Your Ultimate Guide to Affordable Eats in NYC

Just because you’re in New York City doesn’t mean that everything has to be expensive. The Big Apple is home to so many experiences and food that won’t break the bank! There are so many free things to do in New York, perfect for budget travelers. To make it even better, there are also so many affordable eats in NYC for both locals and travelers to indulge in. From pizza to tacos to dumplings and more, there’s no better way to experience a city than through its delectable food!

One of the best and most affordable eats in NYC is the food served at China North Dumpling! Of course, they serve all authentic and comforting Chinese dishes, like many kinds of dumplings (chive and pork pan-fried dumplings, chive and pork steamed dumplings, steamed vegetable dumpling soup, and more), noodle bowls (beef noodle soup, wonton noodle soup, steamed pork dumpling noodle soup, noodles with meat and bean sauce, and more), appetizers (hot and sour soup, soybean milk, spring rolls, and more), and pancakes (sesame, chive, sesame with pork, and sesame with vegetables).

So, if you happen to be in the city and are craving Chinese food, China North Dumpling is definitely one of the best affordable restaurants in NYC!

If you want to hit several affordable eats in NYC in one go, then this Brooklyn neighborhood eats walking food tour is perfect for you! In just one tour, you’ll be able to try seven different foods from several local stores with American, Italian, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Your food stops will consist of breads, pastries, cheeses, pizza, and more. The best part is that you don’t have to pay for each food item anymore, as all seven are already included in your one payment when you book your tour.

As you go along with your tour, your guide will also let you in on some history and stories about Brooklyn’s culture and culinary scene. True enough, this food tour will let you have a taste of only the best in Brooklyn.

Los Tacos No. 1 is not only one of the most affordable eats in NYC but also one of the most popular food spots. If you want delectable and flavorful tacos at a low price point, then this taco place is perfect for you.

For tacos, they offer several kinds, like Carne Asada (grilled steak), Pollo Asado (grilled chicken), Adobada (marinated pork), and Nopal (grilled cactus). They also have quesadillas here, offering the same fillings as those of the tacos, and, of course, they have sides here too, such as chips with salsa or guacamole.

They have several branches across New York, like at Chelsea Market, Grand Central, Hudson Yards, NoHo, Penn Station, Times Square, Tribeca, Union Square, and Wall Street.

Explore the beauty of, and the delicious food offerings of, New York’s Lower East Side with this New York Lower East Side walking and food tour! During the tour, you’ll visit several markets, pastry shops, and restaurants, which are home to a fusion of flavors from American, Italian, and other cuisines. Your trusty guide will fill you in with the details per stop, as well as the history and culture of the Lower East Side.

For the tour, your stops include: Russ & Daughters, Economy Candy, The Pickle Guys, Kossar's Bagels & Bialys, Doughnut Plant, Katz's Delicatessen, and Vanessa's Dumpling House.

Another one of the most affordable eats in NYC is, of course, the famous The Halal Guys. They have been serving authentic American Halal food since 1990, making it a staple find in New York’s food scene. Their platters will definitely fill you but won’t empty your wallets.

For their menu, they offer several items for you to try, such as their famous platters (beef gyro, chicken, falafel, and combo), sandwiches in the same flavors, hummus, fries, baklava, baklava cheesecake, and more!

You’re now more than ready to go on an affordable eats in NYC food trip! Make sure to have someone tag along, as food tastes best when shared. Happy and safe travels!

For good and cheap meals in Midtown Manhattan, you can opt for Los Tacos No. 1 for tacos, NY Pizza Suprema or Joe's Pizza for classic New York pizza, and the classic street cart–style Halal Guys.

The best NYC neighborhoods for affordable international street food are Flushing and Jackson Heights in Queens, Chinatown in Manhattan, and Astoria in Queens.

Some of the restaurants with the best lunch specials and happy hour deals in NYC include Dante West Village, The Mermaid Inn, The Standard Grill, and Tara Rose.

Some must-try cheap eats under US$10 in NYC's Chinatown include Joe's Steam Rice Roll for Cantonese rice rolls, Wah Fung No. 1 Fast Food for roast pork, Mei Lai Wah for steamed buns, and Shu Jiao Fu Zhou for cheap dumplings and peanut butter noodles. 

A budget-friendly meal in NYC can range from US$15 to US$25 per person for a single meal, or US$20 to US$30 per day by combining an affordable breakfast from a cart, a lunch from a food stand or deli, and dinner from a cheaper restaurant.