Cheap Eats in Melbourne: Budget-Friendly Dining

Melbourne is a city that offers a diverse range of dining options, from fine dining to affordable street food. For budget-conscious travellers, there are plenty of cheap eats to be found. Here are some popular neighbourhoods to explore:

Richmond

• Lulu’s Char Koay Teow: This unassuming Malaysian eatery serves up delicious stir-fried noodles with a variety of toppings.
  • Address: 129 Victoria St, Richmond VIC 3121
  • Specialty: Malaysian cuisine, char kway teow
  • Reviews: Praised for its authentic flavours and generous portions.
• Göz City: This Turkish restaurant offers delicious meat and veggie gözleme flatbreads, along with soups and salads.
  • Address: 203 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121
  • Specialty: Turkish cuisine, gözleme
  • Reviews: Popular for its delicious and affordable Turkish flatbreads.
• Delhi Streets: This Indian restaurant serves up classic Indian dishes and street food.
  • Address: 259 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121
  • Specialty: Indian cuisine, curries, street food
  • Reviews: Offers a wide range of authentic Indian dishes at reasonable prices.

Footscray

• Pho Thanh: This Vietnamese restaurant offers delicious and affordable pho and other Vietnamese dishes.
  • Address: 113-115 Hopkins St, Footscray VIC 3011
  • Specialty: Vietnamese cuisine, pho, bánh mì
  • Reviews: A popular spot for delicious and affordable Vietnamese food.
• Aubergine: This Middle Eastern restaurant serves up delicious kebabs, falafel, and other Middle Eastern specialties.
  • Address: 16-22 Hopkins St, Footscray VIC 3011
  • Specialty: Middle Eastern cuisine, kebabs, falafel
  • Reviews: Offers a wide range of Middle Eastern dishes at reasonable prices.
• Footscray Market: This bustling market is a great place to find fresh produce, cheap eats, and international cuisine.
  • Address: 50 Barkly St, Footscray VIC 3011
  • Specialty: Fresh produce, street food, international cuisine
  • Reviews: A vibrant market offering a variety of affordable food options.

Coburg

• The Coburg Velodrome: This historic Velodrome is home to several cafes and restaurants, offering affordable dining options.
  • Address: 1 Velodrome Dr, Coburg North VIC 3058
  • Specialty: Cafés, restaurants, and bars
  • Reviews: A popular spot for affordable meals and drinks, with a variety of dining options.
• Local Cafés and Bakeries: Coburg has a variety of cafes and bakeries that offer delicious coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.
• Asian Eateries: Explore the many Asian restaurants in Coburg for affordable and delicious meals.

By exploring these neighbourhoods and trying affordable eateries, you can experience Melbourne’s diverse food scene without breaking the bank. Remember to check online reviews and recommendations to find the best deals and the most authentic experiences.

Cheap Eats and Street Food

Chinatown

• Golden Century Restaurant: This iconic restaurant is renowned for its delicious dim sum and seafood dishes. Be prepared for long queues, especially on weekends.

  • Address: 39-41 Goulburn St, Haymarket NSW 2000
  • Specialty: Dim sum, seafood
  • Reviews: Highly rated for its authentic Cantonese cuisine and lively atmosphere.

• Din Tai Fung: This Taiwanese restaurant chain is famous for its delicate and flavorful xiao long bao.

  • Address: Shop 1030, World Square, 644 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
  • Specialty: Xiao long bao (soup dumplings), other Taiwanese dishes
  • Reviews: Praised for its high-quality food and efficient service.

Queen Victoria Market:

• This bustling market offers a wide range of affordable food options, including fresh produce, street food, and gourmet delicacies.
• Address: 513 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Specialty: Fresh produce, street food, gourmet food
• Must-Try:
  • Delicatessen: Sample a variety of cheeses, cured meats, and other gourmet products.
  • Street Food Stalls: Enjoy delicious and affordable street food, such as kebabs, dumplings, and burgers.
  • Fresh Produce: Buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood at affordable prices.

Night Noodle Markets

• These vibrant night markets offer a wide range of Asian street food, including dumplings, noodles, and other delicious dishes.
• Location: Various locations in Melbourne
• Specialty: Asian street food
• Must-Try:
  • Char Kway Teow: A popular Malaysian dish made with stir-fried rice noodles.
  • Pad Thai: A classic Thai dish made with stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and protein.
  • Bao Buns: Soft steamed buns filled with various fillings, such as pork belly or tofu.

Affordable Cafés and Brunch Spots

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

• The Rose Street Bakery: A beloved local institution offering artisanal bread, pastries, and excellent coffee.
  • Address: 52 Rose St, Fitzroy, VIC 3065
  • Specialty: Artisan bread, pastries, coffee
  • Reviews: Renowned for its delicious pastries and strong coffee.
  • Must-Try: Croissants, sourdough bread, and coffee.
• Sister Bella: A stylish café known for its Italian-inspired brunch dishes, coffee, and pastries.
  • Address: 121 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, VIC 3065
  • Specialty: Italian-inspired brunch, coffee, pastries
  • Reviews: Popular for its brunch dishes and strong coffee.
  • Must-Try: Avocado smash, ricotta hotcakes.

