Melbourne CBD: Cheap Eats in 2024?

We set ourselves a mission! Can you do Melbourne on a budget? We went on the hunt for some cheap eats in the Melbourne CBD.
Do cheap eats even exist these days? Well we managed to find a few places that might be considered budget friendly. But was the food any good? Watch to find out.
Here is a list of the places we visited:
1. Borek Bakehouse. 481Elizabeth St Melbourne
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2. The Seould Toast Bong. 551 Lt Lonsdale St (In Healys Lane)
/ seoultoast_bong
3. Bearguette Banh Mi. 1/235 Flinders St
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4. Rozzis. 157 Swanston St
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5. Kwafood Fried Skewers. 287 Swanston St.
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6. Simpsons Burgers. 143 Russell St.
www.simpsonsbu...
7. Paramount Food Court. In the Paramount Retail Centre Entry via 101 Little Bourke St.
www.theparamou...
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Thanks for watching! 👍

[@nickyantona5811]

hey mate i’d hate to give away my secrets but the best value meal is Kim Sing on little collins, massive fried chicken fillets on rice for $13.. prices stuck in the 2010s. the chilli sauce is also the best around.

[@theexplorersjournal]

That sounds great! Will definitely have a look at it for next time. Thanks for the suggestion 😄

[@Lucia-pb2ot]

Kim Sing was my regular lunch spot when I worked in the CBD.

[@notoriousft]

It's 13.50 now

[@skaterboyvega]

Thank you for being honest. I really appreciate your content !

[@ThePiquet888]

Nice one! Hotstar Chicken on Bourke St or Food Hall (24hrs) near the Aquarium. A Treat of France on City Rd is excellent too. Soi38 Thai.. is awesome for a sit down cheap restaurant.

[@theexplorersjournal]

Hey thanks for the suggestions. Have tried Hotstar and A Treat of France in Nth melbourne before. Both amazing! But I didn't know about Food Hall and Soi38 Will definitely be checking them out in the next video.

[@ThePiquet888]

@@theexplorersjournal Best of luck with the Channel! Take some serviettes or tissues to Soi38! It's barebones and if you get anything with Chilli you will need them.

[@theexplorersjournal]

Awesome! Thanks. 😄

[@lynnkueh]

Wow can hear the crisp sounds when you bite into the toast at Seoul Toast. So yummy.

[@theexplorersjournal]

The toasties were so good. I wish I was eating one right now!

[@Venoch_]

Great video, made me miss the city! I lived and worked in the city for a few years over half a decade ago now, and I used to know the BEST cheap eat spots, man. I have no idea if the places are still around because I haven't been into the city once since before the start of Covid. Three that I'd highly recommend checking out if they are still around: Shandong Mama's Don Too Flora Cafe

[@theexplorersjournal]

Hey there, thanks for watching! Yeah, we’re very lucky in Melbourne with so many great places to choose from. We’re planning another cheap eats video so huge thanks for the suggestions. Will definitely look into them and hopefully we can add them to the list 😄

[@AidsMcGee]

This video has helped me locate optimal spots for me to find the necessary nutrience while wandering around Melbourne CBD. Beautiful work... almost as beautiful as the man who created the video.

[@itsswirlz8139]

very good work

[@AidsMcGee]

​@@itsswirlz8139 "very good work" 🤓☝

[@adamb70]

Gopals at 139 Swanston St, my man. $8.50 for rice with 2 x curries plus salad. Or go bananas and spend $11.90 to get a salad, soup, main, dessert and drink.

[@theexplorersjournal]

That’s awesome, will have to check it out. It’s been suggested a couple times. Looks like we’re due for a cheap eats part 2 😄thanks for the tip.

[@michaellam9819]

Loved the content, hope to see more!

[@theexplorersjournal]

Thanks for watching 😃

[@brettn4337]

Hey, nice video. Coming down to Melbourne for a week mid-May and will have to try a couple of those places, especially for lunch. These days, if you can get a nice feed for $10, you're doing well, but that gozleme place will definitely be getting a visit.

[@theexplorersjournal]

Hey there, thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. Totally agree that It’s getting harder to find good cheap eats these days. The gozleme place is definitely worth a visit!

