Cheap/free food database in Melbourne
This database was collectively developed to support students in getting access to affordable and nutritious food. We hope to keep updating it frequently. Please add your recommendations as well at the bottom of the page.
List of budget places to eat:
Where: 139 Swanston Street
What: Meat and vegetable curries, salads
How Much: $8.50 ‘Economy Special’ Thali (Rice, 2 curries and salad)
Where: 15 Centre Pl, Melbourne VIC, 3000
What: Baguettes, Rice paper rolls
How Much: Petit Baguette $6.00, Grande Baguette $8.00
Where: 186 Bourke St, Melbourne. Eat: Udon soup, Rice, Japanese Curry, Tempura
How much: Starting $4.80 for a bowl of udon
Where: 198 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000 | 2 Francis St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 | 59 Byron St, Footscray VIC 3011
Eat: Japanese curry, rice
How much: $8.70 Tofu Curry Don
Where: 387 Victoria St, Brunswick VIC 3056
What: Bánh mì, Phở
Note: Regularly makes food for people low on funds when shop is open, community fridge regularly stocked with meals out front of shop, pay it forward.
Where: 481 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000 | Queen Victoria Market, Dairy Produce Hall Shop 95 - 96.
What: Boreks (veg & meat filling options)
How Much: $5 spicy potato borek
Where: 164 Cardigan Street, Carlton, 3053
What: Rice/Noodle and meat (teriyaki chicken, salmon, beef curry, soba salad) + vegetarian options (tofu)
How Much: $7.50 - $12.50
Where: 189 Elgin St, Carlton VIC 3053
What: Soups, baguettes, pasta
How Much: $5 soups
Where: 147 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
What: Changes Daily, vegan curries, rice,
How Much: $9.50 (concession $7.50)
Where: 212 King St Melbourne VIC 3000 | 1/123 Swanston, Melbourne VIC 3000
What: Fresh roti, vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian curries and sweets.
How Much: $12 Thali meals with unlimited roti bread and 1 complimentary chai
Volunteer Organisations offering food relief:
Salvation Army
CUDL
Dandenong Street Kitchen
Northern CareWorks Community Op Shop
Cheap Produce and Groceries
Extremely discounted, bulk fresh produce on Sundays at 3pm.
Where: 481 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Discount dry goods and frozen goods, lots of vegan items. Reselling long-life products that are close to ‘best before’ or that are overstocked/not moving at major supermarkets. Items from $1-5 mostly, cheap bulk dips/vegan cheeses, frozen meals and snack foods.
Where: 20 Paisley Street, Footscray VIC 3011 | 325 Racecourse Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 | 109 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
Volunteers take home a produce box.
Map for urban foraging for fruit
Northern CareWorks Community Op Shop
Offers food relief packs Wed or Thurs at 1.30pm
Where: 81 High Street, Preston VIC 3072
Other Resources
Government Support (for national citizens)
Ausstudy payment
Low income Healthcare card (concession that grants utility bills concession rates, discounted healthcare & scripts)
Casual Workers Sick Pay Leave scheme (5 sick days for casual workers paid by the government)
Dietary Requirements
Easy and cheap student recipes
Fed Up! Food Database Map
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