Cheap Eats in Ann Arbor
The under-$15 Ann Arbor list that locals actually pull from. Not just "cheap by restaurant standards" cheap. Genuinely cheap: $10 burritos, $7 pizza slices, $8 falafel, $5 late-night sandwiches. Organized by why you are hungry, not by cuisine.
The classics, locked in
Frita Batidos
Frita Batidos brings the vibrant flavors of Cuba to Ann Arbor, offering a lively dining experience on Washington Street. This popu…
Pizza House
Pizza House has been a staple for pizza lovers and late-night diners in Ann Arbor, especially those around the Central Campus area…
Cheap by context
Quick lunch under $12
Pancheros (Mexican), Jerusalem Garden (Mediterranean), Jim\'s Unique Sandwich Shoppe (Kerrytown), Frita Batidos (Cuban fritas). All in-and-out under twenty minutes.
Late night under $10
Pizza House, NYPD, Ahmo\'s gyros, Blimpy Burger, Marcia\'s Breakfast & Lunch (early hours only). Campus area stays open past 2am on weekends.
Coffee and a pastry
Hyperion Coffee, RoosRoast, Comet Coffee, and Zingerman\'s Coffee Company are all under $8 for a drink and a pastry. Hyperion and RoosRoast have local roasters in-house.
Use a deal
Many of the sub-$15 meals get cheaper during happy hour. Birthday freebies on our birthday page push the price to $0 on your day.
Student-friendly deals right now
All deals →Zingerman's Bakehouse
Day-old bread half off. Bakehouse class discounts for repeat students.
The Brown Jug
Half off apps Mon to Thu 2pm to 4pm. $3 domestic drafts nightly after 7pm.
The Blue Leprechaun
Student pricing nightly. $3 well drinks, $2 domestic pints.
Rick's American Cafe
$3 wells, $2 domestic drafts nightly. No cover before 11pm.
Cottage Inn Pizza
Daily pizza specials. Student discount with ID.
Lab Cafe
Daily pour over feature. Student discount with ID.
Frequently asked
Where can I eat cheap in Ann Arbor?
Frita Batidos, Pancheros, Jerusalem Garden (falafel in Kerrytown), Jim's Unique Sandwich Shoppe, and Blimpy Burger are the staples under $15. For pizza under $10 a slice, Pizza House and NYPD are the late-night classics.
What Ann Arbor restaurants offer student discounts?
Several bars and restaurants around South U and State Street offer Ucard discounts or student happy hour pricing, including HopCat, The Brown Jug, and Good Time Charley's. See our happy hour guide for the full list.
What is the cheapest meal in Ann Arbor?
A Pancheros burrito or a falafel from Jerusalem Garden come in around $10. A slice and a drink at Pizza House or NYPD is about $7. Mark's Carts in summer and the food court at the Michigan Union are both sub-$10.
Are there any free meals in Ann Arbor?
Birthday freebies can add up to a full day of free food during birthday week. Our birthday page lists every Ann Arbor freebie we have verified, organized day by day so you can plan around them.
Where do broke college students eat in Ann Arbor?
Pancheros, Blimpy Burger, Jim's Sandwich Shoppe, Pizza House and NYPD late night, Jerusalem Garden for falafel, Ahmo's for gyros. These are the names you will hear from every U-M student.