[@lyricgirl45]

Good on you for doing this ❤

[@chilliwaterlickingecko5113]

Augh! Can you show us close ups of the feeds and fillings . New to follow here also living in same city .. 👍🏼😁❤👍🏼

[@theexplorersjournal]

Hey, thanks for watching. Yep, will be sure to do so in the next one. 😃

[@marcusgleeson]

Can you do a review on lvl 2 of paramount and the massages

[@yurei__11]

amazing video, very beautiful man 😁💯

[@theexplorersjournal]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nels_77]

So i just got a notification from Franz with a link to this video. What in the world lol?!

[@theexplorersjournal]

Haha! Busted! Be sure to like and subscribe 😂😂😂

[@ElementEvilTeam]

The cheese one tastes bland. The spicy lamb one is the best.

[@theexplorersjournal]

The lamb one has nice little kick to it, but I actually liked the cheese one better. Different taste palettes I guess, but still a great place for a cheap feed.

[@willow252]

VB rolls in Kmart Arcade 222 Bouke Street ❤ 🫶 the best banh mi, rice paper rolls and noodle boxes

[@theexplorersjournal]

Awesome! Will check it out. Thanks.

[@allab5769]

Who wants to go to CBD while pro palestin. rally on weekends No thanks

[@sarahh1007]

that's the best time to be in the CBD. Free Palestine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lyricgirl45]

Gopals in the CBD is incredible vegetarian you have to try it 139 Swanston st 😀

[@theexplorersjournal]

Oh yes, i’ve heard about this place. Will look into it. Thanks for the tip.

[@hester1955]

Crossroads in Swanston St is (if it’s still there) a fabulous place for lunch - set price all you can eat + drink and dessert. Last time I was there it was about $7. Indian vegetarian.

[@theexplorersjournal]

Hey there, yep it’s still there! Looks like it might be worth checking out. Thanks for the tip. 😃

[@notoriousft]

Crossways more likely 😊

[@lesliedavis2185]

I use to go to the Borek bake house when I worked in elizabeth st. Always got spicy lamb borek a delicious cheap lunch. Also loved Wonderbao, delicious lunch for about $6

[@abuhadrami9332]

The guy who walks behind you with a white shirt on looks like your youngerself.

[@theexplorersjournal]

Good observation skills. He is my son 😄

[@swansbear]

If you want cheap healthy Japanese food you can’t go past Don Don on Francis Street

[@theexplorersjournal]

Have heard great things about Don Don. Been wanting to check it out but haven’t had the chance. Thanks for the reminder! 😄

[@annickvallily4117]

6

[@beanoyip06]

Try nanyang express in the city next, $10 meals, unbeatable.

[@theexplorersjournal]

We’re planning a second cheap eats video. Will add this place to the list. Thanks for the tip! 😃

[@tommercer8595]

AIX cafe just off flinders lane does a great $10.5 bánh mì

[@theexplorersjournal]

Ah yes, we nearly went to this one but decided on the one at Flinders St station. Might have to check it out next time. Thanks for watching.

[@nancydonaldson3886]

Did the Korean place have tea in the urn

[@theexplorersjournal]

I actually don’t remember seeing any, but I’ve just checked their menu and it doesn’t come up. Looks like they only do cold drinks. They have an iced matcha latte which might be worth trying though. 😃

[@nancydonaldson3886]

They actually do ramen instant noodles that's what the urn was on the bench with a temp of 83

[@theexplorersjournal]

@nancydonaldson3886 yep they do and I regret not trying the ramen. Maybe next time.

[@Foodandwinewithlove]

Great video! It's amazing to see that you were able to find some budget-friendly eats in Melbourne's CBD, especially with how pricey things can get these days. We love exploring food scenes ourselves down in the Mornington Peninsula, so it's nice to see how you tackled Melbourne on a budget. Cheers from Food and Wine with Love!

[@zeekpuia225]

You hit it on the nail with Ceylon wok that's my go to $16 deal

[@passportbro7]

Simmos burgers 🍔

[@maidenengland2]

Did you notice the gang behind you taking the tag off the clothing and putting it back in the bag In flinders st

[@theexplorersjournal]

Yeah, I hadn't noticed that but just had a look. Something dodgy you think? That part of Flinders can be a bit sketchy sometimes 😀

[@maidenengland2]

@@theexplorersjournal yeah you can see the white tag on the piece of clothing and he takes something out of his pocket to cut it off but the females blocked you from seeing him doing it.