The best cheap eats in Melbourne right now

Konbinis – the convenience stores on virtually every corner in Japan – are just as much a cultural immersion as the country's shrines and cherry blossoms. This Cremorne lunch spot draws on that format, serving elevated interpretations of convenience store classics (onigiri, sandos, fried chicken) alongside a dine-in menu that brings genuine excitement back to the midday break.

Time Out tip: Plan ahead – Suupaa is only open 11am to 3pm – though keep an eye out for occasional takeovers when hours stretch into the evening.

A popular spot among locals and travellers alike, this Lebanese bakery serves up some delicious meals at cheap prices. Stop by for a coffee in the morning and get the A1 brekkie that comes with two eggs, sujuk, labne, cucumber, tomato, olives, mint and pita bread, or pop in for lunch and nab a halloumi cheese pie that's served up in the form of a giant doughy crescent. Most items are under $20, and that includes the toasted chicken tawouk wrap, which comes with hot chips, pickled cucumbers, pickled turnips, cabbage coleslaw and garlic dip. 

Time Out tip: You can't go wrong with the spinach and cheese triangle.

This predominantly takeaway eatery plays on two tried-and-true formats – the classic Aussie chook shop and the gai yang (charcoal chicken) stalls that line the streets of Bangkok – for a take on poultry that’s anything but boring. Inspired by Bangkok, where chef Narit Kimsat grew up, the chicken is marinated in a black pepper and turmeric sauce, then grilled over charcoal, yielding meat with no trace of dryness. It’s a touch greasy and best eaten off the bone, so prepare to get messy.

Time Out tip: Go on a warm day and take your haul to the park or the beach.

First making a name for itself as a food truck in Preston, Wazzup Falafel has since set up a permanent outpost along High Street in Northcote – excellent news for lovers of the Palestinian-Jordanian outfit, now able to enjoy their famed falafels even in the most extreme of Melbourne’s weather conditions. 

Time Out tip: Whatever you do, don’t go past the stuffed falafels and be sure to order one per person – you won’t want to share.

While long queues might be a deterrent for some, true foodies know that they're a sign of a sure-fire hit. That's how you'll feel about French Fix when you wander down Queen Street on your next lunch break in the CBD. This tiny spot is probably the closest thing you can get to the real Parisian deal within the Hoddle grid, and for that we're eternally grateful. From the owner Murielle's French heritage to the red, white and blue signage, it's all the little details here that will make you feel as if you've hopped on a plane to the City of Lurve. So are the baguettes really that good? Spoiler alert: yes.

Time Out tip: Arrive early or prepare to miss out on your fave baguette – it's not unusual for some combos to sell out.

If you follow the line of cool kids down the busy Brunswick East end of Lygon Street, chances are they’ll lead you straight to Times New Roman. The sister venue of Fitzroy North’s Good Times – aka the northside’s favourite purveyor of cheap pasta and late-night feasting – this newish joint has quickly built up a cult following of its own, thanks in no small part to bowls of the good stuff being available from just $6.66 (yes, really!).

Time Out tip: Make a booking as early as possible – especially if you’re keen to dine on the weekend. 

It wasn't just the local Footscray community that lucked out when Reveka Hurtado gave her popular catering company Papelón a permanent home in the neighbourhood. South American expats and travellers craving a comforting taste of home are duly gratified here, while curious appetites from all corners of Melbourne are invited to explore Latin America’s gastronomic diversity beyond tacos and tequila – and there’s a generous bounty to try. From its signature pabellón (a whopping platter of shredded beef, rice, beans and sweet fried plantains) and proper cornmeal arepas and empanadas to homey stews and meat specials inspired by traditional recipes, this no-frills diner belongs in everyone’s pocketbook of westside favourites. 

Time Out tip: Live or work nearby? From Wednesday to Friday, the $25 lunch deal offers excellent value, including a soup, a main, a juice and dessert – all made from scratch. ¡Vámos!  

Vietnamese duo Ai Huyn and Thi Le are treating the CBD’s intrepid foodies to next-level bánh mì. Just as the Vietnamese took the French baguette and made it their own, Banh Mi Stand has taken the bánh mì and evolved it into something experimental and uniquely Melbourne. It makes for a dang fine cheap eat well worth the CBD pilgrimage.

Time Out tip: Order the Viet coffee and mix in the salted whipped mascarpone cheese – the salty-sweet cream fused with the maltiness of roasted coffee is next-level good.

