Nowadays you need to scout just a little bit harder for good food at 10-bucks-and-under because quite a few of the tried-and-true $10 meal deals have inched up to the $12 mark. Here's our serving of some local cheap-eats still hitting the spot.

AUCKLAND

Toast with toppings from The Midnight Baker, 218 Dominion Road, Mt Eden

The Midnight Baker Avocado and sauerkraut on toast at The Midnight Baker, Auckland.

No ordinary sammy, The Midnight Bakers will do you two hearty slices of seed- and goodness-packed toast piled with either smashed avocado, lemon and turmeric sauerkraut or roasted vine tomatoes, basil pesto, cashew cheese and hazelnut dukkah for $10.

Fried chicken waffles at Orleans, 48 Customs Street East, Britomart



Enjoy this for under $10 on Wednesdays. Photo: Orleans/Facebook

If good old Southern cookin' is what you crave, Wednesday is the day to do it, between 12pm and 4pm, when Orleans halves the price of their uber-popular fried chicken waffles – a crunchy tower of the aforementioned drizzled in herb butter and chipotle glaze and topped with fried sage – making them just $8.

Burgers from the White Lady Food Truck, 18 Commerce Street, Downtown Auckland



The Hawaiian burger. Photo: White Lady/Facebook

One of New Zealand's last remaining "pie carts" and a family-run, late night institution since 1948, The White Lady is open til 4am weekdays and 24 hours through the weekend. Their Hawaiian and Egg burgers (both with beef pattie, fried onions, fresh lettuce and tomato and sauce), the Vege Deluxe (fried egg, cheese, grilled pineapple, hash brown), the Chicken Aioli and the Chicken Chilli Mayo burger are all just a tenner.

Pizzas from Freeman & Grey, 43 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby



Easily one of the best pizza options in town. Photo: Freeman & Grey/Facebook

All 20 kinds of freshly made pizzas from Freeman & Grey are under $11 anyway, but order between midday and 2pm or 5pm and 7.30pm to get them for just $4 each. With classics (margherita, Hawaiian and pepperoni) and six vegetarian options right through to more decadent toppings such as duck, hot smoked salmon, garlic prawn or New Zealand lamb, it's easily one of the best pizza options in town.

Noodles from Xi'An Food Bar, 11 Anzac Ave, Auckland Central; 83 Queens Road, Panmure; 650 Dominion Road, Balmoral; 945 New North Road, Mt Albert; 35 Pearn Place, Northcote



Almost everything here is under $10. Photo: Xi'an Food Bar/Facebook

It's rare to find a tasty Chinese joint where almost everything on the menu is under $10, but that's the magic of Xi'An food bars and probably the reason they now have five branches dotted across Auckland.

It's also not your typical Kiwi-ised Chinese – Xi'An draws on the country's Muslim population in the north to up handpulled noodles done in a couple of dozen different ways as well as their legendary "Chinese burgers" – flavourful pork or lamb set between a kind of flatbread ($4.50 each).

Biryani from Paradise, 591 & 595 Sandringham Road, Sandringham



A great sharing platter. Photo: Facebook

You'll need four people for this one, but $40 gets you a generous "family pack" of Paradise's famous lamb or chicken biryani served with raita, gravy and eggs.

Ramen from Takara Ramen, 4 Anzac Road, Browns Bay, North Shore



Homemade goodness for $10. Photo: Takara Ramen/Facebook

There are two branches of this hugely popular contemporary ramen joint (the other is in Ponsonby) but only the Browns Bay one offers a big delicious steaming bowl of Shoyu ramen – the classic soy based soup topped with Chāshū pork, egg, bok choy, spring onion, bamboo shoots and a heap of their homemade noodles – for $10.

Gourmet cheese toast at Ceremony Company, 7 Park Road, Grafton

Their appropriately named "The Grilled Cheese" is $8 cheese toastie heaven – gouda, cheddar and caramelised onions loaded up between two slabs of sourdough then grilled to crusty, crunchy, greasy golden perfection.

