10 top budget restaurants in Cape Town

 A selection of the best budget restaurants in Cape Town and surrounds

Cape Town is a foodie city whose selection of top end restaurants often make it onto the ‘best in the world’ lists so it might come as a surprise that eating out in Cape Town can be friendly on your wallet. CapeTownMagazine.com selected ten top budget restaurants where you can enjoy a decent dinner for less than R50.00 per person.

1 - Eastern Food Bazaar
Anyone who loves curry seems to know of this food court type restaurant - Indians themselves praise the quality of the food which is testament to Eastern Food Bazaar's authenticity. And what's more you can walk out of this open-air food court happily fed on a huge plate of curry, Naan bread and coke for as little as R42.

96 Longmarket Street | City Bowl | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 461 2458

2 - Rafiki’s
The menu at Rafiki's is perfectly balanced between snacks and wholesome main meals and the popular restaurant is famous for wood-fired oven pizzas (try the Afghan Surprise or the Mother Clucker!) ranging from R36 to R59. Rafiki's offer half price pizza special on Monday's. Read more about quick sundowners can also lead to all-night parties at Rafiki's.

13 Kloof Nek Road | Tamboerskloof | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 426 4731

3 - Narona’s
Small and cozy the price is not the only reason why you should visit this place as a wide variety of excellent food is on offer. More than half of the dishes are under R50 - a delicious bacon cheese burger with fries is R40 whilst seafood pasta is R43.

136 Buitenkant Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 465 8111

4 - Obz Cafe
Observatory is the place to be for students so it comes as no surprise that you'll find cheap places to eat . Visit Obz Café for a cheap bite and you won't pay more than R40 for your plate.

115 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 448 5555

5 -  Simply Asia
With over 20 different locations in the Cape Simply Asia offer Thai noodles for R49 and a vegetarian dish is typically R47. Sea Point, Gardens and the V&A Waterfront are three of the locations where you'll find the restaurant.

+27 (0)21 447 4387

6 - Casa Nostra Italian Restaurant
Casa Nostra is all about classic Italian dishes at a reasonable price including pastas and pizzas for around R50. Homemade tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce on top is R45 whilst large pizzas (33 cm) are R50. Buon appetito!

66 Regent Street | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 443 0187

7 - A Taste of Asia
Located in the heart of Observatory this restaurant serves starters from R20 and main courses from R40. The menu features typical Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Korean food at affordable prices so you can leave your fat wallet at home.

45 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 447 1500

8 -  Harries Pancake House
Whether you prefer savory, sweet or traditional you will be amazed with what a pancake can be filled with. From Thai-style chicken and mushroom or Bobotie, to chocolate mousse Harry has it all for between R36 and R50.

Shop 2&3 Fishermand World | 5 Main Road | Hout Bay | +27 (0)21 790 2472

9 -  Aris Souvlaki
This Greek restaurant has two floors and a balcony overlooking Sea Point's busy Regent Road. The food is cheap, tasty and of good quality. You'll pay less than R50 for Baklava, Greek kebabs and more Greek specialties.

83a Regent Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 439 6683

10 - Saul’s Grill
Opened as a small late-night takeaway during the 80's Saul's has since grown to a full service restaurant and pub. Saul’s is unique in that it is the only full service restaurant on the Atlantic Seaboard that operates 24 hours a day. Grilled chicken and burgers for around the R50 mark or boerewors with egg and chips for R34 are affordable options.

152 Main Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)87 151 4601

Cape Town has many more lunch spots and restaurants. For more information be sure to read our Eating Out Section.

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