Ras Dashen has been sating the appetites of inner westies for more than a decade, and it shows no signs of abating. The restaurant's Ethiopian fare has something for everyone (vegans included), but what you do need to be is someone who’s comfortable eating with your hands. There’s no better way to enjoy torn off bits of injera – the fermented flatbread that's one of Ethiopia’s most famed exports – laden with your favourite curries. 

Time Out tip: The collard greens cooked with herbs and spices delivers on every front. Basic yet somehow still a standout dish due to how Ras Dashen excels in rendering the simplest combination of ingredients exquisite.

Chef Alex Xinis made waves when he opened Tzaki, introducing Melbourne to a side of Greek cooking not well represented here. His spin-off Kokoras takes a more familiar format, drawing on the charcoal chicken shops found in every suburb, but with a Hellenic twist. The classic chicken shop combo – quarter or half chicken, plus sides – is the signature here. Choose from the OG ($21), pairing roast chook with iceberg salad, lemon potatoes and taramasalata, or the KK platter ($21), which subs in a grain salad, pickles, tzatziki and that moreish, fluffy flatbread Tzaki is known for. 

Time Out tip: If you’re dining on a budget, grab a tarama chicken-stuffed pita for $12.50, or a quarter chicken with a side for $15.

Hi Chong Qing is the first venture from restaurateur Kevin Houng, who spent some time in Chongqing learning the art of making a good bowl of noodles from a master who has been honing his craft for 26 years. Fresh and springy wheat flour noodles, a mouth-numbing broth due to the presence of Sichuan peppercorns, and meaty additions are features of a traditional bowl of Chongqing noodles. 

Time Out tip: Don’t venture near these noodles with a white shirt, or without a serviette bib – these slurpable oily noodles are messy and they will stain.

Sparsely decorated with bright pops of colour synonymous with the Mexican flag and jaunty Latin music playing from within its confines, new Johnston Street eatery El Columpio is bringing a slice of homestyle cooking to an oft-underappreciated quarter of Fitzroy. If you arrive before midday, you’ll be treated to a breakfast menu that comprises tamales and chilaquiles. Arrive after midday and the menu is identical, no matter if you arrive at 1pm or 8pm – expect the traditional Mexican soup pozole, a selection of tacos and a few sides. 

Time Out tip: Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert.

Scooped up with wood-fired artisan bread pockets, the Cevapi Project's Bosnian-style cevapi are hearty, tasty and authentic. Though this item on the menu, origigi (street slang for ‘original’), is the trademark attraction, there are plenty of add-ons and other dishes you can order to jazz up your meal. Try the ajvar (a type of capsicum and eggplant relish), which owner Goran Kapetanovic makes himself. Another must-eat is the kajmak, a rich dairy spread loved in countries like Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia.

Time Out tip: Be sure to try the kajmak, a rich dairy spread loved in countries like Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia. It has a slightly tangy flavour and texture not unlike clotted cream. 

Butchers Diner is the perfect no-frills venue. Here, you can chow down on a hamburger made with a seriously good beef patty for $16 or put away the messy goodness of a Coney Island chilli dog for $18. Daily rotating specials ranging from crispy buttermilk chicken sandwiches to green falafel salads also come in at under $20, but the baked French dip roll on Saturdays is our favourite with shaved Wagyu beef, sweet onions, Comté and dipping jus. Finish with a cup of gelato and you've got a dinner fit for a king or queen. 

Time Out tip: It's open until 1am from Monday to Saturday, perfect for a late-night snack craving.

Yamamoto Udon, tucked into Melbourne’s CBD, is arguably the city’s most focused udon specialist right now. It deals in Edo-period technique, where simplicity isn’t a shortcut but a discipline, a quiet commitment to doing one thing properly. The menu centres on two styles. Himokawa arrives wide and ribbon-like, defined by an understated elegance, while Sanuki is the more familiar form: thick, springy and built around that signature chew.

Time Out tip: Go early if you’re chasing the himokawa – it sells out fast.

In the pho-saturated jungle of Victoria Street, I Love Pho stands proudly as a beacon of soupy salvation. This unassuming family-owned eatery might look like just another pho joint, but don't be fooled – this is the spot for quality pho in Richmond that won't have your wallet weeping. The menu is straightforward: pho, and lots of it. Beef, chicken or vego, take your pick. The star of the show is their beef pho – a bowl of silky rice noodles, tender slices of beef, fresh herbs and bean sprouts swimming in a rich broth. 

Time Out tip: Chuck in some chilli if you're feeling spicy, or keep it mild and let the complex flavours do their thing.

