Cash Strapped?  

The Bagel Boys, Adelaide St  

The Bagel Boys specialises in traditional kettle-boiled bagels that are mixed, rolled, boiled and baked fresh every day. Choose from a range of favourite flavours like poppy seed, sesame seed and blueberry or step it up a notch and try something new like jalapeño, sunflower rye or gluten-free. These bagels are guaranteed to revive your lunchtime taste buds.  

Our favourite: Chipotle Chicken Bagel for $11.50  

Govinda's Pure Vegetarian, 358 George St  

You can't go wrong with this delicious vegetarian restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat-and-drink "Feast Meal" for only $12. Expect fresh food cooked daily from the finest ingredients from Govinda’s.  

Our favourite: Quiche + salad of the day for $9  

Brisbane City Markets, Queen St   

Country comes to the city every Wednesday at Reddacliff Place for Brisbane City Markets. Whether you are a city worker, Queen Street Mall shopper or visitor to Brisbane, the market is the perfect place to grab a delicious bite with many lunch options under $10. Filled with fresh and exotic foods, the market is a unique and popular shopping experience.   

Our favourite: Literally everything and anything  

Roll'd, Edward St & Queens Plaza   

Roll'd serves grab-and-go Vietnamese street-style food favourites made fresh daily. Convenient and delicious, stop in for a rice paper roll or two, a roast pork noodle salad or classic pho before continuing your shopping trip.   

Our favourite: Garlic prawn rice paper roll for $4.50  

Steamed, Turbot St  

Steamed serves up three signature styles of dumplings: pork and chive Harbin, lightly spiced Chicken Donggu and a vegetarian version called Zen. There are also meat and vegan Shao Mai varieties and Pork Clouds, wonderfully light and fluffy pork buns.   

Our favourite: Mix and match six dumplings and one bun for $10   

Vege Rama, Post Office Square  

Vege Rama is well known for delicious and nutritious vegetarian cuisine, cooked fresh daily from ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Choose from delicious salads, multicultural curries and main meals in small ($12.90) or large sizes ($16.90). All meals are produced from local, natural, organic ingredients and free of preservatives, additives and colouring.   

Our favourite: Medium Veggie Boost salad plate for $15.90

Lunch with friends for $25 and under

Bar Pacino, Eagle St   

Overlooking the stunning Brisbane River and Story Bridge, Bar Pacino offers a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere for you to sit down and enjoy a leisurely meal as well as convenient grab-and-go lunch options if you're in a rush.   

Our favourite: Life’s Good Salad for $24.20 

Santa Monica Pizza & Burger Bar, Ann St  

Combine a warm, buzzing vibe with a breezy beach fit-out and you get Santa Monica Pizza and Burger Bar. This lunchtime favourite focuses on laid-back casual dining featuring an extensive variety of gourmet pizzas, hearty American-style burgers and a premium selection of craft beers.   

Our favourite: Crispy Fried Cauliflower Tacos for $24.50

Red Hook, Creek St  

Red Hook is a New York-inspired eatery and bar that has served up some of The City’s favourite burgers since 2014. Visit for well-priced burgers, tacos, wings, dogs and other NYC-inspired street food with your choice from an extensive range of American and Australian beers, cocktails and wine.   

Our favourite: Grandmaster Flash burger for $15  

Cheeky Poke Bar, Ulster Lane  

Lunchtime expert Cheeky Poke Bar is just off Elizabeth St in Ulster Lane. Dine in or take away to enjoy fresh, tasty dishes from this modern Japanese concept – from signature poke bowls to nori tacos.   

Our favourite: Nori chicken tacos with creamy Asian sauce, 2 for $17   

Brew, Burnett Lane

Brew is not only a great place for lunch or drinks with friends after work, it's also the perfect place to take some time for yourself. Find a space in the dimmed, rustic basement to enjoy a burger or chicken wings for lunch, with a menu of meal options for those searching for a budget-friendly price.

