An Eater’s Itinerary: Cheap French Quarter Eats

You’re down for spending the whole day in the New Orleans French Quarter, but you don’t want to blow your whole paycheck. Here’s how to enjoy the French Quarter and great food without busting your budget! You can do it all — breakfast, lunch, dinner and even cocktails — on a budget, while still having an amazing New Orleans experience.

Breakfast– If you’re anything like me during the week, breakfast isn’t on the top of your list. If that is the case, I recommend swinging in to world famous Cafe Du Monde for an order of beignets and a cafe au lait or chocolate milk.  It is a tasty breakfast that won’t weigh you down all day. And if you’re anything like me during the weekend, a nice hearty breakfast is at the top of your list. Tackle your hunger at the New Orleans greasy spoon institution, Camelia Grill. All the usual suspects for a filling breakfast are here, omelettes, pancakes, bacon, etc. I’ve yet to go wrong with something from Camelia Grill.

Lunch– One of my favorite places in the French Quarter is, without a doubt, the Napoleon House. They have one of my favorite muffulettas in the city, a great inner courtyard, amazing history and they make a mean, heat-beating Pimm’s Cup. A tasty lunch of bruschetta and the muffuletta will run a party of two less than $15. With those savings, you might want to spring for the Pimm’s Cup collector set!

Dinner– Your day in the French Quarter is winding down, you’ve strolled through the antiques and art on Royal, toured the Cabildo, and haggled your way through the French Market. But now it’s dinner time and you want some classic New Orleans dishes done right without the high price tag. “Impossible in the Quarter!” you say? Ah, then you must be unfamiliar with Coop’s Place. Jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, fried gulf seafood, and shrimp creole are just a few of the dishes served up by Coop’s that fail to break the $10 mark. Coop’s jumbalaya supreme has even been hailed by local critics as the best jambalaya in the city!

This itinerary should get you through a full day in the French Quarter and keep your stomach and your wallet happy! Did we miss any French Quarter bargains that you love? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!

Cafe Du Monde
1039 Decatur Street

Camelia Grill in the French Quarter
540 Chartres Street

Napoleon House
500 Chartres Street

Coop’s Place
1109 Decatur Street

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