A Local’s Top Cheap Eats in New Orleans (And Drinks!)

It’s no secret that New Orleans is home to some of the best food and drink in the world. And the best part is, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy it. I mean, you could if you wanted, but you don’t have to! As someone who’s spent over 2 years total living here as a digital nomad, I’ve discovered the best cheap eats in New Orleans and compiled them here.

Now, before we get started, let’s be clear that I have a pretty strict definition of “cheap.” I’m not talking simply affordable–there are pleeeeenty of affordable options in New Orleans. When I say “cheap,” I mean I better be able to get something for 10 bucks or less, or if I’m spending more, I better know for a fact that it will make two meals.

Anyway, enjoy!

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Hot Dogs at Dat Dog

For somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 bucks, you can get a crawfish etouffée dog at Dat Dog, and if you’re really hungry, you can get crawfish etouffée fries too.

Doesn’t sound good? You can get “normal” flavors like chili and cheese too, but if you’re feeling adventurous, that crawfish eotuffee dog is fantastic.

Price: ~10
Location: Various. Try the one on Frenchmen Street before you hit up the music clubs.

A Monsoon at Port of call

I mention Port of Call ONLY because of the Monsoon…

At 14 bucks a pop, the Monsoon might not seem like the cheapest cocktail. However, it’s by far the best bargain in the French Quarter. Let me tell you, it does the trick. I affectionately call it the “Death Drink.” ONE is enough, sometimes more than enough. It’s a huge, potent drink, and you can sip it while you wander the Quarter.

As for the food, it’s a little pricier (but delish), definitely not a cheap eat, but they’re really onto something with that drink.

Price: $14 Monsoon
Location: 838 Esplanade Avenue

Beignets at Cafe Du Monde

Just a few bucks gets you 3 beignets (and a whooole lot of powdered sugar). 3 may not sound like many, but they’re quite filling and perfect for a snack in between sightseeing. The most famous location is in the French Quarter (and if you haven’t been, go! It’s an experience), but there are other locations as well without the line, such as at City Park. For a few dollars more, you can enjoy a Cafe Au Lait, or even better, a Frozen Au Lait.

Price: a few bucks
Location: Various, the most famous being on Decatur. You can’t miss it.

Bar Food at Favela Chic on Frenchmen

Come here to get your fill of el cheapo bar food – think pizza, quesadillas, tacos, etc. Drinks aren’t high either, and there’s usually live music playing.

Location: 525 Frenchmen
Price: ~$10

Pizza at One More Pie

Pizza by the slice right on Decatur Street! It used to be 3 bucks for a huge slice, but they may be up to 4 bucks by now. Either way, you can get two (and be full) for under 10 bucks.

Location: 1101 Decatur
Price: ~4/slide

Soul Food at Lil Dizzy’s

If you want authentic New Orleans food on the cheap, this is where you go. I was mistaken the first time I came here and was expecting a more expensive spot, but much to my delight, I was wrong! I’d call it elevated counter-serve. The hostess seats you, you go up to the counter and order, and then they bring it to you, and it’s delicious!

Location: 1500 Esplanade
Price: $10-20

Muffaletta at Central Grocery

A muffaletta is a ginormous sandwich that will feed 2-4 people (or you, for days). Popular options are Napoleon House and Central Grocery. If you’re a purist, go to Central Grocery. When I lived close, I used to get one for lunch, eat more for dinner, and then usually have lunch again the next day.

Price: ~25 (but you can eat it for days!)
Location: 923 Decatur

Poboys at Melba’s

I generally think poboys are overpriced. 15 bucks is plenty to pay for one, and 20 just pisses me off. I wouldn’t mind it so much if I knew I’d get two meals, but I almost always finish the whole thing. At Melba’s, though, you can get a poboy for ~$12, and they’re delish!

Price: ~$12-13
Location: 1525 Elysian Fields Ave

Snoball at chance in Hell Snoballs

At first, I thought a snoball was a glorified snowcone. But no, it’s not. Like everything else in New Orleans, it’s delicious and has a special twist to it. Think of it like a fluffy snowcone, almost like a cross between a snowcone and ice cream, especially if you get condensed milk on the top. Yesss!

Price: a few bucks
Location: 805 Louisa St

Tacos at Barracuda

Not authentic New Orleans food by any stretch, but they have decent tacos for cheap plus good happy hour deals. It’s fun to take the ferry over to the Algiers location, eat some comfort food, and head back over. Plus, I often daydream about their mango slushy drink–so good!

Price: ~8 for a couple of tacos
Location: Uptown and Algiers Point

Cheap Drinks: Best Happy Hours in New Orleans

Now we’re talkin’! After you’ve had your fill of cheap eats, make sure to get some cheap drinks to wash it down.

High Grace 733 St Peter: Happy hour is every day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Delicious frozen drinks!

The Columns 3811 St Charles Ave: All day (2 p.m. to 10 p.m.) happy hour on Sundays, and there’s a huge selection of drinks to choose from! Plus, The Columns is fancy schmancy, and the drinks are strong. You’ll feel like you’re really onto something when you leave there having spent 8 bucks with a buzz.

Luke 333 St. Charles: Happy hour is every day from 3 – 6 p.m. They’re known for the French 75, and you can get it half priced. Plus, cheap oysters if you’re into that.

Tsunami St. Charles & Poydras: great selection of sushi rolls on the cheap and delicious appletinis! Combine this with Luke if you want since they’re right across the street from each other.

Sukho Thai 2200 Royal St: $2 Thai Tea Tinis when dining in from 5-7 p.m.!

Honorable Mention: 3 Martini Lunch at Commander’s Palace

Wait, what? What’s Commander’s Palace doing on a list of cheap eats in New Orleans? Put down the pitchforks and let me explain. At lunchtime, the martinis are 75 cents a piece, limit 3. If you’re looking for bougie on a budget, go to Commander’s for lunch. This could be your splurge meal, and you’ll actually feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. I took myself on a solo date there last year for lunch for my birthday and was not disappointed. In case you haven’t guessed, I never go to places like this, and it truly felt special and worth it! If you’re doing one splurge meal, let this be it!

Yay, solo date!

Final Thoughts: Cheap Eats in New Orleans

One of the things I love most about New Orleans is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy it, and eating is no different. Many cheap eats and drinks can be found here, and you don’t have to look very hard!

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