Sydney’s Best Cheap Eats Under $10

Sometimes you spend money. And then keep on spending money. And then you get hungry. We’ve all been there. It’s not fun.

Sure, your wallet may be empty but we guarantee your stomach will be full (of happiness) after these seriously good cheap eats. We like to think of this as Sydney’s most affordable food safari, kind of.

Start scrounging for those coins team, here are some of Sydney’s best cheap eats under $10.

1. Mappen Noodle, CBD - Mappen Noodle is basically a budgeter‘s paradise on a plate. Grab Japanese curry, noodles, or even tempura, it’s all good and none of it will break the bank.
2. Tim Ho Wan, Chatswood - For when you want the dining experience of a Michelin-star restaurant, but have the budget of a peasant. And yes, the dumplings and pork buns are as delicious as everyone says they are.
3. Gyradiko, Bexeley - We’re all endlessly chasing those damn delicious gyros we downed on a drunk night out in Greece, and luckily for you, we found Sydney’s equivalent. The pork gyros is one of Sydney's best cheap eats, drizzled with tzatziki, stuffed with fries and it'll only set you back $8.50.
4. Nine Yards, Brookvale - The smashed avo with avocado, feta and pistachio dukkah costs a measly $10 which is CHEAP for Sydney. We suggest you throw caution to the wind and order a coffee too though (they’re good here).
5. Five O’s, Campbelltown - Your $10 will go a long way if you order the hella good schnitzel with mash. And yes, it’s THAT good.
6. Emma’s Snack Bar, Enmore - Grab a super tasty plate of garlic mayo fries for $7. Or $4 chicken fillets marinated in garlic. We’ll let you decide. If you bring a friend, and they have ten dollars…got it? Great.
7. Soda Factory, Surry Hills - Serving up the ultimate comfort food—three cheese macaroni for just eight bucks.
8. Belles Hot Chicken, Multiple Locations - Prepare to have your mind blown. You can get the spicy chicken slider with a side of mac 'n' cheese at Belle's for a clean nine bucks. We know. 
9. Marlowe’s Way, CBD - So $10 smoked chicken, Italian chilli jam, mayo and mozzarella focaccias exist in Sydney. Right here.
10. Smoking Guns Bagels, Woolloomooloo - Start your day right with their wood-fired bagel with bacon, fried egg with the not so secret sauce and pair it with a coffee for just one blue note. Yep, that’s your day sorted.
11. Out of the Blue, Clovelly - A local institution, #OOTB is where you go for the best $9 chicken burger in Sydney.
12. Mr Crackles, Darlinghurst - These guys have nailed a twelve-inch hotdog in a soft bun served with mustard and ketchup for just $9. 
13. The Smoking Panda, CBD - No doubt you’ve heard The Smoking Panda serves up a mean cocktail (ok, a lot of them), but this crew is also treating you with epic $7 sliders including their steamed soft shell crab with Asian slaw, or the seriously good chicken katsu on a milk bun topped with mayo and cheese. Yes, rough and ready cheap eats exist in Sydney.
14. Barbetta, Paddington - All of the sweet Italian treats range from $3 to $9 here and cannolis are involved.
15. The Norfolk, Surry Hills - Bringing you Mexican-inspired pub grub with $3 tacos every Tuesday.
16. Harajuku Gyoza, Potts Point - Because five pieces of juicy duck gyoza for $9 is a winner in our eyes.
17. Ayan Goreng 99, Kingsford - Get the chicken satay. Seriously, we could live off it.
18. El Jannah, Granville - If your wallet is just rattling with coins, this is the place for you. And the best part? All the food is tasty AF (but if we had to choose, we’d obvs go for the charcoal chicken with extra garlic sauce… it’s bloody amazing).
19. Parlour Lane Roasters, CBD - Where to even start? These guys are serving up packed baguettes, sambos, wraps and salads all for under ten bucks.
20. Marrickville Pork Roll, Marrickville - The best banh mi around (stuffed with the lot). For just $5. So you’re obviously going to get two.
21. South Dowling Sandwiches, Darlinghurst - You need the chilli chicken sambo with red pesto. You’ve been told.
22. El Topo, Bondi Junction - We’re in love with El Topo's super delicious Baja fish tacos with habanero mayo, strawberry salsa and lettuce. That’s $6 well spent. And we’d break the bank for seconds too.
23. Lord Gladstone, Chippendale - Three words: ten-dollar tacos. And just so you know, the three-chilli beef brisket is everything you want and more.
24. La Paula, Kensington - Get your South American feed for just $9.80; the churrasco steak sambos are life.
25. Faheem Fast Food, Enmore - This late-night Indian and Pakistani hub is whipping up the tastiest damn tandoori chicken in Sydney.
26. LOAF Sandwich, Cronulla - Old school sandwiches. Just yes. You’ll want to grab the Portuguese chicken stack filled with grilled chicken, cheese, tomato, greens and peri peri mayo for $10 on the dot.
27. Burger Project, CBD - If your burgerholic tendencies are setting you back on the money front, you’ll want to try the classic American cheeseburgers here for $9.90.
28. Manoosh, Enmore - Don’t even think about passing up the vegan garlic bread here. It starts at $3 and there’s a heap of toppings to try. Oh, and the $7 halloumi pie is only one of the greatest things we’ve ever tasted. Ever.
29. Fonda, Bondi – Smash a cheeky charred corn with chipotle aioli and a salsa board for $10 (or bring mates and go all out).
30. Dutch Smuggler, CBD – Your favourite toastie in Sydney (aka the Mi Goreng toastie) is only $9.50. We know. 
31. Cubbys Kitchen, CBD - Three balls of ice cream for $9? You've got yourself a sale, Cubbys. Bring a friend and order a snack while you're here for a clean $20 and share the lot (we know, we're smart).
32. Reuben Republic, Marrickville - Dig into a cheeky $10 Reuben at this pop-up market stall.
33. Funky Pies, Bondi - The g'day satay pie is just $6. Add mushy peas, mash and gravy for a flat $10. 
34. The Sandwich Shop, Surry Hills - Wasabi tuna sandwich with crunchy alfalfa. End.
35. Royal Stacks, Chatswood - The single stack just sneaks in at $9.90 and it involves one patty, tomato, butter lettuce, American cheddar, and their special sauces.
36. Mamak, CBD - The original roti canai at Mamak, served with two curry dips and sambal sauce for $7.50
37. New Shanghai, Multiple Locations - A steamer full of Xiao long bao at New Shanghai is only $9.90.
38. Zeus Street Greek, Multiple Locations – The Uncle 'Tzimmy' classic pita (with chips!) at a cool $9.50.
39. Fika Swedish Kitchen, Manly – Kick the day off with a bacon & egg roll—it’ll set you back a clean tenner.
40. Tella Balls, Dulwich Hotel – for that Nutella-coated doughnut cone filled with soft serve.

Check out the best of spots to eat on King Street.  

Dutch Smuggler | Image credit: Caitlin Hicks