As the cost of living pressure increases, the idea of going out for a nice meal might seem like mission impossible.
We’ve found some of the best deals around the capital so you have a choice of where to head.
From a breakfast bakery treat, coffee and a quick and easy lunch deal to cocktails and homemade-style dinners, there is something for everyone around the capital city.
![Double patty cheeseburger](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_3312-810x810.jpg)
Enjoy a home-style burger for your next lunch break. Photo: Mookie.
Embrace a ‘demon’ of a meal deal at Mookie
Location: 13B Anketell Street, Greenway
Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday, 11:30 am to 8:30 pm; Friday, 11:30 am to 9 pm.
Make your next meal a Mookie meal. Classic American burgers are given a modern Japanese twist and served up at an affordable price. The Demon Deal consists of any classic burger, chips and drink for $15. The meal deal is available Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 3 pm.
![Coffee and cake](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Coffee-and-Cake_Featured-Image.jpg)
Enjoy a hot coffee and delicious cake every weekday morning for $7 at the Canberra Southern Cross Club. Image: CSCC.
Warm up with a beverage at the Canberra Southern Cross Club
Location: 92-96 Corinna Street, Phillip / Corner of Pitman and Holwell streets, Greenway
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 am.
Start your workday right with a hot drink at the Canberra Southern Cross Club. From 8:45 am to 11 am Monday to Friday, buy a regular-sized coffee, hot chocolate or tea for $3. Accompany your beverage with a piece of decadent cake or slice and your day is sure to be a great one.
![Plate of curry](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-07-13-Food-Co-Op-2-810x540.jpg)
Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options are available at The Food Co-op for your next lunch and dinner outing. Photo: The Food Co-op.
Take a break for an affordable lunch or dinner at The Food Co-op
Location: 3 Kingsley Street, Acton
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12 pm to 2 pm; Wednesday, 7 pm to 9:30 pm.
Enjoy lunch for $11 and dinner for $13 at The Food Co-op at the Australian National University. Every day offers a new dish specifically made to be vegan, gluten-free and delicious. Hand-rolled vegetarian tacos are the cafe’s favourite, but other options are available.
![Baked fish meal](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/DSC_9537-1200x798.jpg)
Have a taste of the huge menu available at a classic-style bar. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Change up your weekday meals at No. 10 Restaurant
Location: 10 Bowes Street, Woden/ 3 Grazier Lane, Belconnen
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 7 am to 9am; Saturday, 7 am to 11 am, 5:30 pm to 9 pm; Sunday, 7 am to 11 am.
Delight in a different meal deal every day of the week at No. 10 Restaurant + Bar. On Mondays enjoy a succulent chicken schnitzel, chips and gravy for $15, Tuesdays $19 all-day burgers, Wednesdays receive one free house beverage when you dine from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, Thursdays enjoy a $12 cocktail from 5 pm, and kids are welcome to a free meal from 5 pm all weekend.
![Selection of cocktails](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-06-12-The-Dock-New-Menu-19-1200x800.jpg)
Enjoy a signature cocktail every night of the week on the Foreshore. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Enjoy a ‘Docktail’ on the foreshore
Location: 7/81 Giles Street, Kingston
Opening hours: Tuesday, 4 pm to 10:30 pm; Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 am to 11 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am to 12:30 am; Sunday, 11:30 am to 10:30 pm (closed Monday).
A perfect way to unwind awaits at the Kingston foreshore. Along with delicious meals, The Dock offers a $16 ‘Docktail’, a uniquely designed cocktail created by the talented mixologists on site to ensure you get bang for your buck. From toasted marshmallow shots to their take on a classic pina colada, this could be the best $16 you spend all week.
![Ethiopian food](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DSC_3450-1200x798.jpg)
Enjoy a plate of Ethiopian food at a great price in the city centre. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Treat your senses to an adventure at Flavours of Ethiopia
Location: 33 Allara Street, Canberra City Centre
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11 am to 8:45 pm.
Indulge in a meal for less than $20 with vegan and vegetarian lunch deals on offer in the city centre. Flavours of Ethiopia has $11 meal deals on offer. But if you’re feeling a bit meaty, opt for a vast range of meats for an extra $2. There are also plenty of other options available, from a green salad to a lentil samosa as well as authentic Ethiopian sweets including pistachio and peanut baklava.
