Year in Review: Best Vancouver Cheap Eats of 2015

From Asian to French food, it’s amazing what you can eat with only a $10 bill in your pocket. With Vancouver being a major foodie city, it was tough to narrow down our favourites. However, the tradition must go on.

Here are our picks for Vancouver’s top 15 cheap eats of 2015.

Basil Pasta Bar

Where tasty meets affordable, try the Pesto Shrimp Linguini for only $7.95. Better yet, customize your dish and choose your own sauce, proteins, and veggies for the same price.

Address: 636 Davie Street
Phone: 604-568-3106
Website: www.basilpastabar.com

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Nuba

With healthy, freshly made Lebanese fare, there are plenty of options to nosh on for $10 or less. Try Victor’s secret Falafel recipe, served with rolled pita bread, organic greens, tomatoes, homemade pickles, tahini, and hot sauce.

Address: 207 West Hastings Street
Phone: 604-688-1655
Website: www.nuba.ca

Hons Wun-Tun House

For a cheap eat budget, you can’t go wrong with shrimp fried rice or crispy chicken Chow Mein delivered to your door for $9.50 or less.

Address: 268 Keefer Street, Chinatown (Click here for more locations)
Phone: 604-682-8833
Website: www.hons.ca

Viet Sub

If you’re looking for a quick and delicious lunch in the core of downtown Vancouver, look no further than Viet Sub. Friendly staff and soup that’s always on point, you can’t go wrong with any of their pho options for under $10.

Address: 520 Robson Street
Phone: 604-569-3340

Duffin’s Donuts

From fried chicken to tortas, Duffin’s Donuts masters the greasy spoon. With an eclectic menu unlike any other in the city, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Address: 1391 E 41st Avenue
Phone: 604-325-5544

Memphis Blues Barbecue House

Barbecue is a staple in the South, and few places do it better than in Memphis. Two Vancouverites fell in love with the cuisine on a layover in Memphis and decided to bring it back to Canada. And just like that, Memphis Blues was born. Drop by and grab the small rib ends for $8.75. Hungry? Go one sizer bigger for $9.95.

Address: 430 Robson Street (Click here for a full list of locations)
Phone: 604-682-6220
Website: www.memphisbluesbbq.com

The Cascade Room

Cascade Room is the ultimate cocktail bar for pre-dinner drinks, with Happy Hour Sunday to Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Sip on a glass of red, white, or Prosecco for $4. Beer drinker? The Main Street Pilsner or IPA is $5 a pint. Beyond that, all of their cocktails are $10 or less, so give one a try – after all, it’s what they’re known for! And if you do get hungry, their entire snack menu is $8 or less, and includes cheddar dill cornbread, mac & cheese, and their famous polenta fries.

Address: 2616 Main Street, Mount Pleasant
Phone: 604-709-8650
Website: www.thecascade.ca

Hawker’s Delight

A hole in the wall right on the corner of Main and King Edward, this Malaysian restaurant is hard to pass up because of their authentic South East Asian flavours, filling proportions, and extremely affordable prices. Most of their dishes run from $6-$8 (the fried kway teow being one our favourites).

Address: 4127 Main Street
Phone: 604-709-8188

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Hida Takamaya Ramen

The West End is a hub for the best ramen spots in the city and Hida Takamaya is a true testament to that fact. Found on the second floor of the Robson Public Market, most of their dishes are $10 or less. We highly recommend ordering the shio spicy ground pork ramen with vegetables for $9.50.

Address: 1610 Robson Street
Phone: 604-633-1884
Website: hidatakayamaramen.com

Yolk’s Breakfast

Breakfast at Yolk’s is a must for their famous Eggs Benedict, made with a poached free-range egg and your choice of double smoked bacon, honey ham or a portobello mushroom for $7.50.

Address: 1298 East Hastings Street (check their website for truck and other location info)
Phone: 604-428-9655
Website: yolks.ca

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Finch’s Tea and Coffee House

Finch’s Tea and Coffee House, offering a menu of simple yet delectable sandwiches. Situated in the heart of Gastown, this quaint, European-style café is known for their gourmet sandwiches and is often packed throughout the day, with a line out the door at lunch. Their most popular menu item is the Pear and Blue Brie baguette, though you really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose!

Address: 353 West Pender Street
Phone: 604-899-4040
Website: www.finchteahouse.com

Sal Y Limon

If you’re looking for delicious Mexican food that won’t break the bank, you’re in luck. Literally every item on the menu at Sal Y Limon is under $10. Try the Cordero Al Cilantro Torta for delicious marinated lamb or the Super Vegetariana for a veggie-friendly option.

Address: 701 Kingsway Street
Phone: 604-677-4247
Website: www.salylimon.ca

Truffles Fine Foods

If you happen to be strolling along Davie, be sure to stop by Truffles Fine Foods and head straight for their Croque Monsieur. This classic French sandwich has baked ham and cheese on top of buttered bread, then is finished with grated cheese, salt and pepper.

Address: 785 Davie Street
Phone: 604-505-4961
Website: www.trufflesfinefoods.com

Cafe Deux Soleils

For $9 to $10, order a variety of vegetarian burgers that are topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles, and sprouts and served with a choice of side salad or hash browns.

Address: 2096 Commercial Drive
Phone: 604-254-1195
Website: www.cafedeuxsoleils.com

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Café Zen

Start your morning off right with the whole shebang. At Café Zen you can get eggs any style, hash browns, and toast for only $4.99. They are open until 2:30 p.m. weekdays and 4 p.m. on weekends.

Address: 1631 Yew Street
Phone: 604-731-4018
Website: cafezenonyew.com