Melbourne is a city where you can eat really well, for really cheap providing you know the right places. So here we go, some of the best cheap eats Melbourne has.
Cheap Eats Melbourne
Lentil As Anything
If you're willing to put your carnivorous needs aside for a meal, I highly recommend Lentil As Anything it’s a great vegetarian restaurant that is just around the corner from Base St Kilda Melbourne. It has a unique ‘pay what you feel it’s worth’ philosophy, serving up a variety of delicious curries and many vegetarian delights.
Moroccan Soup Bar
If you're keen on the veg, then I beg you to take trip to the bohemian north side of Melbourne and check out Moroccan Soup Bar. It is genuinely some of the nicest vegetarian food you’ll ever eat. The soup is great, but if your really hungry I recommend the banquet, it’s about $17 per person and you get a plethora of incredible Moroccan style dishes.
Tiamo
Lygon Street – The home of Melbourne’s best and worst Italian food. Just north of the city is Lygon Street, Melbourne’s Italian district. Unfortunately it’s become so well known for it’s Italian food that many not so cheap, and very average restaurants have popped up. There are still a few really ones though. ‘Tiamo’ serve up fresh simple traditional pasta that rivals the best. If you’re into pasta, you won’t be disappointed. A little bit more expensive than the other places I’ve mentioned but I’m pretty sure most of the dishes are under $20.
Queen Victoria Market
Don’t worry meat lovers, I’m one of you, and I know you need your fix. For most people that live in Melbourne, The Queen Victoria Market is not a place we go to for fake/cheap clothes and goods, Ebay overtook that long ago. It’s a food market. Head into the meat and fish area and you will find thick, organic, locally produced, grain fed, wagyu steaks that will have any true steak lover drooling at the mouth. Instead of eating out, why not buy a really nice steak and a bottle of wine, and cook it yourself. It’s a great way to get a taste of Australia’s premium quality fresh produce at a fraction of the price you’d pay at a nice restaurant. I guarantee you, the meat you find at the market is cheaper and far better quality than what you’d buy at our local supermarkets.
Food Stalls at Queen Victoria market
If looking at all that meat makes you hungry, there are two awesome cheap market stalls you should try out for hot food. Look for the crowds of people surrounding the ‘borek’ stall. A ‘borek' is a delicious, long bready, pastry thingy with various meat, veg and cheeses inside. It hails from Turkey and at only $2.50 is a true bargain. Have your order ready before you get to the front of the line as these ladies are known for their ‘soup Nazi’ styled vending.
Near the Borek stall, is the home of Melbourne’s best bratwurst sausage. You might have to queue for a couple of minutes but its well worth your wait, I recommend the spicy sausage with cheese, onion, tommy k, and hot mustard.
Tasty Asian Food
China Town is full of cheap restaurants, some of which are fantastic, some of which are terrible. So choose wisely.
Shanghai Village - For a mouth-watering Shanghai style dumpling house head to Shanghai Village, large plates of around 12 dumplings are a measly $7-$8 and its BYO any alcohol, I’ve actually been there before with a bottle of a Jager and a six pack of Red Bulls, pounding Jager Bombs in plain sight. Truly a great and cheap way to start out a night in the city.
Izakaya Chuji - If Japanese is your thing you must go to the authentic, yet still cheap Izakaya Chuji. The lunch Bento Boxes are about $12 and you get a wide variety tasty treats.
Co Do - Victoria St, Richmond aka Little Vietnam. This is an area known for it’s delectable yet super cheap Vietnamese food, particularly the Pho. (famous Vietnamese rice noodle soup) Victoria Street is an area where restaurant competition is so fierce that you can pretty much walk into any restaurant and be sure to have a decent cheap meal. My number one spot on Victoria St for Pho is Co Do it’s about $8 for a soup that I feel is just as good if not better than something you’d actually get in Saigon.
That’s my two cents on eating in Melbourne. If nothing appeals to you, then tell me what does and I’m sure I’ll be able to recommend a place for you. For those too lazy to google, I’ve listed the names of the restaurants and their address below, our friendly reception staff can show you the way.
- Lentil As Anything 41 Blessington St, St Kilda
- Moroccan Soup Bar 183 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North
- Tiamo Coffee Restaurant 303 Lygon St
- Shanghai Village 112 Little Burke St, Melbourne
- Izakaya Chuji 1989 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
- Carlton Co Do 196 Victoria St, Richmond
Heading to Melbourne?
- Need a drink after all that food? 10 of the Best Laneway Rooftop Bars
- Need Accommodation? Stay at Base St Kilda Melbourne
