Best Melbourne CBD lunches for $10

Delicious doesn't have to mean expensive in Melbourne, especially in the CBD. With countless lunch options for $10 or less – so many that we couldn't cut it down to a Top 10 list – you don't have to feel guilty shouting yourself a bite. Leave your sad desk lunch at home tomorrow and hit the town with a tenner.

Betty's classic at Betty's Burgers ($10)

Fresh out of Queensland for the first time, Betty's entry-level classic is an American-style burger, fat with an angus beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and Betty's special sauce on a soft bun (no brioche here). You'll be greeted at the door upon arrival with your order sorted before you sit down. Not bad for a tenner at all.

97 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, 03 9642 5823

Beef boat noodles at Soi 38 ($10)

Deep down an alley in the guts of a Wilson car park are Melbourne's best boat noodles. It almost feels like Thailand with the rickety blue and red aluminum tables, and it definitely tastes like it. Choose from six noodle varieties, whether you want them dry or with fragrant broth, and finally your meat. Experiment with tabletop condiments and tuck into the generous helping of pork crackling on top.

38 McIlwraith Place, Melbourne, 0490 396 382

Small poke bowl at Poked ($9.95)

The problem with hip food is that it can be heavy on the hip pocket. The same usually applies for poke – a trending Hawaiian-cum-Japanese – except here. Stick to a small build-your-own with either sous vide chicken, prawns or organic tofu and three toppings and you'll get five cents back. Hot tip: crab salad counts as a topping if you want to make it a little meatier.

Shop 3, 551 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 03 8657 7681

Mapo tofu with rice at Lost Heaven ($8.80)

Brought to you by the people behind Hu Tong, this Sichuan restaurant does a bunch of great value, mid-week lunch specials. Flick through the iPad menu and order the mapo tofu with its lingering, numbing burn and just the right amount of fermented, salty funk.

2/206 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, 03 9650 2188

Aloo tikki wrap at Delhi Streets ($10)

This Good Food Guide 2016 Cheap Eats winner serves contemporary Indian street food. The aloo tikki, described as "Grandma Bibi's potato cakes" are spiced skillet potato and green pea patties sprinkled with coriander and onion. Bundled together with cucumber, raita and mint chutney in a wrap, it becomes a delicious Indian burrito.

22 Katherine Place, Melbourne, 03 9629 2620

Falafel wrap at Tahini Lebanese Diner ($9)

Sure, you can grab this house-made falafel with all the trimmings (lettuce, parsley, tomato, radish, mint, pickles and tahini) to go, but splurge the extra dollar and sit in – the place is cool with concrete and brick, brightened by light boxes and splashes of Arabic script. Owned by the crew behind Code Black, it makes a good coffee stop, too.

518 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, 03 9939 9119

Fancy cream cheese bagels at Five & Dime ($6)

Zev Forman sells his bagels to some of the best cafes in Melbourne, but you can also buy them direct from his shop. There are a few small tables if you're not in a rush, and if you're early you can see bagels being made next door. Order yours with bacon maple chipotle cream cheese or green olive and zaatar cream cheese.

16 Katherine Place, Melbourne, 03 9621 2128

Sashi Don at Don Don ($9.80)

An oldie but a goldie, Don Don has been feeding the masses donburi rice bowls for years. They're all under 10 bucks, but the sashi don with sashimi salmon is especially good value. Fresh and filling, it's piled with fish endearingly fashioned into a rose, tofu, pickles and greens.

198 Little Lonsdale Street, and 26 Francis Street, Melbourne

Roti from Mamak ($7 to 8.50)

Roti is the star of this popular Malaysian chain – in fact there are 10 types of it on the menu. Three are sweet and the others are served with a couple of curry dips and spicy sambal. They range from fluffy roti canai to roti telur bawang, halfway between roti and an omelette.

366 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 03 9670 3137

Saigon Breakfast banh mi at Pho Nom ($9)

Skip your sad sandwich and make a beeline for crunchy, Vietnamese baguettes at Pho Nom. Don't be fooled by the name of the naughty-but-nice Saigon Breakfast option – you can eat it whenever you like. And when it arrives in a flash packed with egg, wagyu steak, herbs and lightly pickled vegetables, why wouldn't you?

T4, 567 Collins Street and Emporium, Lower Ground, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Gozleme at Goz City ($10)

Quick, easy and consistently delicious, these gozleme never disappoint. Choose from cheese and spinach, minced meat, herbed chicken or mushroom – all cooked fresh to order. Keep an eye out for specials, too.

502 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 03 9041 5667

Franks at Ferdydurke ($9)

If you need an excuse to pop into a bar in the middle of the workday, this is it. There are three hotdogs on the menu at Ferdydurke, all made with franks. Our pick is the Hell Hound with habanero chilli con carne, cheddar and roasted red peppers.

31 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne, 03 9639 3750