Why blow the budget when you can feast like a king for the price of a jester? We’re talking wallet-friendly feeds that still slap harder than your mate’s group chat memes.

Whether you’re ballin’ on a budget or just love a bargain (honestly, who doesn’t?), we’ve sniffed out the Gold Coast’s tastiest cheap eats for your weekend munchies. Ready, set, unbuckle that belt.

SATURDAY 

North GC

• Paradise Point Bowls Club: Sink your teeth into $8 tapas every Saturday and Sunday! Whether you’re craving Southern Fried Wings or Steamed Pork Buns, they’ve got that and more from 2–5pm! Plus every Saturday from 5:30pm enjoy a delicious 200g Rump Steak, cooked your way with salad, chips and gravy! Just $15 for Members. Sign us up! Cnr Sunbird & Thrush Ave, Paradise Point

Mid GC

• Coast: Weekends are for long lunches and even longer pours. Coast is serving up a $99 bottomless lunch every Friday, Saturday and Sunday — think delish dishes, 2 hours of free-flowing drinks and rooftop vibes for days. Sophisticated, a little cheeky, and very, very sip-worthy. Level 1, Ocean by Meriton, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
• Waxy’s Irish Pub: $1 chicken wings?! Grab a minimum of 10 wings with your choice of Spicy Buffalo, Smokey BBQ, Jalapeno, Salt & Pepper or Honey Soy. 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• No Name Lane: Pasta lovers, this one’s for you! No Name Lane is serving up $18 Pasta Nights every Saturday with a delicious selection of pasta and wine. Because good pasta at a great price just makes sense. Where: 16 Charles Ave, Broadbeach
• Hail Mary: Tickle that taco craving with 2 tacos and a drink for just $19 from 12pm on Saturdays and Sundays at Hail Mary. That’s our weekend plans sorted. Snapper and Mango Tacos with Rosé all arvo long! 26 James St, Burleigh Heads
• Maman: Slurp and sip your way through Sunday at Maman Burleigh with $3 oysters and $12 spritzes from 4–6pm. That’s our kind of shellfish indulgence! 49 James Street, Burleigh Heads

South GC

• Las Palmas: Offering a sweet $2 Oysters & Drink happy hour deal. From 4–6pm, Thursday to Sunday! Don’t just stand there, ping that group chat! 1097 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
• Burgster: You can never have enough oysters when the price is this shuckin good! Natural oysters for $2 or Tempura or Kilpatrick for $3 from 3-5pm every Saturday! 4/10 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach
• Tommy’s Taco Bar: Hungry much? All you can eat from 12pm -3pm (1.5 hour sitting, excludes ceviche & beef tartare) $29 per person! 140 Duringan Street, Currumbin
• Tugun Tavern: Weekend comfort food, there’s no better place for it than Tugun Tavern! Feast on their $9.95 Roast Lunch from 12–2pm daily or their $16.95 Lunch Menu (+$2 for non-members) with all your fave classics including chicken schnitzel, 200g rump steak, fish and chips and more! Corner of Toolona Street & Golden Four Dr, Tugun

SUNDAY

North GC

• The Boathouse Tavern: Sundays are for seafood! Enjoy half a dozen fresh oysters, half a kilo of tiger prawns, battered Flathead, salt and pepper calamari, chips, and salad for just $49.90. Plus, Kids Eat Free from 5:30pm! 101 Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera
• Hope Island Tavern: Who doesn’t love a Sunday Roast? Get yours for $25 with all the trimmings, served all day from 11:30am–8:30pm. The perfect way to round out the weekend. 93 Broadwater Ave, Hope Island
• Paradise Point Bowls Club: The daily $13 Lunch Super Saver continues! ($16 for visitors). Choose from a delicious lineup of meals available every day from 11:30am – 2pm. Cnr Sunbird & Thrush Ave, Paradise Point
• The Club at Parkwood Village: Sunday Roast hits different at The Club! For just $22.90, get a hearty roast with all the fixings. Available for lunch and dinner. 76 – 122 Napper Road, Parkwood