Dumplings from Eden Noodles Cafe, 105 Dominion Road, Mt Eden



Queues often form outside this place. Photo: Nicky Park

It may be lacking in ambience and you will likely have to line up, but believe us, the food here is worth it. The price sweetens the deal further – there aren't many places in Auckland where you'll get 15 delicious spicy dumplings for $9.50.

Gourmet burgers at Little Easy, 198 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

If you're in the mood for a casual pub vibe and a $10 burger, stroll up Ponsonby Road to Little Easy, where they do 10 kinds including vege, chicken, fish, lamb, pulled pork and beef options on custom baked buns, all heaving with great ingredients.

WAIKATO

Braised vegetables and noodles at Blissful Healthy Vegan Takeaway, 4/26 Bryant Rd, St Andrews, Hamilton



Load up at the buffet and pay by the weight. Photo: Denise Irvine

This really lives up to its name, offering a blissful combo of fresh, generous food at modest prices. You load up at the buffet and pay by weight: $1.80 per 100g. This lunch was $6.88, a pleasurable plate of braised fresh asparagus with baby leeks, carrots and red capsicum; noodles with fresh coriander and other goodies; eggplant braised with ginger, soy, tomato and basil; a pumpkin patty and deep-fried vege ball. Darn fine flavours, friendly staff, and genuine care taken.

Ginger chicken banh mi at Banh mi Caphe, 198 Victoria St, Hamilton



Spicy, crunchy and comforting. Photo: Denise Irvine

OK, some may say this $10 treat is nothing but a glorified filled roll. There are important differences. The banh mi – Vietnamese specialty sandwich – is a picture-perfect mix of flavours and textures: A crusty baguette is filled before your very eyes with freshly cooked ginger chicken (or other options), crispy cucumber, pickled daikon and carrot, coriander leaves, aioli, soy and sriracha hot sauce. Spicy, crunchy and comforting.

Veggie Sizzler pizza at Pizza Bites, 21E Hukanui Rd, Davies Corner, Hamilton



A 10-inch pizza will set you back $6.90. Photo: Denise Irvine

There are some good-value pizzas at this unprepossessing suburban takeaway shop, among them the hot and tasty veggie sizzler: Thick crusty base laden with cheese, green chillies, sliced jalapeno, peppers and red onions, drizzled with spicy peri-peri sauce. It's $6.90 for the small (10 inch) and an extra $1 for the large (12 inch). Meaty options at these prices, too.

Hapuka and chips at Raglan Fish, 92 Wallis St (on the wharf), Raglan



Good for sharing. Photo: Denise Irvine

Summer's coming and Raglan Fish has the perfect location for fish and chips beside-the- seaside. A hapuka fillet ($6) was super-fresh, cooked in light batter and served with a wedge of lemon and a scoop of golden chips ($2.50, way too much for one person). That's $8.50 all up, and no extra charge for squawking seagulls, harbour views, and salty sea tang. Cheaper fish options available.

Vegetable kothu roti at Royale Indian Restaurant, 62 Cameron Rd, Hillcrest, Hamilton



A satisfying and flavourful offering. Photo: Denise Irvine

From Sri Lanka comes this excellent culinary tradition of chopped roti and fried vegetables bound together in a dry curry. Royale Indian's satisfying offering has heaps of roti, carrots, onions, spring onions and beans, lovely caramelised flavours, and well-judged heat. The serving is so bountiful that you'll be eating the leftovers for lunch the next day. Vege and egg versions are $10; it's a couple of bucks more for chicken or lamb.

Lamb and falafel kebab at Soltani Kebabs, 4/5 Garden Place, Hamilton



Enjoy the friendly service at Soltani. Photo: Denise Irvine

This was $10, a mixed kebab. It delivered on flavoursome lamb, homemade falafel and fresh salad ingredients, pepped up by hot chilli sauce and garlic yoghurt. All neatly assembled in a soft, fresh tasting wrap, making a substantial takeaway lunch or dinner. Lots of other ingredients and sauces available. The bonus at Soltani is friendly service and squeaky clean premises.

