Brisbane’s Best Cheap Eats
Photo by Jarred Reinke
Fact: Food tastes better when you know you’re getting bang for your buck, don’t you think?
With plenty of restaurants and bars around Brisbane offering incredible value deals every day of the week, believe it or not, it is possible to find delicious food that won’t drain your bank account - you won’t believe how much you can make your money stretch!
Fritzenberger | South Bank, Petrie Terrace & Wilston
Download Fritzenberger’s free app and you’ll have access to a bunch of sweet weekly deals right at your fingertips – think $10 burgers, 50c wings, 2-4-1 deals and a local craft beer and 4 wings for $5. Plus, pay through the app and you’ll earn 15 rewards points per dollar spent which can be used as credit for beers, burgers and more – what could be better?!
Quysine Tapas Bar & Restaurant | Cleveland
With all-day specials and a lunchtime special where one can enjoy any tapas plate, side and drink for $18, you can expect wallet-friendly prices every day of the week at Cleveland’s Quysine Tapas Bar & Restaurant. Though if you’re really looking for unbeatable value, drop by on a Sunday when all tapas plates will only set you back $10!
The Boundary | West End
As West End’ most iconic watering hole, The Boundary offers some killer deals. If you don’t want to let go the weekend, organise a catch-up with six mates on Monday and you’ll enjoy 40% off your main meals. Otherwise, pop by on after work on a Tuesday (from 5-7pm) and 2-4-1 wood-fired pizzas. Though, the deals extend beyond Monday and Tuesdays, as The Boundary Hotel offers $15 pizzas every day during Happy Hour (12-2pm), ever-changing $14 weekly specials (every Mon-Thurs) and 10% off your meal if you sign up to be a member.
Harajuku Gyoza | South Bank & Brisbane City
Have some loose change lying around? Well, we highly recommend dropping by Harajuku Gyoza, either there Brisbane CBD or South Bank store on a Monday to enjoy their delicious gyozas, which on Mondays are just $1! Drop in later in the week and you’ll find similar bang for your buck, with 2-4-1 gyoza plates available every Tuesday and 50c wings (their popular Tebasaki peppered chicken wings cooked fresh to order) on Wednesdays! To claim these offers, simply download the Harajuku Gyoza app.
The Thai Orchid | Springwood
Founded in 1986 to become the first ever Thai restaurant in Brisbane, the multi-award-winning Thai Orchid in Springwood has been a favourite and go-to for delicious, dependable and unbeatable Thai food for decades. Plus, with a lunch specials menu, featuring a selection of Thai curries, stir-fries and noodle dishes for just $12.90, it’s also home to some great value Thai food also!
Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers | South Bank, New Farm & Paddington
Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Australia’s first 100% dedicated Italian Gnoccheria, now with three locations around Brisbane (and one at the Gold Coast), is the best place to carb load on a budget. Available for dine-in or takeaway, its six types of gnocchi, inclusive of Wild Mushroom & Truffle Sauce, Traditional Beef Bolognese, and Creamy Lobster & Barramundi, will leave you full and your bank balance at just $14 each.
Jade Buddha | Eagle Street Pier
The restaurants and bars at Eagle Street Pier may be more suited to cashed up corporate folk and special occasions, though Jade Buddha is an exception. As despite its stunning river views, Jade Buddha is perfect for those on a budget, especially on Tuesdays when you can score yourself 10 pork dumplings for $5 (that’s 50 cent’s a dumpling!) with a drink purchase.
Botantica | Red Hill, Teneriffe, Hawthorne & Camp Hill
Who said healthy, fresh, ‘real’ food is expensive? Because at Botanica it’s not – you can get a takeaway salad that will last two meals for close to $12! Plus, with their salad cabinet overflowing with 7 delicious salads, replenished, topped-up and changed all day, you can rest assured no matter what time you arrive – on your lunch break or just before they close – they will have a delicious variety of freshly prepared salads waiting for you.
El Camino Cantina | South Bank, Chermside & Bowen Hills
There’s no matter place to spend a Tuesday than at El Camino Cantina. Why? Because it’s Taco Tuesday, which means an ever-changing selection of delicious soft-shell tacos for just $2 (with a drinks purchase) – taco about a great deal! Otherwise, if you’re looking for a Hump Day treat that won’t break the bank, El Camino Cantina serves their famous saucy chicken wings for 10c a pop (with a drinks purchase) every Wednesday. Also good to know, happy hour runs between 4-6pm midweek!
Melt Brothers | Brisbane City
It ain’t easy being cheesy! Inspired by the range of delicious comfort food on offer in New York’s alleyways, Melt Brothers is all about gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, with a modern twist. Served on fresh artisan sourdough and using only the freshest ingredients, Melt Brothers variety of mouth-watering cheesy melts aren’t just delicious, but are also super budget-friendly – their signature double cheese ‘Mouse Trap’ gourmet toastie is just $6.95!
Written by Jarred Reinke