Eating well shouldn’t feel like a luxury, but finding cheap eats in Toronto that hit the spot without draining your account is becoming an art form. Fortunately, if you know where to look, the city is still packed with neighbourhood gems making memorable food at reasonable prices.
While trendy tasting menus and new Toronto restaurant openings might steal the city's culinary headlines, Toronto has carved out a cheap eats scene all its own, from mom-and-pop shops and no-fuss eateries to special menus and the city's best happy hour deals.
We’ve rounded up some of the best cheap eats in Toronto where you can get a fantastic bite for under $15 or a filling feast for under $25 — no pretension, no influencer hype, just genuinely great food that respects your budget.
Give your high-end reservations a rest and satisfy your cravings with flame-grilled souvlaki, comforting pho, spice-packed beef rendang, juicy burgers and all the classics. The best cheap eats in Toronto certainly deliver. Your wallet can thank us later.
The best cheap eats in Toronto
1. Pennies
Multiple locations
We can’t decide whether Pennies is more iconic for its bright yellow exterior, its lime slushies, its free popcorn or its crispy tater tots and sliders combo. It doesn’t really matter though, because it’s our staple spot for easy, breezy bites and sips on a budget.
The crowd-pleasing menu features a range of tacos and sliders with vegetarian and vegan options, each under $10 — or you can get a combo of three and a basket of tots for a filling meal under $25. The retro-chic diner interior and straightforward, wallet-friendly drinks are the icing on the cake.
2. Big Trouble
460 Dundas St. W. 2nd floor
Tucked on the second floor, Big Trouble’s narrow doorway and small yellow sign are easily missed amongst all the flashing lights and big signs of Chinatown. While there are a lot of great spots for cheap eats in this part of the city, this sultry snack bar offers a more modern experience than the old-school establishments, with the charm of paper lanterns, neon dragons and booths behind keyhole archways.
There are plenty of decent-sized, delicious pan-Asian snack plates under $10, like bang bang shrimp and crispy golden tofu; though, filling up on a pile of dumplings for under $25 is never a bad idea. Crushable cocktails with lychee and yuzu come in under $15, while most cans and bottles come in under $10. On weekends, DJs turn this lively late-night spot into a dance party.
3. Giragi
486 Front St. W.
Created by the three brothers behind the Michelin-recommended Taline in Rosedale, Giragi — which means “Sunday” in Armenian — pays tribute to their grillmaster father, whose weekend feasts became a family tradition. The fast-casual spot in Wellington Market at The Well serves flame-grilled kebab sandwiches and bowls, along with filling lunch specials, including the $5 Arayes: a Lebanese-style smashburger stuffed into pita with hummus.
4. Square Boy
875 Danforth Ave.
Stepping into Square Boy feels like a trip back in time. This Danforth institution has been the place to go for no-frills, flame-grilled comfort food since 1964, complete with a nostalgic retro diner interior and a classic streetside patio. It’s truly the definition of a neighbourhood staple. You can easily walk away with a burger, fries and one of their classic milkshakes for well under $10. Whether you're stopping by for a quick lunch or hitting the late-night window, it delivers pure comfort without the extra dollars needed.
5. NaiNai Indonesian Food
109 McCaul St.
Tucked inside the food court at Village by the Grange, this cozy kitchen dishes out some of the best authentic Indonesian fare in the city. Dive into their signature mie ayam or a plate of sweet-and-savoury nasi goreng for around $15. For something heartier, the slow-cooked beef rendang combo, Rendang Complete with steamed rice, mixed curry vegetables and green curry jackfruit, comes in under $25.
6. Gus Tacos
Multiple Locations
Brian Du
One of our favourite taco joints in the city has some supremely budget-conscious bites for hungry diners craving Mexican street food. Order pastor and carnitas tacos for $5–6.50, or upgrade to specialty options like barbacoa for around $7. Grab a couple and add nachos or guacamole, and you can still comfortably keep lunch under $20. Margaritas optional.
7. Pho Tien Thanh
57 Ossington Ave.
Ossington, with its rows and rows of trendy new restaurants and bars, might not scream budget. However, Pho Tien Tanh has been doling out hearty bowls of pho for wallet-friendly prices since opening in 1995. Noodle soup will set you back around $15 (more if you scale up to a large bowl), but it’s filling and deeply satisfying. The interior is old-school, but even Michelin tipped its cap to this iconic Vietnamese eatery, giving it a recommended status.
8. Dad’s Breakfast & Coffee
1473 Dundas St. W.
Beloved breakfast sandwich spot, Dad's Breakfast & Coffee slings stuffed handhelds on a pillowy bun that will have you salivating before you've even taken a bite. They all come in at $15 or less, from the classic, loaded with egg, cheddar, sausage or bacon and a hash brown for good measure, to the fancier sandwiches with panko egg and caramelized onions or smoked provolone and marinated tomatoes. They have coffee slushies, too.
9. Sang Ji Fried Bao
Multiple locations
With locations in North York and downtown Toronto, Sang Ji Fried Bao offers tremendous value when the lunch grumbles strike. Four crispy-bottomed pork soup dumplings come in at around $10, while noodles, soups and snacks start at around $8 and top out at under $18, plus combo deals for two for $32.99 are available. The only challenge? Waiting for those piping-hot, soup-filled baos to cool down before diving in.
