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A ham croissant sandwich on a metal tray.
A ham croissant sandwich from Cafe Nena’i.
Cafe Nena’i

20 Go-To Restaurants for Affordable Dining in Austin

Inexpensive dining made easier

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A ham croissant sandwich from Cafe Nena’i.
| Cafe Nena’i

Austin has so many great dining options that it’s easy to end up spending a lot of money while eating out. Sometimes, you need to take it easier on your wallet, and that's where Eater's guide to the best affordable eats found in the city comes in to help.

Dine on a dime easily with the help of this map, spanning ginormous tacos from Juan in a Million, quick and easy burgers from P. Terry’s, the Omelettry’s egg-filled breakfast, kebabs from Kebablicious, staples from Soup Peddler, and everything else delicious and under $12 in Austin. This update adds sandwiches from ThunderCloud Subs and pizzas from Giovanni’s.

For other budget-friendly bites, look for tacos, burgers, happy hour specials, and a free deal cheat sheet.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Ng Cafe

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The beloved banh mi of Ng BMT lives on with Ng Cafe in far north Austin, where the classic Vietnamese sandwiches (pate and ham to tofu to pork belly) are all under $10. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

Tumble22

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The hot chicken restaurant provides a meal of a quarter chicken plus two sides and pickles for around $10. Takeout orders can be placed online; all locations have indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The Omelettry

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The move to Airport Boulevard didn’t mess with the breakfast retreat’s offerings. Ask for one of the omelets obviously, most of which run under $12. Well-stuffed $10-and-under sandwiches, which come with soup or home fries, are a great bet too. Takeout orders can be placed online; the restaurant is open for indoor dine-in services.

Bao'd Up

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The bao-focused fast-casual restaurant serves up many, many steamed buns filled with meats, vegetables, and creamy sweets. The combination basket, which comes with two baos and one side) is around $11. The around $12 bowls aren’t bad deals either, like spicy dan dan noodles or your own creation. Takeout orders can be placed online or through the mobile app; all locations feature indoor dine-in services.

Assorted pieces of bao in several steamer baskets.
Bao’d Up’s bao assortment.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Dirty Martin's Place

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The low-priced kum-bak burgers from the old-school campus dive have been feeding Austinites for years. Takeout and DoorDash delivery orders can be placed online; the restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Taco Mex

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This Cherrywood taco walk-up window offers affordable and filling tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. All the plates are under $11. Takeout orders can be placed online.

Delray Cafe

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Every single item at the Detroit-style food trunk rings in under $10, from chili-topped coney dogs to simple, filling sliders, to cheesy tater tots. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Koriente

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This Korean-ish restaurant is one of the more affordable options in downtown, plus there are lots of veggies in the dishes, like the japchae noodles, teriyaki bowls, or bibimbap. Every entree also comes with free miso soup. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone; there are third-party deliveries; the patio is available for outdoor dine-in services.

Kebabalicious

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Most of the savory regular-sized Turkish wraps and kebabs at Kebabalicious are below $12 and can satiate anyone. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; the restaurant features indoor and outdoor dine-in services; the truck has outdoor tables.

Veracruz All Natural

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The tacos are as enjoyable as they are low-cost and filing. Try the famed migas tacos. All locations offer takeout orders placed online or in person; there are usually indoor and outdoor dine-in areas available.

A taco with eggs and an avocado slice on a blue basket lined with wax paper in front of a blue food truck.
Breakfast taco from Veracruz.
Veracruz All Natural

P. Terry's

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The home-grown chain emphasizes quality and freshness for its affordable burgers, and the vegetarian burger is a favorite even with carnivores. Takeout orders can be placed online, through the mobile app, or via the drive-thru.

A cheeseburger.
P. Terry’s burger.
Chris Olfers

Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop

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This Holly cafe has tacos for $2.25 and breakfast plates (served all day) like pancakes and migas for $12 and under. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Sandy's Hamburgers

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Order the time-honored combination of burgers, fries, and frozen custard from the Barton Springs icon for under $10. Takeout orders can be placed in person.

Juan in a Million

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The famous Don Juan breakfast taco is filled with a massive mix of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and cheese for just $6.75. Extra tortillas will be needed. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Chi'Lantro

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Build a custom bowl or ssam starting at less than $10 — and don’t forget the kimchi fries. Takeout orders can be placed online; all locations tend to feature indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Soup Peddler

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For quick and easy meals, Soup Peddler dishes out hearty soups and salads, with room for juice, too. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are Favor deliveries; all locations feature outdoor dining areas.

Giovannis Pizza Stand

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The 12-inch pies from the gas station pizzeria all hover around $12. To-go orders can be placed online or in person; there is an outdoor table.

