Doing Sydney on the cheap doesn’t mean a one-way ticket to a fast food chain. Whether you’re the victim of some drunken online shopping, or are just saving up big for that Bali holiday, we’ve got the best cheap eats in Sydney all lined up for you.
Per Kilo, CBD – Stuffed to the brim with guacamole, garlic rice, black beans, salsa and chilli capsicum sauce, you won’t go wanting with the burritos from this place. Hong Ha, Mascot – It doesn’t matter how long the line is, we’ll always wait for the pork banh mi. Pho Pasteur, CBD – When it comes down to it, pho is a simple dish with no place to hide and the pho from this Chinatown favourite is as heart-warming as ever. Venus Wholefoods, Surry Hills – The constantly changing lunch salads from this bustling Surry Hills café never seem to get old. Ramen Ikkyu, Haymarket – It’s a tough one to call but the ramen here is definitely one of the best. Be sure to get the chef’s special ramen (cos you fancy). Burger Project, CBD – The American cheeseburger is delicious (and an excellent choice for cheap eats in Sydney). South Dowling Sandwiches, Darlinghurst – The variety of sandwiches on offer are always hearty and always delicious. Do Dee Paidang, Haymarket – The noodles from this Haymarket hotspot are slurpingly good no matter what variation you choose. Chat Thai, Randwick – And oldie but a goodie, the Pad Thai is a plate of noodly, saucy goodness. Henley’s Wholefoods, Alexandria – The pumpkin hazelnut meal bread with zucchini ribbons, smoked salmon and a yoghurt dressing will have you more than satisfied. El Topo, Bondi – Even if the tacos weren’t $6 each, we’d eat a heaping of them they’re just that addictive. Boon Café, Haymarket – The crab congee is essentially a warm hug with every spoonful. Café Oratnek, Redfern – It may come with white bread but just trust us when we say that the katsu sando is nothing short of epic. So 9, Waterloo – The meatball banh mi – it’s tangy, it’s spicy, it’s filling… is there anything else you need to know? Sushi Uo, Surry Hills – For when you’re craving Japanese but don’t have the cash to splurge on four pieces of sashimi, you can’t go wrong with the dinner donburi at this restaurant. Society Pizza, Bondi – Topped with braised cauliflower, spring onion, olive and truffle pecorino, you’re going to want to keep the Troppo Buona all to yourself it’s that tasty. Monster Rolls, Darlinghurst – it’s almost frightening how flavoursome the pulled pork roll is on this Darlo street corner. Zeus Street Greek, Drummoyne – While a little untraditional, trust us when we say the soft shell crab gyros are well worth your hard-earned pennies. Goodtime Burgers & Sportsbar, Bondi – The Bondi hot bird burger on this level of The Eastern is well worth the messy aftermath. Italia Di Gusto, CBD – Biting into the vegetarian calzone at this city restaurant is like biting into the boot of Italy. But delicious. Mr Crackles, Darlinghurst – Pork crackling roll is so bad, it’s good and tastes like nothing else after a big night out. Bourke Street Bakery, Surry Hills – The iconic sausage roll (with sauce!) you high-roller you! The Lord Gladstone, Chippendale – just between you and me we’d pay top dollar for the cheeseburger at this inner city pub. Bonus: it comes with fries! Sea Bay, CBD – A plate of fried pork dumplings is never not a million dollar idea. Gyradiko, Bexley – Now this is Greek. The larger-than-life gyros complete with chips here is simply one of the best. Dear Delicious, Dulwich Hill – It’s the taste of the holidays everyday at this Sydney café with their stack of gingerbread and caramelised banana hotcakes. New Shanghai, Chatswood – Xiao long baos by definition are little soupy parcels of heaven. MissChu, Darlinghurst – The sashimi tuna rice paper rolls won’t even make a dent in your wallet. Madame Nhu, CBD – Thanks to the eight-hour secret broth, the vegetable pho at this joint is one seductive, flavoursome bowl. Encasa Deli, CBD – Stuffed with eye fillet, a fried egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato and plenty of aioli the pepito bocadillo is one mighty baguette. Ramen Zundo, CBD – Pick your spice and delight in this heart-warming bowl of ramen (the karaage chicken ain’t so shabby either). Mary’s, Newtown – The Mary’s burger… I think this one’s pretty self-explanatory. Maslow’s, Naremburn – The Mr Pig. is a burger unlike any other. Filled with braised pork, an onsen egg and herb salad it delivers on the #yolkporn. Baker Bros, CBD – Sometimes it’s the simplest things that taste the best and the smashed avo with tomato and Danish feta here is mighty fine. Black Star Pastry, Newtown – With its buttery, golden pastry and rich red wine filling, if you’re not already you’re about to get addicted to this lamb shank pie. Mr Bao Buns, Bondi Farmers Markets and Glebe Markets – Whoever Mr. Bao is, we’d like to officially thank him for the handfuls of deliciousness we eat on the reg. Sonoma Café, Paddington – I have yet to meet a sandwich that beats their roast beef version. Ito’s Malaysian, CBD – Perfect for a cold winter’s day, we’d even eat this piping hot bowl of laksa in 41 degree heat it’s so delectable. Mamak, CBD – The rotai chanai – it’s why there’s always crazy lines coming out the door of this place (especially at night). Luxe, Woollahra – Hands down has the best banana bread I’ve ever tasted. Hot Star Large Fried Chicken, CBD – It’s ridiculously gigantic which is why it’s ridiculously good and it all comes under $15 including a drink! Peter’s Fish Market, Pyrmont – You can trust the fish and chips coming from a shop in Sydney’s Fish Markets. Lucky Pickle, Surry Hills – This isn’t anything like the sad sambos you had at school. For a mere tenner you’ll score yourself a scrumptious roll filled with a whole host of fresh, tasty ingredients. The Gretz, Enmore – Not only is this one of the hottest Sydney bars brought to you by the legends behind Hartsyard, but they also do a rave-worthy Fillet-o-fish (with double cheese). Five Points Burgers, North Sydney – Can you tell we have a slight addiction to burgers? The delicious bad boys from Five Points aren't helping in this department. Din Tai Fung, CBD – While the xiao long boas are nothing short of amazing, the vegetarian delight is a bit of a dark horse that’s equally as delicious. Ayam Goreng 99, Kingsford – It’s a little off the beaten track but the authentic Indonesian fried chicken is an absolute steal. Erskine Villa, Erskineville – I can confirm that their bacon and egg roll that comes with bangalow dry cured bacon is as delicious as it sounds. Kabocha, Neutral Bay – Home to one of the best katsu curries you’ll ever have, it’s crunchy, it’s spicy and it needs to get in ma belly right now. Bake Bar, Double Bay – New on the Double Bay scene, you can trust that the sandwiches from this bakery are housed in some of the best bread around. Coming in under $15, you even have enough to buy a pastry for dessert.What's cheaper than cheap? Free! Go on and add these free things to do in Sydney to your to-do list.
Image credit: Jackielyn Powell at Mr Bao Buns
