When you’re travelling, you generally want to save those precious pennies for the fun activities (did I hear someone say bungy jump?) but you also don’t want to be living off two-minute noodles or fast food for your entire trip! If you want to fill your belly and keep your bank account healthy, the key is research, so we’ve done the hard work for you …
Without further ado, we give you the 10 best places for a quick and cheap bite that’s bang for your buck (and damn delicious too).
1. Crepes A Go Go
Ponsonby
It doesn’t matter if you’re in to sweet or savoury crepes because this place has both! Grab a crepe from only $5 and watch them make it right in front of you. Crepes A Go Go use fresh ingredients and the bustling market atmosphere is awesome. We recommend the ‘Croque Monsieur’ crepe from the savoury menu or go for the ‘Simply Kiwi’ with lemon and sugar from the sweet menu.
2. Better Burger
Britomart & Sylvia Park Shopping Centre
If you’re like us and love a good quality burger, Better Burger serve up some of the best (and cheapest) in Auckland! The menu is simple; go for a classic hamburger for $6.50, a cheeseburger for $7, or if you’re after a vegetarian option the mushroom burger is a tasty $8.50. Better Burger is conveniently located beside the Britomart Train Station in Central Auckland and can also be found at Sylvia Park Shopping Centre if you’re out shopping till you drop!
3. Moto Sushi Bar
Parnell
Just below street level in the quaint village of Parnell lies this Japanese gem. Serving up fresh and healthy salads, bento boxes, sashimi, dumplings and donburi, there’s something for everyone in your crew! Moto is open for lunch and dinner and many dishes are also available takeaway. I mean, can you beat half a dozen fried dumplings for $8!?
4. Best Ugly Bagels
Auckland CBD & Newmarket
If you love bagels, these Montreal-style hand rolled and woodfired ones can’t be beaten. Grab a simple bagel with your choice of spread from $4 (the house chocolate hazelnut spread deserves a special mention), grab a vege bagel or the King Salmon is one of their best sellers too. Conveniently located in Central Auckland and Newmarket, these humming little outlets are worth a visit for a cheap feed!
5. Freeman & Grey
Ponsonby
Did someone say pizza? Head to Freeman & Grey between 12-2pm or 5-7.30pm every day and grab a pizza from $5! What a bargain! Serving up the classics like Margherita and Pepperoni, as well as more exotic pizzas such as the Mexicana pizza, tantalize your taste buds and satisfy those cravings and avoid those two-minute noodles or rice crackers! Their $12 lunch menu is also bang for buck too.
6. Hello Mister
Auckland CBD
Take us to Vietnam! You can’t go wrong with fresh rice paper rolls from $3.80 each or a Banh Mi from $6. Their menu is fresh, healthy and available to takeaway, as well as serving seasonal juices and unique smoothies! Visit for a cheap lunch and take it down to Auckland’s Viaduct and sit by the water. Does it get any better?
7. Paradise
Sandringham
If you’ve hopped off the plane in Auckland and you’re after a decent meal, look no further than the buffet at Paradise. If you visit between Monday and Wednesday, a 60 minute all-you-can-eat Indian buffet will set you back $18, and if you visit between Thursday and Sunday, it’s $20 per adult. Serving up vegetarian dishes, the classics, fresh naan bread and desserts, round up your pals and check out Paradise for a yummy and cheap dinner!
8. Fish Smith
Herne Bay
Open every day from midday to 8.30pm (and 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays), Fish Smith is considered a local icon. Serving up fresh and tasty seafood and the classic Kiwi fish and chips, Fish Smith also cater to our vegetarian and gluten intolerant friends. Fillets of fish start at $6, burgers are $12, and who can go past a good old-fashioned potato fritter?
9. Electric Chicken
Morningside
Choose from a quarter bird, half bird, the whole damn bird or chicken chunks at this new opening in Morningside. This hole-in-the-wall chicken shop celebrates the simplicity of a good roast with a twist and some epic sides (note the delish fries and gravy or the electric slaw). Choose your style of bird (the Korean ssam, smokey Mexican and Jamaican jerk are noteworthy) and finish it off with a milkshake. Prices start at $12, and an entire meal with a side will only cost you a measly $20-$25!
10. Mexico
Britomart, Ellerslie, Ponsonby, Takapuna & Sylvia Park Shopping Centre
You won’t need to travel all the way to Mexico to experience some mouthwatering tacos, quesadillas and churros! Mexico is great for groups and is reasonably priced for a quality meal. We recommend the esquites, guacamole and chips, soft shell tacos and the fried chicken! Did we mention Frida’s margaritas? A separate menu is dedicated to several different variations of a margarita, so go on, treat yourself.