Korean-style tofu salad at Little Korea, 643 Victoria St, Hamilton



Light, refreshing and healthy. Photo: Denise Irvine

Just the thing if you're after something light and refreshing: For $10 you get a bowl of crunchy chopped iceberg lettuce, shredded cucumber, carrot, red onion, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds, topped with pieces of lightly seared tofu. A sweetish soy dressing adds the finishing flourish.

Dumplings in hot & spicy chicken soup at Dumpling House, 698 Grey St, Hamilton



A dinnertime favourite. Photo: Denise Irvine

This place has a hugely loyal following. You can see why because the food is excellent. A dinnertime favourite is the deeply delicious bowl of homemade goodness comprising pork and cabbage dumplings, all nicely plump and flavoursome, served in a comforting broth ($10). There is mellow heat from the spices, and Chinese cabbage adds colour and bright taste. There are plenty of other moderately-priced dishes at Dumpling House; try the crispy pancake ($4.50) or the pork buns (4 for $5).

Vegetable samosas at Evergreen Dairy and Spices, 4/394 Clyde St (shopping precinct), Hamilton East



A great snack option. Photo: Denise Irvine

A lunchtime treat, you'll find these (mild or hot) parked in the pie-warmer at Evergreen. The generous spicy vege filling of potato, peas and carrots is encased in a crispy wrapper; they're $1.50 a pop and two of them make a decent lunch. You should also buy the 50c pottle of tamarind sauce to have on the side. So that's $3.50 all up.

Chicken salad with roast kumara, crunchy greens, caramelised onion and chilli-parsley dressing, at Real Good Food



Chicken salad ($8.50) is among Real Good Food's most popular options. Photo: Denise Irvine

This ticks all the boxes for a fresh-tasting lunch, delivered (at no extra charge) to your Hamilton workplace. Chicken salad ($8.50) is among Real Good Food's most popular options: It provides veges, protein and carbs in one healthy hit, neatly balanced and nicely dressed with a bit of zip from some chilli. It comes in a dinky cardboard container and makes a decent bowlful. The spicy Thai beef salad is a good one, too. Plenty of other menu options at various prices. Check them out online.

More decent deals: A number of Hamilton's Indian eateries offer a $10 lunchtime special, they're definitely worth checking out. You can always find reliable sushi for a small outlay, and Sichuan Style Chinese eatery in the city's Collingwood St has some excellent lower cost dishes. The door-stop sammies at Volare Café in Garden Place are good value, as is the $9.50 lunch special at Coffee Post, SkyCity. And if you want to spring an extra 50 cents, Scotts Epicurean's famous aglio olio pasta at $10.50 is a winner.

WELLINGTON

The Aphrodite souvlaki at the Greek Food Truck, corner of Taranaki and Dixon Streets



The pita bread is airy, soft and buttery. Photo: Katie Kenny

With bacon, halloumi, salad, fries, and tzatziki dressing, the Aphrodite Souvlaki is indulgent to say the least. If you're grabbing it for lunch, be prepared to spoil your dinner. The cheese and bacon makes for a salty combination. The salad – with lettuce, red onion, carrot, and tomato – is refreshing. But the star of the show? The pita bread: Airy, soft, buttery. The perfect casing for a delicious meal.

Oh, and the service is top-notch, too.

Buttermilk fried chicken burger at the Chook Wagon in Moore Wilson's car park, Tory St, Te Aro



The Chook Wagon is only open 11am-2pm. Photo: Katie Kenny

For the hungry luncher, your best option is the $9 buttermilk fried chicken burger. Don't be fooled by its simplicity: a bun, lettuce, pickles, a fried chicken breast, with spicy, smoky chipotle mayo. It's a classic combination for a reason. The chicken's fiery coating may well get your eyes watering, but the layer of crispy lettuce will help you get through that. If you have change leftover, grab a jar of the chipotle mayo to take home. And don't make it a late lunch – the Chook Wagon is only open 11am-2pm.