Our favourite: Brew Burger for $19.50

New Shanghai, QueensPlaza

Located in QueensPlaza, New Shanghai's menu offers a vibrant array of tasty Shanghai-style soups, noodles, rice and vegetable dishes. Its sensational dumplings are cooked using a special technique, an ancient family recipe passed down from generation to generation.

Our favourite: Potsticker pan-fried pork dumplings, 8 for $16 

Corbett & Claude, Elizabeth St

Housed in the basement of the Heritage-listed Corbett Chambers building on Elizabeth St, indulge in flavoursome fare at Corbett & Claude. The laneway bar serves up wood-fired pizzas, share plates and antipasti perfect for sharing among friends.   

Our favourite: Penne Amatriciana pasta for $25 

Fat Noodle, Treasury Casino & Hotel  

Housed within the Treasury Casino & Hotel, award-winning celebrity chef Luke Nguyen's Fat Noodle serves pan-Asian hawker-style food, including Nguyen’s own Vietnamese as well as Chinese, Thai and Malaysian. For budget-friendly lighter lunches, snack on small plates of vegetarian spring rolls, silken tofu, dumplings and of course Luke’s Vietnamese chicken salad. If you're in the mood for a heartier meal, the larger rice-based dishes and wok-cooked meals start at $22.   

Our favourite: Pork and prawn shumai dumplings for $18 

Little Miss Sunshine, Ann St

Tucked away in Heritage Lanes you will find a little bit of sunshine. The Little Miss Sunshine Bistro and Brewery is serving up fresh drinks and delicious meals, perfect for your lunchtime break. From $25 burgers to tasty bar snacks and hearty ‘from the grill’ options, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Our favourite: The Harvest for $23

Felix for Goodness, Burnett Lane

Venture inside this quaint, light-filled space and sit on a stool overlooking the laneway and watch the world go by at Felix for Goodness. The team loves making food from scratch, sourcing and supporting the best local ingredients available, paired with a thoughtful selection of Australian natural wines, craft beers and spirits.

Our favourite: Felix Bowl for $20

Comuna Cantina, Creek St

Comuna Cantina brings Latin-inspired street food to the lunch mix with its digs on Creek St. Spice up your lunchtime with a mix of moderately priced tacos, nacho bowls, salads and starters, with vegetarian and gluten-free options to suit everyone. If you’re after a cheeky lunchtime cocktail, they’ve got you covered.

Our favourite: Pulled pork taco for $10

Vapiano, Albert Lane off Queen St Mall

Pop into Vapiano to treat yourself to made-to-order pizzas, fresh house-made pasta, hand-tossed gourmet salads and delicious dolci in a fun, relaxing atmosphere.

Our favourite: The choice of four ‘Outrageously Fresh Lunch Combos’ including a soft drink for $15 

A little fancier, but still under $40

Riverbar & Kitchen, Eagle St   

Riverbar & Kitchen has relaxed indoor and outdoor seating for lunch with an incredible view. The bar menu features share plates, grills and pizzas from the wood-fired oven and offers all-day dining from 7am to 10pm. As well as food designed by Matt Moran, the bar has a wide beer selection, contemporary and classic cocktails and an extensive range of wines and champagne.   

Our favourite: Infinity Blue barramundi, herb butter & greens for $36 

Madame Wu, Eagle St  

Once you sink your teeth into the Wagyu-stuffed dumplings, we guarantee dining at this Asian-fusion restaurant will be an experience you never forget. Madame Wu is a lunchtime favourite in The City with its tantalising menu and stellar view from the outdoor terrace. Be the envy of the office with a bite for under $25 or make it a meal with a mouth-watering selection of share plates.   

Our favourite: Steamed duck buns, 4 for $25 

The Wolf, Queen St

A European dining experience like no other serving up delicious fine dining and deli style culinary experiences. From Monday to Wednesday The Wolf lets you choose from the Plat du jour (dish of the day) menu for only $39 at both lunch and dinner. When you choose this deal, you even get complimentary baguette and butter on arrival.

Our favourite: Warm salad of crispy confit duck leg for $39, or if we’re on the go an artesian baguette