The Best Cheap Eats in Toronto | TasteToronto
TasteToronto Logo Mark

The Best Cheap Eats in Toronto

Nadia Boachie

Written By

Nadia Boachie

The Best Cheap Eats in Toronto

We all love to eat out, but unfortunately with it comes a few downsides, like receiving that higher than normal monthly credit card statement. Eating out is convenient when you don't have time to make food at home, it’s a great way to catch up with friends or a nice treat for yourself when you want to switch things up and indulge.

Eating out can be expensive but it really does not have to be. Toronto is home to way too many wonderful cheap eats to miss out on all the delicious options this city has to offer, so we have listed some of our favourites for you below. Deciding what to include in this list was difficult, but we have managed to come up with 30 spots that won't break the bank. These spots are spread out all over Toronto, from the best cheap pizza slices, to hole-in-the-wall taco joints. From shawarma spots to cheap Chinatown dumplings -- if it is $10 dollars or under before tax, we have considered it. Look no further for your guide to cheap eats in Toronto. 

Aunty Lucy's Burgers

This spot is serving ups burgers in the spirit of Ghana, with the entire menu under $15.

Aunty Lucy's Burgers

This spot is serving ups burgers in the spirit of Ghana, with the entire menu under $15.

La Salumeria

Build-your-own Italian sandwich from this local deli. While each sandwich will cost slightly different (depending on your choice of meats and cheeses), you will get something hearty and delicious for under $12.

La Salumeria

Build-your-own Italian sandwich from this local deli. While each sandwich will cost slightly different (depending on your choice of meats and cheeses), you will get something hearty and delicious for under $12.

Danforth Village

445 Danforth Ave

Messini

Greek

This Danforth staples serves up Souvlaki and Gyros starting at $8.

Messini

Danforth Village

445 Danforth Ave

This Danforth staples serves up Souvlaki and Gyros starting at $8.

Greek

Forest Hill Village

950 Eglinton Ave W

Bi Bim Bap

Loaded bowls of hot stone Bi Bim Bap start at $14 here.

Bi Bim Bap

Forest Hill Village

950 Eglinton Ave W

Loaded bowls of hot stone Bi Bim Bap start at $14 here.

Gold Standard

Breakfast & Brunch

Check out this Roncy staple for the perfect $7 breakfast sandwich.

Gold Standard

Check out this Roncy staple for the perfect $7 breakfast sandwich.

Breakfast & Brunch

Babu

Sri Lankan

This strip mall takeout spot in Scarborough is known for their delicious and affordable Sri Lankan and Indian food. With consistently long lineups, its worth waiting for the Lamprais -- a Sri Lankan dish -- priced at $8.45. With that you get a generous portion of meat, rice, a variety of curries, dried egg and pickled eggplant -- all wrapped in a banana leaf and baked.

Babu

This strip mall takeout spot in Scarborough is known for their delicious and affordable Sri Lankan and Indian food. With consistently long lineups, its worth waiting for the Lamprais -- a Sri Lankan dish -- priced at $8.45. With that you get a generous portion of meat, rice, a variety of curries, dried egg and pickled eggplant -- all wrapped in a banana leaf and baked.

Sri Lankan

Cici’s Pizza

Walk-in special: Large pizza with one topping priced at $11.50 and pizza slices under $5. This Parkdale pizza joint serves up slices with a slightly thicker crust that is sure to leave you satisfied.

Cici’s Pizza

Walk-in special: Large pizza with one topping priced at $11.50 and pizza slices under $5. This Parkdale pizza joint serves up slices with a slightly thicker crust that is sure to leave you satisfied.

The MoMo House

Have you tried Tibetan food? Well Parkdale is home to many delicious Tibetan restaurants all of which are more than kind to our wallets. With delicious Tibetan momos for under $10 this place is perfect for a casual dinner out.

The MoMo House

Have you tried Tibetan food? Well Parkdale is home to many delicious Tibetan restaurants all of which are more than kind to our wallets. With delicious Tibetan momos for under $10 this place is perfect for a casual dinner out.

Istanbul Shawarma

From a variety of wraps under $10, Istanbul Shawarma may be the spot to go when you want that shawarma fix. Nothing beats a beautifully wrapped shawarma with tender sliced meat and all the fixings.

Istanbul Shawarma

From a variety of wraps under $10, Istanbul Shawarma may be the spot to go when you want that shawarma fix. Nothing beats a beautifully wrapped shawarma with tender sliced meat and all the fixings.