Smith Street, Collingwood

• Proud Mary: A trendy café with a focus on specialty coffee, brunch, and baked goods.
  • Address: 172 Smith St, Collingwood, VIC 3066
  • Specialty: Specialty coffee, brunch, and baked goods
  • Reviews: Highly regarded for its innovative coffee and delicious food.
  • Must-Try: Filter coffee, avocado smash, and pastries.
• Little Rogue: A cosy café offering delicious coffee, brunch, and pastries.
  • Address: 297 Bridge Rd, Richmond, VIC 3121
  • Specialty: Coffee, brunch, and baked goods
  • Reviews: Praised for its friendly service and delicious food.
  • Must-Try: Eggs Benedict, smashed avo, and coffee.

Chapel Street, Prahran

• Limes Hotel: A stylish hotel with a popular all-day dining restaurant, offering a variety of brunch dishes, coffee, and cocktails.
  • Address: 60 Chapel St, Prahran, VIC 3181
  • Specialty: All-day dining, coffee, cocktails
  • Reviews: Known for its stylish atmosphere and delicious food.
  • Must-Try: Brunch dishes, cocktails, and coffee.
• Top Paddock: A popular brunch spot known for its innovative dishes and stylish ambience.
  • Address: 101 Chapel St, Prahran, VIC 3181
  • Specialty: Modern Australian cuisine, brunch, coffee
  • Reviews: Praised for its innovative dishes and stylish ambience.
  • Must-Try: Brunch dishes, particularly the smashed avo.

By exploring these neighbourhoods, you can find affordable and delicious brunch options to fuel your day.

Tips for Eating Cheap in Melbourne

Happy Hour Deals

• Take Advantage of Happy Hour: Many bars and restaurants offer discounted drinks and food during happy hour. This is a great way to save money on drinks and appetizers.
• Check Online: Websites like Dimmi and The Urban List can help you find the best happy hour deals in Melbourne.

Weekday Lunch Specials

• Affordable Lunch Menus: Many restaurants offer discounted lunch menus during the week. This is a great way to save money on lunch, especially in the CBD.
• Cheap Eats in the CBD: Look for affordable lunch options in the CBD, such as food courts and casual eateries.

BYO Wine Restaurants

• Bring Your Wine: BYO wine restaurants allow you to bring your wine and pay a small corkage fee. This is a great way to save money on wine, especially for special occasions.
• Check Local Regulations: Some restaurants may have specific rules and regulations regarding BYO wine.

Food Trucks and Food Vans

• Affordable and Delicious: Food trucks and vans offer a variety of affordable and delicious food options, from burgers and tacos to dumplings and noodles.
• Unique and Innovative: Many food trucks offer unique and innovative dishes that you won’t find in traditional restaurants.

FAQs about Eating Cheap in Melbourne

1. What are the best neighbourhoods for budget-friendly dining in Melbourne?

• Richmond: This vibrant suburb offers a variety of affordable eateries, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malaysian restaurants.
• Footscray: Known for its diverse food scene, Footscray offers affordable Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, and Indian cuisine.
• Coburg: This suburb has a range of affordable cafes, bakeries, and restaurants.

2. Are there any good food markets in Melbourne?

Yes, Melbourne has several fantastic food markets:

• Queen Victoria Market: This iconic market offers fresh produce, street food, and gourmet food.
• South Melbourne Market: This market offers fresh produce, gourmet food, and international cuisine.

3. What are some popular budget-friendly dishes in Melbourne?

• Pho: A Vietnamese noodle soup.
• Bánh mì: A Vietnamese baguette sandwich.
• Dumplings: A Chinese delicacy.
• Meat pies: A classic Australian dish.
• Fish and chips: A popular British dish.

4. What are some tips for finding cheap eats in Melbourne?

• Look for lunch specials: Many restaurants offer discounted lunch menus.
• Check online for deals and discounts: Websites like Groupon and Dimmi often have deals on food and drinks.
• Visit food trucks and street food stalls: These offer affordable and delicious food.
• Cook your meals: If you have access to a kitchen, cooking your meals can be a cost-effective way to eat.

5. What are the best neighbourhoods for budget-friendly dining in Melbourne?

In addition to the neighbourhoods mentioned earlier, consider these areas:

• Carlton: This historic suburb is home to many affordable eateries, especially around Lygon Street, known as “Little Italy.”
• Brunswick: This vibrant suburb offers a mix of affordable cafes, bakeries, and restaurants.
• St Kilda: This beachside suburb has many affordable eateries, especially around Acland Street.

6. Are there any late-night dining options in Melbourne?

While many restaurants close early, you can find late-night dining options in the CBD and some suburbs:

• Chinatown: Many Chinese restaurants stay open late.
• Late-night food trucks and vans: These can be found in various locations around the city, especially on weekends.
• 24-hour convenience stores: These offer basic snacks and drinks.

7. What are some local food specialties to try in Melbourne?

• Meat pies: A savoury pastry filled with meat and gravy.
• Lamingtons: Square sponge cakes dipped in chocolate and coated with coconut.
• Pavlova: A light and airy meringue dessert topped with whipped cream and fruit.
• Dim sum: A variety of small dishes, including dumplings, buns, and noodles.

Conclusion

With its vibrant food scene, Melbourne offers a diverse range of dining options to suit every budget. From budget-friendly street food to fine dining experiences, the city has something for everyone. By exploring the city’s diverse neighbourhoods, trying local specialties, and following these tips, you can enjoy a delicious and affordable culinary adventure. So, bon appétit and happy eating!

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