Gowings Dining room from above

Sydney’s Top Deals: From Budget Eats to Special Occasions – Summer 25 Edition

This page rounds up Sydney’s best dining deals: express lunches, budget dinner specials and special‑occasion menus that are more affordable than you might expect — plus kids‑eat‑free offers. Looking for great food this November and December without blowing the budget? Start here.

Note: We have carefully double checked all details before publishing, however these offers may change. Please check the venues for terms and conditions that may apply for your visit. 

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Lunch Deals in the city

Lunchtime in Sydney is a perfect opportunity to explore the city’s best eats without putting a strain on your wallet. Whether you need a break from a hard day’s shopping, are catching up with a friend, or seeking a spot for your next business lunch, these fantastic lunch deals in the city will make every midday meal a delicious and budget-friendly experience.

The Charles Bar – $25 Lunchtime Indulgence

Old‑world details, plush booths and polished service make it a calm CBD spot for a quick work lunch or a chatty catch‑up.

Beer, fries and a wagyu cheese burger where the cheese is one of the stars
The Charles lunch deal comes with your choice of beer, wine or soft drink

The deal: a wagyu cheeseburger with Emmental and Comté, house pickles, and your choice of house wine, beer, or soft drink for $25.

Where: 66 King Street, Sydney CBD
When: Monday–Saturday, 12pm–6pm

Poetica Bar – $25 Bar Lunch

Sunlit interiors and a leafy terrace give this Redfern bar a relaxed, easygoing feel at midday.

Cheeseburger with fries and a beer
Poetica’s burger with herbed fries and a drink for $25

The deal: a flame‑grilled cheeseburger with herbed fries, plus a house beer, wine, or soft drink for $25.

Where: 146 Abercrombie Street, Redfern
When: Tuesday–Saturday, 12pm–6pm

Genzo – $25 Bentō Lunch

Minimalist design and a tidy dining room—busy with office crowds at lunch but still easy to settle into.

Bento box at Genzo North Sydney
Genzo’s seasonal bento lunch deal

The deal: a seasonal bentō set (Karaage Chicken, Okonomiyaki, Sushi, or Miso‑yaki) with miso soup and a side for $25. Add sashimi for $15.

Where: 71 Ridge Street, North Sydney
When: Tuesday–Saturday, 12pm–3pm

Soluna – $25 Pizza & Pasta Lunch

A roomy Surry Hills terrace and warm, rustic dining room suit small groups and casual midweek lunches.

Pizza, pasta and salad on a table at Solana
Solana’s Pizza or pasta with a drink for $25

The deal: handmade pasta or Napoli pizza with a house wine, beer, or soft drink for $25. Crab spaghetti is +$4.

Where: 5–9 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills
When: Wednesday–Sunday, 12pm–3pm

The Counter Cut at Woodcut

The ‘Counter Cut’ menu lets you sit at the chef’s counter with prime views over the open kitchen – it’s like dinner and a show rolled into one.

The Counter Cut Menu at Woodcut - great for a work day lunch
The Counter Cut Menu at Woodcut – great for a work day lunch

The deal: a set menu comes with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink and offers outstanding value for a restaurant of this calibre.

Where: Woodcut, Crown Sydney, 1 Barangaroo Avenue
When: Tuesday to Friday, lunch service
Cost: One course for $55pp or two courses for $70pp (includes a drink)
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible venue

Loulou Bistro – Sandwich Américain Lunch $25

Tucked into Martin Place’s sandstone arcades, this Loulou outpost brings Parisian bistro charm to the CBD with marble counters, house-baked bread, and the kind of friendly service that makes a quick lunch feel less rushed.

Sandwich Américain Lunch
Sandwich Américain Lunch

The deal: Paris meets your lunch break with Loulou’s take on the classic Sandwich Américain — a juicy beef patty, crispy fries, and signature sauce Andalusien on house-made baguette. Served with wine, beer, or a soft drink for $25. Simple, satisfying, très français.

Where: Martin Place & Milsons Point locations
When: CBD: Monday–Friday, 12pm–3pm; MP: Tuesday–Sunday, 12pm–3pm

Gowings – Italian Feast / Power Lunch (Friday)

Art-filled QT surrounds and brisk, professional service make this a smart choice for business lunches or when you want something more substantial than a sandwich or a burger.

Charcoal pumpkin raviol with Parmesan cream

The deal: choose two courses ($65) or three ($70): prawn spaghetti, Wagyu steak with mushrooms, and house-made gelato. Popular with city professionals looking for a proper Friday lunch.

Where: 49 Market Street, Sydney
When: Friday from 12pmPrice: $65–$70pp

Butchers Buffet Express Lunch

If you love Korean food but don’t have time for a lengthy KBBQ session, Butchers Buffet’s new Express Lunch offering is perfect. Available at four locations across Sydney, this 60-minute all-you-can-eat experience brings their popular buffet format to a quick lunch format.

