The best cheap dinner deals in Melbourne

Tightening the purse strings doesn't mean you need to cook dinner every night. Head to one of these tasty spots for dinner without blowing the weekly food budget.

Her Bar

Tuesday night plans are sorted. Her Bar on Lonsdale Street serves up steak frites from 5pm until late for just $25. Think O’Connor beef sirloin, your choice of béarnaise or pepper sauce, crisp fries, and a refreshing cos salad. Tucked inside the heritage-listed Pacific House, it’s the perfect spot for a swish midweek treat. Book ahead to secure your table, walk-ins are limited.

BKK

This popular Thai canteen is firing up the grill for its hump day dinner deal. Wednesday night is $20 chargrilled chicken night at BKK. This new take on gai yang Thai BBQ lets you enjoy a flavour-packed, crispy half chicken. It's served with fresh salad, house-made sweet chilli sauce and your choice of jasmine rice or spiced fries. Available from 5pm until late. 

Frenchie Restaurant 

Who said a fancy dinner at a French restaurant needs to break the bank? Enter Melbourne’s coolest new bistro, Frenchie, where everything is $14. And we're not talking soggy fries and lacklustre steaks. The menu features top tier standouts like melt-in-your-mouth beef cheek with bourguignonne sauce, rock oysters with champagne granite and seared tuna with crispy frites. Feeling extra bougie? Flag down the champagne trolley and order a round of caviar bumps. Tres magnifique!

Juni

This neon-lit Southeast Asian-inspired bar and restaurant is quickly becoming a favourite for late-night diners. Wander into Juni from 9pm and take advantage of the after dark menu. For $38 per person you'll get a selection of flame-grilled skewers, juicy dumplings and a sweet treat to finish. Don't skip on the drink specials - that's $9 beers and wines plus $15 cocktails.

Springrock

Melbourne’s favourite inner-city pub has some very generous deals. Order one of the weekly specials at Springrock like $20 pasta and wine on Mondays, $25 steaks on Tuesdays, $20 cheeseburgers on Thursdays and $25 weekend roasts. Stick around after your meal and enjoy a negroni nightcap for $15 from 9pm-12am, Thursday to Saturday.

Common Cuts

We found a Wagyu steak special for under $30 in Melbourne. No lies! Common Cuts at 380 Russel Street offers up a Wagyu flank or an Angus rostbiff with frites for $28.80. Add a side of sauce for $4 and tuck into this hearty dinner deal available Monday-Saturday 5pm-9pm. This moody, low-lit restaurant doubles as a vinyl listening room so be sure to check out the night's guest DJ.

Gimlet

Want to experience one of Melbourne’s most sophisticated restaurants without the price tag? Gimlet keeps your late-night burger run on the classy side with a $28, fancy pants cheeseburger. The patty is juicy, the bun is fluffy and the lettuce is buttery. It’s part of an exclusive supper menu available from 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Add French fries for $12 and you’re in for the most memorable fast food of your life.

Brunetti Classico

This iconic Italian restaurant on Lygon Street is putting on a deliziosa pasta special. The $29 dinner deal is available 5pm to 8pm Monday to Thursday. Choose from fresh spaghetti or casarecce, then load it up with your favourite house-made sauce. Plus a glass of wine, of course! Our top tip? Head in on a Monday and follow your dinner with a cheap movie at Cinema Nova.

Captain Melville

Inside the bluestone walls of this historic pub, you'll find one of Melbourne's cheapest steak nights. Head to Captain Melville on Wednesday nights for a $22 feast. You'll get a rump steak, perfectly cooked to your liking, with a side of chips and salad. Pair your feed with a happy hour bev. From 4pm to 6pm schooners, wines and spirits are just $7.

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar

Yes, you can still score a feed for a tenner in Melbourne! The Last Chance puts on a $10 family dinner every Tuesday night. It's usually a schnitzel with rotating sauce and sides, and it's always a hearty feed. Don't fill up too soon, there's pudding for dessert too! The bar also has a $12 steak night on Wednesdays and more ultra cheap specials throughout the week.

Magic Mountain Saloon

Why cook on a Monday? Head to Magic Mountain Saloon for grill night, where $25 gets you a charcoal-grilled steak, soy and tamarind sauce, rainbow slaw, and smashed potatoes. The neon-lit venue and bold Thai flavours make it the perfect start to your week. DJ tunes on the mezzanine don’t hurt, either.

BBQA Buffet Melbourne

Feast without limits at BBQA Buffet. This Chinese-style BBQ spot offers an all-you-can-eat experience every night from 5pm to 10pm. Indulge in a full spread without the rush for $49.99 (90 minutes) or $58.80 with unlimited time. Whether you're craving classic Chinese dishes or grilled favourites, there’s no better way to end the day.