Mr Lee’s Foods is well worth the trip to Ringwood if you’re a fan of pork; all dishes are derived from this glorious animal, offering a delicious insight into the economical traditions of Korean dining, which utilises an innately cultural nose-to-tail philosophy. Needless to say, this is a vegetarian no-go zone. A housemade soondae (Korean blood sausage), steamed pork belly and pork bone broths with sliced pork, Korean sausage or both, are the only things on offer at Mr Lee’s, and you can comfortably order every dish on the menu for the price of a jug at a pub.

Time Out tip: There's also an outpost in the CBD on Little Lonsdale Street.

The nostalgic among us will remember these kinds of burgers. They're reminiscent of the humble corner shop grilling the good old Aussie burger with ubiquitous add-ons of egg, beetroot and pineapple, popular during a time where we gave much less of stuff what the rest of the world thinks of us. 

Time Out tip: If it's good enough for Ed Sheeran, it's good enough for us – the pop star visited in 2023.

It's simply impossible to walk by one of the Hot Star Large Fried Chicken locations in the city and not find yourself staring longingly with envy at some stranger devouring a truly magnificent (and giant) piece of fried chicken. And by giant, we truly mean giant — these things are as big as your face. Hot Star Large Fried Chicken has been serving up its signature oversized chicken cutlets since 2014, quickly becoming a cult favourite. The restaurant's concept originated in Taiwan in 1992 and has since expanded internationally, bringing a taste of Taipei's famous Shilin Night Market street food to Melbourne.

Time Out tip: Keep in mind that there may be a bit of a queue depending on when you go, as each piece is made fresh to order.

This is where you need to come at lunch for a frosty iced tea and a nasi lemak – a blank canvas of coconut rice to which you adhere whole toasted peanuts, chilli-seed ridden sambal, cucumber, boiled egg and ikan bilis (tiny dried anchovies) till you’re adequately amused. And they serve roti here in all its forms – savoury, with pools of fragrant and fluid curry sauce, and an equally giving lentil mix for running the soft bread through; sweet, as a delicate towering sugar-coated cone with fresh banana slices and a melting blob of ice cream; or stuffed to the seams with minced meat, cabbage and egg (murtabak). 

Time Out tip: You can purchase jars of satay sauce and sambal for a taste of Mamak at home.

Biang Biang Noodle House is home to springy, long and flat hand-pulled wheat noodles tossed in accompaniments like stewed pork, slow-cooked beef, and tomato and egg, as well as a ton of chilli oil. The fact that Biang Biang is perennially packed speaks to its appeal. The namesake biang biang noodles are the must-order, but if you’re feeling like something different or can’t process gluten, there are rice noodles served cold as well as vermicelli. 

Snacky steal: Order the combination noodles when you can't decide what to get.

If the line snaking out of Bourke Street’s Mid City Arcade is anything to go by, Mr Ramen San is well worth your time. The pork bone broth (simmered for no less than ten hours) is soft and creamy without being heavy, sporting a level of gelatinousness that slips rather than sticks. Thin and bitey wheat noodles, made in-house, are just the right vehicle for the lower-viscosity tonkotsu soup, while sliced spring onion, pickled bamboo shoots, seaweed and a jammy soy egg tick the customary topping boxes. 

Time Out tip: You can order extra noodles for free.

For a quick, cheap, no-frills Japanese noodle experience, head to Udon Yasan. If you’ve never been before, take the lead of the person in front of you: order your udon at the front counter, grab a tray for your bowl of noodles, and proceed along to grab sides such as egg or kimchi. After paying for your noodles and sides, avail yourself of free toppings that include fried tempura flakes, spring onion, grated radish, bonito flakes and an array of sauces. 

Time Out tip: Craving a sweet treat? You can grab a mochi for just $3.

So good they named it thrice, this hole-in-the-wall down Meyers Place is a blessing for locals, tourists and city revellers alike. You can’t miss its sign, a neon yellow arrow blaring ‘pizza pizza pizza’ from the window. What you may miss, however, is the cosy cocktail bar nestled out the back, accessible by peeling back a shiny black curtain – the perfect nook for a discrete nightcap. 

Time Out tip: Don’t forget about the rotating monthly specials – the waiter can fill you in on the latest scrumptious toppings. 

Rice rolls, known in China as cheung fun, are a staple defined by their soft, slippery texture and satisfying chew. While they appear at a handful of venues across Melbourne, Liyin is one of the few spots dedicated entirely to the dish – and perhaps the only one making them from scratch in the traditional way. Fresh rice is soaked and ground into a paste, spread onto a mesh cloth and steamed to order. They can be ordered plain or filled, with more than 20 options ranging from fish and prawn to beef and pork, available in various combinations. 

