The Best Cheap Eats in Sydney for a Frugal Feast

As much as we all love to experience fancy fine dining at the hatted restaurants, sometimes the small hole-in-the-wall joints serving sliders on paper trays just hit the mark.

And with cozzie livs at the forefront of our minds, meals that won't break the bank are becoming the norm. Sydney has plenty of fantastic cheap eats; you've just got to know where to look! 

Forget the starched napkins and white tablecloths; these spots thrive on flavour, not formality. From loaded sandwiches and tacos to authentic roti canai, these are the best cheap eats in Sydney for budget bites.

Tamaleria & Mexican Deli

There's already much to love about Mexico, from spicy margs to cheesy nachos, and Tamaleria is making it easier than ever to embrace the country's cuisine with its authentic fare. The menu is fairly wallet-friendly with guac and corn chips for $10 and $20 burritos, but Taco Tuesday seals the deal. Every Tuesday, head in for $5 tacos, which pair exceptionally well with crisp Corona's and live music.  

463 Marrickville Road, Dulwich Hill

Toastie Smith

Toastie Smith proves you don't need to settle for basics to save a dollar. They'll scratch off mundane ham-and-cheese combo from your vocabulary with their fluffy, loaded scrambled egg sandwiches. Toastie Smith takes egg sangas to new heights, pairing them with delicious fillings like grilled prawns, wagyu beef, and mushrooms.

But among its 12 loaded toasties, we keep going back for Delish Fish. It's got all the fixings for a hearty lunch on the go: breaded barramundi fish fillet, cheese, roasted sesame-flavoured slaw, tartar sauce, pickled cucumbers and chipotle. The best part is that everything on the menu costs less than $17 - you can even pick up French toast for $5!

Sydney Place, Darling Square, The Galleries, Barangaroo, Chatswood, Macquarie Centre

The Yeeros Shop

The Yeeros Shop is a stalwart of Sydney's Greek food scene, founded in 1968 and still going strong. In excellent news, the opening of their second store means the people of Annandale will have access to their bargain bites.

The Yeeros Shops' jampacked Yeeros stuffed with meat, veggies, tzatziki and paprika is a meal and a half and will only set you back $15. Even hungrier? Grab a lamb, pork, chicken or falafel plate, stacked with their famous hand-cut chips, for $18. Phenomenal. 

Annandale and Marrickville 

Marrickville Pork Roll

Join the long, winding queue outside Marrickville Pork Roll to score an iconic Sydney staple. These fresh Vietnamese Banh Mi rolls are available in Marrickville and Darling Square and will fill you up for hours, for only $11.

Choose from crackling pork, shredded chicken, and fresh salad. When an eatery only serves one dish, you know they will do it well, and this hole-in-the-roll is no exception.

236A Illawarra Road, Marrickville

Oti

For those Sydney days demanding a slice, Oti has got the answer. Perfect for a takeaway lunch, speedy dinner, or a cheeky arvo nosh, Oti’s daily-changing menu will keep you coming back for more.

Grab a hearty pizza slice for $12 to $15 or a stuffed sandwich with fillings from smoked chicken to beef tongue, all within the $15 to $20 range. Follow the trail of locals queueing from the Ivy Precinct, and you'll understand why Oti’s is a local hero for cheap eats in Sydney.

Shop 5 Palings Lane, 320 George Street, Sydney

Mamak

Delivering the soul-warming cuisine of Kuala Lumpur, Mamak is known for its mouth-watering rotis and hearty Malaysian dishes. Established originally in Chatswood, this eatery has garnered quite the cult following across Sydney – fans flock from all over to sample Mamak’s straight-up, authentic street food.

You can try their original roti canai served with two curry dips and sambal sauce for less than $13, and the majority of noodles and mains can be scored for under $26.

Chatswood, Haymarket & Parramatta

New Shanghai

Originating on the main drag of Ashfield and now with over five stores across Australia, New Shanghai has built a steady following of avid fans due to their generous servings of house-made dumplings and handmade noodles for (mostly) under $25. Their dumplings range from the traditional pork and chive to chicken and celery, fish and everything in between. 

Westfield Sydney, Ashfield, Chatswood Chase

Pho Pasteur

With locations in Blacktown, Haymarket, and Parramatta, Pho Pasteur is a must-visit for anyone looking for an affordable bite. This hole-in-the-wall eatery specialises in traditional Vietnamese cuisine, and their pho is a popular choice come lunchtime. While they have plenty of options for traditionalists, their crispy chicken noodle soup is a standout. A huge bowl of steaming pho will set you back around $22. 

Blacktown, Haymarket & Parramatta

Good Ways Deli

Good Ways Deli is a haven for brunchers and lunchers alike! Try their breakfast sandwich with boiled egg, Maffra mature cheddar, onion jam, butter lettuce and mayo for $15 (an extra $5 if you want mortadella). Or go for the classic deli sandwiches ranging from kangaroo mortadella, chicken and ham. Sandwiches are freshly made to order with the Deli's daily bread, making it even more incredible that you won't find anything over $17. 

Shop 1/20 Cooper Street, Redfern 

Albee's Kitchen 

A long-running favourite for Malaysian fare, Albee’s Kitchen offers encyclopaedic menus at fantastic prices. Set meals, which range from ginger duck with rice to curry chicken and potatoes, cost an average of $17. We recommend gathering the gang and ordering a selection of dishes so you can sample a bit of everything. The snack menu is also well worth a peruse. $50 here will snag you a whole feast, guaranteed. 

Campsie & Kingsford 

Spice I Am

With a slew of awards to their name, you know the food at Spice I Am is bound to be good. Bringing the flavours of Bangkok to the Surry Hills foodie scene, all the dishes here are bursting with flavour and, as their name suggests, they like their dishes with a bit of spice.

The restaurant runs a micro-farm that provides the ingredients for their homemade curry paste and more and the prices remain beyond reasonable. You'll be hard-pressed to find a single dish over $30 whilst most of their handmade curries sit around the $20 mark. 

90 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills

Mother Chu's Vegetarian Kitchen 

When you’re hungry in the city, stop at Mother Chu’s, where a steaming bowl of stir-fried noodles with veggies will set you back less than $15. If you’re still hungry, order the crispy tofu with miso sauce or tempeh stir-fry with walnuts, snow peas and broccoli. At this no-frills eatery, service is quick, making it great for tasty lunch breaks. 

367 Pitt Street, Sydney

Dopa by Devon

When it comes to cheap eats that pack a punch without flattening the wallet, the Don Bowls from Dopa by Devon come to mind. A symphony of flavours, these bowls deliver a dose of dopamine with each bite. The name is a nod to the transformative power of good food, mirroring the experience of indulging in their affordable yet oh-so-satisfying bowls.

Drawing inspiration from Tokyo's streets, Dopa effortlessly blends comfort food with metropolitan vibes and will fill your bellies with delicious karaage don for just $15.

Nine locations across Sydney

Bobo Dumpling Bar

Bobo Dumpling Bar in Sydney proves that cheap eats in the city need not cut corners on flavour. Their spartan menu will reel you in with their mouthwatering hot dumplings (around $13-$16) that are ideal for a speedy work lunch or a quick snack on the run.

The King Prawn variety is a standout and a crowd favourite, offering a taste explosion that won't empty your pockets. But if you are after something heartier, go for their rice meals or a comforting noodle bowl. They won't cost you more than $25!

26 King Street, Sydney

If you loved our edit of the best cheap eats in Sydney and are looking for more bargains around the city, look at these weekend markets and the best free things to do in Sydney. Happy saving!