Fifty dollars doesn’t buy much these days, but it can still get you a delicious meal for two if you know where to look.

That’s why we’ve created the 50 under $50, an essential guide to all the best places to dine out without blowing the budget. We’ve rounded up the local haunts and neighbourhood gems where you can still get a lunch or dinner for two (not including drinks and dessert) for $50 or less. Every venue on our list allows you to dine in, and some even encourage you to bring a bottle.

These are the Italian tratts where you can still find nonna out back, the colourful Indian diners where you can drop by at all hours, and the unassuming Vietnamese eateries that are always worth the queues.

They may not all have fancy fit-outs or glittering harbourside views, but they will welcome you like a member of the family, and serve you food so heartwarming and generous, you’ll want to come back for more.

delicious. Editorial Director Kerrie McCallum said: “Thanks to a post-lockdown boom in great value eats and friendly local venues, there’s never been a better time to get out and explore different suburbs and dishes in your city. We’re incredibly lucky to have such a diverse array of cuisines in Australia, and our appetite for experimenting with new flavours has grown significantly since the pandemic.”

“Hopefully, this guide will help you not just to stretch your dollar a little further, but will also lead you to discover a delicious new local that will become a firm family favourite.”