The City:
Cheap eats
A week to go before payday and you're counting pennies? High-end taste buds on a student budget? Or perhaps you’d like to treat yourself to a Friday lunch out but don’t want to break the bank? Whatever the case, great food at wallet-friendly prices has an undeniable appeal. Whatever the case, great food at wallet-friendly prices has an undeniable appeal. We’ve tasted and tested these budget-friendly eateries, takeaway joints, cafes and bistros in The City that will fill your belly without emptying your savings account.
Breakfast bargains
Are you a breakfast-on-the-go kind of person? Visit The Bagel Boys on George Street or George Street for a BRAT bagel filled with crispy bacon, rocket, aioli and tomato for $10.50. Or head to Yo-Chi for a refreshing acai or yoghurt bowl that is completely customisable - you only pay for the weight of your creation. And if you’re looking for something sweet and hearty, The Pancake Manor offers pancakes for less than $10.
Cheap Asian Eats
The City is filled with delicious Asian eateries, ready to exchange your lunch money for a delicious bite. Our recommendations? We’ve got plenty! Take advantage of $1 dumplings on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Steamed on Turbot Street, eight steamed xiao long bao pork dumplings for $13 from New Shanghai or Nagahama ramen for $16.50 from Hakataya Ramen. Test your spice levels with spicy and sour soft pork bone soup for $21 from Kinn-Imm in QueensPlaza. Choose to keep it simple with $4.80 plates of sushi from Sushi Edo on Elizabeth Street , sushi roll selections starting at $3.50 from Sushi Hub at George Street, Albert Street, The Myer Centre and Post Office Square or the Mr Pow signature bowl for $14.90 from Malolo Poke on Creek Street.
Spend less on salad and sandwiches
If you’re on a fitness journey and chasing something that will leave you feeling healthy, there are salads galore in The City. Grab a salad combo of up to four choices for $17.90 from Vege Rama on Adelaide St, Luke’s famous Vietnamese chicken salad for $18 from Fat Noodle in Treasury Casino, or the delicious avocado and chicken salad from Strauss, Elizabeth St for $15.50. Sandwiches more your vibe? Pick up the Salami and grilled vege panini for $15 at Marchetti Café, Tattersall’s Arcade. Join in the celebrations at the top of each week with meat-free Mondays at Grill’d Wintergarden and grab 2-for-1 tasty meat-free burgers.
Big meals, small prices
Looking for something a little more substantial? For $11.50, grab an M.C. Cheesy mac ’n’ cheese toastie with maple bacon from Melt Brothers in either Post Office Square of Myer Centre Food Court or the Brooklyn cheeseburger for $16.90 from Red Hook in Gresham Lane. Enjoy McDonnells curry fries with friends for only $18 at Irish Murphy’s on George St, or indulge in the delicious Tzimmy classic pita wrap with house tzatziki for $13.50 at Zeus Street Greek.
Lover of chicken wings? Fly into Nene Chicken in The Myer Centre for its Korean chicken drumsticks duo lunch box and salad for $13.95, Embassy Bar & Kitchen on a Tuesday for $30 tacos and a beer deal.
Save on sweet treats
The City is jam-filled with spots to get your sweet fix. Start your day the right way and snag the Nodo doughnuts where a delicious gluten-free classic doughnut is only $6.50 daily or spread your doughnut-loving bites throughout the day and pick up five gluten-free doughnuts from G-Free Donuts every Wednesday at Brisbane City Markets. There’s more than just cheap doughnuts in The City, grab a chocolate and almond croissant for $6.90 from Coffee Anthology or take home a selection of macarons for only $3 each from Le Bon Choix. Go on, you’ve earnt it!
