Bulawayo’s Best Cheap Lunch Spots: Where to Eat for $1–$2.50 in the CBD

By kwaBulawayo | Food + Culture Blog

If you’ve worked, walked, or wandered through Bulawayo’s CBD around lunchtime, you’ll know one thing: food is serious business. Whether you’re a student on a tight budget, a city worker looking for a quick plate, or just chasing a nostalgic sadza fix that reminds you of home—Bulawayo has got your back.

At kwaBulawayo, we’ve gone on a mission to uncover the best wallet-friendly lunch spots in the city. We’re talking real food, full plates, and that unbeatable Zimbabwean spirit—from the heart of the city to just beyond the CBD.

Here’s our go-to guide for good food under $2.50 in Bulawayo.

1. Isitshwala Joint Caravans – Khami Rd & Lobengula Street

This spot has become a bit of a cult classic for city folk looking for a fast, hot lunch. The caravans—tucked just by the ZESA buildings—dish out sadza or rice paired with basic stews and relishes.

Price: $2–$2.50
Location: Khami Rd & Lobengula St corner
Heads-up: Quality varies from day to day, and hygiene is… let’s just say “rustic.” But for that no-frills, authentic township experience? It’s got flavour.

2. Skies Meals – 92 9th Avenue

If you’re just after solid, good-value sadza, Skies is your plug. Tucked between Robert Mugabe and George Silundika (CBD side), this joint serves no-nonsense, tasty isitshwala and rice combos at a very humble price.

Price: $1.50
Location: 92 9th Ave, Bulawayo
Note: No official seating, so this is more of a grab-and-go situation.

3. Alpha Grill – Belmont

We’ll be real: Alpha Grill is a little out of the CBD, but it’s earned its stripes for being one of the more aesthetic and experimental budget eateries in town. From brown sugar bean sadza to spaghetti, t-bone, and even budget-friendly Kotas, this place brings colour, variety, and creativity to the table. Bonus points for offering brown isitshwala as a healthier option.

Price: From $1
Location: Belmont
Vibe: Trendy, colourful, but sometimes the service is a gamble.

4. Hyper Pick n Pay Deli – 10th Ave & Herbert Chitepo

Ah, the CBD workers’ go-to. This deli might sit inside a grocery store, but don’t sleep on it—the food variety here is wild. We’re talking:

• • Isitshwala

• • Rice

• • Spaghetti

• • Mashed potatoes

• • T-bone, chicken, beef stews

• • Bean salad, fruit salad, Caesar salad

• • Even baked goods for dessert

Grab a tray, fill up, and get creative. Want a sadza and gravy combo with a potato salad on the side and a muffin from the bakery? You can do that here.

Price: From $1 per serving
Location: 10th Ave & Herbert Chitepo
Perk: Sit-down area available
Pro Tip: The food is freshest before 1PM. Later than that? Things get a little… tired.

5. Street-side Kotas & Snacks

You can’t talk about budget food in Bulawayo without giving props to the street vendors. Around Fort Street, 8th Ave, and along the side lanes, you’ll find vendors whipping up kotas, vetkoek (amagwinya), sausage rolls, and samoosas—all for under $1.

It’s the kind of food that tastes even better because you eat it standing, or while walking to your next meeting.

Price: $0.50–$1.50
Location: Scattered throughout CBD
Vibe: Street food heaven, informal and full of flavour.

Final Thoughts

Bulawayo’s lunch scene may not always be Insta-perfect—but it is rich, local, and made with care. These aren’t restaurants with Michelin stars—they’re kitchens built on hustle, on daily repeat customers, and on the kind of cooking that reminds you of your gogo’s kitchen.

Whether you’re chasing a hot plate of sadza before your shift starts, looking for a break between errands, or just in search of real food at real prices, these spots hold it down.

And guess what? This is just the beginning.

We’re building out more food guides, street food stories, and local flavour trails—all from right here, kwaBulawayo.

Have a spot you think we missed? Drop us a message on Instagram or email us at info@kwabulawayo.shop. We’ll check it out—and maybe even feature it in our next post.

Support Local. Eat Well. Spend Less.

For more on Bulawayo Restaurants please check out our favourite Bulawayo culinary Facebook group – Bulawayo Food Reviews 

Our favourite Bulawayo Food TikToker – Tee’s Diary ZM/ZW