There may be no such thing as a free lunch but for a tenner or less, fabulous options abound. cairnseye restaurant reviewer Narelle Muller dishes up her top 10 favourites.

Fusion Organics, Cnr, Grafton and Aplin streets, ph: 4051 1388. Open Monday-Saturday.

Variety is the key here and with everything made fresh, the menu is ever-changing. Possibilities include warmed polenta topped with roasted vegetables, grilled cheese and salad ($10). Look out for vegan curry made with vegetables, chickpeas and tofu, served mild but with the option of extra chilli ($10). Homemade soup of the day and a roll is $8.50.

The Naked Nut, 120 Collins Ave, Edge Hill, ph: 4032 2136. Lunch Friday and Sunday only.

The $10 café menu lunches change but inevitably offer hearty portions of international cuisine. Examples include pasta, stir-fries, kebabs and the like.  It is tasty, filling fare in pleasant surrounds with chirpy staff who get food on the table pronto.

Café China Noodle Bar, Rydges Plaza complex, cnr Spence and Grafton streets, ph: 4041 2828. Lunch daily except Saturday.

Superior in quality, service and setting, every Café China dish is exceptional. Try chicken laksa, tom yum noodle soup or wonton soup (all $9.50, large sizes may cost more) from the noodle bar at the Spence St entrance. Your selection of any combination of hot dishes, such as sweet and sour pork, beef and black bean and fried rice (also $9.50) will certainly set you up for the day.

Montezuma’s, 45 Sheridan St, ph: 4050 4600. Open daily.

You could eat here every day of the week and enjoy something different for less than $10. Very reasonable prices and wholesome Mexican fare make a winning formula and there’s always a fun vibe. Grab a couple of tacos – veggie, beef, chorizo or chicken ($3.95-$4.50 each) – a hearty bowl of chilli con carne with corn chips ($9.95), cheesy nachos ($7.95-$9.95 depending on size) or stuffed tortillas known as taquitos ($6.95). All are tasty and filling.

Bá8, Shangri-La Hotel, Pierpoint Rd, ph: 4052 7670. Open daily.

Luxurious surrounds, gorgeous views and exotic nibbles for just $8. Bá8 has all the boxes ticked. The tapas menu has delectable offerings such as chardonnay mussels and frites, crocodile spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce, artichoke heart and mushroom fritters, grilled chorizo in basil and tomato sauce, fat chips and roasted garlic aioli, lemon pepper squid. The list goes on and they’re all one price. Take a friend and share.

Khin Khao Thai Restaurant, 21 Aplin St, ph: 4031 8581. Lunch specials weekdays only.

A special lunch menu for $7.90 offering delicious stir-fry chicken, beef or pork with rice, soups and curries for $7.90 each brings a full house daily. Dishes are made on the spot with delicious spices, fresh herbs and all are served up with a smile.

Café Melt, 189 Bunda St, ph: 4031 6754. Lunch Monday-Friday served all day.

Your tenner goes a long way at Café Melt and there’s a good chance you’ll still come away with change, as well as a full stomach. A mind-boggling array of wraps ($7.50) with fillings such as tandoori chicken, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, chicken Caesar salad, surf and turf or beef and rocket are endlessly tempting. Gourmet pizzas roll out at $9.50, while delights such as vegetarian rice paper spring rolls with satay sauce, pickled cucumber and Asian greens on rice noodles infused with peanut oil, coriander and mint comes in at a ridiculously inexpensive $8.50.

Sushi Train, Cairns Central ph: 4031 5444 and Stockland Shopping Centre, ph: 4054 4859. Open daily.

Two plates of nori rolls – smoked salmon with avocado and mayonnaise and teriyaki chicken ($4 each) – washed down with a complementary mug of steaming green tea makes a satisfying and extremely nutritious pick-me-up. Depending on the ingredients, some sushi plates are even cheaper, though no less delicious.

Chocolat Patissserie and Café, 53-57 The Esplanade, ph: 4031 5000.

Savoury delights change, as everything is baked fresh daily but may include gorgeous offerings such as smoked salmon roulade, quiche, polenta, lentil, roast pumpkin and sweet potato slice, Thai chicken burger or spinach and ricotta filo with onion jam. All are served with salad and priced around the $8-$9 mark.  Of course, there are plenty of sweet goodies too, as well as vegetarian, dairy and gluten-free options.

Guara Nitai’s Hare Krishna Restaurant, 55 Spence St, ph: 4031 2255. Lunches on weekdays only.

Mountains of heart-warming vegetable curry, rice, dahl and a crisp poppadum ($5.90) make this one of the best bargains going. Upgrade to either $8.50 or $9.90 if you like but be sure your eyes are not bigger than your belly as portions are generous sized. Meat is not an option.

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