The 13 best cheap eats in Perth

Adorned with framed, newspaper cutouts regarding the sensational bánh mì churned out of this Barrack Street eatery, it’s clear that Le Vietnam knows a thing or two about satisfying the hungry gobs of Perth – and in a cheap fashion too. The humble bánh mì are simple yet effective on any day of the week, but Le Vietnam is famed for their new-wave baguettes – they’ve even caught the attention of celebrities both near and far. Get your hands on bánh mì specials stuffed with the likes of Wagyu brisket, char siu pork belly burnt ends, honey-butter smoked turkey and considered vegan fillings, including teriyaki ‘chicken’, Peking ‘duck’, ‘lamb’ yiros and ‘beef’ rendang. The hefty $12 to $15 rolls attract mega crowds, and it’s not unusual to see lunchtime queues that line the street for a taste of what’s good. But service is efficient, and you might just be lucky enough to nab a seat street-side or inside. If not, the grassy Stirling Gardens is a mere three-minute walk down the road – inner-city picnics incoming.

With Cannington, Northbridge and Victoria Park outposts serving up big ol’ bowls of long, bouncy carbs, Qin’s Lanzhou Beef Noodle has fast become a go-to for some of the best cheap eats in Perth – and it’s a whole lot more than just beef and noodles too. The Chinese restaurant chain is a recent addition to the scene, but they’ve already proven to be queue-worthy venues with a side of entertainment – handmade noodle-pulling on full display – now that’s a meal and a show. Qin’s Lanzhou’s most expensive bowl comes in at $17.90 for the braised lamb dry noodles, and the cheapest at $14.90 for the youpo dry noodles with latherings of smoky chilli oil, heaps of garlic and crisp bok choy. But if you’re steering clear of gluten, the side dishes with a median price of $7 sure do pack a punch. How about the tangy wood ear mushroom salad or spicy chicken gizzards? Choose your player.

Compared to its eastern seaboard counterparts, Greek food is somewhat scarce in Perth – but Filos and Yiros is here to save the day. Located in a neighbourhood nook of Perth City, Filos and Yiros conduct their Mediterranean dealings out of a hole-in-the-wall at Brika, the adjoining dine-in restaurant. As the name suggests, elite-level yiros are most definitely on the menu – a Greek street food classic of slow-cooked lamb, chicken or pork shaving, hand-cut chips, tomato, onion and the all-important tzatziki dressing wrapped soundly in warm pita. They’ve even added a vegan yiros to their list of offerings, and they start at a fair $17. As for the ‘filos’, expect spanakopita (spinach and feta pastry), tiropita (three-cheese pastry) and bougatsa (custard pastry) – they’re essentials – along with proper, Greek-style freddo cappuccinos and frappés.

Whether you’re to the north, south, east or centre of Perth, a Chicken Rice Corner is awaiting your devouring expertise. With seven locations scattered across suburbia, the no-frills joints are a one-stop-shop for hawker-style eats, heavily leaning towards Malaysian and Singaporean fare. Although Chicken Rice Corner is largely a takeaway hotspot, a few seats are up for grabs if you’re in no rush. Savour generous, wholesome meals, including Hainanese chicken rice, nasi lemak curry chicken, Kuala Lumpur laksa and barbecue chicken wonton noodles – all between an honest $10 and $14.

There’s nothing quite like a hand-held lunch on the go that both fills the gap and happens to be ultra delectable too – and the team at Yalla Bala have perfected the craft. The Leederville hole-in-the-wall operates out of Servo’s quarters and whips up Middle Eastern eats that’ll have you scurrying back for more in no time. The sabich and shawarma are Yalla Bala’s hot hits that are packed with grilled chicken plus all the juices, extra verdurous falafel teeming with the freshest of herbs, and tender slices of eggplant that melt-in-the-mouth too – coupled with floods of house-made hummus, tahini, heat-loaded zhug and tart amba sauce. A pita or plate stacked with the Levantine treats comes in around the $20 mark and it may just be the best $20 you’ll ever spend. Brace yourself for Yalla Bala daydreams.

With two outposts in the north-western suburbs of Osborne Park and Wembley, Little Magic Momo performs miracles when it comes to Nepalese cuisine. The modest eatery highlights authentic street eats with handmade momos (dumplings) at the forefront of its spread. The said momos come in at $15 for ten and are sure to make a lasting impression, jam-packed with mildly spiced meat or veg and doused with a tomato-chilli chutney. Little Magic Momo dish out plenty more than just the tangy Nepalese dumplings, however – get into staples like local-style chicken chowmein for $18, or sel roti (fried bread) with pea curry and a side of potato and pickled vegetables for $17.