ThunderCloud Subs

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The widespread Austin chain offers up very simple yet great sandwiches for under $10. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; most locations offer indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

888 Vietnamese Restaurant

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For affordable pho hovering in the $10 to $11 price range on the south side of the Colorado River, 888 is the answer, plus other dishes like vermicelli and curries. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor dine-in services.

Cafe Nena'i

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Grab a great affordable breakfast at this South American cafe with strong coffee and sweet and savory handmade pastries. Takeout orders can be placed online or over text message at (512) 387-0962.

Ng Cafe

The beloved banh mi of Ng BMT lives on with Ng Cafe in far north Austin, where the classic Vietnamese sandwiches (pate and ham to tofu to pork belly) are all under $10. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor dine-in services.

Tumble22

The hot chicken restaurant provides a meal of a quarter chicken plus two sides and pickles for around $10. Takeout orders can be placed online; all locations have indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The Omelettry

The move to Airport Boulevard didn’t mess with the breakfast retreat’s offerings. Ask for one of the omelets obviously, most of which run under $12. Well-stuffed $10-and-under sandwiches, which come with soup or home fries, are a great bet too. Takeout orders can be placed online; the restaurant is open for indoor dine-in services.

Bao'd Up

The bao-focused fast-casual restaurant serves up many, many steamed buns filled with meats, vegetables, and creamy sweets. The combination basket, which comes with two baos and one side) is around $11. The around $12 bowls aren’t bad deals either, like spicy dan dan noodles or your own creation. Takeout orders can be placed online or through the mobile app; all locations feature indoor dine-in services.

Assorted pieces of bao in several steamer baskets.
Bao’d Up’s bao assortment.
Nadia Chaudhury/Eater Austin

Dirty Martin's Place

The low-priced kum-bak burgers from the old-school campus dive have been feeding Austinites for years. Takeout and DoorDash delivery orders can be placed online; the restaurant is open for indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Taco Mex

This Cherrywood taco walk-up window offers affordable and filling tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. All the plates are under $11. Takeout orders can be placed online.

Delray Cafe

Every single item at the Detroit-style food trunk rings in under $10, from chili-topped coney dogs to simple, filling sliders, to cheesy tater tots. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Koriente

This Korean-ish restaurant is one of the more affordable options in downtown, plus there are lots of veggies in the dishes, like the japchae noodles, teriyaki bowls, or bibimbap. Every entree also comes with free miso soup. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone; there are third-party deliveries; the patio is available for outdoor dine-in services.

Kebabalicious

Most of the savory regular-sized Turkish wraps and kebabs at Kebabalicious are below $12 and can satiate anyone. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online; the restaurant features indoor and outdoor dine-in services; the truck has outdoor tables.

Veracruz All Natural

The tacos are as enjoyable as they are low-cost and filing. Try the famed migas tacos. All locations offer takeout orders placed online or in person; there are usually indoor and outdoor dine-in areas available.

A taco with eggs and an avocado slice on a blue basket lined with wax paper in front of a blue food truck.
Breakfast taco from Veracruz.
Veracruz All Natural

P. Terry's

The home-grown chain emphasizes quality and freshness for its affordable burgers, and the vegetarian burger is a favorite even with carnivores. Takeout orders can be placed online, through the mobile app, or via the drive-thru.

A cheeseburger.
P. Terry’s burger.
Chris Olfers

Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop

This Holly cafe has tacos for $2.25 and breakfast plates (served all day) like pancakes and migas for $12 and under. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Sandy's Hamburgers

Order the time-honored combination of burgers, fries, and frozen custard from the Barton Springs icon for under $10. Takeout orders can be placed in person.

Juan in a Million

The famous Don Juan breakfast taco is filled with a massive mix of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and cheese for just $6.75. Extra tortillas will be needed. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Chi'Lantro

Build a custom bowl or ssam starting at less than $10 — and don’t forget the kimchi fries. Takeout orders can be placed online; all locations tend to feature indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Related Maps

Soup Peddler

For quick and easy meals, Soup Peddler dishes out hearty soups and salads, with room for juice, too. Takeout orders can be placed online; there are Favor deliveries; all locations feature outdoor dining areas.

Giovannis Pizza Stand

The 12-inch pies from the gas station pizzeria all hover around $12. To-go orders can be placed online or in person; there is an outdoor table.

ThunderCloud Subs

The widespread Austin chain offers up very simple yet great sandwiches for under $10. Takeout orders can be placed online or in person; most locations offer indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

888 Vietnamese Restaurant

For affordable pho hovering in the $10 to $11 price range on the south side of the Colorado River, 888 is the answer, plus other dishes like vermicelli and curries. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone or in person; there are indoor dine-in services.

Cafe Nena'i

Grab a great affordable breakfast at this South American cafe with strong coffee and sweet and savory handmade pastries. Takeout orders can be placed online or over text message at (512) 387-0962.

Related Maps