Dashi waffles and karaage fried chicken from The Ramen Shop, Riddiford St, Newtown



The well-seasoned karaage chicken is equal parts crunchy and tender.

This is a genius interpretation of the classic Southern comfort food, with Japanese flavours and techniques making these chicken and waffles one of the most memorable dishes we've tried in Wellington. The spongy waffles have a delicately crisp, golden brown exterior and a strong umami flavour, while the well-seasoned karaage chicken is equal parts crunchy and tender. The dish ($9) is garnished like takoyaki (those delectable golden balls of dough usually full of octopus), with mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce, pickled ginger and Bonito flakes.

Cashew nut chicken at Good Taste Thai Cuisine, at Capital Market, Willis St



The meal speaks for itself. Photo: Siobhan Downes

Wellington's Capital Market can be an overwhelming experience, but this unassuming little stall serves up some of the tastiest chicken and cashew nut stir fry around. For $10, you get a generous amount of chicken, nicely crunchy veges, and a decent sprinkling of cashews on a bed of rice, covered in a mild sauce. It's a delightfully no-frills set-up – think paper plates and plastic cutlery – but the food speaks for itself. Other $10 crowd-pleasers to try include the Pad Thai and Green Curry.

A pie from Sixes & Sevens, 51 Taranaki St



Owner Rob Crisp says he's made about 300,000 pies during his career.

Described by customers on its Facebook page as perhaps Wellington's best-kept secret, the cafe's unassuming shopfront belies a bright space offering some of the finest cabinet food we've come across. The cafe serves delectable slices, sandwiches and perfectly brewed coffee – but it's famous for its pies ($7.90) and doughnuts. Owner Rob Crisp says he's made about 300,000 pies during his career, so you can bet you're in for a treat. The pies are handcrafted on site and baked fresh daily – there are four to six varieties on offer on any given day, from a repertoire of more than 30, featuring beef, chicken, lamb, pork and vegetarian options. We loved the steak pie with roasted mushrooms, sour cream and thyme.

A small buffet plate at Higher Taste Hare Krishna, Old Bank Arcade, Lambton Quay



The best kind of comfort food. Photo: Harriet Pudney

We hope you'll forgive us for sneaking in a $10.50 offering, but this place is a classic. Tucked away on the lower level of the Old Bank Arcade, Higher Taste offers the best lunch buffet in Wellington (we think). Their offerings of curries, salads and sides are all vegetarian and mostly vegan, and if you don't get any roast potatoes you're playing yourself. This is the best kind of comfort food.

Tofu summer salad from Where's Charlie at Capital Market, Willis St



The best vegan option at Capital Market. Photo: Harriet Pudney

It's best to phone ahead (04 8018161) here because wait times can stretch during the lunch rush, but don't let that put you off. This fresh, filling salad is packed with fried tofu, shredded cabbage, carrots, spring onions and mung beans. Only the very bravest should order it hot – it's incredible, but your nose will run. It's the best vegan option in this food court.

Fresh sushi from Sushi Bi



The pick-your-own arrangement suits vegetarians and omnivores alike. Photo: Britt Mann

Sushi Bi's half-price sushi after 4pm draws lines out the door every weekday (although it's open on Saturdays, too). There are branches in Willis, Woodward and Bunny streets, serving up ultra fresh morsels with machine-like efficiency. The pick-your-own arrangement suits vegetarians and omnivores alike, and the jewel-bright creations are so enticing you will have to actively resist overloading your flimsy plastic box. There's nigiri and rolls of maki, tempura and California persuasions, and inari stuffed with all sorts of earthly delights. Feel free to step boldly from the line and load up on the takoyaki and yakitori in the warmer by the door; there are tempura fritters in there, too. Upon payment, the super-friendly staff offer a generous dollop of wasabi and wodge of ginger to complement your meal.

Dumplings from Dumpling'd, Boulcott St and The Terrace



Avoid the crowd, pre-order online.

