Cheap places to eat in New York
Cosmopolitan New York City has one of the most diverse and internationally acclaimed restaurant scenes in the world, with new places opening every day and offerings ranging from the exotic to the innovative.
However, all this magic in the kitchen comes at a price and eating in such a big and bustling city can be an expensive proposition, so here are some tips for eating on a budget in New York!
1. New York Burgers with all the works.
America has long been famous for hamburgers (not least McDonald’s) and New York is no exception. Try Blue 9 Burger on Third Avenue for authentic New York-style food, where dinner is as little as $6. This may be a fast food restaurant, but it’s known for the fresh, hand-cut ingredients, as well as the trademark spicy mango sauce.
2. Delicious.
And it doesn’t stop with the burgers: the city is famous for its variety of great eats that can be bought cheaply. Think cheesecake, club sandwiches and savory bagels…and on the Lower East and Upper West sides, there are numerous delicatessens serving these specialties at affordable prices and large portions.
3. Splurge on happy hour.
Although happy hour discounts aren’t unique to New York, few cities can offer such a good value. On weekdays between 4 and 7 pm (which is too early for trendy New York night owls), even the fanciest cocktail bars and restaurants drop their prices. Head to the Mole Mexican Bar & Grill on Allen Street for a $5 fresh-squeezed lime margarita and some equally reasonable Mexican cuisine.
4. Go international.
New York is home to a wide variety of international restaurants and while they do have some more expensive restaurants, Little Italy and Chinatown tend to offer cheaper and tastier meals than touristy neighborhoods like Times Square. The popular Veselka in the East Village serves up Ukrainian comfort food that won’t break the bank and (in typical New York fashion) stays open until dawn.
5. Eat inside.
For the truly budget-conscious visitor to New York, there’s another great alternative to cutting costs: Head to one of the cute little shops clustered in Chelsea or the farmers’ market in Union Square to shop for fresh ingredients and then create your own dishes. ! Most New York hostels in Manhattan and Brooklyn have self-catering facilities so guests can sample some of those New York delicacies, even on a shoestring budget.