Best Cheap Lunch in Guelph (2026)
Lunch in Guelph can go one of two ways: you find a spot with a daily special or a deal that makes it genuinely affordable, or you end up spending $20 on a sandwich and a drink. This guide is for the first kind. These are the places where you eat well for under $15 — or close to it — without hunting for coupons.
Sinalove — Filipino Lunch Bowls
Sinalove is one of the hidden gems of the Guelph lunch scene. Filipino comfort food — rice bowls, adobo, sinigang — at prices that make it one of the best value lunches in the city. The portions are generous and the food is genuinely good. Tends to sell out of popular dishes, so going early pays off.
Crafty Ramen — Ramen Under $15
Crafty Ramen does a lunch service that's among the best deals downtown for a sit-down meal. A proper bowl of ramen in the $13–$15 range, filling enough that you won't need to eat again until dinner. The broth is made in-house and it shows. Worth timing for a Tuesday if you want a quieter table.
State & Main — Happy Hour Lunch (2–5pm)
State & Main's 2–5pm happy hour window makes it a solid late-lunch option. $2 off drinks means you can eat a proper meal and have a drink without the bill climbing too fast. The food is consistent pub fare — burgers, wings, sandwiches — and the space is comfortable for a midday sit-down.
NV Kitchen + Bar — Weekday Lunch Specials
NV Kitchen runs weekday lunch specials that make it one of the better value options downtown. The quality is a step above typical pub lunch fare. Located at 2 Macdonell St, it's convenient if you work in the downtown core and want something better than a sandwich at your desk.
La Reina — Tacos and Mexican Lunch
La Reina is a great spot when you want something lighter and flavourful for lunch. Tacos and Mexican street food at a price point that keeps it accessible. One of the better quick-lunch options in Guelph for anyone who wants to eat something interesting without spending much.
Symposium Cafe — All-Day Breakfast + Lunch
Symposium Cafe is worth knowing for one specific reason: they run all-day breakfast and their lunch menu is reasonably priced for a sit-down spot. Good for a solo lunch when you want something substantial and reliable without the pub atmosphere.
Tips for cheap lunch in Guelph
- Happy hour afternoon windows (State & Main 2–5pm, Kelseys 3–5pm) effectively cut your lunch bill if you go late
- Tuesday is the best day for a cheap sit-down lunch — St. Louis half-price wings run all day
- Smaller independent spots (Sinalove, La Reina) tend to offer better value than chain restaurants at lunch
- Check the cheap lunch page for the full current list
Know a great lunch spot we've missed? Submit it here — or leave us a quick Google review if this guide helped.
Leave a Google Review →