When you’re rushing, it can be impossible to get a decent feed without spending a fortune. Indeed, we’ve all been there, where we feel it’s easier to stay with something familiar even if it is brutally expensive. But the truth is that there are lots of hidden cheap eats in Christchurch where you can indulge without burning a hole in your pocket. We’ve tracked down 11 of the best cheap eats in Christchurch.
1. Hang Seng Food Bar
This cheap and delicious Asian takeaway serves a range of fried rice dishes, egg noodles, starters like spicy chicken strips and dumplings and plenty more. Expect to pay between $3 and $20 for a decent meal.
📍Corner Moorhouse Avenue, Madras Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
2. Dimitris Greek Food
Head to this affordable spot for one of the best souvlaki meals in Christchurch. Souvlaki is jammed with delicious ingredients from salads, sauces, falafel and any meat of your choice. The portion sizes are incredibly large, so you get your value for money. Indeed, one of the best cheap eats in town.
📍 96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
3. Dosa Kitchen
Go to Riverside Market for an excellent Indian meal at low cost. Primarily, they are popular for their large dosa crepes from $10, pilled with delicious ingredients such as cheddar, mozzarella, chicken and more.
📍96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
4. Mosaic By Simo
This authentic Moroccan eatery offers a delicious array of Middle Eastern grub for a low-cost. From mixed salads, big vegetarian falafels, toasted wraps, meat dishes such as lamb tagine and chicken and much more. Additionally their shared platters are perfect for a group looking for an affordable meal and happy to split the cost.
📍 No. 3/300 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024, New Zealand
5. Slick Burgers
These gourmet burgers bigger than yours hands just so happen to be one of the most instagrammable foods in Christchurch. Surprisingly, they are quite affordable starting from $14. Likewise, sides start from $4. Indeed, it’s the belly-filling grub you need on a budget.
📍 254 Ferry Road, Phillipstown, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
6. Sal’s Pizza
Locals 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. It is an excellent eatery to sober yourself up after a night out, by chowing down on this slice of heaven.
📍 Various Locations
7. Steampunk Laboratory
Name another Korean restaurant that is healthy, indulgent and cheap? Order a Cup Bob from $10 which is a large salad bowl with your choice of Korean BBQ sauté, sauces, scrambled egg, rice and plenty other fillings. Equally, the Korean fried chicken wings or six dumplings for $10 are just as scrumptious. If your budget is a little higher, grab an epic burger for $13.
📍 270 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
8. Mexicano’s
Head to this vibrant and authentic Mexican for some of the cheapest and most diverse tacos in town. Prepare to be spoilt for choice between the grilled chicken, pulled pork, prawns and vegetable, grilled market fish, just to name a few. Plus, they’ve got the best nachos in Christchurch.
📍 131 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
9. Afghan Restaurant
Pile your plate high with splendid flavours and massive portions of Middle Eastern grub. If you pay $20 per person, there’s rich authentic food splattered onto giant plates for you to indulge on. Think chicken curries, other curry dishes, rices, charcoal kebabs and much more. Bizarrely, there is no menu and no regular opening hours, so you’ll have to hope on luck that you land there accordingly. Definitely the cheap eats spot you need when you’re broke.
📍 316 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024, New Zealand
10. Shirley’s Kitchen
With generous portion sizes and incredible values…how could it go wrong at this Malaysian place? Burgers cost $5.50 while chips are $3, springs rolls are only $1 and you can even get yourself a delicious milkshake for $3. For a bigger meal, pay between $10 and $13 for noodle and rice dishes such as chicken fried rice, BBQ pork fried rice and chicken curry noodles.
📍 72 Waimairi Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
11. Big Gary’s
Expect some epic daily deals at this fast food spot. For example, on Monday you can get yourself loaded fries with bacon paired with a chicken burger for just $10.90. While, burgers cost from $6.50, chips from $2 and other small bites like chicken nuggets from $2.50. Indeed, an excellent cheap eats spot when you’re broke.
📍 249B Riccarton Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand