9 delicious and cheap restaurants in Vancouver that are my go-tos as a local
I know what you're thinking: "cheap restaurants in Vancouver" is right up there with "ample street parking" and "affordable housing" on the list of things that don't exist. But after years of eating my way around the city, I've tracked down the best Vancouver restaurants where you can still get a solid meal without needing to refinance your condo.
We're not talking white tablecloths or food foams. And I'm pretty sure you won't have to endure the 3-minute monologue of a poor server reciting "specials" you didn't ask for (the longest 3 minutes of my life every time). These are the everyday gems — pizza by the slice, steaming bowls of pho, fried chicken, burgers done right, and nostalgic drive-ins that are sure to cover just about every craving — without breaking your bank.
Here are my nine go-to cheap eats in Vancouver.
Pho Goodness
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Address: 3079 Main Street
Why You Need To Go: There are a lot of pho spots in Vancouver, but Pho Goodness (I'm partial to the one on Main) is my ride or die on a cold, wet, Vancouver day (I.E., eight months out of the year). You can show up in your sweatsuit, always get a table right away, and once you order, you'll be eating not even 10 minutes later.
I recommend the classic Vietnamese beef noodle soup, but make it spicy by adding their pho peanut sate — trust me on this one. I imagine this place is what people mean when they say "soup for the soul".
Nat’s Pizza
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Pizza
Address: 2684 West Broadway
Why You Need To Go: You've probably heard of this iconic pizza spot from the likes of Ryan Reynolds and Joshua Jackson. Nat's Pizza is the definition of charming, nostalgic, and unfussy. The crust is thin, the slice is floppy, and two pieces count as a whole meal. The best part? You can grab a couple of slices and a drink for less than what most Vancouver cafés charge for avocado toast. It's quick, reliable, and basically a Vancouver rite of passage.
If you needed any more adorable incentive, after graduating from Kits Secondary School, Nat wrote in his high school annual that he would one day open his own pizza shop (which he went on to do in 1992!). They've been in business for over 30 years.
In terms of pricing, a large pepperoni comes in at $23.50.
Ramen Danbo
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 1333 Robson Street
Why You Need To Go: It's busy (for good reason), it can be cramped (which adds to the cozy vibe), and you'll probably end up waiting in a line outside (so you're extra hungry by the time you sit down to eat) — but honestly, aren't all those things just the unofficial sign of a perfect ramen spot?
The tonkotsu broth is rich but not greasy and the noodles are customizable to your desired size and thickness. They have vegan options with tofu instead of chashu, which I can attest is also delicious. Did I mention the classic ramen bowl is only $12.95?
Downlow Chicken Shack
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Fried Chicken
Address: 905 Commercial Drive
Why You Need To Go: I've always subscribed to the idea of doing one thing great rather than doing one hundred things half-baked. It seems Downlow Chicken agrees. This place is proof that fried chicken can and should be taken seriously. They offer all Nashville-style chicken everything — sandwiches (all $19) and by the piece (two chicken thighs for $11). The portions are generous, the spice levels are negotiable, and the sides (potato salad) actually hold their own.
Downlow Burgers
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Burgers
Address: 926 Main Street
Why You Need To Go: No, this isn’t a typo, Downlow Chicken and Downlow Burger are two separate but related creations, the latter starting as a pop-up at the chicken shack before landing a permanent home at The American pub.
Here's my burger ethos: you have to be a generous person to make a great burger. That's why Downlow’s owners, Doug Stephen and Lindsey Mann, have such a loyal following — everyone loves them.
The patty sits somewhere between smash and thick (best of both worlds) and their classic cheeseburger rings in at $18.65. If you're looking for the quintessential elevated pub burger, this one's for you.
Joe’s Italian Deli
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 2505 Alma Street
Why You Need To Go: I love a family affair — especially when it involves an Italian grandmother cooking — and Joe's Italian Deli is no exception. This family-owned spot offers classic Italian sandwiches on lightly toasted ciabatta buns (a regular sandwich is $9.89) and hearty homemade pasta dishes served with focaccia (just $11.59 a serving).
It's charming, easy, quick, and stocked with a selection of groceries if you want to take a little taste of Italy home.
White Spot
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Canadian Diner
Address: 2518 W Broadway
Why You Need To Go: I couldn't make this list and leave White Spot out. It would feel dishonest, and though this isn't the cheapest of my cheap eats, it is the most nostalgic — so there's points for that. Drive to the back, grab a burger and vanilla milkshake, and pretend we live in a time pre iPhone, Musk, and ChatGPT.
(If you didn't already gather, young me was a Pirate Pak fiend).
Cockney Kings Fish & Chips
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Fish & Chips
Address: 1935 Cornwall Avenue
Why You Need To Go: Cockney Kings has been serving up golden, crispy, UK-certified fish and chips for decades, and it hasn't lost a step.
The portions are massive, the batter is light and crunchy, and the all-you-can-eat specials are (way too much) but great if that's your shtick. An entree comes with chips, coleslaw, and a roll with butter, and a one-piece cod and chips will set you back just $11.90. Even if you didn't grow up on fish and chips, the nostalgia hits anyway.
Puerto Mexico
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Mexican
Address: 2710 W 4th Avenue
Why You Need To Go: I typically wouldn't divulge a place as adorable and hidden as this, but I'm feeling extra generous today. Puerto Mexico is one of those blink-and-you-miss-it spots that's authentic and delicious.
Tucked at the back of a Latin store, this grab-and-go spot serves mouthwatering tacos — Carnitas, Mole, Suadero, Chorizo, and more.
The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