Dumpling'd's new premises in Boulcott St is another restaurant suffering line-out-the-door syndrome, and for good reason. For $7, you can purchase eight dumplings – fried or boiled – more than enough to quell a rumbling tummy. To avoid joining the inevitable lunchtime-line-out-the-door, pre-order and pay for your dumplings online. There are two varieties each of beef, pork, and chicken dumpling, as well as a vegetarian and a seafood option (pork and chive, and vegetarian are our favourites).

Salads from Rahzoo, Waring Taylor St



Go before 1pm to get the best pick among 20 salad options.

Rahzoo's salads are legendary with Lambton Quay's lunchtime crowd – on a sunny day, you'll find nearby Midland Park packed with professionals scoffing their selections. For $9.50, choose three salads from the rainbow-like array on offer (there are more than 20!). The salads are super fresh, colourful, and so yummy you won't even realise you're being healthy. Our favourites include the creamy tuna pasta, cauliflower and parsnip, brown rice, red cabbage, and pumpkin and lentil varieties. It's best to go before 1pm to guarantee your pick.

CHRISTCHURCH

Mixed sushi pack at Hachi Hachi, 177 Victoria St, Christchurch Central



The wasabi is legit – just a dab will make your eyes sting. Photo: Ewan Sargent

The mixed sushi pack ($9.90) shows off all the Hachi Hachi quality touches that lifts this place above many of the rest. You get two salmon. two crispy chicken, two teriyaki chicken, a tuna and a vegetable roll. Let's be honest, the vege one is pretty lame, but if you eat it last, you can walk away feeling healthy, so it's more a mindset roll. But you also get two tiny bottles of soy when most places give one, the ginger is quality and the wasabi is proper stuff where just a dab will sting the back of your eyeballs if you don't watch out. You get a tiny blob of Japanese mayo on the tuna and sesame seeds sprinkled on that lame vege one. It comes in a classy presentation container which confirms this is above mall quality – still for under $10.

Tom yum soup at The Nook Thai Eatery, 24 New Regent St, Christchurch Central



A great midday lift. Photo: Ewan Sargent

Just $10 for a bowl of some of the freshest, richest, most fragrant Tom Yum Soup you can imagine is a great lunchtime special that can be found in New Regent St. The Nook Thai Eatery features $10 lunchtime specials during the week and chef Wilasinee Kusirisilakul puts out Thai food as good as it comes. You can eat downstairs among the bustle or head upstairs for some peace and quiet. A huge fragrance comes off the soup and the broth is rich with coconut cream, lime, lemongrass, chilli – it's such a great midday lift. At the end your nose will be just slightly running, exactly how it should be.

Pea and potato samosa at Guruji Indian Supermarket, 103 Gasson St, Sydenham



Wash these down with some mango lassi. Photo: Ewan Sargent

The secret's out. If you want a no-holds-barred Indian samosa, head for the Guruji Indian Supermarket outlets in Gasson St or Bath St. In the pie warmer you'll find a pile of homemade samosas that are crunchy, hot and full of spice. There's a pizza flavoured one, but skip that and go for the traditional pea and potato. You get three for $5 and seriously that's all the flavour and food you'd probably want. But get $10 worth and you can share with friends. These are real-deal samosas and the best plan is to get three and also get one of the ridiculously low-priced $2 mango lassi drinks to wash them down.

Fresh prawn spring rolls at Thai Container, 151 Bealey Ave, Christchurch Central



Healthy goodness under $10. Photo: Ewan Sargent

Get your healthy eating plans back on track with fresh spring rolls from the Thai Container on Bealey Ave at the Caledonian Rd intersection. For $9 you get three big ones full of lettuce, cucumber, prawns, glass noodles, carrot, egg and a sweet, nutty dipping sauce. Lunching on this makes sense with all those sobering medical buildings surrounding the odd mural-covered complex, which includes a shipping container and a caravan.

