The Best Cheap Eats in Perth Under $30, According to Chefs, Bartenders and Hospitality Owners

Where do chefs, bartenders, owners and insiders eat when they want a no-frills experience that’s packed with flavour?

We asked hospitality pros to share their go-to cheap eats—the comforting dishes they crave when the bookings are done and they’re off the clock. Some go solo, some bring the kids, others head out with their hospo crew—but the answer is unanimous: Perth’s got plenty of good food that doesn’t require a triple-figure bill.

Chris Caravella, Tetsun and Threecoins & Sons Co-Owner and Co-Head Chef

Chris Caravella isn’t chasing cheap eats—“As a cook who draws most of my sustenance from kitchen scraps, I’m generally not an advocate of frugal feeds. If any of these restaurants started charging $100 tomorrow, I’d still love and keep going back to them.”

Having said that, he does have some favourite spots that happen to be both delicious and affordable.

High on the list? Spice Master Noodle House for the Yibin flammable and spicy brisket noodles, plus he says their wontons in peanut and sesame sauce are probably the best in Perth.

He’s been going to Tra Vinh since high school and still rates the bun cha gio, bun chao tom and mi vit tiem. D’Big Mama gets a shout for BBQ pork noodles (dry!) and bak kut teh—“washed down with fresh soy milk, always”, and it’s Forklore for mentaiko pasta, congee, and “everything kaya.” 

Lately, he’s been hitting Red Chilli Sichuan hard. Though a lot of the main dishes don’t fall under the $30 mark, Chris swears that, in a group, it’s impossible to spend over $75 a person, and that will get you plenty of leftovers. His must orders? The cold sliced bobo chicken, smoky stir fried potato shreds, steamed butterflied prawns and cumin lamb ribs. “And don’t let them talk you out of real Sichuan spice. If you’re not sweating, you’re doing it wrong.”

Drew Dawson, WAGFG Breakthrough Talent Winner 2025

Starting with breakfast, it’s TKG and miso soup at Hinata—“so warming and just what I want to eat on my morning off.” Other days, it’s a smoked salmon bagel and oat cap at Best Wishes. “The staff and owner are legends. I love the vibe.”

After a sauna session, it’s all about Vietnamese. High on 55 is the pick for bun bi thit nuong—“it reminds me of what we were eating a lot of in Vietnam.” For takeaway, it’s a crispy pork banh mi and pho from Viet Pho Freo. “Good for the body and soul.”

Dinner tends to be simple—kebabs, baklava and Turkish delight from Marmaris Café after a shift at BWB, or kimchi jjigae at Two Sticks. “My partner and I have been going for years—they do amazing home-cooked Korean food.”

Ben Wood, Corner Dairy Venue Manager

A Friday morning fixture for Ben Wood is breakfast at Stomp Coffee in North Perth with his mate Haris—a ritual they’ve kept for years. He orders what he thinks is “the best scrambled eggs on toast in town”. Closer to home, Wood often heads to Kith Eatery in Nedlands with his housemates. “The brekkie focaccia here slaps—fried egg, perfectly cooked bacon, relish and aioli, all for just $17.”

Over the winter blues and ready for warmer weather, he’s looking forward to lingering afternoon aperitivo sessions at Il Lido in Cottesloe, where $12 spritzes and $12 Negronis run from 4–6pm. “Don’t drive—it’s a black hole,” he laughs.

When it’s time for a big family dinner with the TCD crew, it’s always City Garden Chinese. “We always tend to overdo it and get as much as possible, and our chefs take the lead on that—especially Dave, he knows how to order.” As for Ben’s picks? “The salt and pepper squid tentacles are one of the most elite snacks you’ll come across.” Other favourites include kailan with oyster sauce and the special spicy beef—“epic flavour, makes your tongue tingle. I was kinda freaked out the first time I had it—not gonna lie—because I’d never really had Sichuan before. But it scrapes in just under $30, so definitely worth a little adventure!”

Mattia Sordini, Cosy Del’s Co-Owner

For Mattia Sordini, the perfect weekday lunch starts with a swim and ends with a banh mi from Bibra Lake Lunch Bar. “Spicy, fatty, crunchy, naughty—and if you don’t trust me, trust the line out the door.”

When Monday night rolls around, you might find him sitting outside Vin Populi in Fremantle. “Any small dish and a glass of wine sitting outside is a great way to close the hospo weekend.”

Another favourite Monday ritual is a pint and hot chips with his Kelpie, Indi, at Running With Thieves in South Fremantle. “It’s such a good way to unwind my usually over-tired little brain.”

Sundays are for pizza—specifically from Forno Antico in Coogee. “I wish it were more of a secret, but it’s so well established now, and for good reasons! It’s owned by an Italian couple, both working in the shop. There are always great vibes thanks to their hospitality and smiles, and that’s before you even taste the pizza.”

Emma Ferguson, No Mafia, Vin Populi and Balthazar Co-Owner

Emma Ferguson doesn’t shy away from flavour. You’ll find her lining up at Tra Vinh in Northbridge for the raw beef hofan soup. “So good,” she says. “The beautiful rich beef bone stock makes this a winner.”

She also makes time for Tak Chee House in Northbridge. “I go for the Hainanese chicken rice and sambal kang kong. So much flavour! It’s BYO, so hits perfectly with a nice Alsace Riesling.”

On family days, she’ll swing by PICA Bar with her young daughters after visiting the Art Gallery. “Chippies and a beer for me—a fire engine for them.” 

Other favourites include the Milliano pizza—pork and fennel sausage with truffle oil—at Monsterella in Wembley, and the bun bo hue from High on 55 in Fremantle. “The stock for the soup is packed with goodness using beef bones that cook for days.”

Shayrhar Terrani, Bagel O’s Owner

For Shayrhar Terrani, dinner is often a Tuesday night pick-up from Two Hands Noodle Shop in Como. “It has to be the red kolo mee with extra meat and a side of wings,” he says. “The house chilli is a must.”

He hits Ramen Keisuke at The Melbourne Hotel during the winter. “It’s peaceful. The red tonkotsu with extra chashu and hosomen noodles in that hearty pork broth—it hits every time.”

As for lunch? “If I’m in Willagee visiting mates at The Mushroom Guys, I’ll always grab a crispy pork banh mi from DJ’s Lunchbar.”

Paolo Del Monte, Print Hall Executive Chef

On his day off, Paolo Del Monte takes his family to Cosy Del’s in Lathlain. “It’s honest, gorgeous food. The pappardelle with wild boar ragout is my favourite right now—earthy, rich, it takes me back to Tuscany.”

It’s a family go-to, but he’s also been known to head in with a few friends. “Mattia, the co-owner, always finds a spot for us.”

One more reason to visit? “The desserts. They’re all around $12, which is rare in Perth these days.”

David “Xander” Stucken, Terrarium Co-Owner

David “Xander” Stucken keeps it simple with BBQ pork and noodles from Chop Chop BBQ. “I’m a simple man—give me tender pork, springy noodles, and I’m good. It doesn’t need to be fancy to be perfect. It’s great solo, with mates, or anyone who appreciates good pork.” 

Want more recommendations from Xander Stucken? Find his favourite places to eat and drink around Perth here.