10. Rol San
390 Spadina Ave.
Even a change in location couldn’t dampen the appeal of this spot for all day dim sum. Dishes start at around $7 — think siu mai, har gow and BBQ pork buns — so you can comfortably keep the bill to about $30 and still sample a little of everything. Bring a few friends and you can order even more to share, spinning plate after plate around the lazy Susan.
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Read more11. Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu
Multiple locations
Brian Du
A quarter of a century in, Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu is still dishing up some of the best-value Korean comfort food in town. The GTA mini-chain is beloved for its bubbling-hot tofu stews and spicy seafood soups, served in traditional stone pots and built for chilly days, bad moods and serious hunger. Better yet, every bowl comes with rice and a spread of banchan like kimchi, mung bean sprouts and cucumber — so your table fills up fast without your bill doing the same.
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Read more12. Ozzy’s Burgers
66 Nassau St.
Brian Du
This spot in Kensington Market is for anyone craving massive burgers without paying high-end prices. While Kensington has no shortage of quick bites, this neighbourhood fixture stands out for its towering prime beef and lamb patties, packed with creative toppings and served on toasted buns.
You can get a towering cheeseburger for under $14, leaving room in your budget to add a side of their hand-cut fries. Feeling ambitious? Even the hearty specialty creations like the Breaking Baaad Lamb Burger (loaded with havarti, grilled peppers, caramelized onions and guac) still sit comfortably under $20. It’s no-nonsense food that delivers huge flavour.
13. Via Gnocchi
758 Bathurst St.
This late-night takeout window is proving that true Italian comfort food doesn't need a white-tablecloth markup. They keep things brilliantly simple with one signature offering: steaming takeout boxes of pillowy potato gnocchi smothered in house-made marinara sauce for just $5.
Made fresh daily, the rich and garlicky tomato sauce delivers old-school flavour on an unbelievable budget. You can customize your bowl with fresh-grated parmesan for an extra dollar or a kick of chilli oil for 50 cents. They’re open until 3 a.m. on weekends; a great late-night steal when you need a fast, hearty bite on the go.
14. Juicy Dumpling
280 Spadina Ave.
Brian Du
This is the undisputed champ of high-volume, low-cost dim sum cravings. The fast-casual Chinatown hotspot regularly draws a line down the block, but the lightning-fast service means you’re never waiting long for steaming baskets of handmade xiao long bao.
Prices here feel like a complete steal: a six-piece order of their signature steamed mini soup dumplings or pan-fried pork buns comes in around $5. Even when you stack your tray high with crispy spring rolls, pan-fried pork and chive dumplings and a cold drink, you’ll easily feast for well under $15. It's cheap, cheerful and satisfying.
15. Burger Shack
233 Eglinton Ave. W.
Since 1979, this beloved neighbourhood landmark has been where time seemingly stopped in the best way possible. Famous for its classic wood-panelled interior, retro counter service and nostalgia-heavy food, this old-school joint has been fueling local sports teams and late-night cravings for decades.
The charcoal-grilled burgers are the main event, with a juicy classic cheeseburger or flame-broiled Shack Burger ringing in under $10. Pair your burger with a mountain of fries and a thick malted milkshake, and you’ll still walk away with dinner for well under $15.
16. Jerk King
Multiple Locations
A staple across the city for late-night cravings and quick lunches, Jerk King is synonymous with generous portions and serious heat. This counter-service favourite has built a loyal following on its rich, scotch bonnet-laced marinades and fast service.
A massive order of their signature jerk chicken served over a mountain of rice and peas rings in around $13, easily satisfying a huge appetite. If you're looking for an even quicker bite on the go, grab a couple of flaky beef patties ($4 each) or a spicy jerk chicken sandwich ($11) and spend under $12 without sacrificing bold Caribbean flavour.
17. Hot Mess Sandwich & Pantry
1027 Gerrard St. E.
Lee Stein, founder of If I May Hospitality and co-owner of Bar Etc., has teamed up with chef Steven Kasprowicz on a menu of seriously messy sandos at Hot Mess in Leslieville. Choose from jerk fish on coco bread, a hot dip sirloin steak sammie and a truffle mushroom beauty nestled between Blackbird Bakery sourdough, with most landing around the $15 mark.
18. Banh Mi Nguyen Huong
322 Spadina Ave.
Rarely is a cheap sandwich still a steal once you’ve added tax and tip. Refreshingly, Banh Mi Nguyen Huong on Spadina Avenue delivers, with Vietnamese sandwiches around $5. Founded by the parents of the three brothers behind Banh Mi Boys, the cash-only shop fills crusty baguettes with barbecue pork, pâté, lemongrass chicken, tofu and pickled vegetables.
19. Mother’s Dumplings
421 Spadina Ave.
Brian Du
Sure, they have other things on the menu at this Michelin-recommended spot for cheap eats, but as the name suggests, the dumplings are the real draw here, and with 10–12 pieces for under $15, you can’t go wrong. Choose from steamed, boiled or pan fried and fillings that range from the simple pork and chives to more interesting combinations like melon, tofu and vegetable noodle.
