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.

Yassas, $14.90

Can't stomach a full souvlaki for lunch? We get it. Yassas The Greek Way's mini version is the perfect size to smash down at midday. The lunch combo comes with a mini souva, chips and drink for just $14.90. Choose from lamb, chicken or falafel and enjoy lashings of tzatziki inside. Find this Greek joint at District Docklands for more cheap street food.

Heartbaker BunMee, $12.80

Uncover a hidden pork roll gem in Melbourne's tiniest laneway. Heartbaker Bun Mee has six fresh flavours, including signature crispy pork belly and caramelised tofu. There's even a vegan roll for plant-based foodies. All the banh mi clock in under fifteen bucks, so it'd be rude not to smash a Vietnamese iced coffee or two while you're there.

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.

Coppe Pan, from $4.20

If gourmet sandwich spots are a bit of a stretch for your current budget, Coppe Pan has you covered. These thick, juicy cuts of crumbed chicken breast cushioned in freshly baked bread will set you back a slight $7. The wholesome handmade onirigi rice balls are a mere $4.20 each, with fillings like tuna mayo, fried chicken, lobster and mentai (fish roe).

Butchers Diner, from $11

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 13 bucks. The grilled cheese toastie is an excellent grab-and-go cheap eat option for $11, too.

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).

Soi 38, $10

Soi 38 serves all kinds of Thai dishes, but the boat noodles are the rightful signature. The broth is rich in galangal and lemongrass, with slowly simmered meat and springy noodles. The best bit about Soi 38, though? You’ll be eating lunch in a corner of a CBD carpark, along with a buzzy huddle of other diners in the know. For those on a tighter budget, you'll find $6.90 boat noodles at Pinto or Thai Baan.

Chapter House, $10

Nestled in under the arches of St Paul’s Cathedral in the city is Chapter House Coffee. This tiny cafe serves up quality brews, homemade sandwiches and baked goods all for some pretty decent prices. Go for the coffee and toastie deal for $12 (available until 11.30am) then pull up a stool and enjoy.

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.

Mamao Thai food, $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. This spot also serves a hearty dry noodle bowl for the same price. Get your choice of beef or pork. Splurge and add on pork crackling for $4.90.

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.

Mr Kitchen, $7

Make your way to 8 Elizabeth Street and you’ll find Mr Kitchen. This tiny Asian-fusion joint offers congee for $6.50, salad rolls for $7 and more bites under a tenner. For those on a really tight budget, go for the $5 chicken prawn pie.  

Khao Kang, $12

Head to Midtown Melbourne on Bourke Street to find Khao Kang – a tasty Thai joint with a not-so-pricey lunch special. The dishes here are authentic and packed full of flavour, and get served up for just $12. Try the stir-fry pork belly with shrimp paste, the sour curry with fish and bamboo shoots or the Thai chilli basil with minced chicken.   

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.