Food & Drink

25 Of The Best Gold Coast Cheap Eats For Under $20

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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 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 Urban List's lineup of the Gold Coast’s best cheap eats in 2025. Treat yourself and your wallet.

Want to skip to the good bits? Go ahead:

Cheap Eats Under $10

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 hosts Margarita Monday from 5pm for $14 margs and cocktails of the month.

Plus, daily and weekend lunch specials of two tacos and a drink for just $19. Navigate midweek the right way with $20 burrito night on Wednesdays from 5pm, and save some pennies with $7 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 wings on Fridays (from 5pm to 7pm), $20 parmies with a schooner on Sundays and regular happy hours. Check their Instagram for more details.

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 taste buds to a night they’ll never forget (your wallet will, though).

Jumpstart your week with Monday’s $12 cheeseburger with fries, tuck yourself in with $5 tacos on Tuesday with a side of trivia, and smile through 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 parmies and beer on Thursdays have got you covered. Plus, $6 tap refills of your coldie. There’s nothing we don’t love about Bine.

Daily Deals | Burgster

Shop 2&3 4-10 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach QLD 4221

burgster
Image Credit: Burgster | Instagram

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, every day. Take a step back and relax with $1.50 wings every Wednesday. 

Cheeseburger Thursdays has you sorted with $18 single cheeseburgers, $21 doubles and $28 triples. Can’t make it on Thursdays? Get down to Burgster on Saturdays for $2.50 oyster happy hour from 3pm to 5pm, or $3.50 oysters if you're after tempura or kilpatrick oysters. Burgster is guaranteed to leave you (and your wallet) full with these impressively succulent deals.

$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. Perched above the Gold Coast Highway, this haunt invites you to dig into your pockets for some spare change for $6 tacos, then wash it all down with their delicious $20 sangria jugs. When Taco Tuesday is this cheap, it’d be rude not to.

They also dish 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 $12 frozen margis, $6 house wine and tap beer while you snack on a $15 trio of dips. Looking for a lunchtime deal? Drop by from 12pm to 3pm Thursdays for $6 tacos when you dine in.

Half Price Oysters | Holy Ship

Marina Mirage, Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217

It doesn’t get much better than the daily Holy Hour at Holy Ship, where you can score $8 house wines and Great Northern Beers paired with half price oysters. By our calculations that roughly comes to $2.25 per natural oyster. Running from 3pm to 5pm daily (and all day on Wednesdays), you can soak up Broadwater views from the impressive seafood restaurant and bar converted from two meticulously restored 1970's timber trawlers.

Daily Deals | Tropic Vice

2215 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218

If your wallet’s worried but your belly’s begging you for tasty eats, look no further than Tropic Vice in Mermaid Beach. This central rooftop bar doesn’t scrimp on views or value. Think $5 tacos on Thursdays, half price pizzas on Fridays and a side of drink specials at each. $3 oysters on Sundays get our nod of approval too. Please and thank you.

$3 Oysters | Maman

49 James St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220

Score $3 oysters sourced from Gold Coast-based Al Natural Oysters from Tuesday to Saturday (throughout summer) from 4pm to 6pm at Burleigh Heads’ beautiful Maman. And if you weren’t already convinced, they’re serving a special 2-for-1 cocktail menu during the same hours. Double win. 

Daily Deals | Las Palmas

1097 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach 4221

Oceanfront dining need not break the piggy bank. At Las Palmas you’ll be privy to $2 oysters and drink specials Thursday through Sunday, from 4pm to 6pm, and Friday and Saturday 9pm-10pm. Thursdays are for $7 tacos and Sundays give $2 oysters an encore, with a side of $15 margaritas. It’s budget in price, but not in flavour and dangerously satisfying.

$6 Taco Tuesday | Bonita Bonita

2460 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218

bonita bonita
Image Credit: Bonita Bonita | Instagram

Avid taco fan? Mermaid Beach's ever-bustling Mexican restaurant Bonita Bonita will have you in a coming back for more with their weekly Taco Tuesday deal. Rest assured, Taco Tuesday comes in peace to your wallet; these tempting tacos are only $6 each. Thursday through Saturday, you’re in for a real treat with $14 margaritas and $10 chilli con queso with corn chips 5pm til late. Come Friday, it’s $15 Nacho Fridays in their intimate Bon Bon Bar from 5pm.

Half Price Oysters | Surfers Pavilion

30/34 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Make tracks to the waterfront Surfers Pavilion any weekday from 4pm to 6pm and you’ll score half price freshly shucked oysters. We did the math—that’s $2.75 per oyster. Choose from Kilpatrick, tempura wakame and wasabi mayo and Mignonette oysters. 

