Tasty Las Vegas Eats That Won’t Bust Your Budget or Flavor
Las Vegas is the city of luxury and excess, including food. Everything from Michelin-star restaurants to all-you-can-eat buffets and celebrity chef spots is lining the strip. However, many of them will drain your wallet just as fast. On the bright side, you can find great meals on a tight budget in the Sin City of Las Vegas. If you are trying to figure out where to eat in Las Vegas with a small budget and not sacrifice on taste, you've come to the right website.
Whether you are coming to Las Vegas for business and work, for fun on vacation, or for a last-minute trip to Vegas on the weekend, budget meals are not only doable, they can be good. From cheap eats, Las Vegas is known for affordable and sometimes even free food, local diners, street food, and delicious food courts. We have it all covered for you. Let's dive into the best affordable food in town so you can fill your belly and save your wallet.
1. Embrace the Food Court Scene
Forget your stereotypes of food courts, especially in Las Vegas. In a city with high-end prices, food courts are surprisingly affordable.
Here are some of my favorite food courts that have a variety of affordable options:
- The LINQ Promenade: Here, you can pick up quick bites, such as In-N-Out Burger, Flour & Barley (pizza by the slice), and Haute Doggery. There are also delicious options like ramen, Chinese food, and tacos.
- Cosmopolitan’s Block 16 Urban Food Hall: You can find fun, quality vendors like Hattie B’s Hot Chicken and Lardo sandwiches here. I love those sandwiches.
- Caesars Palace Forum Food Court: If you want to enjoy spots like Shake Shack, Earl of Sandwich, and Panda Express while remaining on the strip, this is your food court!
- Resorts World Famous Foods Street Eats: A newer food court, and the theme is Asian-inspired street food with stalls that serve dumplings, ramen, and Thai BBQ food, to name a few.
Food courts are a combination of choice and value, making them an excellent option for travel foodies who are on a budget and don't want to settle for bad meals or boring, bland food.
2. Local Diners That Deliver on Flavor
Locals know some of the best food in Las Vegas doesn't come from the Strip! If you want bang for your buck, eat at one of the local diners with a reputation that has stood the test of time!
Best Budget Diners in Las Vegas:
- Ellis Island Café: Located right off the Strip, this diner is connected to a casino and is a 24/7 diner that offers steak specials under $15 and huge portions!
- Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant: This is a true Vegas institution that serves breakfast at all hours. Breakfast will never get boring because they serve pancakes, omelettes, and burgers at great prices.
- Peppermill: Located in the far north part of the Strip, this diner serves huge portions, and its lounge offers a great throwback Vegas experience.
- Vickie's Diner: A classic diner experience that is family-owned and run with a heartwarming level of service that will make you feel at home. Breakfasts average under $10, and you will not leave hungry.
These diners are a great way to eat well on a budget and often come with a good dose of atmosphere!
3. Budget Buffets That Still Impress
Buffets are a Vegas tradition, and while many are pricey, a few are ideal for the cheap eats Las Vegas crowd.
Affordable Buffets with Great Taste:
- Excalibur Buffet: One of the cheapest on the Strip, offering a range of cuisine for around $30 or less.
- MGM Grand Buffet (during breakfast/lunch hours): Great for early risers seeking all-you-can-eat deals.
- Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station: Located downtown, this lesser-known gem offers one of the best buffet values.
- South Point Garden Buffet: Off the Strip and a hit among locals, especially during weekday brunch.
Timing matters—go during breakfast or lunch for lower prices. Buffets are a good way to fuel the day without needing another meal for hours.
4. Best Street Food and Food Trucks in Vegas
If you’re genuinely seeking where to eat on a budget in Las Vegas without compromising taste, street food and food trucks might be your jackpot.
Must-Try Street Food and Trucks:
- Tacos El Gordo: Iconic, authentic Tijuana-style tacos with meats carved to order—under $5 each and full of flavor.
- Cousins Maine Lobster Truck: Yes, lobster on a budget! Look for daily truck locations via social media.
