Cheap restaurants/cafes near Termini or St Maria Maggiore in Rome?

there is pizzarito/pastarito just going out of termini central exit inside termini there is wok were you can eat noodles, the lunch cheapest is kebab or pizza al taglio, but they are not true restaurant. that kind of place will serve you any time Usually dinner is from 8, but many restaurant are open from 7, not first. The side of Rome you are is any way quite cheap, on side to piazza Vittorio, on side to piazza della repubblica instead it became quite expensive

hopefully it isn't too late to answer your question, but i stayed at hotel impero, which was about 2 blocks from the termini - it's a fairly "touristy" area so you're bound to find a local restaurant where you can eat and drink on a budget. unfortunately, i can't recall the names of the restaurants i went to, but you'll be in a great location to find a place to sit outside and grab a sandwich/glass of wine/coffee/whatever. as for the times to eat - it's not like spain where they are eating dinner at 9 or 10. it's more like 7 (like it is here in the states). i noticed a lot of places closing fairly early too in that area - not sure if it was the termini area or if this was rome/italy in general. best of luck and safe travels! enjoy rome (the colliseum isn't too far from the termini station either)!