When you’re trying to save some hard-earned dollars (or you’ve got some penny-pinching habits), it’s easy to see eating out as costly and impractical. But if that’s the case, you’ve stumbled across a lineup that is perfect for you.
The Gold Coast/Kombumerri country has an irresistible abundance of restaurants with deals that’ll leave your wallet blushing—and we’ve put them all in a simple to-eat list just for you. So if you’re interested in spoiling yourself while saving a pretty penny, check out our mouthwatering lineup of the Gold Coast’s best cheap eats in 2024. Treat yourself and your wallet.
Daily Deals | Hail Mary
26 James St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
No matter what day it is, you’ll score an el-cheapo deal at Hail Mary in Burleigh. This oh-so-trendy, hot-pink Mexican restaurant slings up sunset drink specials from 5pm to 6pm daily and weekend lunch specials of two tacos and a drink for just $19. Kick your week off the right way with Margarita Mondays and save some pennies with $6 Taco Tuesdays. All hail a good deal.
Daily Deals | Apres Surf
1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Cheap eats don't get much better (or cheaper) than at Burleigh neighbourhood bar, Apres Surf. We're talking $6.50 cheeseburgers on Mondays, $1 dumplings on Thursdays, $1 wings on Fridays (from 5pm to 7pm), $20 parmy with a schooner on Sundays and regular happy hours. Check their Instagram for more details.
Daily Deals | Paloma Wine Bar
1/12 James St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Paloma Wine Bar | Instagram
Paloma Wine Bar has our heart for many reasons, not the least of being that they won Gourmet Traveller's '2023 Best Wine Bar' Award. If that hadn't already sold you, this intimate, oh-so-chic wine bar is slinging up $14 cheeseburger and fries every Wednesday (3pm to 8pm), until sold out. We'll see you there.
Daily Deals | Burgster
4/10 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Doesn’t look like you’ll make it through to payday? You can justify eating out any day of the week at this famed Palm Beach joint which serves up cheap eats all day, erry day. Take a step back and relax with $10 Margarita Wednesdays, or try their handcrafted Cola for only $1 per serve.
Cheeseburger Tuesday has you sorted with $15 single cheeseburgers, $20 doubles and $25 triples. Can’t make it on Thursdays? Get down to Burgster on Fridays and Saturdays for $2 oyster happy oyster. Burgster is guaranteed to leave you (and your wallet) full with these amazing deals.
Weeknight Deals | Mozza Mozza
Cnr Olsen Ave &, Musgrave Ave, Southport QLD 4215
Image Credit: Mozza Mozza | Clayten Fowler Photography
Mozza Mozza in Southport is the hip pizza-slinging, pasta-twirling restaurant bringing a splash of good times, good food and classic Italian dining to the Northern Gold Coast. They're also slinging up some cheeky cheap deals—swing by on a Wednesday night where you can devour two pastas for $40 or start the weekend early with Mozza's Pizza Thursdays, where you'll be spoiled with two for $35 wood-fired pizzas.
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$10 Tapas | Lucia Tapas
1/445 Golden Four Dr, Tugun QLD 4224
Lucia Tapas is nestled in the heart of Tugun and pays homage to the dreamy tones of northern Spain with European-style aesthetics and an authentic Spanish menu. Pay this indoor-outdoor tapas bar a visit between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday to Friday and you'll score $10 tapas and beer and wine specials.
Friday Specials & More | Hard Fizz HQ
16 Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Waters QLD 4220
Image Credit: Hard FIZZ HQ | Instagram
The Hard FIZZ crew are some of our absolute favourites; if not for their banging tunes, sip-worthy bevvies and all-round good vibes, then it's definitely for their cheeky bargain deals. Pay Hard FIZZ HQ in Miami a visit any Friday and you can score 20% off all food and drinks from 5pm to 7pm. Their regular specials also include two bao buns for $14, $6 waffle fries, $12 buffalo wings and $16 nachos. And that leaves just enough to grab a few cans of their delicious FIZZ flavours.
Daily Deals | Bine Craft Beer Bar
1/28 Chairlift Ave, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Check out Nobby Beach’s Bine Craft Beer Bar any day of the week to run into some crazy daily deals that treat your tastebuds to a night they’ll never forget (your wallet will, though). Jumpstart your week with Monday’s $10 cheeseburger with fries, tuck yourself in with $5 tacos on Tuesday, and get happy in Happy Hour with 75c wings with $6 tap beer any day of the week (between 3pm to 6pm). For something a bit more substantial, $20 parmis and beer on Thursdays have got you covered. There’s nothing we don’t love about Bine.
$20 Weekend Lunch Deal | BOB's Beer
10/2 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: BOB's Beer | Supplied
Surfers' striking brewpub, BOB's Beer, stands out like a beacon on the bustling strip of Elkhorn Avenue and if you're not already drawn in by their impressive fit-out, their $20 weekend lunch special might just do it. Every Friday to Sunday, from 12pm to 3:30pm, indulge in their $20 lunch special where you'll score an elevated pub feed with a pot of BOB's house-brewed beer. The generous specials include a minute steak, slow-cooked beef cheeks, chicken burger, beef burger and spiced cauliflower.