Mid GC

• Coast: Weekends are for long lunches and even longer pours. Coast is serving up a $99 bottomless lunch every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, think delish dishes, 2 hours of free-flowing drinks and rooftop vibes for days. Sophisticated, a little cheeky, and very, very sip-worthy. Level 1, Ocean by Meriton, 86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
• Waxy’s Irish Pub: A Sunday steak for just $8? Yep, you read it right. Just purchase a side to get a juicy rump steak for $8. That’s a no-brainer for a budget-friendly weekend feast! 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• Finn McCool’s: Succulent Sunday Roasts for just $24, all day and every Sunday. Pair it with a pint and settle in for an afternoon of live music and good vibes. 39 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
• House of Brews: Sundays should be easy, and there’s nothing easier than grabbing a 28cm pizza for just $12 at House of Brews. They’re crowd-pleasers! Choose from mouth-watering options the whole gang will enjoy! 17 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
• Lucky Squire: Score a sweet deal at Lucky Squire where kids eat free all day Sunday with any adult meal! 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
• Apres Surf: What’s a laid-back Sunday done right? Parmy and chips for $15, or have it with a schooner of Young Henry’s for just $20. Nailed it! Shop 1/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

South GC

• Las Palmas: Bottomless Brunch devotees rejoice (again)! We all know Sunday’s for brunching! Get your 4-course feast and 2 hours of drinks for just $79. Upstairs, 1097 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach
• Montezuma’s Coolangatta: If you looked up Sunday Funday in the dictionary, you would find Montezuma’s happy hour deal! Every Sunday from 5-6pm, it’s $5 tacos, special margaritas, and ice-cold beers! Doesn’t get much better than that! 87 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
• Tugun Tavern: The money-saving times never end here! Bonus savings on Sundays, though; Kids Eat Free! Corner of Toolona Street &, 437 Golden Four Dr, Tugun

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

Thank God it’s Monday! … said no one, ever. Let’s face it, the day gets about as much love as peak hour commutes and the Orange Creams (don’t @ us) left lurking in the office bickie jar.

The day gets a bad wrap, but one thing Monday does have going for it is sweet dining deals. So if the prospect of a tasty treat to look forward to is all it takes to summon a modicum of enthusiasm for the day (and week) ahead, ‘tis but a small price to pay, if you ask us (literally, these deals are cheap as chips y’all).

NORTH GC

• Pimpama Pavilion: Two-for-one meals and drinks from 5pm-8:30pm? That’s not a special, that’s a strategy. Grab a mate (or don’t) and make the most of a deal that’s double the fun without doubling the spend. 5 Dixon Drive, Pimpama
• Boathouse Tavern: Steak night done right for $23. The Boathouse delivers a solid, no-nonsense feed that pairs perfectly with a waterfront breeze and a long exhale after big Monday. 101 Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera

NORTH GC CONTINUED

• Paradise Point Bowls Club: Don’t let Mondays be a drag: grab a drink at the Paradise Point Bowls Club bar and unlock a stacked meal deal – $17 for members and $19 for non-members- with everything from schnitzels and burgers to curries, pastas and prawns on offer. Big variety, even better value, and available from 5:30pm–8pm every Monday (and Tuesday if you’re backing it up). Cnr Sunbird & Thrush Ave, Paradise Point
• Crafty’s: If your Monday calls for a succulent steak and zero restraint, Crafty’s has you sorted. Steak night comes in hot from $25, stacked with bottomless fries to keep things dangerously indulgent. Carb loading? Absolutely! It’s called living your best life. 147/189 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters

MID GC

• Cavill Hotel: Slide into the week with a cheeky little power move at The Cavill. From 5pm–7pm, food is half price. We hear you thinking, nah, chicks, you’ve got it wrong, that can’t be right. And to that, we say- go find out for yourself. We promise we won’t say we told you so… 46 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
• The Island:There’s nothing like a long list of $18 daily lunch specials (yes, Monday included) to lure you out of the office break room to the sublime rooftop at The Island. With everything from chicken parmis and steak frites to burgers, fish and wood-fired sangas on the lineup, it’s too good to turn down. Available 11:30am–3pm. 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