Butchers Buffet meat
Butchers Buffet features meat and all your favourite Korean fried favourites.

The Express Lunch menu includes many of their signature dishes like Pork Short Ribs, Korean Fried Chicken, Tteokbokki, Japchae Potato Noodles and house-made dumplings. Save room for dessert – the selection includes Frosted Honey Buns, Raspberry Cheesecakes and Korean ice creams.

Where: Chinatown, Strathfield, Blacktown and Lidcombe locations
When: Monday-Friday, 11:30am-4pm
Cost: $25.99 per person for 60 minutes (excludes KBBQ options)

Koji Grill – Everything Under $20

This North Sydney spot does Southeast Asian food with a modern edge. The dining room fills up quickly at lunch with office workers who’ve worked out that everything here costs less than a sandwich at most city cafés.

Plate of beef ribs with chopsticks.
Slow cooked beef at Koji

The twelve-hour slow-cooked short ribs are worth the queue, and the wagyu enoki skewers disappear fast. You’ll also find wok-fried black pepper beef with truffle butter and their version of Hainanese chicken. Since nothing costs more than $20, you can actually afford to order a few dishes and share.

Where: Shop 15, 155B Miller Street, North Sydney
When: Monday–Friday, 11:30am–2pm (dinner service 5:30–7pm)
Cost: All dishes under $20

Check out our summer food guide for a round up of what to eat this summer.

Weekend Lunch Deals

Regina La Pizzeria – Bottomless Pizza & Drinks

Regina La Pizzeria’s lively Wunderlich Lane location is all about sharing—large tables, half-metre pizzas, and a fun, communal buzz.

3 pizzas with tomato and cheese
Unlimited pizza and drinks for $55 on weekends.

The deal: on weekends, feast on unlimited pizza and select drinks like Aperol, beer, and wine for $55pp. La Pala pizzas make this a great choice for groups.

Where: Wunderlich Lane, Chippendale
When: Saturdays & Sundays from 12pm
Price: $55pp

Loulou Bistro Milsons Point – Bottomless Poulet Frites

The Milsons Point outpost of Loulou brings French bistro comfort to the harbour foreshore with relaxed Sunday vibes.

Roast chicken with golden fries and gravy
Roast chicken with golden fries and gravy

The deal: ninety minutes of bottomless roasted chicken and golden fries — simple, satisfying French comfort food.

Where: 61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point
When: Sundays from 11:30am
Cost: $39pp for 90 minutes

Quick bites and drink specials in Sydney City

Whether you’re planning an impromptu catch-up with friends or just looking to relax after a long day, there are some awesome deals right now that we have covered in our round up of Sydney’s best happy hours.

Weekly Dining Specials

From the city to the suburbs, Sydney’s weekly dinner deals offer something for everyone, whether you’re planning a family meal, catching up with friends, or enjoying date night.

These specials make midweek dining a treat without the hefty price tag. Here are some top picks that blend deliciousness with affordability, ensuring you can enjoy great meals any night of the week!

Soluna – Midweek Specials

This Surry Hills spot hits its stride midweek with a relaxed neighbourhood feel and plenty of regulars filling the dining room. The roomy terrace and warm, rustic interior work well for both casual meals and small group gatherings.

Wednesday: Chicken parmigiana with handmade pasta for $25, available lunch through dinner
Thursday: 2-for-1 pizza night from 5pm—order any two pizzas and pay for the higher-priced one, perfect for sharing

Where: 5–9 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills
When: Wednesday (all day), Thursday (from 5pm)

Arms Length Potts Point – Weekly Specials

This NYC-inspired wine bar in Kings Cross offers different deals every day of the week, making it perfect for both casual drinks and special occasions.

Arms Length Jaffle Deal is just $15 and includes a beer or wine
Arms Length Jaffle Deal is just $15 and includes a beer or wine

Weekly Deals

  • Monday: $49 2 courses with a glass of wine
  • Tuesday: $19 pasta and wine night (chef’s weekly creation)
  • Wednesday: $25 steak and fries with wine

Where: Felons Manly
When: Weekly from Sunday to Wednesday

The Sussex Hotel Weekly Specials

The Sussex Hotel, a beloved inner-city venue in Barangaroo and home of the biggest beer garden in the city, offers fantastic weekly dinner deals perfect for any budget.

Located in a striking sandstone building next to Wynyard station, The Sussex features a beer garden, Suriya restaurant serving Thai cuisine, and a Mediterranean-style rooftop bar.