Time Out tip: Order one plain rice roll alongside a filled version to fully appreciate the texture – then customise generously at the condiment station.

Delhi Streets may be named in honour of India’s capital, but its menu criss-crosses the country. An all-in nutritious meal of thali plates (rice, naan and pappadum served with two curries) comes in between $22 and $25, while you can get a masala dosa (a thin crisp pancake made from fermented batter stuffed with spiced potatoes) for $22. Indian-inspired wraps and pizzas similarly won’t break the bank. 

Time Out tip: If you order one thing at Delhi Streets, make sure it's the pani puri.

Located in the centre of the Greek community of Oakleigh, Kalimera Souvlaki Art dishes out pork and chicken gyros to hungry punters who drop by this busy suburban joint looking for a hearty and reliable feed. Owner Thomas Deliopoulos relocated from Greece to Melbourne and brought with him his family and a passion for smokey souva. Go here for meat skewers, fresh pita bread, family platters, traditional salads and housemade tzatziki all for a really good price. 

Time Out tip: Don't ignore the side salad – the Cretan dakos with barley rusks, feta cheese, tomato, olives, oregano, capers and virgin olive oil is delicious.

If this isn’t the best little hole-in-the-wall dumpling den in Melbourne, we’ll eat the menu. Just watch us. More expensive than your average dumpling spot but far more refined in terms of quality, Shandong is known for its plate of fish dumplings – you’d be hard-pressed to find the variety, or the quality, at any other Melbourne dumpling restaurant. These flavour pockets are ugly-beautiful: a loose mince of oily mackerel, fragrant with ginger, coriander root and chives, captured in the thinnest white dinner jacket. 

Time Out tip: The famous mackerel dumplings are the go-to dish here.

Tawooq is a family-run business that sprung up on the Brunswick East end of Lygon Street in mid-2024. The casual, buzzy spot is now a popular go-to destination for affordable, Beirut-inspired street food snacks. If you order anything, please for the love of all things holy, get the chicken tawooq wrap. The impeccably balanced bread parcel of tart pickles, garlicky white sauce, herbaecous, salt-dusted fries and impossible tender chicken breast is just... everything.

Time Out tip: There are now three locations: Brunswick East, Fitzroy and Coburg.

This CBD 16-seater retains the cosy aesthetic from its Richmond counterpart, with corked flooring, woven rattan and a small outdoor dining space. An abbreviation of ‘Warung Kopi’ (Indonesian for casual street café), Warkop has adapted its city menu to treat both long-time fans of the OG location and newcomers to a fusion of Asian and Western creations. Expect housemade sweet and savoury pastries, fresh salads, sangas and burgers, all crafted with authentic Indonesian homestyle flavours and a dash of creative flair. 

Time Out tip: Pair your sanga with the matcha lemonade for the ultimate lunchtime combo.

Good Times checks just about all the boxes – a hearty meal (check), that’s cheap (check) in a vibey atmospheric setting (check). If you haven’t heard of it, that’s probably because there’s no fancy shmancy Instagram page. But don’t be fooled, it gets a fair share of attention from word-of-mouth recommendations and its bright-as-the-sun yellow facade on St George’s Road. Chances are you’ll have noticed the yellow building with the big thumbs up imprinted on it when driving past. As the name suggests, it’s all good times from the minute you enter.

Time Out tip: Show your love for Good Times by repping some cool merch.

Hector’s Deli originally opened in Richmond, serving up classic combination sandwiches made using high-quality ingredients and decked out with extra flourishes that inspire hour-long queues. The menu has seven hot sandwiches and five fresh sandwiches – it’s hard to offer up our top picks because they’re all extremely good, right down to the unassuming HCT which may be the best ham and cheese toastie we’ve ever had. Rest assured the sangas will be some of the most luxurious, satisfying and aesthetically pleasing sandwiches you've ever eaten.

Time Out tip: Give the gift of Hector's with a gift card.

At Fitzroy old-timer Sonido, the arepa takes centre stage. Opened in 2010 by Colombians Santiago Villamizar and Carolina Taler, the café has made the humble arepa a household name. The flatbreads are made the traditional way: whole Australian corn is cooked, mixed, ground and shaped into rounds that are grilled to produce mild-tasting disks blistered with char. They can be eaten on their own but are even better crowned with proteins and vegetables. In the ropa vieja, shredded beef is slow-cooked with tomato, onion and spices, delivering sweetness and the kind of comfort food you’re prone to needing in Melbourne’s fluctuating weather. 

Time Out tip: Sonido is open from 7am on weekdays (and 8am on weekends), so you can get your fix nice and early.

