Times are tough; money is tight. I expect moths to fly out of my wallet each time I open it, and I know I’m not the only one feeling the pinch. The cost-of-living crisis is affecting us all, but we all deserve to treat ourselves now and again. Luckily, there are still plenty of cheap eats in Birmingham no matter your budget.
Habanero’s
Having operated in Birmingham for over a decade, Habanero’s know a thing or two about quality Mexican food. Known for serving some of the cheapest and best-quality food in the city centre, you can grab a chicken tinga burrito for £6.75, or roast veggie tacos for £5.80. Making everything fresh from scratch every day, simply choose your dish of choice, and pick from a variety of toppings and sauces.
Anderson & Hill
It may appear bougie—it’s a charcuterie, fromagerie and epicerie—but don’t let all those French words put you off. Because you can grab cheap sandwiches, salads and soups at Anderson & Hill. In fact, half a sandwich will cost you £3.85, while soup of the day is also £3.85. And you can guarantee the quality of ingredients here.
Topokki
Topokki brings Korean flavours to Birmingham. Grab a salad bibimbap with fried egg for just £6.35, while a simple miso soup is just £1.50. But from kare rice to kimchi pancakes, there’s so much choice on the menu—and all for under £10. You can even enjoy dessert for £3 thanks to the ice cream mochi.
Liu Ji Handmade Noodles
For around a tenner, you can enjoy authentic, top-tier hand-pulled noodles at super low prices at Liu Ji Handmade Noodles. In fact, Birmingham’s Chinatown is a must-visit for anyone trying to save a few pennies—with Cafe Soya, Asia Asia Food Hall and Chung Ying also worth having a look at.
Damascena
Mezze-style is ideal for cheap dining because you can tweak what you order by price, making budget-watching simple and delicious. With five spots around Birmingham, you’re never far from one of these halal restaurants either. Many of Damascena‘s mezze dishes run between £6 and £10.
Vic’s Cafe
Vic’s Cafe is a classic British greasy spoon. Don’t expect much in the way of Instagrammable photo ops, but when you can get a pie and chips for £7, who cares? Located out in Tyseley, not everyone will make it out here, but maybe consider our next option instead:
Grand Central Kitchen
Considered Birmingham’s best breakfast by many, this tiny and reliable eatery sits right next to the Grand Central. Known for its generous portions and affordable all-day English breakfasts, paninis, and omelettes, you won’t want to overlook this spot next time you’re hungry in the morning.
Bonehead
Hands down the best fried chicken spot in Birmingham. Burgers at Bonehead are £12+, but if you’ve only got a £10 note, then just grab a plate of wings for £9.50—with a range of flavours, including garlic n’ herb, buffalo, and BBQ.
Fat Hippo
Giant burgers and loaded fries! Fat Hippo isn’t always the cheapest, but if you time it right, you can grab a great deal. Monday to Friday, 5 to 6pm, you can pick up a starter (like frickles or corn ribs), a burger and a side (like tater tots or dirty fries) for just £15. Or if you want to eat before 4pm, try the Fast Hippo menu, where burgers are under £10 and come with a free side.
Pop Street
You can grab an egg and cheese muffin from Pop Street for £3.50. That’s cheaper than McYou-Know-Who. But home to four cheap concepts: Dirty Wild Wings, King Katsu, LuvGreek (gyros), and Bulls Burgers, you can find the right food for you for any budget.
Handi Roti Alum Rock
For cheap Indian food, look no further than Handi Roti Alum Rock—with plenty of curries capping out around the £10 mark. It’s a far cry from the UK’s first two-star Michelin Indian restaurant at Birmingham’s Opheem, but honestly, you won’t be disappointed by taste when it’s this cheap.
