There is only one thing that excites me more than a delicious meal that looks as good as it tastes – a deliciously good-looking meal that is also cheap.

In pursuit of the ideal lunch I have found a deal for every day of the week – each of them available for under $20.00.

Monday
It doesn’t have to be bad when you have a good lunch on the horizon. It breaks up the day with something to look forward to and then to savour afterwards. The Duxton offers a choice of Pasta Bolognaise, a Cheeseburger, Vegetarian Lasagna, Stout Potpie or one of two pizzas (Margherita or the Troppo). The Duxton caters to the hungry person for just $10.00 Monday to Thursday.

Tuesday
Much ,like every otherr day, Tuesday is Pizza Day at Transit Bar. It is also Soft Drink Day when you spend $10.00 on this quick and easy lunch. All of this together means that when twelve o’clock rolls around Monday to Saturday, Transit Bar is the place to be.

Wednesday
Head across the lake to The Durham. Try something from the $10.00 burger menu including chicken, beef, lentils, salmon or pineapple and cheese, lettuce, tomato and sauces between two buns. Adding a side or two keeps the cost under $20.00 while greatly increasing the enjoyment of the meal. If you’re not in a burger mood perhaps a Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta, Zucchini Fritters or Fish & Chips might take your fancy.

Thursday & Friday
The week marches on but we’re not yet at the end it might be time for a Peruvian pick-me-up. For just $10.00 Cholo’s Peruvian Cuisine give you a soft drink with a Beef Empanada or maybe the Aji De Gallina (chicken in peanut sauce). Drop by Peru for an hour, either Thursday or Friday around lunchtime, for a South American delicacy.

Sunday
Everyone deserves a good Sunday lunch. It’s the perfect day for a hearty meal such as a roast, rump steak or a chicken schnitzel. Don’t worry – you don’t have to spend hours cooking lunch. The Raiders Clubs have done the work for you on Sundays for only $12.50.

If in doubt, when it’s lunchtime, I head somewhere with Italian food. From Monday to Friday at Jamie’s Italian, you can grab the weekly ‘Pasta Passione’ for only $15.00! Italian may not be your ‘go-to’ lunch but Jamie’s pasta of the week will quickly become a favourite.

There you go. That’s lunch sorted for each day of the week. Luckily, many of these places have dinner deals as well!

Good luck!

Image: Lauren Fallace