It’s no secret that New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the best of it on a budget. Yes, you can easily spend over a hundred dollars at dinner with friends, but you can just as easily find a meal for the cost of a Starbucks coffee. In this list of NYC cheap eats, we’re sharing 10 delicious meals you can get in New York City for under $10.
Let’s get eating!
1. Joe’s Pizza
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What to Get: Cheese Slice ($3.75) or Pepperoni Slice ($4.25) or Veggie Slice ($4.50)
It doesn’t get more New York than this. Joe’s Pizza is a classic pizza stop and serves up some of the city’s best thin-crust slices. There’s nothing fancy about the shops, but the walls are covered with photos of famous celebrities who have come through the doors. Slices are less than $5 each, so for $10, you can grab a few! Just remember, they’re cash only here.
2. Los Tacos No. 1
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What to Get: Carne Asada/Grilled Steak ($4.95), Pollo Asado/Grilled Chicken ($4.75), Adobada/Marinated Pork ($4.85), or Nopal/Grilled Cactus ($4.65)
Fresh, authentic tacos at a buzzing taco joint – yes please! Choose from a variety of meat options or a vegetarian grilled cactus option and watch as they cook them up right in front of you. Los Tacos No. 1 is consistently fresh, flavorful and tastes like they should be way more than $5.
3. Creperie
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What to Get: Ham & Cheese Crepe ($10) or Sugar & Lemon Crepe ($8)
You might be wandering through the streets of New York but Creperie’s crepes will transport you to a walk along the Seine in Paris! This is a hole-in-the-wall creperie and that’s exactly you know it’s good. They have some more indulgent options on the menu, but for $10 you can try a classic French combination like ham & cheese or sugar & lemon.
4. Shake Shack
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What to Get: Shack Burger ($5.09) or Fries ($2.99) or Beer ($5.69) or Shake ($5.29)
Did you know Shake Shack was started in New York?! You can check out the original shack in Madison Square Park and grab a classic burger and fries to enjoy in the park. This location is also a great budget-friendly meet-up spot with friends to stroll through the park and snack on some fries and beer or indulge in a sweet shake.
5. Tim Ho Wan
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What to Get: 3 Pork Buns ($7.50), Pan-Fried Noodles ($8), or Steamed Pork Dumplings ($6.80)
This dim sum restaurant was named the world’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant. While it’s no longer the cheapest, Tim Ho Wan restaurant certainly fits into the $10 budget. They’re most famous for their pork buns but serve a variety of traditional dishes like dumplings, noodles, and steamed rice rolls.
6. Veselka
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What to Get: 4 Vareniki ($9), Borscht ($6), Potato Pancakes ($6), or Blintzes ($8)
Open 24/7, this Ukrainian restaurant in the heart of East Village is a good spot to keep in mind. As a Ukrainian, I can attest Veselka’s pierogi (or dumplings) are as good as a Ukrainian grandma’s. You can order these boiled or fried and they’re served with the traditional sides of fried onions and sour cream. The potato or sauerkraut & mushroom vareniki are classic options but they have others to choose from. Their borscht (beet soup) is equally amazing. Their potato pancakes are similar to latkes. The blintzes are a sweet option but are very filling – these are Ukrainian-style crepes filled with slightly sweet farmer’s cheese and topped with fresh fruit syrup.
And if all of that sounds too adventurous for you, they serve some great matzo ball soup for $6.
7. Murray’s Bagels
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What to Get: Bagel with Cream Cheese ($4.25) or Bacon, Egg & Cheese ($6.50)
Bagels are a great budget-friendly option! Murray’s Bagels is a New York classic, known for hand-rolled, kettle-boiled, old-fashioned bagels. You really can’t go wrong with any choice here. Choose from their variety of bagels and spreads (I love the chive or nova spread). Or go for the New York standard BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese). You’ll even have a couple of bucks left for coffee or orange juice.
8. Mamoun’s
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What to Get: Classic Falafel & Hummus Sandwich ($7.85) or Chicken Kebab Sandwich ($9.50)
Mamoun’s has been a staple for good, non-frilly Mediterranean food for decades. They have a selection of meat and vegetarian options here. For less than $10, you can get an incredibly filling pita filled with falafel, hummus, and veggies or a similar sandwich with grilled chicken kebab.
9. Banh Mi Saigon
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What to Get: #1 House Special Bánh Mì ($8.50) or #10 House Special Vegan Bánh Mì ($8.50)
If you’ve never tried a banh mi, Banh Mi Saigon is the place to go! This Veitnamese deli has over a dozen variations of this traditional sandwich consisting of a toasted baguette, pickled veggies, meat, and sauce. The classic option is delicious, but you could venture out and try the sardine, curry chicken, or beef and lemongrass version. They also have a vegan menu with some great options as well.
10. NY Dosas
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What to Get: Masala Dosa ($8) or Mixed Vegetable Uthappam ($9)
This is a must-try even if you’re not sticking under a $10 budget. “The Dosa Man” of NY Dosas opened his unassuming cart in Washington Square Park nearly a decade ago and has been bringing tasty Indian food to the people of New York since. He has even won awards for best dosas in NYC and best street food. Try the classic Masala Dosa, which is a crepe filled with a savory potato filling, or the Mixed Vegetable Uthappam, which is like a large, savory pancake with veggies. Bonus – everything on the menu is vegan!
And for the sweet tooths who would prefer to spend their $10 on something sweet, these places will not disappoint: Eileen’s Special Cheesecake for mini cheesecakes, Magnolia Bakery for world-famous bread pudding, and Ovenly Cupcakes for delectable cakes.
As you can see, you can taste so much of New York (and the world) for only $10. These are only some NYC cheap eats but the city has so many more to offer! Is there anything you would add to this list?
I’ve never heard of Banh Mi Saigon, sounds amazing!