Have you really tasted noodles if they weren’t from Two Hands Noodle Shop? Some Perthians may suggest not. The lowkey, Como haunt specialise in handmade noodles (of course), along with gigantic bao buns hailing from regional Malaysia – and they’re far from basic. The casual, café-restaurant serves up big flavours at a small price and the forecast is looking like an almighty chicken bao for $5.50, $10 kolo mee with char siew gravy (Sarawak dry noodles with sweet pork), $14.50 prawn dumpling noodle soup, $16.50 Sarawak laksa and $16.50 braised pork belly rice. Whatever takes your fancy, rest assured that you’re in safe hands at Two Hands Noodle Shop.

Smack bang in the heart of Perth CBD, Grand Lane Fish House is a go-to spot for Perth locals craving fish and chips. A battered fillet starts at $12.80, with a portion of their famous hand-cut chips for an extra $6.50. If you’re really hungry, go for their lunch box ($19.50), which includes a fillet of hake, two crumbed calamari rings, hot chips and your choice of dipping sauce. Now that’s what we call value for money!

Upon entering The Re Store in Northbridge, you’ll likely be greeted by the sounds of ‘Speak Softly Love’, The Godfather’s main theme or a Dean Martin classic. The sweet Italianesque melodies work wonders when it comes to buttering you up for some truly transportative fare. The family-run institution hasn’t changed a whole lot since its 1936 inception, complete with faded vintage posters and figures of the Madonna overlooking all operations, including the deli section – said to be the birthplace of the famed continental roll. And although the Perth-honoured sandwiches are ever-so satisfying, sometimes you need a little more than a combination of delicious deli meats and preserved veggies. Once again, The Re Store pulls through with some of the cheapest eats in Perth, offering small, hot meals for $10.95 and large numbers for $11.95. Expect the likes of housemade ravioli with bolognese, polenta topped with lamb ragu, porcini risotto, macaroni with roast pork and nduja, as well as orecchiette with eggplant and stracciatella smothered in macadamia pesto. It’s the real deal, for a real deal.

Chin’s Noodle House has been a suburban favourite in Leeming for decades, backed by head chef Chin’s 38 years’ worth of culinary experience. Kick things off with small share plates, including spring rolls ($11), chicken satay skewers ($14.30) and prawn toast ($14.30). While Chin’s famous Peking duck is on the pricier side, you can keep things budget-friendly with classic stir-fried noodles and fried rice mains for around $20. Bring more friends, so you can try more dishes and still walk away without breaking the bank.

Hifumiya has been churning out piping-hot bowls of udon since 2018. Not only is it Perth’s OG noodle house, it’s also undeniably one of the best. Tucked away on McLean Lane, Hifumiya is often packed at all hours of the day with locals and tourists alike. But don’t be disheartened even if the queue snakes out of the restaurant – Hifumiya runs on Japanese precision and the line moves quickly. Pick from the wide variety of options proudly displayed on the photo menu above the pass. Popular options include the spicy miso pork udon ($16.80) and the beef curry udon ($15.80).

If comfort meals are high on your radar, it’s hard to go past Govinda’s Hare Krishna Restaurant over in Northbridge. With 2011 beginnings, the non-profit vegetarian buffet has been dishing out humble Indian eats that will surefire take you straight to flavourtown. Heart-warming curries tickle the taste buds, while sizable samosas and pakoras satisfy those pesky deep-fried cravings. Govinda’s combo plates will set you back just $13, featuring a huge hunk of rice to soak up all those fragrant-laden gravies. Word on the street is that budget takeaway meals are available from 3:30pm through to 7:30pm too – it’s bang for your buck at its finest.

Dinner and drinks have never looked better – especially when $1 dumplings and bottomless fried chicken are involved. Perth City’s bustling basement bar, Goody Two’s is certainly good for those two previously mentioned bargain bites, but it’s also great for late-night cocktails and dancefloor antics alike. Crowds swarm the underground haunt for post-work feasts and pre-night-on-the-town escapades beneath the cherry blossom fit-out – an apt pairing for Goody Two’s Japanese-inspired menu. Circling back to the edible deals – on Wednesdays and Thursdays, you can luxuriate in $1 dumplings, and spoil yourself on Thursdays with $20 unlimited fried chicken in a 90-minute sitting. Wash it all down with a tap beer or glass of vino for an extra, and rather decent, $5.