SITE PARTNER:  

Brisbane's Best Cheap Eats

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

When it comes to finding the best cheap eats in Brisbane, where meals can still be found for $25 or under, it pays to have a sense of adventure.

For scattered throughout Brisbane's inner city and suburbs are a wealth of great value multicultural eateries, from Polish to Greek, Lebanese to Latin American, Persian to African, where you can feast like a king without breaking the budget.  

Of those, here are 20 of the best - some long-standing Brisbane institutions and others hidden gems off the beaten track that you didn't know about till now:

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Australia’s very first dedicated Italian gnoccheria, can be found on Paddington’s Given Terrace
Mirchh Masala is a secret Indian restaurant that peddles authentic vegetarian street food
Kafenio offers traditional Greek and Cypriot cuisine from its blue and white West End workers cottage
Sing’s Asian Kitchen at Rosalie is one of the inner west’s long-lasting gems
Taste of Saffron is a Persian and Mediterranean restaurant serving authentic cuisine in Stones Corner
One of Brisbane's oldest Indonesian restaurants can be found in the city's Asian street food laneway
A colourful and basic Lebanese eatery that has been on this bend of Waterworks Road since time immemorial
The Ukrainian Club Restaurant and Bar brings a traditional slice of The Ukraine to a quiet suburban street
This colourful flag-trimmed cottage in Paddington provides authentic Nepalese cuisine
Club Polonia is the place to go for traditional Polish cuisine, beers and vodka
This lively West End restaurant dishes up some of the best Mexican food in Brisbane
The quaint hilltop eatery is serving up the best Turkish street food to be found in Brisbane
This little noodle bar in the Valley dishes up the fattest and freshest, authentic Chinese biang biang noodles in town
This quirky colourful Colombian restaurant is located in an old West End cottage
Mu’ooz, the long-time fave Eritrean restaurant of Moorooka, has upped roots and moved into a quaint Queenslander in West End
This hilltop cottage lit by colourful Turkish lights and candles is an enduring Brisbane favourite
An authentic and delectable Indian street food diner, unlike anything to be found elsewhere in Brisbane
Bringing the authentic tastes of Kuala Lumpur's Indian-Malay street stalls to Brisbane CBD
An authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant found in an arcade in the heart of Brisbane's Little Africa
Taco Joint in Oxley serves up some of Brisbane's best tacos, loaded fries and chocolate-coated churros.

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

Ubuntu Social is a free, all-ages celebration of world music, art, and community
Westfield Mt Gravatt is bringing all the football excitement to Brisbane
Opera Queensland's Rusalka is taking over QPAC from June 25
Tom Gleeson is completely out of touch so come along to his show and take him down a peg
Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane is helping Marriott Bonvoy members get even more from their stay
Queensland Ballet is set to enchant young audiences with a brand-new whimsical production
Get your stretchy pants ready, Brisbane—the Sunnybank Food Trail is officially back
Lifeline’s Brisbane Bookfest is back for 9 huge days this winter!
A feel-good musical celebration of friendship, courage, and finding your voice
EDITOR'S PICK

Brisbane Greeters Tours

See Brisbane through the eyes of a local with these free guided tours
Brisbane Greeters Tours
MUST DO

Red Riding Hood and The Wolf

Queensland Ballet is set to enchant young audiences with Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, a brand-new whimsical production
Red Riding Hood and The Wolf
THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do June 19-21

The World Press Photo Exhibition returns, a bold new Hamlet takes the stage, Festival of Showjumping begins and Brisbane’s biggest Brooki Bakehouse opens in Fish Lane
This Weekend June 19-21
BRISBANE GUIDE

Day to Night in Paddington

Follow our Must Do-approved itinerary for the ultimate day-to-night adventure through Paddington
Day to Night in Paddington
NEXT MONTH

What's on in July in & around Brisbane

From Video Games concert, Night Feast by the river and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra to art tours of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Jetty2Jetty and Bonfire Night, the best things to do in and around Brisbane in July:
What's On in Brisbane in July
THE GUIDE

Winter School Holidays Jun-Jul

Keep the kids off the screens this holiday with these great shows, activities and events, from fun in the snow to epic shows, exhibitions and more
June July School Holiday Guide
BEST OF BRISBANE

50+ Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Looking for the best restaurants in Brisbane? Then check out this guide for the must-do dining experiences from the city to the suburbs
Best Restaurants in Brisbane
Best Of Brisbane

Brisbane's Best 50 Bars

Whether you're after breezy drinks by the river, a stiff whiskey in an underground bar, a cosy laneway hideaway or a rooftop with views, here's 50 of Brisbane's best bars
Best Bars in Brisbane
A vibrant celebration of Baroque Italy at QPAC
CONTENT RESUMES ON SCROLL
ADVERTISEMENT