Dundas West

823 Dundas St W

The Heartbreak Chef

Newly opened fast food joint that makes delicious fried chicken sandwiches or chicken and waffles! Items like the Big Ass Chicken Sandwich cost around $12.

The Heartbreak Chef

Dundas West

823 Dundas St W

Newly opened fast food joint that makes delicious fried chicken sandwiches or chicken and waffles! Items like the Big Ass Chicken Sandwich cost around $12.

Queen Street West

392 Queen St W

Banh Mi Boys - Queen

Vietnamese

A Franchise that does not disappoint the people of Toronto. With everything under $13 dollars on the menu, it is a great option if you are feeling banh mi, bao or tacos. 

Banh Mi Boys - Queen

Queen Street West

392 Queen St W

A Franchise that does not disappoint the people of Toronto. With everything under $13 dollars on the menu, it is a great option if you are feeling banh mi, bao or tacos. 

Vietnamese

Kibo Sushi - Sherbourne

Surprised sushi made the list? Yes there are other cheap sushi spots but Kibo has some amazing specials and deals. The cheapest being their $5 dollar cash and carry at participating locations. They also have other deals at around $10-$12.

Kibo Sushi - Sherbourne

Surprised sushi made the list? Yes there are other cheap sushi spots but Kibo has some amazing specials and deals. The cheapest being their $5 dollar cash and carry at participating locations. They also have other deals at around $10-$12.

Queen Street West

558 Queen St W

Pat's Homestyle Jamaican Restaurant

Jamaican

Another hole-in-the-wall Caribbean spot but the food is phenomenal which is why it has made it on our list! 

Pat's Homestyle Jamaican Restaurant

Queen Street West

558 Queen St W

Another hole-in-the-wall Caribbean spot but the food is phenomenal which is why it has made it on our list! 

Jamaican

Tasty's Caribbean Cuisine

Caribbean

We love hole-in-the-wall joints and this is another; serving only the best and freshest Caribbean food. 

Tasty's Caribbean Cuisine

We love hole-in-the-wall joints and this is another; serving only the best and freshest Caribbean food. 

Caribbean

Kensington Market

214 Augusta Ave

La Chilaca Taqueria

No we have not had enough of Kensington Market Mexican restaurants! This place serves tacos from $3-$5 dollars and is perfect when you are craving an authentic taco or stuffed burrito.

La Chilaca Taqueria

Kensington Market

214 Augusta Ave

No we have not had enough of Kensington Market Mexican restaurants! This place serves tacos from $3-$5 dollars and is perfect when you are craving an authentic taco or stuffed burrito.

West Queen West

57 Ossington Ave

Pho Tien Thanh

Vietnamese

A hole-in-the-wall pho spot on the Ossington strip. Authentic and delicious -- all their small and medium sized bowls of pho come in at $11.50-$13.50.

Pho Tien Thanh

West Queen West

57 Ossington Ave

A hole-in-the-wall pho spot on the Ossington strip. Authentic and delicious -- all their small and medium sized bowls of pho come in at $11.50-$13.50.

Vietnamese

Kensington Market

328 Spadina Ave

Dumpling House Restaurant

Chinese

With 90% of the menu coming in at $10 or under, this Chinatown favourite for dumplings is perfect when you are trying to spend less. 

Dumpling House Restaurant

Kensington Market

328 Spadina Ave

With 90% of the menu coming in at $10 or under, this Chinatown favourite for dumplings is perfect when you are trying to spend less. 

Chinese

Kensington Market

245 Augusta Ave

Jumbo Empanadas

Chilean

Who doesn't love an entire meal wrapped up in delicious pastry. Jumbo Empanadas in Kensington Market makes delicious fresh empanadas daily and are priced at a very reasonable $6.50.

Jumbo Empanadas

Kensington Market

245 Augusta Ave

Who doesn't love an entire meal wrapped up in delicious pastry. Jumbo Empanadas in Kensington Market makes delicious fresh empanadas daily and are priced at a very reasonable $6.50.

Chilean

Queen West

511 Rogers Rd

North of Brooklyn Pizzeria - Rogers

Another classic pizza joint in the city and a must try! Pizza is always a great option for a fast, easy and cheap meal. North of Brooklyn is not to be missed. For under $5 you can enjoy a slice.

North of Brooklyn Pizzeria - Rogers

Queen West

511 Rogers Rd

Another classic pizza joint in the city and a must try! Pizza is always a great option for a fast, easy and cheap meal. North of Brooklyn is not to be missed. For under $5 you can enjoy a slice.

