12 of the best cheap eats in Bristol

As Bristolians will tell you, Bristol is a thoroughly affordable city when it comes to food. If you’re used to London prices, and regularly walking out of restaurants with a much lighter wallet, Bristol’s best cheap eats will leave you feeling rather buoyant by comparison. There are many Bristol restaurants that turn out quality food that would fetch double the price in London.

Such is life when you get out of the capital - it’s no wonder that many have been leaving London for greener (or at least cheaper) pastures. That makes for a tricky cheap eats list, though - if you’re used to more expensive dining, and more than a few of Bristol’s best restaurants will feel relatively cheap! Think tapas bars where you can consume your bodyweight in croquetas, patatas bravas and manzanilla, and walk out without paying much over £30, and beloved cheap restaurants by Bristol Harbour that dish up some pretty generous portions at friendly prices.

Across the city, from student-heavy areas to more central spots, there’s a strong culture of independent kitchens and hole-in-the-wall gems offering flavour-packed dishes at modest prices. Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch or looking for a casual dinner, cheap eats in Bristol are never hard to find. The city’s affordability doesn’t mean compromising on quality or creativity. Many affordable restaurants in Bristol focus on fresh, local ingredients and global flavours, catering to a wide range of tastes, from comforting carbs to plant-based options and vibrant street food.

For those on a budget, the variety of cheap restaurants in Bristol makes it easy to eat out regularly without breaking the bank. Set menus, generous portion sizes, and informal service create a laid-back dining experience that’s as satisfying as it is wallet-friendly. Whether you're a local or just visiting, Bristol’s reputation for good-value food is well deserved and continually evolving.

Best cheap eats Bristol

So without further ado, scroll on for our pick of Bristol’s best cheap eats and affordable restaurants, from the simple pleasures of a falafel wrap to more fiery spots for Korean street food.

Bandook Cargo

What: Another lunch deal that’s just too hard to ignore, Bandook Cargo is bringing the traditional tiffin lunch typical of Mumbai to Bristol’s Spike Island. Available midweek, a selection of either chicken, vegan, lamb, or vegetarian curries and daals will set you back just £15, with the option to tag on a dessert for just £4 extra. Now if that isn’t a great value deal, we don’t know what is.
Must-try dish:  Tiffin-wala's lamb feast with samosa chaat, railway lamb curry, and pilau rice
Where: Unit 17 Cargo 2, Museum Street, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6ZA
Book now: Bandook Cargo

Aqua

What: Now with three sites across the city, Aqua is a popular favourite for what they call a ‘Rapid Menu’. It’s all about speedy, quick lunches, for a fraction of the usual cost. Think starters like arancini and crispy chicken wings, followed by fish and chips, pizza, or carbonara, all for £15. There’s also a fine selection of desserts, including a tempting sticky toffee pudding for just £3 extra.
Must-try dish: Crispy fried chicken wings
Where: Welsh Back Dockside, Welsh Back, BS1 4RR; Martingale Way, Portishead, BS20 7AW; 153 Whiteladies Road, Redland, BS8 2RF
Book now: Aqua Welsh Back; Aqua Portishead; Aqua Brasserie

Wilsons

What: We’re absolutely stretching the definition of ‘budget’ here, but Wilsons more than deserves its spot in any Bristol cheap eats guide. Having earned its Michelin star in early 2025, Wilsons hasn’t upped its prices, and continues to offer an astoundingly great value set lunch tasting menu for £35. It’s all about local produce, sourced from regenerative and biodynamic farms, cooked up in ways that reflect each ingredient at its very peak. Give it a go, you won’t regret it.
Must-try dish: Dishes are set, but we'd recommend a glass of the Quinta da Palmirinha Vinho Verde 
Where: 24 Chandos Road, Redland, BS6 6PF
Book now: Wilsons

Biblos Stokes Croft

What: A firm favourite going back a couple of years now, Biblos is all about serving up affordable wraps, salad boxes, and Middle Eastern Caribbean fusion food that never compromises on flavour. Most wraps a the Stokes Croft cafe come under the £9 mark, but you’ll also find a selection of ‘Challenge Wraps’ for around £17 if you’re looking for something more substantial. There’s also a great selection of sides, including fried plantain, as well as the chance to add extras to your order.
Must-try dish: Bajan jerk chicken wrap with Bajan fire sauce
Where: 62a Stokes Croft, Bishopston, BS1 3QU
Book now: Biblos

