The Best Cheap Eats in New Orleans

Cheap food is some of the best food in New Orleans. Discover 11 tasty treats and the spots where you can eat them without breaking the bank.

Beignets and Coffee at Cafe du MondePhoto by2foodtrippers

1. Beignets at Cafe du Monde

Cafe du Monde is open 364 days on a 24/7 basis, only closing for Christmas and the occasional hurricane. Frying beignets since 1862, Café Du Monde is a legend that lives up to its reputation as one of the best inexpensive places to eat in New Orleans. It's a must for all donut lovers!

2. Fried Chicken at Willie Mae's Scotch House

Located in historic Tremé, about a 20 minute walk or a short cab/uber ride from the French quarter, Willie Mae's is true to its neighborhood, city and owners. Crispy, spicy and slightly salty on the outside yet super moist and juicy on the inside, this made-to-order fried chicken is not to be missed.

3. Breakfast at French Toast

More than just a clever name, French Toast is a great breakfast option for those times when you want to start your day with more than beignets in the French Quarter. This restaurant's combination of great food, friendly service and fair prices is a winner.

4. Breakfast, Lunch and Cake at Bywater Bakery

Open since 2017 and managed by married owners Chef Chaya Conrad and Alton Osborne, Bywater Bakery has become a community hub. It's also a destination for New Orleans foodies with an appreciation for tasty cheap eats and culture. Its menu is filled with breakfast joy, lunch happiness and cake love. Seriously, these are the categories on the Bywater Bakery menu. Need we say more?

5. Cajun Food at Coop's Place

Aside from its crispy fried chicken and some of the best jambalaya in New Orleans, the other draw to Coop's is the busy cheek to jowl atmosphere. It's fun to watch servers 'work the room' as they expertly referee the crowds while serving some of the best cheap food in New Orleans. Adding hot sauce is optional.

6. Po Boys at Parkway Bakery & Tavern

Like many of the best New Orleans po boy shops, Parkway Bakery & Tavern is located slightly off the beaten track. However, it's worth the extra effort to travel to this Mid-City institution by cab/uber or streetcar (Canal St #48). But it's not just the po boys that are awesome here. The debris fries and bread pudding rock too.

7. Diner Dishes and Dessert at The Camellia Grill

Open since 1946, The Camellia Grill isn't fancy or trendy. Food here, like the chili omelette and grilled pecan pie that we ate during are most recent meal, is solid and straightforward. It's also cheap and tasty - two of our favorite attributes when it comes to food when we travel.

8. Muffalettas at Central Grocery & Deli

Salvatore Lupo changed the New Orleans food scene when he brought his Sicilian heritage to the table and started selling his meaty round sandwich at Central Grocery in the French Quarter. His descendants continue to sell Muffalettas at the same small food store more than a century later. Also - be warned - they're huge.

9. Burgers at Port of Call

Located on the edge of the French Quarter, Port of Call has been slinging out top-quality burgers and baked potatoes for years. These burgers are serious business - each starting out with a half pound of ground beef - and served with a big baked potato. You'll want to splurge a few bucks to get cheese and mushrooms added. The unmelted cheese and wine-sautéed mushrooms meld together to create a unique burger experience.

10. Hot Dogs at Dat Dog

Dat Dog isn't your typical hot dog joint. The colorfully decorated hot dog shop serves a full menu of crazy hot dog combos in New Orleans as well as at outposts outside of the city. Sides are equally inventive with a selection of loaded fries and tater tots. Plus, Dat Dog has a full bar featuring craft beers, daiquiris and specialty cocktails.

11. Snoballs at Hansen's Sno-Bliz

The Hansen family has been shaving ice at Sno-Bliz and topping it with homemade syrup since 1934. Now operated by the family's third generation, Hansen's Sno-Bliz is a James Beard prize-winning local institution. Syrup flavors run the gamut from classic strawberry and orange to more modern options like honey lavender and satsuma.

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