Cheap Eats: Top 10 restaurant happy hours

Switch up Saturday-night rush hour for Tuesdays and lunch dates and you can eat at Melbourne's best restaurants for jack-all

First published on 16 Aug 2012. Updated on 16 Aug 2012.

The Grand Richmond
Richmond	Hit the bar on Wednesday, spear your half duck and guzzle your pinot like a medieval baron, knowing your wealth is secure. What: $25 duck and pinot night Days: Wed 6pm
Esposito
Carlton	An entrée and main of Maurice Esposito’s sustainable seafood is yours at lunchtime for $30. Jesus would be impressed. What: $30 loaves and fishes lunch Days: Mon-Fri
Attica
Ripponlea	Chef Ben Shewry tests new dishes on a Tuesday. That’s a brain you want to be in, so volunteer as his guinea pig and save $30 on the usual five-course menu. What: $95 chef’s table Days: Tuesdays
Maha Bar and Grill
Melbourne	Kill mid-week work rage with a numbing food coma. A suitably laden mezze plate of dips’n’bits followed by lamb shoulder Maltese-style ought to do it. What: Soufra lunch $35/$40/$45 for 2/3/4 courses Days: Mon-Fri
The Press Club
Melbourne	Whether you love or hate George Calombaris’s shiny dome, you can’t knock his noggin for business sense. Two courses of Greek glory for $37 make lunch at Press a prime CBD option. What: $37 business lunch Days: Mon-Fri
Cafe Di Stasio
Fitzroy	A two-course lunch in the heart of St Kilda, including a glass of wine and coffee for less than the price of a single standard Di Stasio dish. Boom! What: $35 express lunch Days: Daily
Mamasita
Melbourne	Bugger the queue. Rock up after 10.45pm for a taco party. You get fried tortillas, the compulsory corn, and a double serve of tacos and quesadillas for $22. El cheapo! What: $22 taco banquet Days: Mon-Sat
The Point Albert Park
Albert Park	Your squid-ink risotto comes with an entrée or dessert, a glass of vino and the best view of the extra showoffy runners lapping Albert Park lake. What: $38 two-course express lunch Days: Mon-Sat
Sapore
St Kilda	Winter’s a bitch. Still, early week antipasti, hearty wagyu papardelle, tiramisu and a glass of vino for a mere $45 in deepest St Kilda is ace. What: $45 winter signature dinner Days: Sun-Tue
Cutler and Co
Fitzroy	You’ll need a pal to come, but the custom Sunday menus of shared starters followed by a main and dessert is the cheapest (and least girth-damaging) way to do Cutler. What: $75pp Sunday lunch Days: Sundays