The Top Cheap Eats in Christchurch

© Anna Frances Pearson - ChristchurchNZ

Cheap Eats in Christchurch – $10 and Under

Keep your Christchurch experience to an uber-tight budget by checking out these eats for NZ$10 and under. You might want to pair them with the 26 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Christchurch. Plus, see more stuff for under NZ$10 in the 10 Activities Under $10 in New Zealand.

Cheap Lunches in Christchurch

A hearty vegetarian curry awaits at Welcome Chinese Vegetarian Café (27 Wharenui Road) where you can fill up on flavoursome a bbq bun and tofu veggy soup for under NZ$10, and still have leftovers!

Scoff on soul-soothing dumplings, pork buns and rice combos at Dumplings on Riccarton Road. Prices start from just NZ$2, so mix and match for a satisfying feed without breaking the bank!

A Vietnamese-style banh mi is the go-to at Miss Saigon (Riverside Market), where fresh, crunchy baguettes loaded with pork or tofu go for around NZ$10. Bonus: they’re fast and filling.

Indian restaurants are renowned for lunchtime deals in New Zealand but you won’t find better value than Chanakya South East Indian Cuisine (New Brighton Shopping Centre). They have a whole lunchtime menu of curries under NZ$10!

Cheap (Healthier) Lunch Deals in Christchurch

For a healthier lunch, rely on fresh sushi at Sushi Time (South City Mall), where an “Inari Trio” is available for around NZ $7.50, ideal for a light and efficient bite.

If you prefer something crisp, Thai Container (151 Bealey Avenue) offers a “10‑piece pack of deep‑fried spring rolls” for NZ $9.50, not exactly a full meal box, but a satisfying snack paired with takeaway salads or rice from nearby.

Cheap Street Food in Christchurch

There’s a variety of street food around Christchurch for a quick, tasty bite. For instance, Pot Sticker Dumpling Bar (The Colombo, Sydenham) sells six handmade dumplings for about NZ $11.50, freshly steamed or fried in front of you—slightly above NZ $10 but still excellent value.

For an iconic Kiwi snack, head to Bunrunners Café (87c Fitzgerald Avenue), where various flavour sliders start from around NZ $5.50 each, making them perfect grab‑and‑go comfort food.

A slice of New York‑style pizza can be found at Sal’s Pizza (multiple outlets, CBD & Riccarton) where a single large slice costs about NZ $8, fitting the budget street‑food category perfectly.

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Cheap Eats in Christchurch – $11-$20

If you have a little more dough to spare, check out these cheap eats in Christchurch for under NZ$20. Oh, and you might also like the 20 Activities Under $20 in New Zealand.

Cheap Western Restaurants in Christchurch

Craving burgers? Meat-lovers (and vegans) rejoice, Papa’s Smashies (15 Sandyford St, Sydenham) dishes up legendary single smash burgers for NZ $11-12, with fries included and rave reviews from locals for being bold and flavour-packed.

If you’re after generous all-day comfort food, Lewis Street Food Bar (Hoon Hay) serves monster beef or chicken burgers with chips for around NZ $12–15. Known for outstanding value, crispy fries, and regular praise from the community.

Cheap Asian Restaurants in Christchurch

Comforting meal deals for both the wallet and the stomach are available at Shirley’s Kitchen (72 Waimairi Road). The eatery offers all sorts of Malaysian and American meals for under $20, including kampua, mee poh and burgers.

A popular joint is Steampunk Laboratory (270 St Asaph Street) where you can try a wide range of Korean street food for under NZ$20 each! Try their signature burger, your choice of fried chicken thigh, coleslaw, gherkin or jalapenõ and Seoul sauce (Gochu mayo).

For something a little different, try the Sri Lankan kottu roti from Ceylon Kitchen (The Yard, 173 St Asaph Street) with a range of meat, vegetarian and vegan fillings for around NZ$20.

A small but cheap venue lies in Saigon Star (184 Clarence Street) specialises in Vietnamese food, such as phò (vietnamese rice noodle soup) for under NZ$20.

Popular with the university crowd for its selection of cheap eats, Yummy Chinese Restaurant (380 Riccarton Road) is as no-nonsense as the name suggests with a “Nasi Goreng” or “Yummy Fried Noodles” for less than NZ$20.

Another great place for a cheap evening meal is the Samurai Bowl (574 Colombo Street) with an extensive menu of Japanese cuisine. Select from their ramen menu for meals around NZ$20.

Cheap Thai Restaurants in Christchurch

As mentioned in the section above, the Thai Container (151 Bealey Avenue) has plenty of cheap and cheerful items on the menu. Spending a little more allows you to choose from their extensive Thai menu with almost everything under NZ$20.

More great Thai food can be picked up at Zab Thai (30B Yaldhurst Road) where you can get mains like “Red Curry & Rice”, “Massamun & Rice”, “Pad Thai Noodle”, your choice of  protein for only NZ$10.5 each.

Cheap Moroccan Restaurants in Christchurch

Casbah (6/303 Colombo Street) offers the alternative international flavours of Morocco with hot grilled salads and souvlaki starting from NZ$15 to around NZ$20 for a large meal.

If we’ve tempted you for souvlaki, then don’t miss Dimitris Greek Food (96 Oxford Street) where all of their souvlaki meals (singles, doubles and triples) are under NZ$20! The same goes for their Greek salad platters.

Cheap Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Christchurch

Not just a place to pick up your vegan groceries, Portershed Specialty Cafe​ (322 Lincoln Road) also boast a vegan cafe with a made-to-order menu and cabinet food. Try a wide range of Asian and Western food all for under NZ$20.

Finally, don’t miss the plant-based deli of Greater Good (105 Orbell Street) boasting bistro-style cuisine in the form of burgers, soups, loaded fries and ciabattas for under NZ$20.