Miel Container

The Miel beef patty burger was recently judged Brisbane's best burger by judges of the TV show MasterChef, and it's a bargain at AUD$13.50. There are plenty of other treats worth trying at Miel Container, located in a stylishly converted shipping container in Brisbane's central business district. We like the L meal, an enormous plate of chicken tenders, two pieces of wild-caught flathead fish, calamari rings, onion rings and chips (yours for just AUD$20). Grab one of the sought-after tables outside and watch the world pass by. 96 Mary Street, Brisbane City

Fat Noodle

Can you eat celebrity chef food on a reasonable budget? In Brisbane you can. At the beautifully appointed Treasury Casino you'll find a selection of excellent eateries, including Fat Noodle, where Vietnamese-Australian chef Luke Nguyen offers his renowned 20-hour Fat Pho Noodles for just AUD$24. Order your meal and enjoy it in the Treasury's grand dining room, where you dine under an extravagant hanging garden of more than 3000 chopsticks. Treasury Casino Building (Level 1, George Street corner), Queen Street Brisbane City

Red Hook

The newest trend in Brisbane is its growing laneway culture, and the ongoing star of the trend is Red Hook. In line with the city's love affair with American-style bar food and beers, homesick visitors from the USA will love finding affordable Brooklyn cheeseburgers, Budweisers and Philly cheesesteaks, but Australian multiculturalism shines through with char sui pork tacos and karaage chicken. This slick venue’s best bargain is its famous one kilogram (13 ounces) of buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce for AUD$13. It's only available on Wednesdays. Shop 3, 88 Creek Street, Brisbane City

Izakaya Kotobuki

It really is possible to have fresh, authentic Japanese cuisine at reasonable prices, as the many local fans of this cosy, bustling little eatery, Izakaya Kotobuki, will attest. Bop along to the Japanese pop music and order anything you like from the electronic tablets at the table. Even the full set menus are only priced from AUD$9.50 to AUD$17.50, for sizzling wagyu beef with all the trimmings, including miso soup, edamame, rice and salad. The fusion sushi rolls are also popular, with a full "spider roll" of soft-shell crab, crab meat and cucumber costing only AUD$14.93 Albert Street, Brisbane City

Eat Street Markets

A wonderful mix of market stalls, street food eateries, fairy lights and a festive atmosphere, set in an atmospheric waterside disused shipping container terminal, the Eat Street Markets (pictured) really are Brisbane at its fun, eclectic and affordable best. An entry fee of AUD$2.50 will buy you live entertainment and food from around the world, including Mexican quesadillas, Spanish paella, German sausages, Asian dumplings and fresh local seafood. The markets run every Friday and Saturday night, and Sunday lunchtimes in winter. Take a short ferry ride to the Northshore Hamilton terminal to view the city lights from the water and really make an evening of it. 99 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton

Tuckeria

In Australia, "good tucker" is slang for good food, and Tuckeria is a taqueria (taco eatery) offering just that. Tuck into hearty, generously served favourites such as tacos, burritos and sauce-smothered enchiladas, and still have change from a AUD$20 note. The most expensive item is the Dirty Nachos, a dish piled high with black beans, rice, cheese, salsa and a big dollop of guacamole for AUD$18. Nearby in the trendy Fortitude Valley pedestrian mall, you'll also find Tuckeria’s funky little Burrito Shack, a modern little food stall serving AUD$5 tacos. 421 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

Food trucks

Some of Brisbane's most fashionable eateries don't even have a fixed address. The city's food trucks are where you'll find up-to-the-minute culinary trends delivered to happy crowds of locals. Choose from roast pumpkin and chorizo pasta from The Pasta Cruiser, Brazilian street food from Vira Lata or the schnitzel with aioli from Pirate's Plate. You can find out each truck's daily location by following them on Facebook, or join locals in the know and jump on Brisbane's Food Trucks website.