Affordable Eats in New Orleans: Where to Dine on a Budget

Whether you’re looking for something healthy (good cat) or looking to indulge (bad cat), there is something on Bearcat’s menu for any mood. The Biscuit Sandwich is a steal. It comes with egg, cheese, and bacon for $6. Wash it down with a coffee and you can still get a full breakfast for under $10 before exploring Freret Street Uptown, or visit their Central Business District location.

Surrey’s Cafe and Juice Bar is a New Orleans favorite for a casual bite. Their fresh juices are excellent, along with other great healthy options, but the Surrey’s Egg Plate takes the lead for a deal. For $9.25, you get the breakfast classics: two eggs any style, grits or home fries, and toast or a biscuit. 

If you’re looking for a cozy neighborhood atmosphere and some of the best Mediterranean food in NOLA, look no further than 1000 Figs. The falafel sandwich will make you feel as though you are watching a Mediterranean sunset, and it’s only $7.50. The warm, fluffy pita stuffed with red cabbage, tahini, pickled vegetables, and spices is a perfect combination of flavors.

It wouldn’t be a New Orleans food list if there wasn’t some seafood somewhere on it. Superior Seafood’s oyster happy hour is one of the best in the city, featuring $1.25 oysters every single day from 4-6:30 p.m. The happy hour also includes large-for-the-price-of-small frozen drinks–we’re partial to the frozen French 75. Bonus: Superior Seafood is located right along the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, so you can factor that $1.25 fare into a very affordable late afternoon snacking session.

Transport yourself to Germany at Bratz Y'all -  a charming biergarten and restaurant in the Bywater. Choose one of their many sandwiches for under $11. If the weather is nice, the beer garden is great for a casual day with friends in a European setting.

Experience the same flair and flavors of world-famous Commander's Palace at their next-door French-style café, Le Petit Bleu—no dress code required! Their "Supper Before Sunset" special runs Monday through Thursday from 3-7 p.m., offering two courses starting at $14.99. Enjoy Commander's classics like the turtle soup or café specialties such as the Cajun Crepe.

Normally a restaurant on the pricier side, Brennan’s happy hour, called Bubbles at Brennan’s, runs Monday - Thursday, 2-6 p.m. in the Roost Bar & Courtyard and Fridays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Grab a bubbly cocktail for just $9 while relaxing in their French Quarter courtyard. 

Authentic Creole food will be devoured at Neyow's, a Mid-City hotspot. Get a three-course meal for under $30. A truly New Orleans meal would include a cup of filé gumbo ($7.75), hot sausage po-boy ($13.25), and beignet sticks ($8.25). For just $29.25, you can officially say you’ve tried the local New Orleans food. 

You can’t go to the South without finding some sort of barbecue to stuff yourself with. The Joint keeps its Bywater charm with the local art-filled walls and offers a full meal that will leave you unbuttoning your top button for $10. The pulled pork sandwich comes on either white bread or a bun and is accompanied by one side. Make sure to save some time after this one for a food coma rest. 

The ice cream store of everyone’s dreams, The Creole Creamery frequently has lines out the door. With classic flavors such as Cookie Monster and chocolate chip or more eccentric ones including Lavender Honey (a local fave) and the seasonal White Chocolate Truffled Popcorn, a small scoop is $4.50. Grab a double or triple scoop if you’re feeling extravagant.

It can’t be a cheap eats list without adding in the beloved Camellia Grill. Whether it’s breakfast, dinner, or a late-night snack, Camellia Grill has something for any time of the day. Live your diner fantasy while watching all of the food being made and order a few different items for cheap. The legendary mac & cheese bites for $6 are served with six bites and make the perfect appetizer for a meal of a $10.99 cheeseburger. Their chocolate pecan pie is a must for $5.99.

Pagoda Café’s menu may be short, but it’s nonetheless delicious. Enjoy $4.50 breakfast tacos, $3.50 Banana Nutella bread, and $5 mango lassi, among other savory and sweet pastries. Enjoy these low-price offerings, plus coffee, tea, and specialty drinks.

Head to Bub's Burgers' happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 3-5 p.m. for solid deals on their signature Bub Burger—a double-patty smash burger for just $5. Plant-based eaters can grab the Impossible version for $7. All sides are $1 off, including their worthwhile "De-Gen" Fries ($8) topped with cheese sauce, bacon, jalapeños, and ranch. A satisfying meal that won't empty your wallet!

Chais Delachaise is a charming wine bistro on Maple Street that offers a half-off happy hour menu Wednesday through Sunday, 3-6 p.m., including wines by the glass and bottle, their goose-fat pomme frites, beef sliders, and mussels. The cozy neighborhood spot boasts an intimate atmosphere perfect for date nights or casual gatherings with friends. Get all of these delicious offerings and some wine for less than $30. 

These days, $2 taco Tuesdays are hard to find, but they do exist at La Patrona NOLA. Choose between chicken, ground beef, or carnitas for taco Tuesday and enjoy $4 margaritas on the rocks. Every other day, tacos are five for $11.50 with your choice of two meats (La Patrona is closed Mondays).

Frady's is a beloved neighborhood convenience store in the Bywater that sells groceries and New Orleans classics. Their rotating daily hot plate specials include Monday’s red beans and rice with smoked sausage and Friday's catfish or jambalaya. Each generous plate includes a vegetable side and dessert—all for an unbeatable $9.