Updated for 2025 – because cheap AND good food is harder to find than ever.

If you’re living in Plymouth, you already know food prices have gone wild. Finding somewhere that’s actually cheap and worth your money feels like a full-time job. So I spent some time digging into the underrated spots, the honest reviews, and the places locals quietly swear by.

Here’s the no-BS guide to Plymouth’s best budget eats, based on real reviews, real value, and actual flavour, not hype.

@Kitchen – The Market’s Hidden Gem for Cheap Asian Eats

Location: Plymouth City Market
Category: Vietnamese/Thai fusion
Price range: £5–£10

If you haven’t eaten at @Kitchen inside the Plymouth Market, you’re missing one of the city’s top-value meals. The food punches way above its price; we’re talking legit noodles, dumplings, summer rolls, fragrant curries, and bowls that taste like they should cost double.

Why it’s worth it

• Proper flavour without the “student food” vibe
• Prices that haven’t jumped into the £12+ madness
• Fast portions, friendly staff
• Consistently praised in reviews

The honest downside

• Market hours can be awkward
• Zero ambiance, it’s plastic tables and busy market noise

If you don’t care about the surroundings, this is one of Plymouth’s best cheap eats, period.

Cap’n Jaspers – Plymouth Classic (But Let’s Be Real…)

Location: The Barbican
Category: Fast food
Price range: £1–£10

Cap’n Jaspers is Plymouth culture at this point, massive burgers, long hot-dogs, and those famous “yards” of food. It’s fast, filling, and reliably cheap.

But here’s the truth Reddit rarely says out loud:

The good

• Still one of the cheapest filling meals on the Barbican
• Great for late-night or post-drinks
• Iconic: part of Plymouth’s food history

The not-so-good

• Several recent reviews say quality has dipped
• Some “greasy spoon” vibes depending on the day
• Seating can be chaotic, sticky, or just plain messy

If you go in expecting gourmet, you’ll hate it.
If you go in expecting cheap, comforting fast food, you’ll be happy.

Plymouth City Market – The True Budget Food Hall

Location: City Centre
Category: Multi-stall food court
Price range: £4–£10

If you’re broke, hungry, and willing to take a chance, the City Market is honestly your best friend. It’s full of little stalls doing wraps, noodles, bubble teas, curries, breakfasts, and mixed street food.

What makes it great

• It’s the cheapest way to get a full meal in the city
• Tons of variety
• Good portions for the price

What to watch for

• Quality varies a lot between stalls
• Some stalls open late or close early
• Ambience = fluorescent lights and chaotic foot traffic

If you don’t mind a rough-around-the-edges vibe, this is the easiest go-to for daily cheap eating.

Real Talk: Why Budget Food in Plymouth Is Hit or Miss

Being brutally honest:

• A lot of “budget” places are cheap because something has slipped (quality, cleanliness, portion size).
• Market stalls are amazing when they’re open and staffed well, and disappointing when they’re not.
• Takeaway spots are becoming inconsistent with rising costs.

That’s why @Kitchen and a few select stalls stand out, they’re still maintaining flavour and value without cutting quality.

TL;DR – Best Cheap Eats

• @Kitchen (City Market) – Best flavour per pound.
• Cap’n Jaspers – Cheap comfort food, inconsistent but iconic.
• City Market stalls – Cheapest overall, hit or miss, but great value.

Final Verdict

Plymouth absolutely still has good budget food; you just need to know where to find it. These spots aren’t fancy, but they deliver flavour and value when your wallet is begging for mercy.

If you try any of these places, drop a comment below, or let me know which hidden gems I missed.