The Top Cheap Eats in Christchurch 🍔 [2023]

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 super filling Moroccan wrap awaits at Mosaic by Simo (No. 3/300 Lincoln Road) where you choose a meat/salad/sauce combo for around NZ$9.50 (and a large one at that)!

Scoff on soul-soothing burgers, hot dogs, doughnuts and loaded fries – there’s no shame (Ok, maybe a little bit) – at Big Gary’s (249B Riccarton Road). There are many items on the menu for well under NZ$10 so go nuts!

A Mexican-meets-Kiwi food combo can be found at Mexicano’s (131 Victoria Street) with their soft-shell tacos all around the NZ$10 mark.

Indian restaurants are renowned for lunchtime deals in New Zealand but you won’t find cheaper 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, you can always rely on sushi. Hachi Hachi (177 Victoria Street) offers an 8-pack of mixed sushi for around NZ$10. You can also get a nigiri pack at Sushi Time (South City Mall) for under NZ$10.

Another healthy option is the vegetarian spring rolls (three in a lunch box with dipping sauce) at the Thai Container (151 Bealey Avenue).

Cheap Street Food in Christchurch

There are heaps of street food to be found around Christchurch for a quick snack to delight the tastebuds. How about a 6-pack of dumplings or pork buns freshly made in front of you at Potsticker (The Colombo Mall) only just marginally more than NZ$10?

For a more local speciality, try a famous Southland cheese roll or a classic Kiwi pie from Bunrunners Cafe (87c Fitzgerald Avenue) for less than NZ$7!

A “slice” of New York can be found at Sal’s Pizza (146 Lichfield Street, 111 Riccarton Road & 86 Hereford Street), with New York-style pies with one large slice for around NZ$7.

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

Burgers! Meat lovers and vegans rejoice for Slick Burgers (54 Ferry Road) offers an extensive menu of burgers in obscene sizes for under NZ$20.

Try the eggs benedict, nachos or Moroccan chicken filo at the Three Cows (71 Victoria Street). In fact, there are plenty of options under NZ$15 on the brunch menu.

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 KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) or one of their cup bops!

For something a little different, try the Sri Lankan kottu rotti from Ceylon Kitchen (The Yard, 173 St Asaph Street) with a range of meat, vegetarian and vegan fillings for around NZ$15.

Another good midday lift can be found at The Nook Thai Eatery (24 New Regent Street) with their NZ$15 lunchtime deals on weekdays.

A small but cheap venue lies in Saigon Star (184 Clarence Street) specialises in Vietnamese food, such as rice vermicelli bowls 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 whole NZ$14-$16 lunch menu and an evening noodle and rice menu all for under 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 under 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 classic favourites like Chicken panang curry for around NZ$15.

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

Keep it ethical and tasty at the Welcome Vegetarian Cafe (2 Wharenui Road) where all of their regular-sized mains, primarily Chinese meals but also some Western choices, cost between NZ$12-$17.

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.