Sussex Hotel Barangaroo deals
Feast on deals at the Sussex Hotel in Barangaroo

Weekly specials in the Public Bar & Beer Garden include:

  • Monday: 200g rump steak and fries for $22 (from 5:30pm)
  • Tuesday: Beer battered fish and chips for $20 (from 5:30pm)
  • Wednesday: Gourmet burgers for $20 (from 5:30pm)
  • Thursday: Chicken schnitzel for $20 (from 5:30pm)

Don’t miss their Happy Hour running Monday to Friday, 5pm-7pm, featuring $7 house wines and selected tap beers in both the Public Bar & Beer Garden and Suriya.

Where: The Sussex Hotel, Sussex Street, Barangaroo
When: Specials available from 5:30pm
More infowww.thesussexhotel.com.au

Divide 8 Pizza Happy Hour

This neighborhood pizzeria chain is flipping the traditional happy hour concept by offering discounted wood-fired pizzas during early evening hours. With locations across Sydney in St Leonards, Stanmore, Bronte and Gymea, Divide 8 makes authentic pizzas using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Chorizo pizza

Happy Hour Special:

  • $15 Cheese Range pizzas (normally $18)
  • $18 Common Classics pizzas (usually $24-$26)
  • Available Monday to Thursday, 4-6pm
  • Pick-up only

Must-try pizzas include:

  • Miss Marg with buffalo mozzarella and 16-month aged Grana Padano
  • The Gr8 Db8 featuring Lucas Meats leg ham and maple bacon
  • Pepperoni² with double pepperoni and optional house-made crushed chilli

Where: Multiple locations – St Leonards, Stanmore, Bronte, Gymea
When: Monday-Thursday, 4-6pm Note: Pick-up orders only

Special occasion Dinner and Drinks

Sometimes you want the harbour views and crisp white tablecloths without the three-figure bill. These spots deliver proper special occasion dining—think Opera House views and tasting menus—but keep the damage under control. Perfect for when you’re celebrating something that matters or just fancy a night out that feels a bit more grown-up.

Bennelong – The Bennelong House Lunch

Dining beneath the Opera House sails, Bennelong offers waterfront elegance and world-class Australian cuisine in a truly iconic setting.

Dine in the sails of the Sydney Opera House

Two-course lunch includes a glass of Arras sparkling wine and a choice of entrees and mains by acclaimed chefs, with harbour views making this ideal for celebrating milestones and special occasions.

Where: Bennelong Point, Circular Quay
When: Friday–Sunday, from 12pmPrice: $125pp

Aria Weekday Lunch

If ARIA has been on your list for a while this is a good chance to enjoy a more affordable menu featuring some of ARIA’s favourites. Follow it up with an afternoon on the harbour.

Npper with legumes at Aria
Credit: Steven Woodburn

Where: 1 Macquarie St, Sydney
Offer: Thursday and Friday lunch – 2 courses $120

Chiswick Locals Menu

The elegant Woollahra dining room focuses on seasonal produce from their garden and local suppliers. Head Chef Dan Cooper’s two‑course shared menu highlights peak ingredients and changes regularly.

Chiswick wood fire bread
Chiswick Locals Deal

When: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays for lunch & dinner
Where: Chiswick 65 Ocean Street, Woollahra
Cost: $60 per person (min 2 people, designed for sharing) with optional wine pairing.

Kids Eat Free in Sydney

Squires Landing

Treat your family to a Sunday outing at the Brewhouse. For every adult meal, one child (12 and under) gets a free kids’ meal. It’s a perfect way to enjoy a family day by the harbour.

The Brewhouse kids’ menu offers tasty options, including spaghetti Napoli, pork tacos, beef nachos, chicken schnitzel, battered fish, and chargrilled chicken. All kids’ meals come with vanilla ice cream for dessert! Meals range from $12 to $16, with a variety of gluten-free and dairy-free options available.

When: Available every Sunday!
Where: Northern end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Circular Quay West

Skyfeast at Sydney Tower

Dining 250 metres above the city streets, Skyfeast offers the kind of views that make even jaded Sydneysiders look up from their phones. The revolving restaurant slowly turns while you eat, giving you the full 360-degree treatment of harbour, suburbs, and coastline.

Skyfeast – Kids Birthday Special

Your little one gets a free meal on their birthday (12 and under) when you’re having a proper meal too. Bring some ID to prove it’s actually their special day.

Note: Birthday only, proof of age required

Skyfeast – Half-Price Kids Meals

Monday to Thursday, kids aged 4-12 eat for half price with a paying adult. Worth booking ahead to secure the deal—and it doesn’t run during school holidays when they’re probably sick of restaurant food anyway.

Where: Skyfeast
When: Monday–Thursday, lunch and dinner (not school holidays)
Note: Bookings essential

So what next?

No one has paid for their place on this list. We really just want to support the bars and restaurants we love, especially those that are trying hard to come up with affordable options. We hope these deals help you to fit some food and fun into your budget.

If we have missed something or you would like to share an offer with us, you can reach out via our Facebook page or e-mail me. 

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help.

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