Times are tough, money is tight and we half-expect moths to fly out of our wallets whenever we go to pay for something. The cost-of-living crisis continues to affect us all, but everyone still deserves a treat now and again. Luckily, the city has some brilliant food spots to dine at that won’t break the bank. So we’ve rounded up some of the very best cheap eats in Bristol. Every one of these cheap restaurants is worth visiting no matter your budget!
1. Baba Ganoush Kitchen
Bristol serves some fantastic falafel. But for somewhere cheap and very cheerful, look no further than Baba Ganoush Kitchen in St Paul’s. Specialising in vegan and vegetarian Middle Eastern food, this colourful spot will fill you up without making your bank account cry. Grab a filling Lebanese flatbread crammed with freshly made falafel and plenty of extras for something hearty. Or choose a handful of mezze dishes such as hummus, moussaka or dolmade for something lighter.
81 St Nicholas’ Rd, St Paul’s, Bristol BS2 9JJ
2. Eatchu
Eatchu’s delicious gyoza is probably Bristol’s best dumplings and a steal at that! The ideal mid-day snack or lunchtime offering, choose between pork and chicken for meat lovers. While vegan options include roasted broccoli or triple mushroom. If you’re worried that might not be enough food – though we can say for certain it is – you can add soba noodles, dressed rice or a soy-pickled egg as extras.
The Old Mess Room, St Nicolas Market, Exchange Avenue, Bristol BS1 1JQ
Wiper and True Taproom, City Business Park, St Jude’s, Bristol BS5 0SP
3. Taste Of Napoli
When it comes to cheap restaurants, pizza is always a good call. Taste Of Napoli might be the cheapest pizza joint in Bristol, however. Selling single pizza slices for as little as £3.50, all your favourites are here like a margarita, pepperoni and parmigiana, as well as vegan options. The family-run restaurant offers traditional Italian street food like focaccia, panini and arancini.
32 The Horsefair, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3HZ
4. Tuk Tuck
By keeping things simple, this Asian restaurant continues to be one of the best cheap eats in Bristol. You’ll easily leave here stuffed without lightening your purse too much. As every menu item is well under a tenner, even the chicken bibimbap and pumpkin katsu curry. You won’t find fairer than that!
5 St Stephen’s St, Bristol BS1 1EE
5. Matina
This Middle Eastern walk-up spot serves cheap, but flavoursome charcoaled meats and vegetables wrapped in freshly made naan bread – fired in front of your very eyes. It’s rarely not busy at this St Nick’s Market spot. Just make sure your eyes don’t grow bigger than your belly while you wait. Matina packs their wraps with everything and are as big as your face. Now that’s a bargain! Just make sure to bring cash.
The Glass Arcade, St Nicholas St, Bristol BS1 1JQ
6. Chilli Daddy
Can you handle your heat? This authentic Szechuan street food stall (the first of its kind in the UK) is for spice lovers! At Chilli Daddy on Baldwin Street and at St Nicks, a simple of noodle hotpots and dumplings (based on third-generation recipes) has seen the Chinese restaurant gain an almost cult-like following in Bristol. It was also a finalist in the 2016 Bristol Good Food Award.
Chilli Daddy, 45-47 Baldwin St, Bristol BS1 1RA
Glass Arcade, St Nicholas Market, 9-12 Market Stall, St Nicholas St, Bristol BS1 1LA
7. Eat a Pitta
Yes, Eat a Pitta is cheap, but these eats offer huge portions too. You won’t complain about being hungry for hours after! Using an 80-year-old falafel recipe originating from Algiers, Eat a Pitta has over a decade of experience serving Bristol some of the finest falafels in town – in five locations too. A classic falafel pitta, with hummus, salad and toppings, costs less than £8, while the most expensive item (a halloumi and falafel box) is only £9.45. Unless you count the sharing box for £15, which gives you 12 pieces of falafel, 2 pittas, a large box of salad and two drinks – now that’s a bargain!
Eat a Pitta, 1-3 Glass Arcade, St Nicholas Market, Bristol BS1 1LJ
1 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton Village, Bristol BS8 4BX
Kiosk 3B, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3EA
21a Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1QE
67a Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8AD
8. Cargo Cantina
We know most things at Wapping Wharf tends to be on the pricier side of things. But when looking for cheap eats in this part of Bristol, you can’t go wrong with Cargo Cantina. Its tasty tacos are the best in the city, such as the slow-braised chicken barbacoa or the trout ceviche tostada. Possibly, the best bargain you’ll find by the harbourside.
15 Cargo 2, Bristol BS1 6ZA
9. Cafe Kino
Another spot where everything is under £10. Cake Kino in Stokes Croft is a completely vegan brunch spot. And our go-to for cracking cheap eats with a hangover. From burgers to full English breakfasts, muffins to muesli, you’ll be returning again and again – especially with these pocket-money-saving prices.
108 Stokes Croft, Cotham, Bristol BS1 3RU
10. Little Bagel Co.
They might be cheap, but these bagels are fit for a king. Little Bagel Co‘s Elvis-inspired offering (a sweet and salty combination of peanut butter, bananas and crispy bacon) is among our favourites. But the NY deli classic Reuben and Asian-influenced kimchi and cheese are equally worthy of the crown. Inspired by New York bagels, Little Bagel Co also serves a small selection of homemade cakes and speciality coffee.
80 Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1QU
11. Sandwich Sandwich
So good they named it twice, Sandwich Sandwich has made the midweek lunch an absolute delight! With five locations around Bristol, no one needs to go hungry as there’s bound to be one nearby. Any filling and combination imaginable is here, served on a choice of white, granary or caraway bread. While you can also grab savoury snacks like a giant Scotch egg or sausage rolls.
48 Baldwin Street, BS1 1QQ
100 Queens Road, Clifton, BS8 1QE
1 Temple Way, BS2 0BY
19 Cotham Road South, BS6 5TZ
12 Park Row, BS1 5LJ
12. DonDon
This traditional Japanese spot is a quick, no-fuss and cheap lunchtime spot hidden away in Bristol. Grab a main, rice, pickle and three sides – all for under £10 – for a delicious bento box. Mains include karaage fried chicken, pork katsu, root vegetable tempura, and veggie curry. While sides change regularly, in the past they have included an edamame and carrot salad or pepper teriyaki. Yum!
98 Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1NF