When you’re rushing, it can be impossible to get a decent feed without spending a fortune. We’ve all been there, where we feel it’s easier to stay with something familiar even if it is brutally expensive. Truthfully, there are lots of hidden cheap eats in Auckland where you can indulge without burning a hole in your pocket. We’ve located 18 of the best cheap eats in Auckland.
1. Auckland Night Market
As one of the greatest night markets in the country, expect to indulge on a range of wallet-friendly international street food eats from more than 50 stalls. From desserts like churros and egg waffles to Thai and Chinese dishes…you’ll be spoilt for choice.
📍Various Locations
2. Carmel Israeli Street Food
This former food truck found a permanent home at Eden Terrace. Serving the most delicious falafel and Israeli street food in Auckland…it’s not to be missed. Enjoy the likes of famous Rugelach croissants at eight for just $20 while irresistible pita bread, stuffed with ingredients, begin at $8. Read further about Carmel Israeli Street Food here.
📍67b France Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland
3. Bona’s Thai Cuisine
This hidden place in the CBD is perfect for a cheap lunch. Expect to pay around $14 for a decent feed of chicken penang curry or stir fries, to name a few.
📍47 Customs Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
4. Big Js Takeaway
If your wallet is a little empty until payday, why not grab some food from this inexpensive American takeaway? Known for huge whooper of burger meals for under $20…you’ll be well fed! Excitingly, all the gluten-free dieters will be happy to hear you can get gluten-free buns.
📍 4/1 Melton Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060, New Zealand
5. Revive
This vegan café is quite tasty and affordable. Grab-and-go nutritious salads, decadent guilt-free sweet treats like blueberry cheesecake slices, hotpots and more. Expect to pay under $10 for a belly-filling mood boasting meal. Indeed, one of the best vegan eateries in Auckland.
📍 Two Locations
6. Mighty Hotdog
This spot just so happens to have Korean-style hotdogs which is one of the most instagrammable foods in Auckland. Surprisingly, it is quite cheap with an original chicken banger setting you back $4, or a hotdog from just $5. Certainly, you’ll be full after your cheap munch.
📍 47 Chancery Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
7. Mexican Café
This iconic Mexican eatery serves scrumptious belly fillers that you can delight in when you are penny pinching. Go on specific days such as Friday or Saturday between 4pm and 6pm for cheaper drinks or Taco Tuesdays for tacos for around $3. Other menu highlights include quesadillas, enchiladas, nachos and burritos. Indeed, you can’t go wrong here whether it’s for lunch or dinner.
📍 67 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
SEE MORE: The Best Nachos To Get In Auckland
8. Sal’s Pizza
Aucklanders absolutely adore this 5-star hotspot. A gigantic slice of authentic New York pizza for just $6. With a great selection of flavours, you’ll be tempted to purchase more than one slice. If you’re still hungry, other bites you can get include their famous garlic knot balls at three for $6 or eight for $10 while a large slice of New York cheesecake will set you back $9, just to name a few.
📍 Various Locations
9. No.1 Pancake
Send your tastebuds into a frenzy by purchasing traditional Korean pancakes here. Freshly made, stuffed with fillings, and cooked to perfection…is there anything better? The sweet options start at $5 and include chocolate, red bean or cinnamon with sugar flavours, while the savory will cost you $7 for ingredients like potato and cheese, beef and cheese and more. This cheap eats spot will cheer you up if you’re strapped for cash.
📍 Lorne Street &, Wellesley Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
10. ChiChop
This Taiwanese restaurant is hidden at the University of Auckland. They sell huge portions of fried chicken as big as your face starting at just $10.99. Potentially this is too big for one person, so you could split the cost with your mate and you’re getting a decent chicken meal for just $5.50. Read more about ChiChop here.
📍34 Princes Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
11. Better Burger
Eat the finest cheeseburgers in Auckland for just $10 at this joint. Make it a meal and opt to pair it with a large portion of top-quality fries for $5. Indeed, this spot is guaranteed to fill you up while avoiding burning holes in your wallet. If there is room in your budget, be sure to wash it all down with an epic chocolate, strawberry or vanilla milkshake for $6.
📍 Various Locations
12. Sri Pinang
This cheap eats place serves unbeatable low-cost Malaysian cuisine. Get yourself a magnificent meal for under $10. Think chicken curries, nasi goreng, roti dishes, curry laksa, tofu claypot, just to name a few. Everything can be adapted for vegan dieters too.
📍 356 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
13. Sumthin Dumplin
Treat yourself on your next lunch break to six dumplings from $12.90. With quick service and an array of diverse dumplings and flavours, it’s a convenient way to recharge your batteries for the day. Select between chicken, prawn, pork, beef or vegetarian options for the most pleasurable dumpling experience. You couldn’t possibly be hungry after scoffing down these bad boys.
📍 Various Locations
14. Spicy Potato Noodles
Slurp on huge portions of authentic potato noodles and soup broths from this place for $10 or under. Meals are cooked within 10 minutes and each dish is flavourful and will keep you full for a long period. Certainly, you can’t go wrong here!
📍251 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
15. The White Lady
The White Lady is a well-known fast food truck in Auckland that turned 75 in March 2023. It needs no introduction to its nostalgic beef burgers, grilled cheese toasties, loaded fries, and soul-satisfying thick milkshakes – all costing under $10.50. Read all about The White Lady.
📍 Corner Commerce Street & Karangahape Road, Auckland, New Zealand
16. Piefee
This 5-star bakery is home to the best pies and one of the best hot chocolates in Auckland, with unique hot drinks served in an instagrammable biscuit pie cup. Grab yourself huge sausage rolls for just $2.50, OTT pies from $6 and much more.
📍 349 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
17. King Made Noodles
Another top-notch affordable Asian spot. Expect to pay under $15 for a scrumptious good portioned meal including a drink. For example, a lamb burger combo with noodles costs just $4.99, cold dishes range from $2, and big meals like pork mince noodles costs $14.
📍 48 Fort Street, Auckland city, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
18. Mr Taco
For a delicious cheap Mexican affair, head to this hole-in-the-wall. Pay $17 for three different tacos that are totally filling. Additionally, you can order burritos, share nachos for $20, churros and quesadillas. Certainly, some of the best cheap eats in Auckland.
📍75 C Victoria Street West, CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand