SITE PARTNER:  

Best Budget Eats

In Brisbane

Exterior evening view of Hai Hai Ramen, Paddington

Updated: Oct 14, 2025

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 mains coming in at less than $25 and a majority $20 or less.

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
Latin Manna
Verandah at Latin Manna West End
This quirky colourful Colombian restaurant is located in an old West End cottage
more
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
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
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
Taste of Saffron
Exterior of Taste of Saffron
Taste of Saffron is a Persian and Mediterranean restaurant serving authentic cuisine in Stones Corner
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!

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

Crowd of shoppers at The BIG Handmade Christmas Design Market

The BIG Handmade Christmas Design Market

Celebrate mindful making, creativity and thoughtful buying this festive season
Dec 7
Cast on stage at A Very Naughty Christmas Twelfth Night Theatre

A Very Naughty Christmas

Australia’s longest running adults-only Christmas comedy is back
Dec 11-21
Sweet-Charity-hero

Sweet Charity

Fall in love with timeless hits, sensational performances and the promise of “hopefully ever after
Dec 11-14
The Kransky Sisters performing A Cracker Kransky Christmas at QPAC

A Cracker Kransky Christmas

A crock pot of cracker hits with The Kransky Sisters
Dec 16-21
People dining at The Star Christmas

Christmas Day Dining at The Star Brisbane

Looking for somewhere special to dine on Christmas Day?
Dec 25
Three women playing mini golf at Swingers - The Art of Mini Golf

Swingers - The Art of Mini Golf

Brisbane Powerhouse launches with a bold new exhibition
Jan 10 - Mar 1
Stage at TCMF

Tamworth Country Music Festival

Australia’s largest and longest running music festival returns for its 54th year
Jan 16-25
Headshot of Prof Brian Cox

Professor Brian Cox: Emergence

Professor Brian Cox is back with his new show, Emergence
May 30
See All
Reduce your risk

Be SharkSmart

Follow the 6 SHARKS tips and be SharkSmart every time you are on or in the water this summer
Read more
7 Must Do Queensland Country Drives
The Summit Restaurant
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
Read more
Best Restaurants in Brisbane
The Gatsby Bar
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
Read more
Best Bars in Brisbane
Queensland Ballet's favourite festive tradition returns
CONTENT RESUMES ON SCROLL
ADVERTISEMENT