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Brisbane's Best Cheap Eats

Verandah out front of Latin manna West end

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

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Australia’s very first dedicated Italian gnoccheria, can be found on Paddington’s Given Terrace

Mirchh Masala

Mirchh Masala is a secret Indian restaurant that peddles authentic vegetarian street food

Kafenio

Kafenio offers traditional Greek and Cypriot cuisine from its blue and white West End workers cottage

Sing's Asian Kitchen

Sing’s Asian Kitchen at Rosalie is one of the inner west’s long-lasting gems

Taste of Saffron

Taste of Saffron is a Persian and Mediterranean restaurant serving authentic cuisine in Stones Corner

Sendok Garpu

One of Brisbane's oldest Indonesian restaurants can be found in the city's Asian street food laneway

No No's Lebanese Cuisine

A colourful and basic Lebanese eatery that has been on this bend of Waterworks Road since time immemorial

The Ukrainian Club

The Ukrainian Club Restaurant and Bar brings a traditional slice of The Ukraine to a quiet suburban street

Kathmandu Newa Chhe'n

This colourful flag-trimmed cottage in Paddington provides authentic Nepalese cuisine

Polish Club

Club Polonia is the place to go for traditional Polish cuisine, beers and vodka

El Torito

This lively West End restaurant dishes up some of the best Mexican food in Brisbane

Authentic Char Grill & Kebab

The quaint hilltop eatery is serving up the best Turkish street food to be found in Brisbane

Biang Biang Fresh Noodle

This little noodle bar in the Valley dishes up the fattest and freshest, authentic Chinese biang biang noodles in town

Latin Manna

This quirky colourful Colombian restaurant is located in an old West End cottage

Mu'ooz

Mu’ooz, the long-time fave Eritrean restaurant of Moorooka, has upped roots and moved into a quaint Queenslander in West End

Caravanserai

This hilltop cottage lit by colourful Turkish lights and candles is an enduring Brisbane favourite

Tapri

An authentic and delectable Indian street food diner, unlike anything to be found elsewhere in Brisbane

Mamak Malaysian Roti & Satay

Bringing the authentic tastes of Kuala Lumpur's Indian-Malay street stalls to Brisbane CBD

Arhibu Ethiopian Restaurant

An authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant found in an arcade in the heart of Brisbane's Little Africa

Taco Joint

Taco Joint in Oxley serves up some of Brisbane's best tacos, loaded fries and chocolate-coated churros.

Better Off Red

Better Off Red blends bold flavours, fine wine and unforgettable entertainment

Aug 16

Three Food Memories – Live

Brisbane audiences are invited to experience the connection between memory and food

Aug 16

The Gospel According to Paul

The critically-acclaimed one-hander play returns to QPAC's Playhouse

Aug 18-23

There’s nothing like a Dame

Experience an unforgettable evening of soaring vocals and timeless classics

Aug 20-22

The Music And Life of Barbra Streisand

Celebrate the timeless music of Barbra Streisand in a dazzling new concert event starring Melinda Schneider.

Aug 21

Science Night - Amphibians with Dr Ian Brennan

Combine Friday night drinks with a fascinating journey into the world of frogs

Aug 21

ARCO - Bohemian Dreams Tour

Experience the magic of timeless classical masterpieces with ARCO

Aug 21

Brisbane Ukrainian Festival 2026

Ukrainian Festival Brisbane is back with Ukrainian food, music, and community spirit in August.

Aug 22

BBX2026 LEGO® Fan Expo

BBX2026 brings Brisbane's biggest LEGO® fan event back this August

Aug 22 - 23

A GILBERT & SULLIVAN CONCERT EVENT

Experience the wit, elegance and enduring brilliance of Gilbert & Sullivan as Prospero Arts presents Gilbert & Sullivan: A Soirée of Song & Satire at QPAC

A GILBERT & SULLIVAN CONCERT EVENT

MUST DO

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers returns this spring with stunning blooms, delicious food and endless family fun

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THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Aug 7-9

The Ekka returns, an Australia-first 3D dining experience arrives, La Boite premieres an out-of-this-world comedy and Ashton's Great Australian Circus rolls into town

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Brisbane Festival - Festival Village South Bank

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HOT TICKET

Ashton's Great Australian Circus

Brisbane's #1 circus experience is rolling into Browns Plains bringing 10 days of jaw-dropping entertainment to Waller Park

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MUST DO FAMILY HOLIDAY

Big4 Gold Coast Holiday Park

Create magical family memories on the Gold Coast with a stay packed full of adventure, including daily breakfast, six fun-filled kids' activities and easy access to the region's biggest theme parks!

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park

BEST OF BRISBANE

50+ Best Restaurants in Brisbane

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Best Of Brisbane

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Experience the wit, elegance and enduring brilliance of Gilbert & Sullivan