10 Best Budget Date Night Restaurants In Lafayette Louisiana

(KMDL-FM) Among married folks or folks who have been together as a couple for a while, there is a phenomenon known as date night. In Lafayette, Louisiana, a proper date involves a great meal. And for the record, "date night" doesn't have to happen in the dark. You can have a "date night" lunch, or brunch, or if time is really tight, a snack or dessert in the middle of the afternoon. 

I think the great meal is the reason a lot of us in Acadiana are willing to be seen with our significant other. But what makes a great date night restaurant when you’re trying to watch your budget? 

What Makes a Great Date Night in Lafayette, Louisiana and Acadiana?

If I am reading the room correctly, what we are looking for is a place where the final bill is inexpensive, but the experience doesn’t feel cheap. There needs to be certain things included with the meal that give it an air of “elegance” even if that elegance is pro-rated just a little.  

couple dining out

Some of the specifics that you mentioned to us that you look for in a great date night dining spot for those on a budget are these. Does the restaurant have waiters, or do you order your food at a kiosk? Are plates and flatware not made of paper or plastic? Is there a waitstaff, or do you have to return to the front counter for a refill on your drink or to request an additional condiment? 

Also, the kind of food on offer can make a huge difference in whether the meal in question feels more like date night or if it feels more like “we just needed something to eat”. Hamburgers can be elegant with a unique presentation. Pizza can become gourmet by adjusting the toppings. Pasta with the addition of a good sauce and a well-researched and affordable bottle of wine can make you feel as if you’re spending the evening in Milan.  

READ MORE: Lafayette Restaurants That Are Worth The Wait

And since you don’t have time to cook, we figured you didn’t have time to do a lot of research either, so we have created for you our ten favorite places for Date Night in Lafayette on a Budget.  

Here's How We Chose The Restaurants for Our Lafayette "Date Night on a Budget" List

People dining at a restaurant at night

In order to curate our list, we asked you via social media platforms to offer your suggestions. We also reviewed travel sites such as TripAdvisor, Yelp!, and others. What we found was a great cross-section of restaurant options.   

READ MORE: Lafayette's Best Restaurants for Solo Diners

So, even if your date night date doesn’t like seafood, or has an aversion to peanuts, or doesn’t like places without a patio, there is at least one place on the list that you could visit, have a nice meal, enjoy a nice date, and still head home with a little money in your pocket.