Welcome to our shiny new series, Budget Ballin’—a curated collection of Melbourne’s best eats and drinks that will have you living the good life without the hefty price tag. We’ll be covering all bases from midweek bites and fancy chef menus to call-in-sick-worthy happy hours.
Looking for the best cheap eats in Melbourne? We've got you covered with a curated list of delicious, budget-friendly spots around the city.
The Best Cheap Eats In Melbourne At A Glance
We'll update these weekly so there's something for every appetite. Whether you’re hunting for a quick lunchtime bite, a satisfying dinner that won’t break the bank, or hidden gems serving up hearty plates, Melbourne’s (surprisingly wallet-friendly) food scene has plenty to offer without draining your wallet.
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For more in our Budget Ballin' series, check out Melbourne's Best Coffee For Under $4 and Melbourne's Best Cheap & Free Things To Do.
Dive into our picks for the top cheap eats Melbourne has to offer and discover how to satisfy your cravings without splurging.
THESE ARE MELBOURNE'S BEST LUNCH DEALS
Hands! This Iconic The Bear-Themed Sandwich Is Back For A Second Round & It’s Only $15
Image: Marameo / Italian Beef 2.0 | Kristoffer Paulsen
Just in time for season 4 of The Bear (we’re on tenterhooks too), lunchtime legends Marameo in the CBD have launched their second bite at their viral Italian Beef sandwich.
Priced at just $15, the Italian Beef 2.0 is stuffed with 18-hour slow-cooked beef dripping in jus, caramelised onion, roasted peppers, and That's Amore scamorza.
The sandwich will run until 31 August. It's available for dine-in or takeaway at lunch, Monday to Saturday, from 12pm to 3pm, or until sold out.
And if you’re not keen on The Bear, you can check out our other must-watch guides over here.
Maha’s $15 Bowls Of Goodness Are Back With New Flavours Every Week
21 Bond Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Maha | Supplied
Shane Delia’s Maha is bringing back one of the city’s best winter lunch deals—$15 Bowls of Goodness, running daily until the end of August. Each week, Maha will serve up a new bowl packed with flavour, drawing inspo from across the globe—think Malaysian coconut curry laksa, smoky chipotle wagyu, or Jimbaran grilled chicken with fragrant rice. Whether you’re dining in at the Bond Street restaurant or grabbing it to-go, expect high-quality ingredients and serious spice-to-satisfaction ratios. It’s hearty, warming, and just what Melbourne’s wintry workdays need.
ST. ALi Launches A $25 Express Lunch With Schnitties, Ragu & A Fancy Fish Brioche
12–18 Yarra Place, South Melbourne
Image: ST. ALi | Supplied
The legends at ST. ALi have just dropped a new $25 express lunch, designed for chilly days and busy schedules. Available weekdays only, the new menu brings flavour-packed comfort to your midweek feed—without the long wait or eye-watering bill. Wrap your laughing gear around either a tapioca-crusted fish fillet stacked into a brioche bun with emmental, lettuce and ST. ALi’s signature tartare, a hearty bowl of lamb ragu mafaldine, with nduja, mint and ricotta salata or a golden panko-crumbed chicken schnitty, served with caper brown butter, parmesan, and a crisp mixed leaf salad. Whether you're ducking out from work or just chasing a fast-but-delicious feed, this one’s got your name all over it.
BOOK HERE
Stokehouse Pasta & Bar Has Just Dropped A Luxe $45 Express Lunch By The Bay
30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda
Image: Stokehouse Pasta & Bar | Supplied
If your weekday lunches have been lacking a little la dolce vita, consider this your sign to level up. Stokehouse Pasta & Bar has just launched Express Pasta—a breezy two-course lunch for $45 that’s as quick as it is delicious. Running mid-week, you’ll kick things off with a seasonal antipasti (think marlin crudo with limoncello and orange), then choose from a rotating lineup of freshly made pasta—like casarecce with wild mushrooms and pecorino or campanelle with pork and cavolo nero. It’s the perfect in-and-out option for a workday reset, or just a midweek excuse to sip a wine by the bay—yes, a glass of vino or house bev is included.
Stokehouse Pasta & Bar also does a bangin' steak night, which you can read more about over here.
