8 of Brisbane's best cheap eats

By Jac Taylor

The capital city of Queensland – known as Australia's Sunshine State – delivers al fresco dining, warm evenings and a sophisticated range of eateries. Even better news is that cheaper options, from hawker-style street food to clever takes on fast-food favourites, can keep your dining budget down while still offering some of Brisbane's best flavours.

Where: City centre

This is fast food done by celebrity chef Neil Perry, and it's one of the cheapest ways to sample his famous food. Burger Project is all about provenance, with ingredients including Cape Grim beef from Tasmania (thought to be among the best grass-fed beef in the world). Your Aussie burger (with beetroot and special sauce) may come quickly, but with your first bite you'll learn that this is a world away from other fast food chains. 

Fat Noodle

Where: City centre

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. Order your meal and enjoy it in the Treasury's grand dining room, where you dine under an extravagant hanging garden of more than 3,000 chopsticks.  

Red Hook

Where: City centre

Brisbane has a vibrant laneway culture, and the ongoing star 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 New York City hot dogs, but Australian multiculturalism shines through with duck tacos and a tandoori chicken burger. End your feast with the indulgent deep fried Oreos.

Sushi Kotobuki

Where: East Brisbane

It really is possible to have fresh, authentic Japanese cuisine at reasonable prices, as the many local fans of this cosy, bustling little eatery, Sushi Kotobuki, will attest. Choose from a range of donburi (rice bowls) and noodles, in addition to small plates of sushi and sashimi. The fusion sushi rolls are particularly popular, with items like the "spider roll" of soft-shell crab, crab meat and cucumber.

Eat Street Markets

Where: Hamilton

A wonderful mix of market stalls, street food eateries, fairy lights and a festive atmosphere, set in a waterside disused shipping container terminal, the Eat Street Markets are fun, eclectic and affordable. The small entry fee 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, Saturday and Sunday evenings. 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.

Melt Brothers

Where: City centre

Inspired by the delicious comfort food on offer in New York's alleyways, the founders of Melt Brothers have just one goal – to deliver simple, fresh flavours of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches with a modern twist. The menu features a variety of fillings, fresh artisan breads, cheesy/carb-loaded sides (the loaded gems will cure any hangover) as well as vegan and gluten free options. Don't go past the M.C. Cheesy which includes macaroni and cheese, maple bacon, smokey BBQ sauce, aioli, mozzarella and aged cheddar. 

Little Greek Taverna

Where: West End

While most Greek restaurants in Australia focus on the seafood made famous by the country's islands, Little Greek Taverna takes you on a culinary journey to Macedonia. In the north of the country, this border region's cuisine is traditionally spicier and heartier. The friendly staff will help you navigate the extensive menu, but don't miss Yiayia Domna's special cheese bread. With delicious food that's good value for money and BYO, you'll feel right at home at this family-owned and run restaurant.

Food trucks

Where: City-wide

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 the vegan-friendly burgers under the rainbow lights of BrisVegans, hearty Bavarian fare from Kraut 'N About 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.