Fitzroy has a reputation for being expensive. That’s partly earned — there are plenty of $26 brunch plates and $38 pasta dishes. But the suburb also has a scrappy, democratic food scene where you can eat extremely well for under $20. You just need to know where to look.
1. Vego & Loved One — 232 Brunswick Street
Cheap, fast, vegetarian and vegan food. Simple menu: rice bowls, wraps, soups. Nothing fancy. Everything good.
What to order: The vegie bowl ($13) — rice, your choice of protein (the tempeh is best), veggies, and sauce. The lentil soup ($9) is a winter hero.
Budget: Full meal under $20.
2. Son in Law — 270 Brunswick Street
Thai that hits the sweet spot between cheap and excellent. Generous portions, legit flavours.
What to order: Pad thai ($15), green curry ($16). Thai iced tea ($5). Full meal for under $22.
3. Moroccan Soup Bar — 196 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North
Technically just over the border, but too good to skip. Vegetarian, BYO (no corkage), and absurdly cheap.
What to order: The mezze plate ($16) — hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, flatbread, pickled vegetables. It’s enormous. Add a tagine ($18) and you’re eating like royalty. BYO wine is free. Cash only. Open Wednesday to Sunday evenings. The best cheap date night in the inner north.
4. Alimentari — 255 Brunswick Street
Italian deli-cafe doing sandwiches so good they should be illegal. Counter stacked with cured meats, cheeses, olives, fresh bread.
What to order: The Italian sub ($14) — prosciutto, salami, provolone, rocket, chilli oil on crusty bread. The arancini ($4 each) are excellent.
5. Babajan — 636 Heidelberg Road, Fitzroy North
Turkish food at prices that feel like a time warp. Off the main drag, less crowded than it deserves.
What to order: The mixed pide ($16) — boat-shaped flatbread filled with minced lamb, cheese, or spinach. The Turkish breakfast plate ($22 for two) with eggs, cheese, olives, tomato, cucumber, honey, and bread is the best value breakfast in the inner north.
6. Jimmy’s Dumplings — 308 Brunswick Street
Exactly what the name promises. Cheap, generous portions.
What to order: Pork and chive dumplings ($14 for 15 pieces) — pan-fried, crispy bottom, juicy inside. Hand-pulled noodles ($15) — chewy, satisfying, excellent chilli oil.
7. Ethiopian Restaurant — 302 Brunswick Street
On Brunswick Street for over a decade. Ethiopian food is inherently shareable and affordable.
What to order: The veggie combination ($16 per person) — a huge platter of injera bread with stews, lentils, and vegetables. Two people can share one platter and a beer each for under $45. The kitfo ($18) — spiced raw beef — is extraordinary.
The vibe: Traditional decor, communal eating, you eat with your hands. Genuinely different dining experience at an accessible price.
8. N Lee Bakery — 278A Brunswick Street
Vietnamese banh mi. Crusty baguette, pickled vegetables, fresh coriander, chilli.
What to order: The pork roll ($9.50) — classic, perfectly balanced, enormous. Vietnamese iced coffee ($6). Full meal for $15.
Price Check
| Venue | Best Dish | Price |
|---|---|---|
| N Lee Bakery | Pork Roll | $9.50 |
| Vego & Loved One | Vegie Bowl | $13 |
| Alimentari | Italian Sub | $14 |
| Jimmy’s Dumplings | Pork Dumplings (15pc) | $14 |
| Son in Law | Pad Thai | $15 |
| Moroccan Soup Bar | Mezze Plate | $16 |
| Ethiopian Restaurant | Veggie Combo | $16 |
| Babajan | Mixed Pide | $16 |
More from Fitzroy: Best Restaurants · Best Coffee · Neighbourhood Guide
Reviewed by the MELBZ team, March 2026. We pay for every meal and accept no sponsorship.
Explore More of Fitzroy
- Fitzroy History
- Fitzroy Things To Do This Weekend
- Fitzroy Rent Guide
- Fitzroy Suburb Roast
- Fitzroy Date Night Guide
- Fitzroy New Openings
- Fitzroy Things To Do
- Fitzroy Cost of Living
💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed