If you have the Janu-worry blues with your wallet feeling lighter after the festive season, fear not. We bring you a list of restaurants in Jozi where you can enjoy lunch specials, combo offers and value-for-money meals, without compromising on great taste.

Dosa Hut (Fordsburg and Fourways)

One of the first South Indian restaurants in the city offering authentic Chennai and Kerala-style cuisine, Dosa Hut is also well-loved for its value-for-money proposition. The restaurant offers daily specials, such as the Friday Chicken Biryani Special priced at R55 and a seasonal whole fish fry (weighing over 800 grams) for R149. Patrons can also enjoy a Sunday buffet breakfast at the Fourways branch for R79, comprising all the popular South Indian breakfast goodies. A meal for two including non-alcoholic drinks would set you back by approximately R250. What’s more, both the original Fordsburg branch and the Fourways branch of Dosa Hut are halaal and serve vegan or Jain dishes on request. Outdoor seating is available at both branches. No reservations are required at the Fordsburg restaurant, but are accepted at the Fourways outlet.

Akhalwaya’s (Fordsburg)

With a variety of tasty fast food options to choose from, including burgers, rolls, toasted sandwiches, shawarmas, curries and bunny chow, Akhalwaya’s Fast Food is also a popular budget meal choice. While the restaurant does not have any ongoing promotions, a meal for two with a non-alcoholic drink is approximately R140. The restaurant is halaal and does not serve alcohol. There is no seating available at the Fordsburg restaurant, although Akhalwaya’s mall outlets have seating in the food court.

Mozambik (Benoni)

Known for their fresh, flavourful seafood and grilled chicken dishes, Mozambik also runs special offers and combo deals at all its outlets regularly. Currently, there are five offers available at all its branches across the city. With the ‘Back to School’ Prawn Platter, patrons can enjoy 20 medium prawns with two sides for R265. This offer is valid till 28 February 2022. As part of the Tuesday Date Night special, customers can enjoy a 20% discount on their bill, when they buy a bottle of Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot. The Thursday Meal Deal offers a Mozambikan Family Feast with a full chicken and three sides for R250. The Kids Eat Free Mondays offers a free kid’s meal for children under 12 years, with one main meal order. Mozambik also has a Savanna bucket deal offering four 330ml Savanna dry, light or lemon beers in a bucket for R110, which can be mixed and matched. The approximate cost of a meal for two with drinks at Mozambik is R500. The restaurant also has a special kiddies’ menu. Outdoor seating is available and walk-ins are welcome.

Galata Bakery & Restaurant (Greenside and Benoni)

For those looking for affordable Turkish food in Joburg, Galata is the place to go. Known for their Turkish kebabs, grills, wraps and desserts such as baklava and kunafa, a meal for two costs approximately R200. The restaurant is halaal and does not serve alcohol on its premises. However, the Greenside outlet does offer sheesha. Outdoor seating is available. Reservations are essential and can be made by calling 011 486 6121 (Greenside) or 074 425 2822 (Benoni). Orders can also be placed on WhatsApp on 068 361 9254 (Greenside branch).

Adega (Bedfordview)

Adega is something of a household name when it comes to Portuguese food in Jozi. Popular for their seafood, chicken and pastas, Adega is known for its value-for-money offering with quality food offered at reasonable rates. A three-course meal would cost approximately R300 without drinks. As part of its vegan offerings, Adega also serves vegan prawns and Portuguese bean stew. The restaurant is set to launch a new lunch menu shortly, which will include prego sliders, prawn platters and a variety of salads. Outdoor seating is available in the ‘Adega Lounge’. Reservations are not required.

Anat (Sandton)

With several branches across the city and express outlets in malls, Anat is known as much for its quick service as its delicious, low-cost food. The restaurant regularly runs special offers and combo deals across its outlets. Currently, the Monday Meat-Free Special offers patrons a full falafel shawarma at R49.90 while the daily PLENTY deal offers patrons a choice of a chicken, beef or falafel wrap containing coleslaw, tzatziki and chips for R33.90 (chicken), R37.90 (beef) and R29.90 (falafel). The Munchers offering includes a half shawarma and regular chips for R54.90 (falafel), R59.90 (chicken), R61.90 (beef) and R71.90 (lamb). All shawarmas are served with a choice of salad, pickles and sauce with or without pita bread. A meal for two would cost approximately R80. No reservations are required.

Soul Souvlaki (Rosebank and Parktown North)

Serving Greek-inspired street food, Soul Souvlaki is known for its affordable comfort food offerings. They have a number of Veganuary special combos currently on offer. The vegan combo for two is priced at R249, while the vegan combo for four is priced at R479. Both combos include dolmades, giant grilled mushrooms, grilled vegetables, rocket salad, Just a Tomato, Aegean slaw, mixed olives, hummus, eggplant and zucchini crisps, potato wedges and pitas. A meal for two costs approximately R300, with meze combos and chicken and lamb pitas being all-time bestsellers. Outdoor seating is available in the restaurant’s courtyard and on the roof deck, which offers great sunset views. Reservations are not required.

2 Thai 4 (Illovo)

Craving authentic Thai food that doesn’t dent your wallet? Then 2 Thai 4 is the place to go. The restaurant offers daily combos from Monday to Thursday, priced at R200, comprising a starter and main course served with steamed or fried rice. A meal for two would cost approximately R275 with non-alcoholic drinks. Popular dishes at 2 Thai 4 include crispy chicken with fried rice or Panang curry with steamed rice. Vegan and gluten-free options include the green vegetable Thai curry with tofu and rice noodles. Outdoor seating is available, as is free on-site parking. Reservations are not required but can be made online through the restaurant’s website.

Nonna’s Italian Kitchen (Sandton and Rosebank)

Offering a range of personalised dining experiences to suit various pockets, Nonna’s Italian Kitchen offers a number of specials, in addition to it’s a la carte menu. As part of the Business Lunch special, patrons can enjoy a three-course meal at prices ranging from R90 for starters to R120–R260 for mains. The Friday Brunch special is a three-course meal priced at R275 per person for food only and R325 per person with a hand-crafted beverage. While Nonna’s is known for its Italian-inspired seafood, steak, pastas and pizzas, the restaurant also offers a range of gluten-free pasta. A significant number of sauces and toppings on the menu are vegetarian. Outdoor seating is available. Reservations are essential and can be made by calling 011 60 885 9688.

The Schwarma Co. (Norwood)

Specialising in Mediterranean-Middle Eastern cuisine, The Schwarma Co. is known for its shawarmas, beef ribs and platters, as well as a wide range of vegetarian plates and gluten-free options. The restaurant currently has a promotional special, which offers patrons a complimentary glass of Cape Portrait Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz with an order of the pepper-filled steak, 1kg beef ribs, lamb shank or Wagyu steak. The Schwarma Co. also offers a 10% discount on all orders placed online and a 20% discount on online orders above R1,000. The approximate cost of a meal for two is R400. Outdoor seating is available on the restaurant’s two balconies. Reservations are not required.

What is your favourite restaurant for lunch on a budget? Let us know in the comments below.