Best Cheap Eats in Sydney CBD

Every Tuesday and Wednesday between 12-2pm you can enjoy $1 dumplings with any alcoholic beverage purchase at Uncle Mings. Choose from chicken, classic pork, veggie, or gyoza dumplings. You can mix and match, with a minimum order of 10 per person (e.g., 5 chicken and 5 veggie, or 10 of the same kind).

If Mondays need a little motivation, Sakura House has you covered with one of the CBD’s best-value deals. The Japanese eatery is serving up $1 chicken gyoza every Monday until 10pm, making it dangerously easy to order plate after plate.

Treat yourself without breaking the bank. Every Sunday and Monday, enjoy a generous serve of moules-frites at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park for $25. Choose from classic white wine mussels or richer flavours like sherry, chorizo, and tomato, each served with golden fries, sourdough, aioli, and tomato sauce.

For a taste of Paris without the price tag, Loulou Bistro is serving up a classic French lunch that won’t break the bank. Their $28 Sandwich Américain special is the star: a juicy beef patty piled with crispy fries, smothered in their signature Andalusien sauce and tucked inside a freshly baked house-made baguette.

Bringing bold and authentic flavours to the heart of the CBD, Medan Ciak is your go-to for tasty Indonesian food without breaking the bank. Most dishes sit comfortably under $20, making it a great spot for a flavour-packed lunch or casual dinner.

While most pasta dishes sit above the $20 mark, their Pasta Del Momento lunch special hits the spot without breaking the bank. Just $25 for a rotating weekly pasta, served at one of Sydney’s most charming Euro-inspired wine bars.

Ume Burger Darling Square is the spiritual sequel to Bar Ume, and it’s still serving up Japanese-inspired burgers that deliver big flavour under $20. Think crispy chicken katsu, Nagoya-style wings, and their to-die-for Fish Katsu Burger ($16.50). Don’t skip the umami-dusted fries or the cult-favourite Japanese fried chicken.

From the team behind Sydney’s beloved Chat Thai empire comes Boon Café , an all-day Thai-Western fusion spot tucked into the heart of the CBD. Think burgers and pasta alongside BBQ meat skewers, curries, and soups.

Put a little fiesta into your lunch break with El Loco at Slip Inn. Their $22 lunch specials are reason enough to swing by, ranging from the El Frederiko Hot Dog & Fries to the Chicken Schnitzel Burger, it’s bold flavour without the big spend.