New York City’s food scene is more than fancy restaurants. It’s full of affordable places to eat. You can find tasty meals without spending a lot. NYC has lots of cheap eats, from street food to hidden spots.
Even on a tight budget, you can enjoy great food in NYC. There are over 40 places where meals cost $25 or less. You can find something delicious in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens.
Craving tacos? Los Tacos No. 1 has them for under $6. For Chinese food, try Xi’an Famous Foods for under $10. Scarr’s Pizza offers classic slices starting at $4. These places show you can eat well without spending a lot.
Best NYC Cheap Eats by Neighborhood
New York City is a food lover’s dream. It has tasty meals for every budget. Let’s check out some top cheap eats in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Manhattan Budget-Friendly Hotspots
Manhattan has many affordable places to eat. Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village has been serving classic slices since 1975. You can get a slice for just a few dollars.
For Middle Eastern food, try Mamoun’s Falafel. They’ve been around since 1972 and offer a $5 falafel sandwich. Vanessa’s Dumpling House has four dumplings for about $2. Xi’an Famous Foods has noodle dishes under $10.
Brooklyn’s Wallet-Friendly Favorites
Brooklyn has many spots that are often missed by visitors. 7th Street Burger offers a smash burger experience that’s affordable. Levain Bakery has large cookies that are filling and cheap.
For international flavors, Cafe Himalaya serves momos at great prices. Los Tacos No. 1 sells tacos for under $5 each. These are just a few of Brooklyn’s budget-friendly options.
Queens Value Dining Destinations
Queens is known for its diverse and affordable food options. Joe’s Steam Rice Roll specializes in Cantonese-style rice rolls for $5-$10. Sybil’s has a $8 jerk chicken sandwich, and King Barka’s offers Jamaican dishes for $6.
For South Asian cuisine, head to Jackson Heights. You can find budget-friendly Indian dishes under $10 at various spots.
| Borough | Restaurant | Dish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | Gray’s Papaya | 2 hot dogs + drink | $5 |
| Brooklyn | 2 Bros Pizza | Cheese slice | $2-3 |
| Queens | Kew Gardens Chicken | Chicken meal | $8.50 |
From Manhattan’s famous pizzerias to Brooklyn’s international dishes and Queens’ street food, NYC has it all. These budget-friendly spots show that you can eat well without spending a lot in the Big Apple.
NYC Cheap Eats by Cuisine Type
New York City’s food scene is full of flavors at good prices. Let’s look at some affordable options across different cuisines.
Asian Budget Dining
NYC has many cheap Asian food spots. Xi’an Famous Foods offers hand-pulled noodles for under $10. Shu Jiao Fu Zhou in Chinatown has peanut noodles for less than $4.
Win Son Bakery in Brooklyn serves Taiwanese dishes on a budget. Two Hands Corn Dogs is famous for Korean-style corn dogs, priced around $5 each.
Latin American Bargains
For cheap Latin food, try Los Tacos No. 1. They serve authentic Mexican tacos under $5 each. Birria Landia offers birria tacos and consomé for less than $5 per item.
The Arepa Lady in Jackson Heights serves Colombian arepas under $10. Taqueria Al Pastor in Brooklyn has al pastor tacos for $4.50 each.
Middle Eastern Value Meals
Affordable Middle Eastern food is easy to find in NYC. Mamoun’s Falafel, open since 1972, has falafel sandwiches for $6.50. Oasis in Williamsburg offers similar sandwiches for $5.50.
The Halal Guys, once a cart, now has many locations. They serve filling platters for $15 and gyros for $9.
| Cuisine | Restaurant | Dish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian | Xi’an Famous Foods | Hand-pulled noodles | Under $10 |
| Latin American | Los Tacos No. 1 | Authentic tacos | Under $5 |
| Middle Eastern | Mamoun’s Falafel | Falafel sandwich | $6.50 |
Conclusion
Our NYC cheap eats guide shows you where to find great food without spending a lot. You can find amazing meals in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. These places offer food for every taste and budget.
Places like The Halal Guys have platters for about $10. Nathan’s Famous has hot dogs for just a few dollars. For Asian food, try Xi’an Famous Foods and Vanessa’s Dumpling House for under $10.
New York’s food scene is full of variety. You can find soul food, ramen, and pho. This shows the city’s mix of cultures.
Look for happy hour deals, like $1 oysters at The Mermaid Inn. Or check out farmers’ markets for fresh, cheap food. New York’s famous dollar slice pizzas and bagels are also great deals.
With these tips, you can enjoy New York’s food without spending too much. From street food to hidden spots, great food is affordable in New York City.
