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Best Budget Eats

In Brisbane

Exterior evening view of Hai Hai Ramen, Paddington

Updated: May 08, 2026

For a delicious lunch or dinner on a budget, check out this list of the most hip-pocket friendly eats that Brisbane has to offer, with a majority of mains coming in at less than $25 and a few $20 or less.

Authentic Char Grill & Kebab
Exterior of Authentic CharGrill & Kebab Turkish Bardon
The quaint hilltop eatery is serving up the best Turkish street food to be found in Brisbane
more
Biang Biang Fresh Noodle
Plate of nnodles, Biang Biang Fresh Noodle Fortitude Valley
This little noodle bar in the Valley dishes up the fattest and freshest, authentic Chinese biang biang noodles in town
more
Vietnam House
Exterior of Vietnam House Milton showing outside seating
A sibling for the popular restaurant of the same name in the Valley has a second casual eatery tucked away in a Milton lane
more
Tapri
Exterior of Tapri Rosalie
An authentic and delectable Indian street food diner, unlike anything to be found elsewhere in Brisbane
more
La Arepa Brava
La Arepa Brava Fortitude Valley
A secret slice of Colombia, serving traditional dishes and drinks on a budget, tucked away in a European-style piazza
more
Arhibu Ethiopian Restaurant
Bowl of popcorn in a dish at Arhibu Ethiopian Restaurant Moorooka
An authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant found in an arcade in the heart of Brisbane's Little Africa
more
La Bodega Taqueria
Woman sitting at table outside La Bodega Taqueria East Brisbane
A bright and breezy terracotta-hued Mexican restaurant located in a tiny precinct of eateries off Lytton Rd
more
The Ukrainian Club
People dining at The Ukrainian Club Holland Park West
The Ukrainian Club Restaurant and Bar brings a traditional slice of The Ukraine to a quiet suburban street
more
Kafenio
Exterior of Kafenio West End
Kafenio offers traditional Greek and Cypriot cuisine from its blue and white West End workers cottage
more
Momo Chicken
People dining at Momo Chicken Newmarket
One of Brisbane's best Korean fried chicken restaurants, tucked away underneath Newmarket Village
more
Kathmandu Newa Chhe'n
Interior of Kathmandu Newa Chhe'n
This colourful flag-trimmed cottage in Paddington provides authentic Nepalese cuisine
more
El Torito
People dining at El Torito, West End
This lively West End restaurant dishes up some of the best Mexican food in Brisbane
more
Polish Club
Exterior of Polish Club, Milton
Club Polonia is the place to go for traditional Polish cuisine, beers and vodka
more
Sing's Asian Kitchen
Seating at Sing's Asian Kitchen
Sing’s Asian Kitchen at Rosalie is one of the inner west’s long-lasting gems
more
Hai Hai Ramen
Exterior of Hai-Hai Ramen Paddington
Hai Hai Ramen is a tiny Japanese ramen bar found in a black worker’s cottage on Paddington’s Latrobe Tce
more
Taro's Ramen
Interior of Taro's Ramen, Stones Corner
One of Brisbane's best ramen bars serving big bowls of slurp-worthy soup
more
Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers
Plates of gnocchi pasta at Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers Paddington
Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, Australia’s very first dedicated Italian gnoccheria, can be found on Paddington’s Given Terrace
more

Still hungry for more suggestions on where to eat out in Brisbane, head to our comprehensive Eat & Drink section HERE! Happy grazing!

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