Melbourne Winery Express Lunch Lane & Fries N Wine Happy Hour
247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Image: Melbourne Winery | Supplied
Flinders Lane just got a whole lot tastier thanks to Melbourne Winery’s new weekday offerings. The Express Lunch Lane serves up speedy, satisfying lunches from just $19—think smashed wagyu beef burger with fries, gnocchi alla vodka, chicken scallopini, and beef short rib toasties, all paired with a glass of wine, beer, or soft drink. Available Monday to Friday, 12pm–3pm, it’s the perfect midday escape without the fuss. Stick around after work for Fries N Wine Happy Hour and keep those good vibes rolling. No bookings needed—just show up, dig in, and sip up.
Take A Regional Food Tour Through Italy With Grossi Grill’s New Lunch Menu
99 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Lunching in the city? Head to Grossi Grill and explore Italy one region at a time via their new Love Italy menu. First stop: Lazio, with big Roman flavours and classic dishes made with soul. You can opt for two courses for $45 or go all in with three for $55, available Monday to Saturday from 12pm. It’s a quick trip to the Mediterranean without leaving Bourke Street. Got a crew of 10 or more? Book via email and enjoy a complimentary arrival drink—just like nonna would’ve wanted.
THESE ARE MELBOURNE'S BEST DINNER SPECIALS
Literally More Than 100 Specials In St Kilda With Winter Budget Bites
It's getting to that part of winter where we're ready to come out of hibernation and get back amongst it. And there's no better spot to do it than St Kilda, where both Acland and Fitzroy street traders are offering up more than 100 Winter Budget Bites.
Our fave deals are two old faithfuls: The Fifth Provence’s large and in charge $30 porterhouse special (obligatory chips and salad included, of course) is the perfect way to fill your belly, cure the winter blues and also, tuck into a wallet-friendly pint of Guiness (they start at $10).
But if you’re fancying something a little lighter, but still just as hearty head (kind of) across the road to the Prince’s Public Bar for their Charcoal Chook Tuesdays. They’re dishing up half or whole chooks with all the sides just for $30 per person, yeehaw.
If you need 100 more reasons (literally, there’s about 100 dining out specials on) to head out to St Kilda mid-week and hit up their Winter Budget Bites guide.
Three Blue Ducks Is Celebrating Early With Their Top-Tier Christmas In July Shenanigan
309 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine
Image: Three Blue Ducks | Supplied
Get ready for a festive feast this winter with Three Blue Ducks’ Christmas in July event on Sunday, 20 July. For $79 per person, enjoy smoked trout blinis to start, followed by roast turkey, glazed ham, bacon-wrapped sausages, and all the traditional trimmings like roast veggies, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Finish off with a classic Christmas pudding for dessert. Mulled wine and cider will flow alongside Mountadam 550 Cabernet Sauvignon, the special wine of the day, plus their full drinks list will be available.
Fitzroy Gem Añada Is Serving Up a Luxe Spanish Set Menu for Just $49 Every Wednesday
197 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Image: Añada | Supplied
If your week could use a little spice (and saffron), Añada is dishing up one of Melbourne’s best-value midweek dinners right now. Every Wednesday, this charming Spanish spot in Fitzroy is serving a three-course set menu for just $49pp, featuring house-baked bread with ajo blanco, charred corn and potato croquetas, and a rich seafood paella loaded with king prawns, white fish and calamari. You’ll round things off with soft chocolate, PX figs and pistachio. Perfect for date night, a catch-up with mates, or a midweek treat-yourself moment. Even better? BYO wine is on the table from Tuesday to Thursday ($20 corkage), or you can go all-in with their Reserva Wine of the Week, with 25% off on Wednesdays.
Slurp Oysters For Just $3 A Pop At Arlechin Every Wednesday
Mornane Place, Melbourne CBD
Image: Arlechin | Supplied
Calling all oyster obsessives: Arlechin is slinging $3 freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters every Wednesday from 5:30pm ‘til sold out. It’s called the Oyster Frenzy, and it’s fast becoming Melbourne’s midweek indulgence of choice. Choose your oysters natural (with lemon and vinaigrette) or Florentine (with cream, parmesan, and spinach) and pair them with a spicy Puttanesca Martinez, a sharp Dirty Pink Gibson, or a crisp Italian white wine or whisky if you’re feeling luxe. No bookings here—walk-ins only.
Main image credit: Good Times | Supplied
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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