Eat · Cheap eats · 2026
The best cheap eats in New York.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 13 places.
Eating well in New York doesn’t have to drain your bank account. I know because I spent my first year here surviving on dollar slices and halal carts, and honestly, some of the best food I’ve had in this city cost me less than a subway ride. After years of tracking down the most satisfying cheap eats in New York City, I’ve put together the spots that keep me coming back, all under $15.
- Banh Mi Saigon ($10)Restaurant · ChinatownThe best part? It’s a mere $10 at Banh Mi Saigon.
- Birria LandiaRestaurant · QueensBirria Landia started as a late-night street cart in Queens and blew up because the birria tacos are genuinely that good.
- Breakfast Sandwiches at Daily Provisions ($10)CafeThe BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) is on constant rotation in my weekend plans, although my husband swears by the smoked salmon croissant.
- Cheeky Sandwiches (Under Renovation)Restaurant · Lower East SideNone of the sandwiches surpass the $10 mark and they’re some of the best in town.
- Customized Corn Dogs at Two Hands ($5)Restaurant · SoHo & West VillagePriced around $5 per corn dog, Two Hands is one of the most affordable places to eat in New York City.
- Grandma Slice at Scarr’s Pizza ($6)Restaurant · Lower East SideScarr’s dishes out some of the best pizza in New York City, rivaling far more expensive joints.
- Halal GuysRestaurantSeriously, you couldn’t miss this place if you tried, the lines are always so long, especially in the evenings.
- Los Tacos No. 1Restaurant · ChelseaLos Tacos No. 1 dishes out the best tacos in New York City.
- Mei Lai Wah ($2)Bakery · ChinatownThis one of the best cheap eats in New York City because the generously-sized buns start at $1.50 a piece.
- Peanut Noodles at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou ($4)Restaurant · ChinatownKnown for creamy peanut noodles and tender dumplings, Shu Jiao Fu Zhou (cash-only establishment) earns a well-deserved spot on our roundup of best cheap eats in NYC.
- Trapizzino ($10)Restaurant · Lower East SideSometimes referred to as an step up version of a hot pocket, this one of my favorite NYC cheap eats in a pinch.
- VeselkaRestaurant · East VillageThe Ukrainian borscht (traditional beet soup) seems to be a huge hit at $6 per cup or $11 for a bowl.
- Xi’an Famous FoodsRestaurantThis restaurant is a personal favorite, I’m not saying I’m on a first-name basis with the staff, but they’re on my Christmas card list.
Banh Mi Saigon ($10)
Restaurant · Chinatown · 198 Grand St New York, NY
The best part? It’s a mere $10 at Banh Mi Saigon.
Birria Landia
Restaurant · Queens
Birria Landia started as a late-night street cart in Queens and blew up because the birria tacos are genuinely that good.
Breakfast Sandwiches at Daily Provisions ($10)
Cafe
The BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) is on constant rotation in my weekend plans, although my husband swears by the smoked salmon croissant.
Cheeky Sandwiches (Under Renovation)
Restaurant · Lower East Side · 35 Orchard St, New York, NY
None of the sandwiches surpass the $10 mark and they’re some of the best in town.
Customized Corn Dogs at Two Hands ($5)
Restaurant · SoHo & West Village
Priced around $5 per corn dog, Two Hands is one of the most affordable places to eat in New York City.
Grandma Slice at Scarr’s Pizza ($6)
Restaurant · Lower East Side · 22 Orchard St, New York, NY
Scarr’s dishes out some of the best pizza in New York City, rivaling far more expensive joints.
Halal Guys
Restaurant · Multiple locations in NYC
Seriously, you couldn’t miss this place if you tried, the lines are always so long, especially in the evenings.
Los Tacos No. 1
Restaurant · Chelsea
Los Tacos No. 1 dishes out the best tacos in New York City.
Mei Lai Wah ($2)
Bakery · Chinatown · 64 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
This one of the best cheap eats in New York City because the generously-sized buns start at $1.50 a piece.
Peanut Noodles at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou ($4)
Restaurant · Chinatown · 295 Grand St, New York, NY
Known for creamy peanut noodles and tender dumplings, Shu Jiao Fu Zhou (cash-only establishment) earns a well-deserved spot on our roundup of best cheap eats in NYC.
Trapizzino ($10)
Restaurant · Lower East Side · 144 Orchard Street, New York, NY
Sometimes referred to as an step up version of a hot pocket, this one of my favorite NYC cheap eats in a pinch.
Veselka
Restaurant · East Village · 144 Second Ave, New York, NY
The Ukrainian borscht (traditional beet soup) seems to be a huge hit at $6 per cup or $11 for a bowl.
Xi’an Famous Foods
Restaurant
This restaurant is a personal favorite, I’m not saying I’m on a first-name basis with the staff, but they’re on my Christmas card list.
Best cheap eats in New York, 2026
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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 19 Satisfying Cheap Eats in New York City (Under $15).