Chilli Daddy

What: Chilli Daddy himself hails from Sichuan; he came to Bristol as a PhD student and promptly stayed, opening a Sichuan street food business that has won many awards over the years. These days, you can find Chilli Daddy on Baldwin Street or at St. Nicholas Market - dive into a delicious bowl of hot pot noodles for under a tenner and thank us later.
Must-try dish: Pork or tofu saozi noodle hotpot
Where: 45-47 Baldwin Street, BS1 1RA
Book now: Chilli Daddy

Cafe Kino

What: This vegan and vegetarian haven in Stokes Croft triples up as a neighbourhood shop and a community event space. Kino really cares about sourcing proper produce and working with good local suppliers. Most dishes are available for less than £10, meaning it's pretty affordable (and impressive, too). Think casual classics like burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast favourites. 
Must-try dish: Spicy homemade bean burger with tomato, lettuce, relish, and mayo
Where: 108 Stokes Croft, BS1 3RU
Book now: Cafe Kino

Bosco Pizzeria

What: Imagine the perfect Neapolitan pizza - angry, blistered spots on its crust, with generous lumps of fior di latte and a rich, tangy pizza sauce, and you have painted a picture of what's on offer here. We live in an age where it's almost impossible to get your hands on a decent margherita for less than £14. The lunch set menu is pretty reasonable as well, at £17 for two courses, and they serve it right up to 6pm - perfect for early bird eaters.
Must-try dish: Bosco Magherita with flor di latte, tomato, grana padana, olive oil, and basil
Where: 96 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2QX
Book now: Bosco Pizzeria

Baba Ganoush Kitchen

What: If you're in the mood for falafel, you'll be spoilt for choice in Bristol. Why not head over to Baba Ganoush Kitchen in St Pauls, which loads up giant Lebanese flat bread wraps with a mixture of falafel, mixed vegetables or halloumi, alongside salad, pickles, tahini and chilli sauce. A large wrap is just seven pounds, with added halloumi bringing the total to nine pounds, and there’s some cracking vegan mezze available too, which will also leave you change from a tenner.
Must-try dish: Falafel and halloumi wrap
Where: 81 St Nicholas Road, BS2 9JJ
Book now: Baba Ganoush Kitchen

Matina

What: If you’re noticing a pattern with our cheap eats (hint, it’s things wrapped in bread), well, get ready for more things wrapped in bread. This time, said things are delicious chunks of smoky marinated, grilled chicken, lamb or halloumi, wrapped in fresh Kurdish naan breads. If you’re heading for lunch, be prepared for a bit of a queue thanks to boxes that come in at under ten quid.
Must-try dish: Chargrilled chicken naan bread wrap
Where: The Glass Arcade, St Nicholas Street, BS1 1JQ
Book now: Matina

Eatchu

What: Another St. Nicholas Market stalwart, Eatchu’s crispy dumplings fill a perfect I-want-to-spend-less-than-£10 shaped hole. Chicken and pork dumplings are available alongside a couple of very tasty veggie options - triple mushroom with pickled radish and nori, and broccoli, pea and edamame with schichimi and crispy garlic. To maximise bang for buck, we’d say go for one of the gyoza bowls, which come in at less than £15.
Must-try dish: Gyoza selection dish with three of each filling
Where: The Old Mess Room, St Nicholas Market, BS1 1JQ
Book now: Eatchu

Hart's Bakery

What: You'll find Hart's Bakery under the Victorian railway arch at Temple Meads station. Tuesday through to Saturday, they crank out all manner of sweet and savoury treats from around 7am. But you can also stop in for a very generously-stuffed sausage roll (£4.20), an almond croissant (£3.20), a healthy lunch bowl, focaccia sandwich or a little cake to take home with you. 
Must-try dish: Weekly focaccia sandwich special
Where: Arch 35 Lower Approach Road, BS1 6QS
Book now: Hart's Bakery

Three Brothers Burgers

What: A cheap eats list without a good burger? It just wouldn’t be right. Three Brothers is our go-to in Bristol (though admittedly, there are lots of good options). A classic burger and fries will set you back just £7.50 on the Three Brothers lunch deal, or you can get a quality cheeseburger for £9.50. If one thing’s for sure, after a monster burger, you won’t leave this one hungry.
Must-try dish: Classic grass-fed beef burger in a potato bun
Where: Welsh Back, BS1 4SB
Book now: Three Brothers Burgers

Planning something a bit more special? You might find that private dining rooms in Bristol are surprisingly affordable too, just use the filters on the left to sort through your options.