MID GC CONTINUED

• Waxy’s Irish Pub: An $8 chicken schnitzel almost feels illegal in this economy. Thankfully, we’re rule breakers. Waxy’s keeps it old-school, no frills and very easy on the wallet. 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• Sporting Globe: Game on. Half-price wings and ribs headline the night, with plenty to keep the whole crew happy. It’s all fun and built for a proper Monday session. Robina Town Centre, 19 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina and Cnr Cavill Avenue & Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• Gold Coast Tavern: Monday Mayhem lives up to the name with $20 dinners ($22 for non-members) that don’t mess around. They’ve got it all, from salt and pepper squid and a crispy skin salmon bowl to prawn linguine and chicken tikka curry. It’s hearty, it’s satisfying, and it’s every Monday from 5:30pm. 150 Bundall Rd, Bundall

MID GC CONTINUED

• Beach Hotel Broadbeach: Keep it classic at Beach Hotel with a 250g rump steak, chips, house garden salad, and a choice of sauce, for $27. It’s hearty, reliable and hits the spot when cooking feels like a personal attack. 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
• Mermaid Beach SLSC: Seafood lovers, this one’s for you. Barramundi Monday clocks in at $19, and if you’ve got little mouths to feed, kids eat free with any main. Dinner sorted, no drama required. 172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach
• Bine Beer Bar: Simple pleasures done right. Bine is slinging $12 cheeseburgers with fries, making it dangerously easy to say yes. Craft beer is optional, but an obvious choice. 1/28 Chairlift Ave, Mermaid Beach

MID GC CONTINUED

• Precinct Brewing: Margy Monday is calling. Lock in a Margherita pizza and two margaritas for $40, then keep the good times rolling with $14 refills if you’re not quite ready to call it a night. It’s casual, it’s dangerously easy to settle into, and exactly how Mondays should be done. 17 Christine Ave, Miami
• Apres Surf: Cheap, cheerful and exactly what you want post-beach or post-work. $6.50 cheeseburgers make this a no-brainer Monday pit stop that feels almost too good to be real. 1/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
• Burleigh Pavilion: Turn Monday into a full Italian affair with Burleigh Pav’s Mamma Mia Night. Think arancini, cheesy gnocchi, prawn pasta and a proper lasagna moment, plus a sweet pistachio ganache and Nutella pizza to finish if you’re doing it right. We know you never choose wrong. 3a/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

SOUTH GC

• Tugun Tavern: Steak night for $16.95? That’s a 200g rump steak with chips, salad and your choice of sauce, mind you. Tugun Tavern is quietly winning Mondays with a deal that punches well above its weight. No fake news, just a seriously good price. From 5pm.Corner of Toolona Street &, Golden Four Dr, Tugun

Words by Chelsea Ipsen

Because Thursdays deserve more than toast for dinner, we’ve rounded up the best cheap eats across the Gold Coast to carry you through to the weekend. Whether you’re chasing tacos, parmis, burgers or a solid steak (with a cheeky beer on the side), this list has your name all over it. From north to south, here we go.

NORTH GC

• Pimpama Pavilion: All-day burger and beer for $25 (or swap for wine/soft drink). Casual, easy and covers all bases. 5 Dixon Dr, Pimpama
• The Boathouse Tavern: $39.90 ribs and wings for when you’re extra hungry (or sharing… maybe). 101 Dreamworld Pkwy, Coomera
• Reds Kitchen & Bar: Premium steaks from $33 for those wanting to level up their Thursday feed without blowing the budget. Shop 46E Sanctuary Cove Village 4601, Masthead Way, Hope Island
  

NORTH GC CONTINUED

• Paradise Point Bowls Club: $14 schnitzel night with $5 toppers: Parmi, Meat Lovers, or Hawaiian. Budget-friendly and next-level satisfying. Cnr Sunbird & Thrush Ave Paradise Point
• Helensvale Tavern: Shank & Shiraz for $20. Coming into the cooler months, this sounds damn fine. 8 Sir John Overall Dr, Helensvale
• Club Parkwood: Sink your teeth into a juicy rump steak, done your way, with chips, salad, and your choice of sauce, for just $25 from 5:30–8:30pm. Classic done well. 76/76-122 Napper Rd, Parkwood

