Because great food doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Vancouver may be home to $100+ omakase dinners and fancy $20 cocktails, but the city’s culinary soul lives in little neighbourhood joints where flavour outshines price. From spicy dumplings to crispy fried chicken, these are the meals I trust when I’m hungry, looking to save some money, and still want something memorable.
We’ve asked around and here’s a friend-to-friend list of our favourite affordable eats around Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, and Surrey — organized by vibe for easy, crave-worthy browsing.
🥪 Brunch & Sandwiches That Slap
- Northern Café (Vancouver) – A beloved hidden diner above a furniture store, known for its classic all-day breakfasts and homestyle Chinese-Western mashups. You can get a full plate of bacon, eggs, and toast for well under $15, and it’s always packed with locals.
- Hunnybee Bruncheonette (Vancouver) – Cozy, creative, and brunch for under $15. Their iconic hash benedict tops out around $15, while breakfast sandwiches can be under $10.
- Say Hey Café (Vancouver) – Overstuffed sandwiches that hover around $16–$18, with breakfast rolls starting as low as $9.
- Superbaba (Vancouver) – Middle Eastern-style bowls and wraps range from about $15.50 to $17.50, great value for handmade pita and flavorful ingredients.
- Mah Milk Bar (Vancouver) – A charming corner groceries-meets-café serving coffee, a cheese toastie, and local pastries, all typically under $10–15.
🥟 Asian Favourites That Always Hit
- A Fang Little Basket Bao (Burnaby) – Handmade xiao long bao and dumplings around $11 for 6 pieces, with soup dumplings widely loved.
- Cha Kee (Richmond) – Hong Kong-style breakfast and combos—like satay macaroni with toast and eggs—hit around $14; overall favourites cost around $18.
- Rice Holic (Richmond) – Taiwanese-style stewed rice dishes like crab roe and spicy pork hover between $16–$17.50.
- New Town Bakery (Vancouver) – A Chinatown staple known for its buns, pastries, congee, and noodle soups. Grab a flaky BBQ pork bun for under $3 — fast, tasty, and iconic.
- Hawkers Delight (Vancouver) – Unfussy, no-frills Malaysian-Singaporean comfort food. Try the mee goreng or nasi lemak — most dishes are under $10 and packed with flavour.
- Banh Mi Saigon (Vancouver) – Tiny, beloved sandwich counter serving freshly baked baguettes stuffed with pâté, pickled veg, and Vietnamese cold cuts — all for around $7–8.
🌮 Flavour Bombs From Around the World
- Tommie’s Jerk (Surrey) – Smoky, spicy jerk chicken and oxtail with rice, beans, and plantains. Full of heart, huge on flavour.
- Los Sapos Tacos (Chinatown, Vancouver) – Street-style tacos with handmade tortillas and vibrant salsas typically priced under $5 per taco.
- Mishmish (Vancouver) – A Middle Eastern bakery-café offering egg boards, pastries, and ka’ak with za’atar labneh—all under roughly $12–16.
- LA Chicken (Richmond) – Crispy, generous fried chicken pieces at local chain prices—comfort food that beats big fast-food brands.
- Lamajoun (Richmond) – Armenian flatbreads and wraps like the Beef Kebab Wrap (~$12.99–$18.49) or the classic Lamajoun for ~$8.49.
🥗 Cheap and Healthy Eats
- Kokomo (East Van, Kits, Port Moody) – Vegan-forward, colourful macro and noodle bowls that feel fresh and satisfying—priced around $18–19.
- Carp Sushi & Bowl (Mount Pleasant) – Poké-style rice bowls with fresh proteins and umami sauces, typically around $15–16.
- Field & Social (Downtown & Mount Pleasant) – One of the priciest in the lineup (~$19–20 for full-size composed bowls), but worth it if you treat it like a healthier sit-down or takeout that stays under most restaurant bills.
Craving Something Good (and Cheap)?
Whether you're hunting for dumplings, looking for a legendary sandwich, or just want a veggie bowl that doesn’t feel like sad desk lunch, these spots prove you can eat incredibly well in Greater Vancouver without spending a fortune. They’re local-approved, full of personality, and all under $20 — or pretty close to it.
Did we miss your favourite cheap spot? Tag us @umamii_app or join the waitlist for Umamii to get curated and personalized recs based on your tastes, cravings, and vibe. Your next go-to meal might just be a few blocks away.
