Top lunches under $13

Korean fried chicken sandwich, $10 or steak & chimichurri sandwich, $12 | Tuck Shop, 23 Customs Street East & 110 Pakenham Street
If you're looking for an affordable bite to eat, this local gem delivers great value without compromising on taste. Tuck Shop's cabinet is filled with nostalgic bakery classics with a modern twist. We especially love their loaded sammies for a satisfying lunch option.

Toasted ham & cheese croissant or Croque-Monsieur, $8.50 or slice or quiche, $9 | Le Petit Fourchette Café, 85 Daldy Street
If you are in Wynyard Quarter and after a delicious French treat then look no further than Le Petit Fourchette. Two classic combos that are hard to resist are the Croque-Monsieur sandwich or a slice of Quiche Lorraine - simple yet delicious!

Lunch box deal: 1 thigh, 1 drumstick & chips, $11.90 | Curries And Kebab, 7 Vulcan Lane
For a satisfying and budget-friendly meal, try Curries And Kebab's Lunch Box Deal. Enjoy a delicious combination of a crispy chicken thigh, a juicy drumstick, and a serving of golden chips, all for just $11.90.

Beef Bulgogi Triangle kimbap, $5 for 1 | DosiRock, 39 Chancery Street 
If you're craving Korean flavours for your lunchtime fix, DosiRock is a great place to find yourself. Their kimbap is a perfect grab and go option that's deliciously moreish - better yet, for just $1 extra, you can get it deep fried. From tuna mayo to spicy pork, beef bulgogi and spam, there's plenty to choose form. 

Tacos, $12 for 2 | Mr Taco, 75c Victoria Street West 
Located just steps from the Sky Tower, this charming taqueria is the place to go for authentic Mexican fare. At just $6 each, their tacos are a must-try - think fresh corn tortillas graced with impeccably cooked meats and an array of flavourful toppings. Vegetarian? Not to worry, they also do a jackfruit and a Mexican cactus option!

Madam mi, $12 or baby mi, $7.50  | Hello Mister, 5B Hardinge Street 
A Vietnamese street food joint, Hello Mister’s dedication to offering a menu that’s quick, delicious and healthy has made it a favourite of city centre office workers. The Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi is our pick – and it comes in a half size if you’re after a light lunch.

Chilli Cheese Dog, $12.50 | Good Dog Bad Dog, Commercial Bay
For when you're feeling like something a little naughty, Good Dog Bad Dog hits the spot. Opt for the chilli cheese dog - frankfurter, chilli mince, cheese sauce and parsley in a toasty bun. Don't worry, this hot dog isn't super spicy but if you're not a fan of a tingle on the tongue the mac & cheese dog ($13) and classic dog ($9) are also high up on our must-try list. 

Oatmeal Bowl, $10 - $11 | Goodlife Super Food Co., 47 Fort Street
If you're still in the mood for breakfast, or want something on the sweeter side, grab a delicious oatmeal bowl from Goodlife. Whole oats are soaked overnight in cashew milk and mixed with honey and vanilla extract, then finished with one of four flavour options - apple cinnamon, blueberry chia, maple walnut or choc banana.

Summer rolls, $9.50 | Tem, 19 Wellesley Street
Tem's Vietnamese cuisine is up there with some of the best in the city, and it's ideal if you're after something light yet packed with flavour for lunch. For a lighter lunch option, we suggest their refreshing summer rolls, filled with vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, carrot, peanuts, and your preferred combination of prawn and pork, spicy lemongrass chicken, or tofu and mushroom. 

Masala dosa $11.90 | Dosa Corner, 57 Lorne Street
Running out of a small container at the top of Lorne Street, Dosa Corner brings a taste of Southern India to the city centre. If you're craving a flavourful bite, we highly recommend their masala dosa - a thin savoury crepe, served with sambar and a selection of chutneys. 

Taipei bao buns $12.50 | Kai Eatery, Commercial Bay 
Discover the charm of Kai Eatery, renowned for their quick yet satisfying meals. Amidst their diverse offerings, the Taipei Bao steals the show, featuring tender pork belly, pickled greens, cucumber, and roasted peanuts on a fluffy steamed bun—all for just $12.50. Mark this spot and immerse yourself in the taste of Taipei without breaking the bank.

2 pack sando $8.50 or selected sushi $12 | Oji Sushi, Commercial Bay, Britomart & Auckland Fish Market 
Conveniently located in Britomart, Commercial Bay and the Auckland Fish Market, Oji Sushi is the number one stop for a delicious light lunch. If you're yet to try a sando (Japanese term for sandwich), you're missing out! Classic flavours like egg mayo, crispy prawn or katsu chicken are sandwiched between fluffy white bread for the perfect meal. If you're after a more substantial meal, their salmon and avocado sushi is where we'd put our money. 

Cheeseburger, $12 | Better Burger, 22 Customs Street
Fresh, quality ingredients cooked to perfection are what make this classic cheeseburger, well, better. If you’re after a cheeky burg that is simple yet satisfying, give this a go. They’ve got a lush portobello mushroom burger for the non-meat-eaters, and their skin-on crispy potato fries are finger-lickin' tasty too.

Dan dan noodles, $9.99 - $13 | Eden Noodles, 18-26 Wellesley Street or Commercial Bay
Eden Noodles, a celebrated spot for top cheap eats, presents an entire menu of quick and filling meals. including their renowned Dan Dan Noodles priced from $9.99 to $13. With a flavorful mix of warm noodles and zesty Sichuan peppercorns, their Dan Dan noodles are a standout choice. 

The CTB bagel, $12.90 | Bagel Love, 1/141 Wellesley Street
Bagel Love's freshly baked New York bagels go down a treat at lunchtime! We love the CTB which comes with a generous spread of your choice of their housemade cream cheese (original, garlic & herb or sundried tomato) and then topped with tomato & fresh basil. They've also got a delicious grilled cheese bagel that is well worth a try with aged cheddar, cherry tomatoes & housemade gherkin mustard relish for $12.90.