Cheap Eats
Food scene
NYC is expensive, but great food doesn’t have to be. Here’s our favorite options for cheap eats in the city.
A sandwich spot located in the back of a jewelry store, this was a local secret until a few years ago.
22 locals recommend
Bánh Mì Saigon
198 Grand StA sandwich spot located in the back of a jewelry store, this was a local secret until a few years ago.
One man’s retirement project, Xian started as a tiny food stall in a mall in Flushing Queens. “Discovered” by Bourdain, the younger son of the founder has built several of these restaurants around the city. The food is outrageously good, and famous for hand-pulled noodles from northern China cuisine. Matt recommends the spicy lamb noodles, I like the spinach dumplings.
57 locals recommend
西安名吃 Xi'an Famous Foods
648 Manhattan AveOne man’s retirement project, Xian started as a tiny food stall in a mall in Flushing Queens. “Discovered” by Bourdain, the younger son of the founder has built several of these restaurants around the city. The food is outrageously good, and famous for hand-pulled noodles from northern China cuisine. Matt recommends the spicy lamb noodles, I like the spinach dumplings.
“Doubles” is a Trinidadian staple, perfect served any time of day but traditionally a breakfast food. Just $1.50 each! Doubles are sort of like soft tacos filled with chickpeas and served with different condiments like tamarind. A&A moved recently to a bigger location and lost its shrine to Nicki Minaj, but it is absolutely worth the visit in the new location.
57 locals recommend
A&A Bake Doubles and Roti
1337 Fulton St“Doubles” is a Trinidadian staple, perfect served any time of day but traditionally a breakfast food. Just $1.50 each! Doubles are sort of like soft tacos filled with chickpeas and served with different condiments like tamarind. A&A moved recently to a bigger location and lost its shrine to Nicki Minaj, but it is absolutely worth the visit in the new location.
The best taco truck in NYC serves unreal birra and al pastor. Tacos are $3-4, but be prepared to wait in a long line.
15 locals recommend
Birria-Landia
491 Metropolitan AvenueThe best taco truck in NYC serves unreal birra and al pastor. Tacos are $3-4, but be prepared to wait in a long line.
My go-to for a quick delicious falafel sandwich in SoHo. It’s pricier than a halal cart on the street, but very fresh. You can eat in the little park across the street.
116 locals recommend
Taïm
45 Spring StMy go-to for a quick delicious falafel sandwich in SoHo. It’s pricier than a halal cart on the street, but very fresh. You can eat in the little park across the street.
The Greenmarket in the north side of Union Square is a great place to find fresh seasonal food. The pretzel stall is one of my favorites.
987 locals recommend
Union Square
The Greenmarket in the north side of Union Square is a great place to find fresh seasonal food. The pretzel stall is one of my favorites.
There’s a reason Shake Shack now has locations everywhere: the food is great. The Shroomburger is my favorite indulgence.
993 locals recommend
Shake Shack
Madison AvenueThere’s a reason Shake Shack now has locations everywhere: the food is great. The Shroomburger is my favorite indulgence.
A tiny Kosher Jewish lunch counter and a slice of NYC history. It’s one of the last lunch counters left.
24 locals recommend
B&H Dairy
127 2nd AveA tiny Kosher Jewish lunch counter and a slice of NYC history. It’s one of the last lunch counters left.
I used to eat here all the time when I first moved to NYC. Just the best people and best vibe. You can eat on the stairs outside the deli.
34 locals recommend
Punjabi Deli
114 E 1st StI used to eat here all the time when I first moved to NYC. Just the best people and best vibe. You can eat on the stairs outside the deli.
The sandwiches are so cheap here we used to joke that we were robbing the place. Delicious halal food, falafel, and excellent people-watching on weekend evenings.
75 locals recommend
Oasis
168 Bedford AveThe sandwiches are so cheap here we used to joke that we were robbing the place. Delicious halal food, falafel, and excellent people-watching on weekend evenings.
Easy to miss, this place isn't fancy but the food is delicious. The perfect stop for a warming bowl of noodles.
46 locals recommend
Spicy Village
68 Forsyth StEasy to miss, this place isn't fancy but the food is delicious. The perfect stop for a warming bowl of noodles.
Billy’s Hot Dog Cart
It's true: Billy's is the best hot dog cart in the city.