There is a common misconception that Sydney is no friend to the frugal backpacker. But when it comes to eating out, there are plenty of options available to backpackers on a budget who are looking for a top-notch meal that won’t break the bank.
Cheap food is no longer just packet noodles, dodgy sausage rolls and soggy chips from the nearby kebab shop. Sydney packs a serious culinary punch, from on-trend hot dog joints and out-of-this-world Vietnamese pork rolls to perfect Pad Thai. Here is a pick of the best budget and seriously tasty cheap eats for backpackers in Sydney.
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1. Perfect Pad thai @ Home Thai
1. Perfect Pad thai @ Home Thai
The bustling Home Thai never fails to deliver on generous portions of Pad Thai and tasty Thai curries that pack a punch. This place is so popular among locals that there is often a queue outside the door, and the common protocol is to grab a slip of paper with a number on it from the door and wait for it to be called out.
But service is swift, and you never have to wait long before you can head in and get down to the business of ordering. Expect to pay about $20-$25 for a curry or Pad Thai.
Where: 299 Sussex Street, Sydney
2. Malay Chinese Takeaway
2. Malay Chinese Takeaway
Just down the road from Home Thai is Malay Chinese Takeaway. This popular restaurant is home to 11 different varieties of laksa including chicken, king prawn and vegetable. For those of you who aren’t familiar, laksa is a delicious spicy rice noodle soup made with coconut milk. It’s filling and the soup is so good you will be drinking it out of the bowl, trust us. Bowls of hot laksa start from $16
Where: 50 Hunter Street, Sydney
Where:
3. Harry’s Cafe de Wheels
3. Harry’s Cafe de Wheels
These iconic pie carts are located all around Sydney, try Woolloomooloo, Darling Quarter and Kogarah. There is nothing Aussies love more than a good pie, which explains why Harry’s Cafe de Wheels has been serving fresh pies every day for over 75 years. Their signature dish is named after the founder Harry ‘Tiger’ Edwards, and is a chunky lean beef pie, with mushy peas, mash and gravy. Expect to pay around $7.90 for pie.
Address: Cowper Wharf Road & Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo
4. Marrickville Pork Rolls
4. Marrickville Pork Rolls
We’re pretty confident that the Vietnamese pork rolls Marrickville Pork Rolls serves are some of the best you will ever eat. No matter what time it is, there is always a line out the front of this tiny little pork roll stand. And the best bit, these delicious pork rolls are only $9 each.
Where: 236A Illawarra Road, Sydney
Where:
5. Dollar Dogs at The Soda Factory
5. Dollar Dogs at The Soda Factory
The Soda Factory brings you gourmet hot dogs every Tuesday for just $1 each ($2 for chicken & $3 for vegan). They’re so cheap, they’re practically free.
$2 for chicken & $3 for vegan)
Choose between classic such as ‘The Johnny Drama’ (Beef Frankfurter, Bacon, Sour Cream, Avocado & Tomato Salsa) and ‘The Buffalo Bill’ (Crispy Chicken Sausage, Spicy Buffalo Sauce & Cheese). Mmm, our mouths are watering already – bring on Tuesday!
Beef Frankfurter, Bacon, Sour Cream, Avocado & Tomato Salsa
Crispy Chicken Sausage, Spicy Buffalo Sauce & Cheese
Where: 16 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills, 2010
6. Dinner for $15 at Spice Alley, Chippendale
6. Dinner for $15 at Spice Alley, Chippendale
If you’re wandering around Chippendale and your stomach starts rumbling, follow the scent of sizzling woks and you’ll stumble into Spice Alley. Tucked down a hidden laneway just off Kensington Street, this buzzing little foodie haven serves up a kaleidoscope of Asian eats that are big on flavour and light on the wallet. Think steaming bowls of laksa, crispy roti with curry, juicy dumplings, and smoky stir-fries—each stall bringing something a little different to the party. It’s got that night-market vibe, with glowing lanterns overhead and communal tables where you’ll squeeze in alongside fellow food lovers. Best part? Most dishes clock in under $15, so you can try a bit of everything without blowing your budget.
Where: 25 – 29 Dixon Street, Haymarket
So there you have it, some of the best cheap eats for backpackers on a budget in Sydney. If you are looking for more budget travel inspiration, then check out the ultimate guide to backpacking in Australia, for more top tips on hiring a campervan, top Aussie cities and how much you can expect to spend while you’re Down Under.
So there you have it, some of the best cheap eats for backpackers on a budget in Sydney. If you are looking for more budget travel inspiration, then check out the
ultimate guide to backpacking in Australia
ultimate guide to backpacking in Australia
, for more top tips on hiring a campervan, top Aussie cities and how much you can expect to spend while you’re Down Under.