Trinity Bellwoods

244 Claremont St

California Sandwiches

Monster Italian sandwiches for about $14? Yes please! California Sandwiches has been another Toronto favourite for years now -- serving up Italians classics like veal parm or chicken parm. There are multiple locations across the city, so no excuse not to venture over and get one of these gargantuan sandwiches.

California Sandwiches

Trinity Bellwoods

244 Claremont St

Monster Italian sandwiches for about $14? Yes please! California Sandwiches has been another Toronto favourite for years now -- serving up Italians classics like veal parm or chicken parm. There are multiple locations across the city, so no excuse not to venture over and get one of these gargantuan sandwiches.

Rudy

Burgers & Fries

The smash burger is all the rave these days and Rudy makes one of the best in town. Most of their burgers and sides are priced under $12, which makes this spot a perfect option when you don't want to break the bank but are looking for that burger fix.

Rudy

The smash burger is all the rave these days and Rudy makes one of the best in town. Most of their burgers and sides are priced under $12, which makes this spot a perfect option when you don't want to break the bank but are looking for that burger fix.

Burgers & Fries

Juicy Dumpling

Chinese

If you are a dumpling fan you have either heard of this spot or know it very well. Incredible, cheap and delicious dumplings have been a favourite for many in the city. For as low as $2.99 for 6 dumplings, this place is well worth it.

Juicy Dumpling

If you are a dumpling fan you have either heard of this spot or know it very well. Incredible, cheap and delicious dumplings have been a favourite for many in the city. For as low as $2.99 for 6 dumplings, this place is well worth it.

Chinese

Allwyn's Bakery - North York

This Queen and Spadina jerk spot serves classic jerk, oxtail and rice options. We cannot ignore their insane sandwich creations with a patty and jerk chicken stuffed between coco bread. At Allwyn’s you can get several items for under $10 so don't miss out on these Caribbean classics.

Allwyn's Bakery - North York

This Queen and Spadina jerk spot serves classic jerk, oxtail and rice options. We cannot ignore their insane sandwich creations with a patty and jerk chicken stuffed between coco bread. At Allwyn’s you can get several items for under $10 so don't miss out on these Caribbean classics.

Kensington Market

61 Kensington Ave

Rasta Pasta

Their special is definitely a deal for how much delicious chicken you get. The special comes with jerk chicken, rice and your choice of salad or coleslaw. There is even room in the budget to get a side of plantains.

Rasta Pasta

Kensington Market

61 Kensington Ave

Their special is definitely a deal for how much delicious chicken you get. The special comes with jerk chicken, rice and your choice of salad or coleslaw. There is even room in the budget to get a side of plantains.

Little Italy

302 College St

Fresca Pizza

Pizza

$3.75 for a massive slice. This hole-in-the-wall truly has one of the most delicious slices in Toronto! Don’t forget the extra garlic and herb sauce on top!

Fresca Pizza

Little Italy

302 College St

$3.75 for a massive slice. This hole-in-the-wall truly has one of the most delicious slices in Toronto! Don’t forget the extra garlic and herb sauce on top!

Pizza

Kensington Market

69 Kensington Ave

Seven Lives

For under $10 you can get one of these massive tacos from a Kensington Market classic -- Seven Lives. Be wary, this spot is very popular so you might be waiting in line before ordering.

Seven Lives

Kensington Market

69 Kensington Ave

For under $10 you can get one of these massive tacos from a Kensington Market classic -- Seven Lives. Be wary, this spot is very popular so you might be waiting in line before ordering.

PG Clucks

Comfort Food

This fried chicken joint is all the rage! With two locations you can get your fix if you are in the Annex or passing through Little Italy!

PG Clucks

This fried chicken joint is all the rage! With two locations you can get your fix if you are in the Annex or passing through Little Italy!

Comfort Food

Kensington Market

277 Augusta Ave

El Trompo

Mexican

At about $12 for five tacos. El Trompo is located in the heart of Kensington Market and is fitted with a patio so its a perfect spot for sunnier days.

El Trompo

Kensington Market

277 Augusta Ave

At about $12 for five tacos. El Trompo is located in the heart of Kensington Market and is fitted with a patio so its a perfect spot for sunnier days.

Mexican

Trinity Bellwoods

184 Ossington Ave

Superpoint

$5 dollars a slice at their front counter. One of the Ossington strip’s favourite pizza joints. Don't miss out on trying their spicy honey on your pizza, it's a game changer. 

Superpoint

Trinity Bellwoods

184 Ossington Ave

$5 dollars a slice at their front counter. One of the Ossington strip’s favourite pizza joints. Don't miss out on trying their spicy honey on your pizza, it's a game changer.