When in Sydney, you can enjoy some of the best places to dine and enjoy great dishes from various continents. If you think it will dampen your budget, hold on, as there are various places where you can taste from Japanese to Mexican for only $20. If you don't believe it, check out the following 10 places and find it for yourself.
1. Spice Alley, Chippendale
Kensington Street, Chippendale, Sydney, NSW
At Spice Alley, you can find some food courts and casual dining restaurants to enjoy Asian, Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Singaporean, and Japanese cuisines.
Just enter these narrow paved streets, and you will immediately recognize the array of red lanterns, sizzling wok fires, and the aromas of Southeast Asian spices.
With four permanent stalls, along with a rotating selection of pop-up versions of popular Asian restaurants around Sydney, most of the delicious foods on offer are $10 and under.
2. Jimmy's Falafel
312 George Street, Sydney
Here, the entire menu is $20 and under. Falafel is the main taste here. The original pita is stuffed with falafel, topped with parsley, cucumber, tomato, sumac onions, and pickles, then doused with hummus and tahini.
3. Fabbrica
161 King Street, Sydney
It is the new pasta shop by Ragazzi Fabbrica, serving up an ever-rotating menu of baked pasta and sandwiches from midday until sold out.
Marinated eggplant, ox heart tomato, mozzarella, and herb costs $16.
Summer vegetable Rotolo with Swiss brown mushroom and thyme sauce is for $18 only.
4. Bourke Street Bakery, Surry Hills
633 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
This bakery has lots of handmade bread and pastries to enjoy.
Choose from a selection of melt-in-your-mouth pies, sausage rolls, and quiches. If interested, have breakfast or opt for takeaways, either cakes or fruit tarts, all for $15 for a single person.
5. Gumshara Ramen, Chinatown
211/25-29 Dixon St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
All Japanese here at Eating World Food Court in Chinatown, Gumshara Ramen, serve up steaming bowls of ramen noodles with soft slices of pork.
Their signature dish is tonkatsu ramen, made from simmering 120 kilos of pork bones. Still, they offer plenty of other ramen varieties, including miso ramen, pork spare rib, and tomato tonkatsu, for $20 per dish.
6. The Henson, Marrickville
91 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
Henson is popular for its bar food. You can locate this place behind an old pub hotel in a quiet Marrickville street, where you will be greeted with a lively atmosphere and the smells of a busy kitchen.
With trivia nights, outdoor seating, and a children's playground area, it's a local secret quickly gaining popularity with its well-rounded menu. Try their juicy beef burger in a brioche bun for a pub meal classic, or go for sticky pork ribs with Asian salad dressing for a fusion-inspired meal. You can even ask for gluten-free options here.
7. Arisun, Haymarket
35/1 Dixon St, Sydney NSW 2000
Arisun restaurant is famous for Korean-style fried chicken and bean noodles. Their made-to-share steaming hot pots are filled with marinated beef, spicy kimchi, pork belly, and seafood options.
You can also mix and match all these selections with flame-grilled meats for a tasty tapas-style dining experience. They have a great outdoor seating arrangement for you to sit and enjoy.
8. Bar Luca, CBD
52 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000
Bar Luca serves up tasty burgers in a relaxed bar and bistro style environment. With outdoor terraces, comfy leather booths, and a menu dedicated to burgers, $10 buckets of fried chicken, and chips, Bar Luca is the place to visit for a satisfying feast.
9. Pho Tau Bay, Cabramatta
12/117 John St, Cabramatta NSW 2166
Here, you can enjoy some great Vietnamese cuisine. Opened in 1980 as Cabramatta's first Pho restaurant, Pho Tau Bay is still going strong.
Commonly referred to as the best pho in Sydney, it's a small, family-run restaurant serving giant bowls of steaming pho since the 1980s.
Whether you like the classic rare beef, chicken, or vegetarian, these bowls come heaped with fragrant soup, slippery soft rice noodles, and a side platter of bean sprouts and herbs to add to taste.
10. El Jannah, Granville, Punchbowl and Blacktown
4-8 South St, Granville NSW 2142
El Jannah is a cheerful Lebanese joint with plastic seating. It serves charcoal chicken, side dishes, and takeaway.
El Jannah has become famous for its charcoal chicken layered in garlic sauce. This restaurant started as a small takeaway shop in Granville and has expanded to several stores throughout Sydney's west.
Available whole, quartered, in rolls, or meals, El Jannah's delicious chicken is to relish there or take away for family and friends.
Final Thoughts
There are many food joints in and around Sydney where you can find meals for $20. You can, in fact, taste international cuisine on your budget.
What I found worth mentioning is that these are affordable dining options for those who want to have a great meal on a budget.
FAQs
What can I eat for $20 in Sydney?
You can have burgers, falafel, meat dishes, tacos, Mexican fries, and Japanese and Indian food.
Is there anything for vegetarians?
Yes, there are lots of vegetarian options. You will have to ask for their menu and see what they offer.
Do I have to reserve my order?
No, you don't have to reserve or book your order. You can dine in or have takeaways of your choice.
Can I find a meal for $20 in CBD Sydney?
CBD Sydney is the hub for $20 meals. Visit the area, and you will see how many of them offer good meals on a budget.
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