No Meat Burger at Lower 9th Diner, 89 Lichfield St, Christchurch Central



The seasoning in this one is spot on. Photo: Ewan Sargent

The $10 No Meat Burger at Lower 9th Diner makes you realise why burgers don't need meat. This place loves to rev up its burgers and standard on the menu is a decent cheeseburger for $8 and a crazy waffle burger for $12. But the sweet spot $10 gets you a burger that's the best of the lot. The pattie is a falafel-type mix of black-eye beans, peanuts and thyme. That comes at you with ranch dressing, feta, beet and fennel slaw and some pickled chillis to keep the full attack going. It works. The bun is soft and the seasoning is spot on.

Kampua at Shirley's Kitchen, 72 Waimairi Rd, Ilam



This is what we call comfort food. Photo: Ewan Sargent

Shirley's Kitchen is another secret spot that cranks out fantastic cheap dishes. It caters for university students, but skip the usual chips and pizza options and go for the Malaysian specialties. There are plenty of Malaysian dishes for under $10 but the kampua must be the richest and most indulgent of the lot. It's a plain dish of noodles, some crispy onions and BBQ pork strips on top. The rich savoury pork fat and soy sauce soaked noodles are the star. This is comfort food and no-one walks away from a $8.90 bowl of kampua and says they are still hungry.

Pork cup-bop at Steampunk Laboratory, 270 St Asaph St, Christchurch Central



This cup-bop offers a bowl full of flavours. Photo: Ewan Sargent

Cup-bops are a Korean takeaway that layer rice, fresh slaw, egg, meat and sauces in a cup like a trifle. You dig down and get hit by all sorts of flavours and textures and hot and cold from the meat and veges in one forkful. You can get premium ones, but they cost $12. The $10 standard pork option (No 23) is excellent. The meat is pan fried on the spot and goes on top, and is then topped by sauce. You can add your own extra sauces at the counter like squirting a flavour into a carton of icecream. Do that and choose the hot gochujang. It's the charring on the meat and the spiky sauces that really make this sing.

Salmon eggs benedict at 3 Cows Cafe, Bar and Restaurant, 71 Victoria St, Christchurch Central



Enjoy some Shania Twain music as you tuck in. Photo: Ewan Sargent

Unbelievable, but yes you can get a great eggs benedict with big pile of smoked salmon here for $10 between 11am and 4pm. In fact there are nine dishes on the $10 brunch special menu. The eggs benne comes as two perfectly poached eggs on thin slices of bread, a good lime hollandaise, big pile of salmon, spinach leaves and a drizzle of balsamic reduction to add tang. Oh, and you also get cow pelt hides as decoration and Shania Twain on the radio.

Pulled pork, tomatillo and drunken salsa torta at Mexicanos, 131 Victoria St, Christchurch Central



Make this as spicy as you like. Photo: Ewan Sargent

It's a distinctive twist on a pulled pork bun. You get the lovely tart tomatillo flavours, a dense deep-flavoured pork and some slaw to make it all work for $10. The sandwich buns are toasted and the table condiments mean you can make it as spicy as you like. With a backdrop of wall mural death motifs and loud music, the torta is a great Mexican lunch bite and has heaps more going for it than simply lamely bingeing on corn chips and gaucamole.

Rogan josh lamb curry at Chanakya South East Indian Cuisine Takeaway and Dine In, New Brighton



The Rogan Josh lamb lunchtime special costs $7.90. Photo: Ewan Sargent

Chanakya is a tiny outlet in New Brighton Shopping centre and it's here you can get a whole menu of curries plus a vegetable biriyani for under $10. The Rogan Josh lamb lunchtime special costs $7.90. For just about the cheapest Indian meal price you'll find anywhere, you get a big bowl of basmati rice, another bowl of the rich reddish gravy and tender lamb chunks, and a third plate to mix them on. I also got a bonus pappadom while the main meal cooked. Other pluses are racy Indian music, lots of free parking and the possibility of a seaside walk to build up the appetite. There's also a vindaloo available for the lunch special, but the rogan josh is plenty hot enough.