OSRS Best Cheap Food for Budget Adventurers
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), food is your lifeline, keeping you alive during intense combat, quests, or skilling grind sessions. But for many players, especially those on a budget, finding affordable food that still packs a punch can be a game-changer. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) warrior or a member exploring Gielinor’s depths, this guide dives into the best cheap food options in OSRS to maximize your hitpoints without draining your coin pouch. From fishing your own supplies to snagging deals at the Grand Exchange, we’ve got you covered with cost-effective choices that balance healing, accessibility, and price.
Food in OSRS restores hitpoints, crucial for surviving monster encounters or player-versus-player (PvP) battles. However, high-end foods like sharks or anglerfish can cost hundreds of coins per piece, eating into your profits from slayer tasks or bossing. Cheap food allows you to train combat skills, complete quests, or farm efficiently without worrying about gold. For F2P players, options are limited, making cost-efficiency even more critical. Members have more variety, but not every player can afford to stock up on expensive monkfish or dark crabs. The goal is to find food that heals enough to keep you going while staying dirt-cheap.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Food
- Healing Amount: How many hitpoints does it restore per bite?
- Cost per Heal: Is it worth the gold spent compared to its healing power?
- Availability: Can you buy it easily, fish it, or cook it yourself?
- Eating Speed: Does it delay your next attack, or is it a fast food?
Top Cheap Food for F2P Players
Free-to-play worlds in OSRS restrict access to many high-tier foods, but there are still solid options for players who don’t want to spend a fortune. These choices are perfect for training at Hill Giants, tackling quests like Dragon Slayer, or surviving in the Wilderness.
Anchovy Pizza
Anchovy pizza is the king of F2P food, healing a total of 18 hitpoints (9 per bite) across two slices. It’s one of the highest-healing foods available to non-members and surprisingly affordable. You can craft it at level 55 Cooking by combining anchovies with a plain pizza, or buy it directly from the Grand Exchange for around 200-300 coins. For combo-eating in PvP, its two-bite mechanic lets you pair it with another food like swordfish for a quick 23 hitpoints in one tick.
Pros:
- High healing for F2P (18 hitpoints total).
- Combo-eating potential for PKing.
- Relatively cheap when bought or made.
Cons:
- Requires Cooking level 55 to make.
- Two bites mean slower consumption in prolonged fights.
Swordfish
Swordfish heal 14 hitpoints in one bite, making them a reliable choice for tougher F2P content like the Stronghold of Security. They’re pricier than lobsters at around 200-300 coins each, but their higher healing makes them worthwhile against monsters with moderate max hits (up to 13). You can fish them at level 50 Fishing in places like Musa Point, though members get better yields at the Fishing Guild.
Tip: If you’re fishing your own, use a harpoon and bank at the nearby deposit box to save time.
Lobster
Lobsters are the go-to for most F2P players, healing 12 hitpoints per bite and costing only 100-150 coins at the Grand Exchange. They’re ideal for mid-level combat training against foes like Lesser Demons or Ogresses. Fishing lobsters at level 40 in Catherby (or Musa Point for F2P) is a great way to stock up for free while earning Fishing XP.
Best Cheap Food for Members
Members have access to a wider range of foods, many of which offer better healing-to-cost ratios than F2P options. These choices shine for budget-conscious players tackling slayer tasks, dungeons, or early-game bossing.
Monkfish
Monkfish are a fantastic budget option for members, healing 16 hitpoints per bite and costing around 400-500 coins. They’re a staple for mid-to-high-level combat training, offering nearly the same healing as sharks at half the price. You can fish them at level 62 after completing Swan Song, or buy them in bulk at the Grand Exchange. At roughly 25 coins per hitpoint, monkfish are one of the most cost-efficient foods for members.
| Food | Healing (HP) | Approx. Cost (GP) | Cost per HP (GP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monkfish | 16 | 400 | 25 |
| Shark | 20 | 900 | 45 |
| Lobster | 12 | 120 | 10 |
Tuna Potato
Tuna potatoes heal an impressive 22 hitpoints, tying with high-end foods like dark crabs but costing much less (around 600-800 coins). They’re made at level 68 Cooking by combining a potato with butter and tuna and corn. While the ingredients take effort to gather, buying them pre-made is a steal for the healing power. They’re ideal for budget players taking on tougher slayer monsters or early bosses like Barrows.
Tip: Use the Hosidius Kitchen with cooking gauntlets to reduce burn rates when making your own.
Potato with Cheese
For low-budget members, potato with cheese is a hidden gem, healing 16 hitpoints for just 20-50 coins each. You can make it at level 47 Cooking by baking a potato and adding cheese, or buy it from the Warriors’ Guild. It’s perfect for training on weaker monsters or skilling activities where you don’t need top-tier healing.
Fast Foods for Combo Eating
Fast foods in OSRS, like cooked karambwan, have unique mechanics that allow quicker eating or less attack delay, making them ideal for combo-eating in PvP or high-damage PvE scenarios. While some fast foods are pricey, there’s one budget-friendly standout.
Cooked Karambwan
Cooked karambwan heals 18 hitpoints and can be eaten instantly after another food, enabling combos like karambwan + shark for 38 hitpoints in one tick. At around 400-600 coins each, they’re affordable for members and fishable at level 65 after Tai Bwo Wannai Trio. Their speed makes them a favorite for PvP and bossing on a budget.
How to Use:
- Eat a primary food (e.g., monkfish).
- Immediately eat a karambwan for a massive heal without delay.
- Repeat as needed to outheal incoming damage.
Tips for Sourcing Cheap Food
Buying food isn’t the only way to stay stocked. Here are some strategies to keep your inventory full without breaking the bank.
Fish Your Own Food
Fishing is a goldmine for budget players. Lobsters, swordfish, monkfish, and karambwan can all be caught with the right Fishing level and equipment. Set up at spots like Catherby or the Fishing Guild, and use the nearby banks to store your haul. Not only do you get free food, but you also gain Fishing XP and potential profit from selling extras.
Cook in Bulk
Cooking your own food saves money and levels up your Cooking skill. Use the Hosidius Kitchen for a 5% burn reduction, and equip cooking gauntlets to stop burning lobsters at level 64 or monkfish at level 90. Cooking in bulk at a range (like Rogues’ Den) maximizes efficiency.
Steal Cakes in Ardougne
For F2P or low-level players, stealing cakes from the Ardougne market stalls (level 5 Thieving) is a free alternative. Cakes heal 12 hitpoints over three bites (4 per bite), matching lobsters but costing nothing. Stock up while training Thieving for a win-win.
Check Monster Drops
Some monsters drop food directly, saving you gold. Ogresses in the Corsair Cove dungeon drop lobsters and swordfish, while slayer tasks like Fire Giants occasionally yield cooked fish. Bring a basket of strawberries (heals 5 per strawberry, up to 25 per slot) to extend trips without banking.
Final Thoughts on Budget Food in OSRS
Finding the best cheap food in OSRS is all about balancing healing power with cost and availability. For F2P players, anchovy pizzas and lobsters are tough to beat, while members can lean on monkfish, tuna potatoes, or karambwan for affordable, high-impact healing. By fishing your own supplies, cooking in bulk, or even stealing cakes, you can keep your hitpoints topped up without spending a fortune. Next time you’re gearing up for a slayer task or a Wilderness adventure, stock your inventory with these budget-friendly foods and save your gold for that next big gear upgrade.
Which cheap food is your favorite in OSRS? Let us know your go-to picks or tips for saving gold while staying alive!