Daily Deals | Loose Moose

75 Surf Pde, Broadbeach QLD 4218

Penny-pinching deals can sometimes lure you in with sweet savings, then leave you ordering a main to actually fill up. Not at Broadbeach’s moody bar-meets-feasting joint. Drop by for $7 tacos$7 tap beers and half price buffalo wings at Loose Moose from Tuesday through to Thursday, from 12pm to 5pm.

Daily Deals | House of Brews

17 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

If your pockets are pretty much pointless because all you have to hold in them are a few measly bucks, pop your hands inside and make your way directly to House of Brews.

On Mondays, treat your inner child to $1 nuggets and opt to upgrade to a side of fries for an extra $5. Tuesdays are for $15 nachos and Wednesdays are for $1 wings. Then drop by Thursday for $5 sliders with pulled pork, beef or jack fruit. Come Sunday, you’ll be treated to $12 pizzas at House of Brews. It’s basically cheaper than cooking for one.

$6 Taco Tuesday | Burleigh Pavilion

43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220

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. 

Cheap Eats Under $15

$10 Tapas | Lucia Tapas

1/445 Golden Four Dr, Tugun QLD 4224

tapas in a sun garden
Image Credit: Lucia Tapas | Instagram

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. 

$10 Plates | Miami Marketta

23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami QLD 4220

Where can you dig into wood-fired 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 through Saturday and once you’ve loosened your belt, stick around for the sweet tunes of their featuring bands.

$11 Pizza | That’s Amore

1/110 Mountain View Ave, Miami QLD 4220

Craving some mid-week carb loading? 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 (a) more. 

$12 Hot Meal Plate | Govinda’s

20 James St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220

Pop down to Govinda’s 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 $12 hot meal options and rice, or swing by for specials of the day. We’re talking croquettes on Mondays, Shepherd’s pie Thursdays and Butter Chikn’ Saturdays, just for starters. Take it easy on the planet and your wallet at this well-loved Burleigh joint.

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. $12 won’t get you far these days, but it does at The Arc where you can score a whole pizza or 1kg of wings for $12 on Thursdays from 2pm to 6pm. You know where to find us when payday is approaching.

$14 Cheeseburgers | Paloma Wine Bar

1/12 James St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220

palomaImage Credit: Paloma Wine Bar | Instagram

Paloma Wine Bar has our heart for many reasons, not the least of which 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 out $14 cheeseburger and fries every Wednesday (4pm to 8pm), until sold out, with the occasional late-night weekend feature. Keep your eyes peeled on their Instagram for the latest. We'll see you there.

Daily Deals | Harajuku Gyoza

2/26 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach QLD 4218

harajuku gyoza
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 from 3pm.

Daily Deals | Montezuma’s

8/12 Trickett St, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Mexican food might be on the less expensive end of the spectrum when it comes to eating out and Montezuma’s in Surfers Paradise is a prime example. On Thursdays they dish out buy one main, get one free. $10 Margarita Mondays have our heart, Tuesdays kids eat free, then come Wednesdays you can score a small nachos and drink for $15

Cheap Eats Under $20

Daily Deals | Precinct Brewing

17 Christine Ave, Miami QLD 4220

precinct brewing
Image Credit: Precinct Brewing | Instagram

Nothing says ‘I like you, but I’m not a millionaire’ quite like a trip to Precinct Brewing with mates or dates. Tucked away from the Gold Coast Highway and on the main drag for buses if you’re keen to save dollars on transport too, this buzzing locale offers good times and $20 pizzas on Tuesdays. Then, Thursdays call for bites and brews. Think: a crispy starter and beer for just $15.

$20 Pizza and Plonk | The Island

3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

Gold Coast’s iconic Surfers Paradise strip offers a whole lot of free and cheap entertainment. Like buskers, magicians, even acrobat performances in exchange for a few encouraging bucks. ICYMI, a mere dawdle from Cavill Avenue you’ll find a seriously cheap deal at The Island’s Goldie’s . Monday to Wednesday opt for a schooner of Valley Hops beer or a house wine and a wood-fired pizza for just $20, from 5pm until 9pm.

$20 Weekend Lunch Deal | BOB's Beer

10/2 Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

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.

Two-For-One Margaritas | Fu Manchu

44 Thomas Dr, Chevron Island QLD 4217

What’s icy cold, thirst-quenching and destined to help you both kick off and end the week with high spirits? Two classic or chilli margaritas at Fu Manchu for $22 every Sunday and Monday, that’s what. Pair your sips with three roti chicken, beef or pork quesadillas for $12 on the same day and you’re sitting pretty in both venue and dosh.

Looking for more? Check out:

Main image credit: Hail Mary | Instagram

Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.

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