MID GC

• COAST: $25 steak night with a 200g Angus rump steak, fries and herb butter. Terrace only. Ocean by Meriton, Level 1/86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
• Waxy’s Irish Pub: Any pizza on the menu for $15. No notes. 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• House of Brews: $19 rump steak day with fries, cooked your way. Add sauces or sides if you’re feeling fancy. 17 Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
• Hyde Paradiso: $20 burgers by the beach with fries from 4pm. Take your pick of a burger + fries – ocean views thrown in for free. Level 2/8 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
• Steampunk Surfers Paradise: Locals, this one’s for you! Thursday night brings 50% off selected menu items for locals. Wow! Perfect excuse for a midweek outing. L1 3113 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise

MID GC CONTINUED

• The Cavill Hotel: Burger night from 5pm with $17 burgers in the heart of Surfers. Easy, affordable and guaranteed to hit the spot. 46 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
• The Sporting Globe: Classic burgers from $16.9 (or $20.9 for signature), all served with beer-battered steak fries. Oh, yeah. Robina Town Centre, 19 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina and Cnr Cavill Avenue and Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• The Island: Pizza & Pasta Amore is calling. Score any wood-fired pizza or pasta plus a select drink for $30 from 5–9pm. Carb-loading never looked so good. 3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
• Longboards: Voted one of Australia’s best burger joints get in and try $17 selected burgers and $15 cocktails all day! 9 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise
• Montezuma’s Surfers Paradise: Buy one main, get one free. Two-up Thursday just got delicious (and way less offensive to your bank account). Aloha Apartments, 8/12 Trickett St, Surfers Paradise
• Gold Coast Tavern: $20 schnitzels ($22 non-members) with chips and salad. Make it great with $3 toppers like parmi, Hawaiian or boscaiola. 150 Bundall Rd, Bundall
• Beach Hotel Broadbeach: Taco Thursday = $6 tacos (minimum two- easy done). Choose from mushroom and feta, prawn pork carnitas and beef. Cheap and available all day long. Looks like we’re coming back for a second sitting. 50 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

MID GC CONTINUED

• The Lucky Squire: $25 parmy night with chips. Golden, cheesy and perfect. 3 Oracle Blvd, Broadbeach
• Mermaid Beach Tavern: A proper pub feed with option- $26 steak plus your choice of topper (hello garlic prawns, onion rings, grilled mushroom or chicken wings). 2500 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
• Mermaid Beach SLSC: Parmi night done right. $19 gets you a parmi with a range of toppings, plus chips and salad. 172 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach
• Bine Beer Bar: Parmi & Beer night = $20 parmi + $6 tap refills. Say less. 1/28 Chairlift Ave, Mermaid Beach
• The Henchman: We’re big fans of the Henchman’s relaxed outdoor vibe, but we’re even bigger fans of their $12 selected burger and drink combo. Get yours from 12pm every Thursday! 6/8 Henchman Avenue, Miami
• Precinct Brewing: Beer jug and pizza for $40, plus meat tray raffles from 6pm. It’s a win-win (hopefully). 17 Christine Ave, Miami
• Apres Surf: $1 dumplings every Thursday night from 5pm (yes, really). Pork and vegan options available, plus free stand-up comedy from 8pm. Dinner and a show, sorted. 1/1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
• Hail Mary: Thursday Fiesta gets you nachos, four tacos and two drinks (beer or wine) for $55 from 5pm. That’s a deal if we’ve ever seen one. Upgrade to Classic Margaritas for $5 extra each (highly recommended). 26 James St, Burleigh Heads
  

SOUTH GC

• Burgster: Someone once said that cheeseburgers are good for the soul (it was us, we are someone), so excuse us while we get around Burgster’s Cheeseburger Thursdays with $16 singles, $22 doubles and $28 triples with fries. 4/10 Philippine Parade, Palm Beach
• Las Palmas: $7 tacos bringing the flavour every Thursday. Options of haloumi, beef, chicken, prawn, pork belly or flathead. Upstairs 1097 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
• Currumbin RSL: Members can tuck into a $25 steak night, with free trivia kicking off from 7pm. Steak, smarts and prizes- not a bad combo. 165 Duringan St, Currumbin
• Tommy’s Taco: $39 all-you-can-eat tacos. Go hard or go home. 140 Duringan St, Currumbin
• Tugun Tavern: $17.50 parmy night from 5pm. Reliable, affordable and always a crowd-pleaser. Corner of Toolona Street & 437 Golden Four Dr, Tugun

Words by Chelsea Ipsen