Wherever you hail from in the world, it’s hard not to love Malaysian food. Who can deny the pleasures of a fluffy mound of roti bread, even tastier when soaked in a rich beef rendang or chicken curry? Or the steamy comforts of a good bowl of laksa on a winter’s night? It’s the healing gingery Hainanese chicken rice and the creamy fried egg noodles with beef that have this writer all starry-eyed.

Time Out tip: The affable young service staff know the menu and are happy to provide suggestions when asked.

We dig a bold title, and we do indeed bow down to Laksa King as the ruling monarch of noodle soup. The broth of the King's laksa is so warm and creamy you’ll want to slip right in. The combination curry laksa has you gobbling up springy egg noodles and fluffy rice vermicelli while you work your way through choice toppings including tender poached chicken, silky fried eggplant and jewel-like pink prawns.

Time Out tip: Don't be put off by the lines out the door – Laksa King is a well-oiled machine and things move very quickly.

Slice Shop’s storefront, with rudimentary red, white and blue signage recalling its home team, the Western Bulldogs, is nothing to look at, but the bold font spelling out ‘Slice Shop’ and ‘Pizza’ make it clear what people flock here for: 18-inch pizzas served both by the slice and the pie. Burn City Smokers co-owners Steve Kimonides and Raphael Guthrie have swapped wood-smoked meat for enormous hand-tossed pizzas at this latest venture, inspired by the famous New York slices that are eaten on the go. 

Time Out tip: Dreaming of a big 'ol pizza party? Slice Shop do catering.

Trust us when we say that this cult eatery is home to some of the most comforting bowls of Thai boat noodles in town. Although Soi 38 has since expanded into serving up sumptuous dinners, its lunchtime noodle sets are what initially garnered its fame. Lurking in a pungent, funky soup broth with a host of add-ons (braised pork or beef, a pork ball and crackling, bean sprouts and coriander), the springy noodles ballast the sort of one-dish wonder that encompasses the entire food pyramid, big on flavour and even bigger on comfort.

Time Out tip: You can customise your boat noodles using fish sauce, white sugar, crushed dried chillies and chillies in vinegar. 

As far as viral sandwich spots go, the TikToks (and the snaking queues) don’t lie about Stefanino Panino – here’s a place slinging some pretty damn tasty sandos for a reasonable price. The Bologna (mortadella, stracciatella, pickled peppers and olives) and the L’Australiana (prosciutto, provolone, tomato, rocket, onion, mayo and dijon mustard), are clear menu highlights, but with 12 sandwiches on offer, plus rotating specials and the option to build your own, this is a place that demands a return visit or two.

Time Out tip: A second site is opening soon in Brunswick – check the Instagram for more info.

Ahma (the Taiwanese term for grandma) is a small fast-casual eatery treating Melburnians to delicious Taiwanese street eats. Take the sweet pork sausage stuffed into a tube of glutinous rice, or a beef wrap riffing on another Taiwanese staple: the spring onion pancake. It comes slicked with a hoisin-style sauce and wrapped around a heavily spiced braised beef that leans into licoricey notes of star anise and clove, plus a few spring onions. Not a single menu item is over $20 at Ahma, and many smaller bites are even below $10. 

Time Out tip: Spend more than $36 on a weekday and add on snacks for just $1.

Citrus isn't the only all-you-can-eat Sri Lankan offering in Melbourne right now, but it’s one of the first, and for that, we pay our respects. The premise is clear. Cough up $22 and you’ll get to fill your plate as high as you like from the ten-plus dishes on show. An extra $3 gives you bottomless access, meaning you can go back for as much as your belly will allow. Though the curries on offer aren’t as rich and spicy-hot as what you’d find in Sri Lanka (Citrus wishes to cater to more sensitive Western palates), the multi-tiered condiments station is where you can go wild. 

Time Out tip: Try coconut sambal, the tongue-puckering sour lime pickle, pineapple chutney and the chilli paste for extra heat.

Upon arrival in Australia, Iranian Hamed Allahyari began working with Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Catering and Free to Feed, two social enterprises designed to support new migrants through food and dining. Then, seven years later, he opened Café Sunshine and Salamatea, a restaurant designed to employ, train and mentor asylum seekers and refugees facing similar paths to him. It’s been a beloved local gathering place ever since – not just for its friendly, community focus but for its approachable Persian fare, which is hard to come by in Melbourne.

Time Out tip: Order the Persian sambuse plate with two fried potato pockets, homemade tomato relish, yoghurt and Shirazi salad ($16).