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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.

A Quiet Game – Project Immersive

Project Immersive’s brand-new challenge game

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

Jane Austen gets a hilarious musical makeover in Pride & Prejudice* (sort of)*

Sep 30 - Oct 18

Art of the Score: The Music of Joe Hisaishi

Experience Joe Hisaishi’s iconic Studio Ghibli music live with Queensland Symphony Orchestra in Brisbane.

Oct 2-3

Radiohead for Solo Piano: Live AV Set

Australian pianist Josh Cohen returns to QPAC with his acclaimed reimagining of Radiohead's iconic songs

Oct 3

MS Moonlight Walk

Brisbane’s annual lantern-lit moonlight walk to fight MS

Oct 10

Brisbane Celtic Festival

Brisbane Celtic Festival is a lively celebration of Celtic culture,

Oct 11

Cinematic: The Wonder of Animation

Experience the most beloved animated movie soundtracks

Oct 23-24

Horror Movie Campout

Horror Movie Campout is a full-on immersive overnight horror camping experience

Oct 24-25

Ladies standing in an art studio looking at art

Sandgate Art Society Creative Trail

Discover this northside art trail over two art-filled weekends

Oct 24-25, 30 & Oct 31 - Nov 1

Anastasia The Musical

The hit Broadway musical ANASTASIA arrives in Brisbane this September, bringing romance and adventure to QPAC

Anastasia The Musical

MUST DO

The Book of Mormon

Brisbane, the Mormons are back! The Tony®, Olivier® and Grammy® Award-winning The Book of Mormon is now playing at QPAC

The Book of Mormon

THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Sep 25-27

School holiday fun, The Book of Mormon, a massive Jim Henson exhibition, Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Anastasia The Musical, a lantern-lit trail kicks off and Brisbane Festival continues

This Weekend Sep 25-27

COMING UP

What's On in October In & Around Brisbane

From beloved musicals, unique exhibitions and live shows to Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers events, cinema programs and culinary experiences, the top things to do in and around Brisbane in October

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EAT & DRINK

Sea High Tea

Landing at The Westin Brisbane's signature restaurant Batica Dining Sea High Tea trades the usual finger sandwiches for Australia's finest ocean produce

Sea High Tea

HOT TICKET

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

Jane Austen gets a hilarious musical makeover in this Olivier Award-winning comedy coming to Brisbane

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)

MUST VISIT

Brisbane Festival 2026 at Brisbane Quarter

Brisbane Quarter is blooming this September, with a striking new installation, limited-edition dining experiences and plenty of pink-inspired treats in celebration of Brisbane Festival 2026

Brisbane Festival 2026 at Brisbane Quarter

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 brand-new Nutcracker is coming to Brisbane