$6 Taco Tuesdays | Frida Sol
1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Frida Sol is certainly leading the Taco Tuesday game in Palm Beach. Dig into your pockets for some spare change and grab some $6 tacos and wash it all down their delicious $20 sangria jugs. When it’s this cheap it would be rude not to. They're also slinging up a too-good-to-be-true $15 nachos deal on Wednesdays and daily sunset specials (2pm to 5pm), which will have you happily sipping on $10 frozen margis, $6 house wine and tap beer while you snack on a $15 trio of dips.
$10 Plates | Miami Marketta
23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami QLD 4220
Where can you munch on woodfired pizza, slow-cooked beef brisket, traditional Korean and freshly shucked oysters under the one roof? Iconic local gem, Miami Marketta has been filling our bellies for cheap since 2011 and we can see why it’s a firm local favourite. They pump out wallet-friendly plates from $10 to $15 every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and once you’ve loosened your belt, stick around for the sweet tunes of their featuring bands.
$6 Taco Tuesday & $15 Frozen Margs | Burleigh Pavilion
43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Burleigh Pavilion | Instagram
Looking for literal beachfront views with a side of (cheap) bevs and tacos? You can't go past the Burleigh Pavilion. Hit up the bustling beachfront locale every Tuesday for $6 tacos and $15 frozen margaritas every Tuesday from 4pm to 9pm. Choose from battered fish, slow-cooked beef brisket or pulled jackfruit tacos and your wallet will thank you later.
Daily Deals | Salt Meats Cheese
10 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Salt Meats Cheese | Instagram
If you like scoring a cheap deal and getting your Italian fix at the same time, you’ve come to the right place because Salt Meats Cheese in Surfers Paradise serves some penny pinchin’ deals. Start your week right with all-you-can-eat bottomless pizza Mondays for $29 per person (when you purchase a drink) and treat yourself on hump day with Cheese Wheel Wednesdays, starting from $25. Bellissimo.
$6 Taco Tuesday | Bonita Bonita
2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Avid Taco fan? Bustling Mexican restaurant Bonita Bonita will have you in a trance with their weekly Taco Tuesday deal. Rest assured, Taco Tuesday comes in peace to your wallet; these tempting tacos are only $6 each with $20 sangria jugs. Definitely a great bang for your buck. They're also treating you on Fridays, with $15 Nacho Fridays in their intimate Bon Bon Bar.
$11 Pizza | That’s Amore
1/110 Mountain View Ave, Miami QLD 4220
Craving some mid-week Italian? This friendly Italian joint nestled in Miami has got you covered with penny pinching deals. That’s Amore lets you save a pretty penny on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, selling their intensely cheesy traditional pizzas at half of the original price (pick up only).
And if that’s not enough for specials, bring the whole family to That’s Amore for a Tuesday night dinner—much to the relief of your wallet, kids eat free after 4:30pm. This authentic Italian restaurant will leave you begging for more. And don’t let the price tags fool you, everything on the menu is rich in flavour.
Daily Deals | Harajuku Gyoza
2/26 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Harajuku Gyoza | Instagram
Dumplings and craft beer? We’re listening. You’ll need a big appetite and not much spare change when you head to Harajuka Gyoza in Broadbeach. Dumplings and craft beer are a delectable combo, plus when it’s a cheap deal, we’re sold. Watch gyoza fly out the door every Monday and Tuesday with their 2-for-1 gyoza plate deal, and $15 donburi bowls on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
$12 Hot Meal Plate | Govinda’s
20 James St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Perfect for Meat Free Mondays or if you’re just craving something healthier, pop down to Govindas at Burleigh Heads for a meat-free feed that will leave you with plenty of cash left over. Heap your plate up with two of their frequently changing hot meal options and rice for just $12 or grab four of their legendary snack-worthy kofta balls for just $6. Take it easy on the planet and your wallet at this well-loved Burleigh joint.
Feed Me Banquet | The Collective
1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
While this cheap eats deal will put you $40 out of pocket, in terms of good value for money, it is up there with the best. The Collective is slinging up a four-course feast for just $40, showcasing share-style dishes from The Collective's five multicultural restaurants under one roof. Whether you’re nibbling on Greek dips and pita from Mazi’s kitchen or taking a bite out of Luckies’ pork belly nuggets, this tasty banquet features Mexican, Greek, Asian-fusion, American and Italian delights that will leave you with a post-vacay glow.
Daily Deals | Tupe-Aloha Bar & Grill
1 Musgrave St & Douglas St, Coolangatta QLD 4225
If you love saving your pennies, you’ll want to get down to Tupe-Aloha Bar & Grill for some seriously wallet-friendly feeds. Slinging up $10 margaritas on Mondays, $5 tacos on Tuesdays, and $1 wings on Thursdays, this gem is a Kirra fav for a reason. Sounds like tiki taco good times ahead.
Daily Deals | The Arc
28 Chairlift Ave, Miami QLD 4220
For good vibes and seriously cheap eats, you can’t go past The Arc at Nobby’s. You can’t get much for $12 these days, but you can score a whole pizza or 1kg of wings on any weekday. Mad Monday’s get a whole lot better at The Arc with $12 pizzas, $12 for a kilo of wings and $6 wines and beer. You know where to find us when payday is approaching.
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Main image credit: Hail Mary | Instagram
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