![Assorted Pies.](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-07-23-Dobinsons-Bakery-Gungahlin-18-810x540.jpg)
Enjoy a homemade-style pie at Dobinsons for your next lunch break. Photo: Dobinsons.
Enjoy a tasty treat at Dobinsons bakery
Location: Westfield Woden/ Westfield Belconnen/ Gungahlin Marketplace/ Southpoint Tuggeranong
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 6:30 am to 5:30 pm; Friday, 6:30 am to 6 pm; Saturday, 7 am to 5:30 pm; Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Since opening their doors to the Canberra community in 1994, the dedicated pastry chefs contributing to the Dobinson family legacy have been providing the community with sweet and savoury treats. The group has a lunch deal for everyone’s taste with homemade sandwiches available from $7 and pies from under $5. The bakery, conveniently spread across four locations, is sure to satisfy.
![Lebanese food](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/image-810x1014.jpg)
Settle in for a satisfying breakfast at Al Manoosh in Mawson. Photo: Al Manoosh.
Indulge in authentic Lebanese cuisine at Al Manoosh
Location: 47 Mawson Pl, Mawson
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm; Sunday, 8 am to 3 pm.
Head out with a $20 bill knowing you’ll come home with change at the Al Manoosh Bakery. Breakfast and egg plates are all $16 and under. Everything else is $18 or under with most items setting you back about $15. With dine-in and takeaway options available, and in-house made Lebanese bread, sweets and endless breakfast options, there is something for anyone looking for a beautiful feed on a budget at this Mawson bakery.
![Pizza on table](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DSC_6393-copy-1200x798.jpg)
Enjoy a pizza made with love at To All My Friends in Cook. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Gather your friends and enjoy a pizza at To All My Friends
Location: 24 Cook Place, Cook
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 3 pm to 10 pm; Saturday, 12 pm to 10 pm; Sunday, 12 pm to 9 pm.
Enjoy authentic Italian pizza, pasta and more at this family-owned restaurant in Canberra’s north. The business offers sharing plates, a fine selection of wine and, on Tuesdays, beautifully made large pizzas for $18 – perfect for when you just want a good home-cooked meal without the hassle of cooking.
![Fried veggie pattie](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/20210318041323_IMG_5735-810x525.jpg)
Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine at an affordable price at Yaki Boi. Photo: Amelia Bidgood.
Cheap as chips Japanese is on offer at Yaki Boi
Location: Building, 72/30 Lonsdale St, Braddon, Shop 083B/5/5 Keltie St, Phillip
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:30 am to 9:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am to 10 pm; Sunday, 11:30 am to 9 pm.
Craving a midweek wing feed? Look no further than Yaki Boi. For $2 you can buy 10 delicious wings, or there are cocktails all day for $12 if you’re feeling the midweek blues. No matter what you’re craving, the authentic and affordable Japanese cuisine at Yaki Boi is sure to hit the spot.
![Dolly's Bunda Street](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Dollysdec2020-13-1200x800.jpg)
Enjoy a delectable feed every night of the week at Dolly’s. Photo: Eventus Photography.
Be entertained and well fed at Dolly’s
Location: 50 Bunda Street
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 10 pm; Friday, 7 am to 1 am; Saturday, 8 am to 1 am; Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Enjoy endless entertainment while indulging in an impressive meal for an even more impressive price every day of the week in the heart of the city. Dolly’s food and wine bar offers schnitties for $15, Wednesday it’s smash burger time and Thursday means half a kilo of wings and a drink. Come and enjoy a variety of classic pub food and entertainment every night of the week.
![Plate of dumplings](https://the-riotact.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/CBD-Dumpling-House-600x600.jpg)
Enjoy a full plate of house-made dumplings for under $20. Photo: CBD Dumpling House.
A dumpling lover’s dream awaits at CBD Dumpling House
Location: Shop FG13C/26 Narellan Street
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 3 pm and 5 pm to 10 pm.
Every kind of dumpling and noodle dish is available at one of the most popular oriental restaurants in the city. Located right in the middle of Canberra, the CBD Dumpling House offers a wide variety of dumplings, soups and noodle dishes including a full plate of dumplings for under $15. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, the CBD Dumpling House has a dish for everyone’s taste.