The Best Cheap Eats in New Orleans

The OpenTable Team

New Orleans is undoubtedly one of the most fun and soulful cities in America. This bayou town is the birthplace of jazz music and it has an incredible arts scene. However, if there is one thing that people celebrate New Orleans for the most, it's probably the food. The Crescent City is home to countless celebrated restaurants that serve unforgettable Cajun-style meals and more. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Lucky for diners in New Orleans, many of the best restaurants in NOLA aren't only delicious—they're also affordable. Here are some of the best places in New Orleans to eat and drink on the cheap.

18 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	Meril, Ye Olde College Inn, Superior Seafood…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	Contemporary American, Creole, Seafood…
Neighborhoods:	Warehouse District, Carrollton, Uptown…

Meril

$$$$·Contemporary American·

Warehouse District

4,307 reviews

Good for Groups
Special Occasion
Good for a Date

One of the best places to eat affordable but gourmet food in New Orleans is Meril, Emeril Lagasse's fourth and most casual restaurant in the city. Meril is in the warehouse distric…Read more

93% recommended

Contemporary American in New Orleans / Louisiana

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Ye Olde College Inn

$$$$·Creole·

Carrollton

1,202 reviews

Neighborhood Gem
Good for a Date
Fit for Foodies

Go to Ye Old College Inn in New Orleans for cheap eats and a bit of history. The restaurant has been around since 1933. Today, they are focused on being a real farm-to-table restau…Read more

100% recommended

Best Overall in New Orleans / Louisiana

Table for 2 today

Superior Seafood

$$$$·Seafood·

Uptown

2,882 reviews

Neighborhood Gem
Special Occasion
Good for Groups

There is no shortage of seafood restaurants in New Orleans, a town on a bayou, river, and ocean. But, for one of the best cheap places to eat high-quality seafood in NOLA, go to Su…Read more

92% recommended

Seafood in New Orleans / Louisiana

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NOLA Restaurant

$$$$·Creole·

French Quarter

12,585 reviews

Fit for Foodies
Special Occasion
Hot Spot

NOLA Restaurant is another one of Emeril Lagasse's casual outposts, located in the heart of the French Quarter. Its menu features traditional Louisiana cooking with a contemporary,…Read more

86% recommended

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Mr. B's Bistro

$$$$·Creole·

French Quarter

3,609 reviews

Special Occasion
Fit for Foodies
Great for Lunch

Mr. B's is a true classic when it comes to New Orleans dining staples. Long considered a local favorite, Mr. B's is in the heart of the French Quarter and offers a dress code-free …Read more

95% recommended

Creole in New Orleans / Louisiana

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Desi Vega's Steakhouse

$$$$·Steakhouse·

Warehouse District

1,775 reviews

Special Occasion
Good for a Date
Good for Birthdays

Wine lovers can enjoy delicious cheap eats and an exceptional wine list at Desi Vega's. Desi Vega's is also in the French Quarter, but they're a little different than most of the C…Read more

94% recommended

Steakhouse in New Orleans / Louisiana

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Emeril's Restaurant

$$$$·Creole·

Warehouse District

10,923 reviews

Special Occasion
Fit for Foodies
Notable Wine List

This is the flagship restaurant for Emeril Lagasse. It opened in 1990, and since its debut, has become legendary for offering outstanding Creole cuisine. Diners can find dishes lik…Read more

90% recommended

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Mr. John's Steakhouse

$$$$·Steakhouse·

Garden District

2,368 reviews

Special Occasion
Notable Wine List
Good for Anniversaries

To find the best cheap places to eat in the Garden District, head to Mr. Johns Steakhouse. The menu at Mr. Johns is a typical steakhouse menu, but most dishes have a New Orleans tw…Read more

96% recommended

Notable Wine List in New Orleans / Louisiana

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Muriel's Jackson Square

$$$$·Creole / Cajun / Southern·

French Quarter

7,855 reviews

Special Occasion
Romantic
Good for Anniversaries

Muriel's Jackson Square has long had the reputation for being a great choice for casual, affordable dining in the French Quarter. Muriel's sits right off of Jackson Square, making …Read more

96% recommended

Creole / Cajun / Southern in New Orleans / Louisiana

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GW Fins

$$$$·Seafood·

French Quarter

14,601 reviews

Special Occasion
Fit for Foodies
Romantic

Opened in 2001, GW Fins is a restaurant that specializes in fish. The restaurant itself buzzes with energy, so it's a fun place to go for a meal that feels enlivening and electrify…Read more

98% recommended

Best Overall in New Orleans / Louisiana

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Experiences available

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Ruth's Chris Steak House - New Orleans

$$$$·Steakhouse·

Central Business District

2,065 reviews

Special Occasion
Romantic
Good for Birthdays

People might not think of cheap eats when they think of Ruth's Chris Steak House. However, when it comes to upscale dining in this town, Ruths Chris offers options that won't break…Read more

98% recommended

Steakhouse in New Orleans / Louisiana

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La Boca Steakhouse

$$$$·Steakhouse·

Warehouse District

2,004 reviews

Special Occasion
Fit for Foodies
Romantic

La Boca Steakhouse is another one of the top steakhouses ins New Orleans. This place has an Argentinian flair, with a large menu of meats and a selection of salads, pasta, and side…Read more

95% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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Restaurant R'evolution

$$$$·Creole / Cajun / Southern·

French Quarter

5,284 reviews

Special Occasion
Fit for Foodies
Notable Wine List

People looking for cheap eats in New Orleans that are also inventive should check out Restaurant R'evolution. The menu here boasts both classic takes on Creole fare and inventive n…Read more

91% recommended

Notable Wine List in New Orleans / Louisiana

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Lilette

$$$$·Contemporary American·

Garden District

1,992 reviews

Fit for Foodies
Neighborhood Gem
Special Occasion

Sometimes the hustle and bustle of New Orleans can get overwhelming. For something more intimate and quiet, have a meal at Lilette, on Magazine Street. For the cheapest eats at Lil…Read more

95% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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The Pelican Club

$$$$·Creole / Cajun / Southern·

French Quarter

3,002 reviews

Special Occasion
Great for Outdoor Dining
Good for a Date

The Pelican Club has been a lively and happening place in the French Quarter since 1990. The restaurant boasts a Creole menu with Asian influences, and it has a reputation for bein…Read more

94% recommended

Creole / Cajun / Southern in New Orleans / Louisiana

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Galatoire's Restaurant

$$$$·Creole / Cajun / Southern·

French Quarter

2,644 reviews

Special Occasion
Fit for Foodies
Romantic

For a truly authentic traditional New Orleans cuisine experience, try eating at Galatoires. Galatoires isn't fast food cheap. But, they do offer the opportunity to sample the most …Read more

85% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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Restaurant Patois

$$$$·French·

Uptown

1,503 reviews

Neighborhood Gem
Fit for Foodies
Special Occasion

One of the best cheap New Orleans restaurants is Restaurant Patois. Patois is a Louisiana restaurant with a “French Accent,” so there's a good blend of classic French dishes with t…Read more

95% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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Bayona

$$$$·Contemporary American·

French Quarter

3,972 reviews

Fit for Foodies
Special Occasion
Romantic

Bayona is another New Orleans staple, and it's a good choice for cheap eats. Since their opening 26 years ago, Bayona shined for having an affordable, global menu. At Bayona, try d…Read more

91% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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