Cheap Eats in Adelaide: Best Budget Feeds for Uni Students

1. Parwana Afghan Kitchen (Torrensville)

• Best for: Authentic Afghan rice dishes

• Price: From $7

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth​

Parwana serves hearty Afghan meals at student-friendly prices. Their kabuli palaw—spiced rice with lamb and raisins—starts at just $7 for a side or $13 for a full plate.​

2. Metro Oyster Bar & Cafe (Adelaide Uni precinct)

• Best for: Budget-friendly kebabs and yiros

• Price: From $9.90

• Nearest Scape: Scape at University of Adelaide​

Popular with uni students, Metro Oyster Bar offers massive chicken yiros wraps and lamb kebabs for under $10.​

3. Honki Tonki (Adelaide CBD)

• Best for: Affordable ramen

• Price: $12.90

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth

Honki Tonki is a go-to for ramen lovers. Their soy and miso broths are packed with flavor, and with student prices starting at $12.90, it’s a great spot for quick, warming meals.​

4. Wasai Japanese Kitchen (Gouger Street)

• Best for: Cheap Japanese bento boxes

• Price: From $13

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth​

Wasai offers great-value bento boxes and donburi bowls that make for a satisfying lunch or dinner.​

5. Taste of the Himalayas (Goodwood)

• Best for: Budget Nepalese and Indian curries

• Price: From $10.90

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth​

This cosy spot serves generous curries, momos (dumplings), and thali plates starting at just $10.90.​

6. Bing’s Chinese Restaurant (Adelaide Central Market)

• Best for: Cheap bao buns and Asian street food

• Price: From $5.50

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth​

Bing’s serves pillowy bao buns from just $5.50 each, with fillings like braised pork belly or crispy tofu.​

7. Zenhouse Vegetarian Yum Cha (Grote Street)

• Best for: Cheap vegetarian Asian food

• Price: Under $15

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth​

Zenhouse specializes in vegetarian and vegan Asian dishes that don’t skimp on flavour.​

8. Phat Buddha Rolls (Rundle Mall)

• Best for: Vietnamese banh mi

• Price: From $6

• Nearest Scape: Scape at University of Adelaide​

This eatery offers crispy, flavorful banh mi sandwiches for just $6–$8.​

9. East Mediterranean Eatery (Adelaide CBD)

• Best for: Budget-friendly Middle Eastern street food

• Price: Under $15

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth​

East Mediterranean Eatery offers fast, fresh pita pockets and mezze-style dishes

•  with lots of vegetarian and vegan options.​

10. Banh Mi Nhu Lan (Woodville)

• Best for: Authentic Vietnamese rolls

• Price: From $5

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth

This takeaway shop is famous for its crispy baguettes stuffed with pork, pate, and pickled veggies.​

11. Warong (North Adelaide)

• Best for: Spicy Malaysian food

• Price: From $11.90

• Nearest Scape: Scape at University of Adelaide​

Warong serves spicy curries, nasi lemak, and roti with satay sauce—perfect for students who love bold flavours.​

12. Indii Flavours (Adelaide Arcade)

• Best for: Cheap Indian takeaway

• Price: Under $12

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth​

Indii Flavours offers mix-and-match curries with rice and naan, ideal for a quick, filling lunch under $12.​

13. Nordburger (Norwood & Adelaide CBD)

• Best for: Affordable burgers

• Price: From $12

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth

Nordburger is a cult favourite for smashed patties, American-style fried chicken, and loaded fries. Their lunch specials and student discounts make them one of the top cheap eats in Adelaide for burger lovers.

14. La Rambla Tapas (Adelaide CBD)

• Best for: Budget-friendly Spanish food

• Price: Under $15

• Nearest Scape: Scape at University of Adelaide

La Rambla offers vibrant Spanish tapas at wallet-friendly prices. Order garlic prawns, grilled chorizo, or patatas bravas and split a few dishes with friends for an affordable European-style night out.

15. Cheeky Greek (Glenelg & Henley Beach)

• Best for: Cheap Greek gyros

• Price: From $10

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth

Perfect for students venturing to the beach, Cheeky Greek serves stacked gyros with seasoned chips and fresh salads. A great option for cheap eats in Adelaide’s coastal suburbs.

16. Sushi Train (Various Locations)

• Best for: Cheap sushi plates

• Price: From $3.50

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth

A staple for sushi lovers on a budget, Sushi Train offers fresh sashimi, nigiri, and rolls starting at just $3.50 per plate. Dine in or grab takeaway for a light, affordable lunch.

17. Fair Espresso (Rundle Mall)

• Best for: Budget coffee and breakfast

• Price: Under $10

• Nearest Scape: Scape at University of Adelaide

Looking for a cheap breakfast in Adelaide’s CBD? Fair Espresso serves up quality coffee, breakfast rolls, and sweet treats all under $10 — perfect before class or during study breaks.

18. Yen Linh Vietnamese (Torrensville)

• Best for: Cheap pho and Vietnamese noodles

• Price: From $12

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth

Yen Linh is loved for its steaming bowls of pho and generous noodle dishes. With mains starting from just $12, it’s one of the best-value Vietnamese restaurants in Adelaide.

19. Burger Foundry (St Morris)

• Best for: Gourmet burgers on a budget

• Price: From $11

• Nearest Scape: Scape Waymouth

Burger Foundry specialises in handcrafted burgers that won’t break the bank. Their student-friendly prices and high-quality ingredients make them a top contender for cheap eats in Adelaide.

20. Mandoo (Bank Street, Adelaide)

• Best for: Cheap Korean dumplings

• Price: From $12

• Nearest Scape: Scape at University of Adelaide

Mandoo is a humble Korean eatery focusing on handmade dumplings. Choose steamed or pan-fried, with generous fillings and rich dipping sauces. A quiet favourite among UniSA and Adelaide Uni students.

Final Thoughts: Where to Find the Best Cheap Eats in Adelaide

If you’re a uni student looking to stretch your budget without skimping on flavour, Adelaide delivers in spades. Whether you’re into spicy curries, sushi on a student budget, or classic burgers and bao, the city’s food scene is full of cheap eats that won’t break the bank.

Bookmark this list and explore a new spot each week — your wallet (and your tastebuds) will thank you. And if you’re living in or around a Scape Adelaide property, most of these spots are within walking distance!