- Fukuburger Truck: Asian-style burgers with bold, unexpected flavors and great value.
- Stripcheeze: A gourmet grilled cheese truck with decadent options like mac & cheese stuffed melts.
- Graffiti Bao: Asian street food staples like bao buns, noodles, and dumplings, served fast and flavorful.
Check apps like Roaming Hunger or social media for truck schedules and special offers.
5. International Flavors for Less
Las Vegas is a global melting pot. You can sample affordable food worldwide without leaving the city—or busting your budget.
Global Cuisine on the Cheap:
- Café Sanuki: Authentic Japanese lunch sets and udon bowls in the $10–15 range.
- Komex Fusion: Korean-Mexican fusion with budget-friendly tacos, kimchi burritos, and rice bowls.
- Soho Japanese Restaurant: A local favorite for sushi happy hours with rolls under $6.
- Archie’s Thai Kitchen: Hidden gem near UNLV with spicy and satisfying dishes priced under $12.
- Pho Kim Long: Open 24/7, this Chinatown staple offers steaming bowls of pho starting at $10.
You'll discover a treasure trove of flavors and deals by heading slightly off-strip into neighborhoods like Chinatown or Spring Mountain Road.
6. Strip Staples That Won’t Empty Your Wallet
Believe it or not, places on the Strip offer great food at reasonable prices—you have to know where to look.
Budget-Friendly Picks on the Strip:
- Earl of Sandwich (Planet Hollywood): Legendary hot sandwiches are around $8 and are open late.
- Secret Pizza (The Cosmopolitan): Hidden down an unmarked hallway, slices are $5–7 and authentically New York.
- La Salsa Cantina (Miracle Mile Shops): Offers breakfast specials with eggs, potatoes, and a Bloody Mary for under $6.
- Ocean One Bar & Grille (Miracle Mile Shops): Known for $5 lunch entrees and $3 cocktails—yes, seriously.
These restaurants prove that affordable food on the Strip isn’t a myth.
7. Happy Hour Heaven
Don’t overlook happy hours as a key strategy for budget travel foodies. Many restaurants slash prices on food and drinks in the afternoon or late evening.
Best Happy Hour Deals:
- Yard House (LINQ): Great draft beer selection and happy hour food menu with sliders, tacos, and nachos for under $7.
- Bruxie: Waffle sandwiches, fries, and shakes at lower prices during weekday happy hours.
- Nacho Daddy (downtown): Discounted nachos, tacos, and margaritas—often accompanied by live music.
- Hexx Kitchen + Bar (Paris Hotel): Scenic Strip views and happy hour bites for $5–$7.
Always check the restaurant’s site or ask the host for happy hour details—they're often unpublished!
8. Sweet Tooth Satisfaction on a Budget
You don’t have to splurge at a high-end dessert bar to indulge your cravings. Here are budget-friendly sweet spots that deliver.
Affordable Dessert Destinations:
- Lappert’s Ice Cream (California Hotel): reasonably priced Hawaiian-inspired flavors.
- Cinnaholic: Custom gourmet cinnamon rolls with vegan options for under $10.
- Donut Bar (Downtown): Oversized, creative donuts at $3–5 each. Go early—they sell out!
- Churro Mania: Find these carts around strip malls or street corners with crispy, sugar-coated churros at $3 a pop.
Satisfy your sweet tooth without overspending—perfect for late-night snacking or a midday treat.
Conclusion
You can visit Las Vegas without breaking your food budget. Whether you're eating street food, dining at a local diner, or exploring quality (and inexpensive) food courts, there is no lack of delicious and affordable meals. The diversity of restaurants, food options, and competition, combined with Las Vegas's 24-hour nature, ensures that a great meal is always around the corner (often for under $10).
If you read this guide on where to eat cheap in Las Vegas while experiencing mouth-watering tastes, you can eat and drink like a king without spending like one. Your hungry stomach will be full, your pockets will be thick, and you'll leave Sin City knowing you ate cheap food you can brag about.
This content was created by AI
