.95 at Le Bon Choix, Edward Street.
9. Vegan salad poke bowl for $11.90 from Spud Bar, Wintergarden.
10. $8 large grilled bratwurst bun from Brat Haus at Brisbane City Markets, Reddacliff Place.
11. Your choice of six dumplings and one bun for $10 from Steamed, Turbot Street.
12. For $9.95 get a M.C. Cheesy mac’n’cheese toastie with maple bacon from Melt Brothers at Post Office Square.
13. Design your own nori seaweed taco at Love Roll Sushi + Poke, MacArthur Central for $6.50 each. 
14. Original Beijing jian bing crepe for $7.90 or spicy pork wonton soup for $11.50 from Taste Gallery, The Myer Centre.
15. To-go gluten-free golden frittata bowl for $12.90 from Nodo, Elizabeth Street.
16. Mushroom risotto with side salad for $15 from L’s Espresso Cafe, Brisbane Arcade.
17. Brekky scrambled egg and thick-cut bacon roll for $10 from Coffee Anthology, Margaret Street.
18. Korean chicken drumsticks duo lunch box with chips and salad for $9.90 from Nene Chicken, The Myer Centre.
19. 10 chicken wings and dipping sauce for $14 from Bavarian Bier Cafe, Eagle Street Pier.
20. Daily lunch specials including chicken parmi, Kvas beef burger, pasta carbonara and fish’n’chips for $12 at Kvas Bar & Cafe, Roma Street.
21. Japanese chicken curry for $6 (Monday to Friday) from Sushi on Roma, Turbot Street.
22. 50-cent dumplings (maximum 10 dumplings per order) with a drink purchase every Tuesday at Jade Buddha, Eagle Street Pier.
23. Acai bowl for $14.90 from Raw Energy, Edward Street.
24. Tzimmy Classic pita wrap with house tzatziki and chips for $13.50 at Zeus Street Greek, QueensPlaza.
25. Loco Lomi salmon sashimi poké bowl for $13.90 from Malolo Poke, Creek Street.
26. Luke’s Vietnamese chicken salad $15 from Fat Noodle, Treasury Casino.
27. Avocado & prosciutto salad for $13.50 from Strauss, Elizabeth Street. 
28. Crackling pork bahn mi for $8.90 from Bahn Mi Now, Adelaide Street.
29. 5 gluten-free donuts for $10 from G-Free Donuts every Wednesday at Brisbane City Markets, Reddacliff Place.
30. Bibimbab $12.50 from Madtongsan II, Elizabeth Street.
31. Brooklyn cheeseburger for $13 from Red Hook, Gresham Lane. 
32. Trash fries with house pastrami and sauces for $14 at Embassy Bar & Kitchen, Elizabeth Street.
33. Saucy or dusted chicken wings for $15 from Buffalo Bar, Mary Street.
34. Taco loaded spuds for $15 from Irish Murphy’s, George Street.
35. Spicy Korean rice cakes for $13 from Charmy Food & Bottle Shop, Albert Street.
36. Nagahama ramen for $14 from Hakataya Ramen, Queen Street Mall.
37. Salami and grilled vege panini for $14 at Marchetti Cafe, Tattersall’s Arcade.
38. $3.80 plates of sushi from Sushi Edo, Elizabeth Street. 
39. Didn’t get around to grocery shopping? Buy the ingredients and DIY your lunch from Woolworths, MacArthur Central; Woolworths Metro, Ann Street; Woolworths Metro, Tank Street; Coles Express, The Myer Centre or Coles Express, QueensPlaza.
40. Liquid lunch? Grab a G & T for $10 at award-winning City bar, The Gresham on Queen Street. Or be responsible and order a Reuben toastie with crisps for $14.