Cheap places to eat in Cardiff

There are few better pleasures to indulge in than a good meal out. Whether it's for a celebration, a good time with the pals, or you just can't be arsed cooking; going out for a scran is always the answer. But, whilst we all love eating out, it's getting more and more expensive to do so with how things are at the minute. So, with that in mind, we want to let you in on all the cheap places to eat in Cardiff, so you can still enjoy a good meal without breaking the bank.

The welsh capital has an incredible menu of places to eat, with fantastic Neopolitan-style pizzas, tongue-tingling Mexican delights, and even a half restaurant half skatepark! Whatever your price point is, you will find some top scran from in and around Cardiff on this list, so get scrolling and try not to drool all over your keyboard while doing so!

The Lazy Leek

Where: 183A Kings Rd Yard, Kings Rd, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9DF

Specialising in vegan street food that is all locally sourced and ethically produced, The Lazy Leek has transformed from a touring food truck that catered weddings and events to their permanent 'shack' which has gone from strength to strength; winning numerous awards over the last few years. They offer some tantalising vegan burgers and delights that will have you questioning your choices as a meat eater (seriously just look at those pictures above and tell us you don't want to inhale it. Their passion is a love of creating and sharing wholesome, hearty and exciting food, in a way that looks after the planet, and for them to be able to do so at such affordable prices, means its more than worth your time.

Ffwrnes

Where: Stalls 231-241, First Floor, Cardiff Central Market, St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1AU

Now, no cheap eats list is complete without a place to get some pizza. The Italian dish is adored by pretty much everyone and is always an easy go-to for a quick meal. When in Cardiff, the place to go for pizza has to be Ffwrnes. Starting out serving up traditional Neopolitan-style pizzas from a food truck, and now producing traditional wood-fired oven slices from their restaurants, they really know a thing or two about the classic dish. The pizza is thin, crispy, puffy-crusted, and topped with a wide range of tasty treats. Plus, this goodness can all be consumed for under a tenner, so take that Dominoes! Ffwrnes is cheap and easy and never disappoints. So if you're craving a bit of cheesy, tomatoey, doughy goodness, well, you now know where to go!

The Grazing Shed

Where: 1 Barrack Ln, St Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 2FR

The best burger in Wales did you say? All for under a tenner you say? Locally sourced with an eco-friendly and sustainable philosophy you say? Well if any of those things get the hearts racing and the arteries begging to be clogged, then The Grazing Shed has to be your first stop when looking for cheap places to eat in Cardiff. They champion the transformative powers of a great burger and have built the restaurant around making top-notch local produce into excellent gourmet burgers that are available for a reasonable price; and wow are they delicious. A must-visit when in the welsh capital.

The Hellenic Eatery

Where: 100 Crwys Rd, Cardiff CF24 4NQ

Us Brits have basically adopted greek food as our go-to late-night scran after a few bevvies. The kebab reins supreme round here, and we wouldn't have it any other way. But, if you're after a kebab that is less greasy and will leave you less inclined to sit on the toilet the next morning, then the Hellenic Eatery should be your first stop in the Welsh capital. Serving up all the best in Greek Cuisine from their highly affordable gyros (around the £6 mark!) to their variety of grilled meats, feta-filled salads, and gooey baklava, it's all so god damn delicious. Plus, as previously mentioned, it's so affordable! So, ditch that late-night doner and scran some proper Greek grub here instead.

Ji Chickens

Where: 231 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF11 9AL

Chicken is pretty universally loved, isn't it? Well, apart from those of you who don't eat meat, we promise there's Tofu and veggies here for you too. But, we have to be honest, Ji's Chicken is all about what it says on the tin, it's chicken. By adopting the most traditional Taiwanese techniques of frying, the restaurant is able to deliver delicious and fresh chicken with a superb gold crisp outside and a juicy, flavour packed inside. They use a secret spice that puts KFC to shame, and we just can't get enough.

Happy Lok Diner

Where: 53 Crwys Rd, Cardiff CF24 4ND

Offering up homemade Chinese food with Malaysian specialities as well as Japanese and Thai dishes, Happy Lok  Diner is the place to go in Cardiff when you're looking for some East Asian spice in your life. But, what this place does differently, except offering you dishes for a really reasonable price unlike many other restaurants offering up Asian cuisines that are this tasty, is the real homely vibe that it adopts. They want you to feel like you've just walked into an unassuming cafe whilst touring an outer province of japan, or maybe a hilltop restaurant you've discovered while traversing Vietnam, and it works so well. Offering a home away from home for ex-pats and a slice of Asian life for locals, it's truly one of the top cheap places to eat in Cardiff.

Spit & Sawdust

Where: Unit B, Rhymney River Bridge Rd, Cardiff CF23 9AF

For the more extreme amongst you, who are inclined to spend your days on four wheels and a board, then Spit & Sawdust could be the place that you've been searching for when looking for cheap places to eat in Cardiff. Whether you are just learning how to ollie, you can shred a quality line, or you just love the culture, then this place has everything you want. A skatepark with an adjoining restaurant that serves up some excellent scran, from burgers to fish and chips, with a range of locally brewed beer ready to guzzle, it's a right vibe.

Hanoi 1991

Where: 28-30 Royal Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AE

Found tucked away in Cardiff's picturesque Royal Arcade, Hanoi 1991 is a Vietnamese Restaurant and Cafe that captures the vintage culture of the Vietnamese capital in the 1990s. Its tongue-tingling wares include indulgent Vietnamese coffee, spicy meats, crunchy Bahn Mis, slurpable Pho, and signature cultural shop design. They aim to arouse imagination and bring their customers a unique emotional experience of Vietnam as it used to be, and the Welsh faithful have been lapping it up for years. 

Crumbs Kitchen

Where: 33 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AF

When we go out for a meal, whilst the food can be incredible, it can often lack the warmth and cosiness of a home-cooked meal. Well, if you want to recreate that safe feeling of hearty food like your mum makes it, then Crumb's kitchen is the place to go in Cardiff. There is only one thing that will probably be different from Mum, however, and that's that everything in this Cafe is Vegetarian or Vegan Friendly, and this family restaurant doesn't mess about either. Their recipes are both creative and reminiscent of home, boldly flavoured with hearty undertones. It's a real treat and definitely one you need to check out.

New York Deli

Where: 4-6 Duke Street Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AZ

There's a reason why New York is known as a food capital in the US, in particular for its Sub rolls. The main reason is simply as their flavour combos are tried, tested and never fail, Whether it's Patastrami from Kats or Brisket and sauerkraut at Liebman's it's always top tier. But, New York is a fair way away from the Welsh capital, so, if you're looking to recapture these iconic flavours when looking for cheap places to eat in Cardiff, then look no further than the aptly names New York Deli. Serving up the Cardiff lunchtime onslaught with a quality range of American style sub sandwiches since the 90s, the store always has a massive queue out front, and always impresses, the ideal spot for your next quick lunch in the city.

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.