Melbourne's best lunches under $15

Can’t look at another sushi roll? There’s much more exciting lunchtime fare to be had on the cheap.

Onigiri Kitchen and Sake Bar, $5

Find Japanese-style comfort food at Onigiri Kitchen and Sake Bar in Degraves or Little Collins Street. Enjoy gluten-free onigiri rice balls in seven different flavours. Think chicken karaage, pulled pork and kimchi. The onigiri are $5 each, so grab two or three and a side of edamame or miso soup. For dessert, there are delicious sweet tofu cinnamon donuts for $4. 

Heart of Carlton, $5

Heart of Carlton really is the low-price gem of Melbourne’s inner north. The husband-wife duo behind this local spot is here to serve you big bowls of pasta, homemade soups and hearty curries. And nothing is over $5. The atmosphere is priceless too, with live music on the piano and a cosy fireplace.

Eek Charm, $11.90

Blink and you could miss Eek Charm – Melbourne’s smallest Thai restaurant. This tiny hole-in-the-wall kiosk in The Causeway dishes up a menu of authentic noodle boxes, all under $12. Choose from toppings like chilli pork crackling, quail eggs, fermented tofu, chicken meatballs and more. Then add a dash of house-made sauce, a sprinkle of crunchy peanuts and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Mamao, $12.90

This new Thai food sensation at 338 Queen Street is a must for noodle-loving lunchers. The Mamao loaded boat noodle bowl ($12.90) comes stacked with pork or beef balls, sliced meat, sprouts, veggies, garlic and more. Or order the dry version for the same price. You'll get a big bowl of noodles with beef or pork, bean sprouts, morning glory, fried garlic and a special house-made sauce.

All-you-can-eat vegetarian, under $10

Head to Om Vegetarian where the bestselling meal is the $9.90 all-you-can-eat thali. You get three curries, rice and naan, all of which you can refill to your hearts content. Or wander up to Crossways at 147 Swanston St, where yet another all-you-can-eat vegetarian feed awaits for $9.50 (concession $7.50).

Crackle Bae, from $8

There's a new Vietnamese diner on Madame Brussels Lane serving all the classics for a wallet-friendly price. Swing by Crackle Bae on your break and grab a veggie banh mi for just $8. It comes with homemade mayonnaise, pate, pickled carrot, cabbage, cucumber, coriander and more. Or go for the classic crispy pork for $12.50. The vermicelli noodles salads are worth a try too. We love the sound of the lemon grass chicken one for $15.

Pizza Pizza Pizza, $5

Slices of NYC-style pie at Pizza Pizza Pizza cost just five bucks a pop. That includes the oozy triple cheese or de rigueur pepperoni and pepper. Whole pizzas start at $32. With eight massive slices they're big enough to feed a crew of famished friends.

Norissong, from $5

Hidden inside the 120 Collins building, Norissong is all about convenience without sacrificing quality. The huge Japanese rice balls start from $5 and are packed with fillings like jumbo tempura prawn, kimchi and pork belly. With a focus on takeaway, they're ideal for busy city dwellers looking for a grab-and-go lunch.

Wow Crepes, $10.50

Chinese crepes (Jianbing) have finally made their way to the Melbourne mainstream. A thin layer of wheat pancake mixture is fried on a hotplate at fiery temperatures for instant crispiness. Stuffed with carrots, cabbage, spring onion and more veg, plus your choice of meaty filling or Sichuan bean curd for $10.50 to $13. Find Wow Crepes at Shop 16 inside the Kmart Centre.

Brim CC, $13.90

Dig into hearty bowls of curry, stacked donburi and delicious chicken and mushroom gyoza, all clocking in under $15. Try the juicy beef curry for $13.90 or get a half-serve with a fresh salad for $14.80. The budget also stretches to a pork tonkatsu or teriyaki chicken don. There are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options available at Brim CC too.

Udon Yasan, from $5.30

Build your own bowl at Melbourne's cheapest Japanese noodle bar. The bowls from Udon Yasan at 186 Bourke Street start at just over $5.30 for the base kake udon, and $6.90 for udon with egg, kimchi or beancurd. Customise your bowl with all your favourite noodle toppings. Add on tempura, kimchi and soft boiled eggs for $1 to $2 each. Then go hard at the self-serve garnish station.

BKK at HER, $15

It's back! Thai canteen BKK is slinging a $15 noodle special once again on Monday to Friday, from 11.30am to 3pm. The menu rotates on occasion, but recent dishes have included wok fried pork and prawn noodles, glass noodle bowls and more. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available on request.

Soi 38, $10

Melbourne's beloved Soi 38 has moved to a bigger location hidden upstairs along Royal Lane. The $10 noodles are the rightful lunchtime signature. Choose you soup base whether that be a boat noodle broth or a rich tom yum. Then select your noodle of choice – egg, rice or vermicelli. A Thai milk tea will set you back $5 brining your total to a cool $15. 

Butchers Diner, from $12

Butchers Diner is one of Melbourne’s best all-day burger joints, open from midday to midnight Tuesday to Saturday. Cop a no-mess, no-fuss hamburger with pickles and mayo for under $15 bucks. The grilled cheese toastie is an excellent grab-and-go cheap eat option for $12, too.

Take-Don, $10

If you're looking for a big budget feed, make a beeline for Take-Don at 265 Little Collins St and grab a $10 rice bowl. Choose from no-fuss classics like chicken katsu with Japanese curry. Or up your spice game and tuck into the deep fried tofu with Thai chilli and basil. Love fried chicken? Don't skip the chicken karaage bowl with teriyaki sauce.

Seoul Toast Bong, under $15

Seoul Toast Bong (or Sukbong) is a famous chain with more than 200 stores in Korea. Its one and only Australian store just opened in Healeys Lane. Start simple with egg and cheese, or go OTT with added hash browns and beef bulgogi. A tonne of the menu items are under $13, and the signature bulgogi toastie will only set you back $11.

CBD Pies, under $15

Craving the comforts of a country-style pie but can't leave the city? The award-winning CBD Pies at 126 Queen Street is the hearty lunch you've been looking for. Try a plain beef pie for $7.50 or grab a sausage roll and drink combo for $9. Old-school sweets are baked fresh in-house every weekday and if you order a coffee from 10am to 12pm you'll get a free cinnamon donut.

Khao Kang, $12

Cheap eats spot Khao Kang is at not one, not two, but three locations in the city. Head to this tasty Thai joint for a not-so-pricey lunch special. The dishes here change daily but you can guarantee they'll be packed full of flavour. For $12 you can get one main with rice and $15 will get you two mains and rice. Find Khao Kang at 353 Little Collins Street, the Paramount Centre and 480 Collins Street.

Banh Mi Bearguette, under $12

Looking for a cheap and quick bite on your way to the train? Outside Flinders Station at 211 Flinders Street is Banh Mi Bearguette – a tiny shop serving up this much-loved lunch to busy passers-by. Here you’ll find tasty rolls with fillings like BBQ pork, tofu and vege or egg omelette for just $11.50.   

Information correct at time of writing. Prices may change at short notice.