Top 20 Best Cheap Places to Ear in New York City Under $15 2024
New York City is famous for its food scene, but eating out doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, finding tasty and affordable meals in the Big Apple is easier than you might think.
From tacos and pizza to dumplings and sandwiches, NYC offers a world of flavors at budget-friendly prices. Let’s dive into the top 20 spots where you can enjoy delicious food without emptying your wallet.
This list covers a variety of cuisines and neighborhoods, so you’re sure to find something that fits your taste and location. Remember, prices may change, but these spots are known for offering great value.
Most dishes at these places cost less than $15, making them perfect for budget-conscious food lovers.
Top 20 Best Cheap Places to Ear in New York City Under $15 2024
Ready to explore the best cheap eats NYC has to offer? Let’s get started!
1. Los Tacos No. 1
Los Tacos No. 1 is a must-visit for taco lovers. Found in Chelsea Market, this place serves up some of the best Mexican street food in the city.
What to try:
- Adobada tacos (marinated pork)
- Carne asada tacos (grilled beef)
- Pollo tacos (chicken)
The tacos come wrapped in homemade tortillas. You can choose between flour and corn. They top the tacos with onion, cilantro, salsa, and guacamole. A meal of 2-3 tacos is filling and costs less than $15.
Tip: The guacamole and chips are good but a bit pricey at $5.50 for a small serving. Skip it if you’re on a tight budget.
Many out-of-town visitors love Los Tacos No. 1 so much that they want to come back on their next trip to NYC. It’s a top spot for authentic Mexican flavors at wallet-friendly prices.
2. Xi’an Famous Foods
Xi’an Famous Foods brings the taste of Xi’an, China to New York. This place is known for its hand-pulled noodles and spicy-sour dumplings.
Popular dishes:
- Spicy hot-oil seared hand-ripped noodles
- Spicy & sour lamb dumplings
The food here is full of bold flavors. They use fiery spices and aromatic seasonings. Most dishes cost less than $10, making it a great cheap eat in NYC.
Note: The food here can be quite spicy. Their motto is “not spicy = not as good”. If you’re not into spicy food, you might want to ask for less spice.
Xi’an Famous Foods has several locations across the city. It’s a favorite among locals for a quick, tasty, and affordable meal.
3. Scarr’s Pizza
Scarr’s Pizza stands out in NYC’s crowded pizza scene. They mill their flour on-site, which is rare and gives their pizza a unique taste.
What to order:
- Classic cheese slice ($4)
- Pepperoni grandma slice ($6)
Scarr’s offers both traditional NYC slices (big and foldable) and Sicilian slices (thick, focaccia-like crust). The handmade dough is topped with high-quality ingredients and velvety sauces.
Why it’s special:
- Fresh, house-milled flour
- Retro ’80s-inspired decor
- Friendly staff
Even though some slices are $6, which might seem pricey for “cheap eats”, the quality matches that of much more expensive pizza places in NYC.
4. 7th Street Burger
7th Street Burger is famous for its smash burgers. They press the patty onto the grill as soon as it hits the hot surface. This creates a crispy, caramelized flavor that’s different from thicker burgers.
Menu options:
- Cheeseburger
- Double cheeseburger
- Impossible burger (vegetarian)
- Fries
All burgers come with the restaurant’s special sauce, grilled onions, pickles, and cheese. Prices start at just $7 for a burger, making it one of the best deals in the city for a quality burger.
Tip: If you’re really hungry, go for the double cheeseburger. It’s still affordable and more filling.
5. Daily Provisions
Daily Provisions is a creation of Danny Meyer, the man behind Shake Shack and other famous NYC restaurants. While many people come here for the crullers (a type of pastry), the breakfast sandwiches are the real cheap eat stars.
Must-try items:
- BEC (bacon, egg, and cheese) sandwich
- Smoked salmon croissant
Both of these breakfast options cost less than $10. They’re available all day, so you can enjoy them even if you’re not an early riser.
Why it’s great: Daily Provisions offers high-quality food at reasonable prices. It’s a step above fast food but won’t empty your wallet.
6. Mamoun’s Falafel
Mamoun’s Falafel has been serving Middle Eastern food in NYC since 1972. It was one of the first places to introduce falafel sandwiches to the city.
Signature dish: Falafel sandwich ($6.50)
The falafel sandwich comes with:
- Falafel balls
- Hummus
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onions
- Tahini sauce
All of this is wrapped in pita bread. It’s a filling meal that’s both tasty and cheap.
History: Mamoun’s played a big role in making Middle Eastern food popular in New York. It’s not just cheap eat, but a piece of NYC food history.
7. Shu Jiao Fu Zhou
Shu Jiao Fu Zhou (no website available) is a hidden gem in Chinatown. It’s known for two main dishes: creamy peanut noodles and tender dumplings.
Prices:
- Peanut noodles: Less than $4
- Pork and chive dumplings: $3 for 6, $4 for 10
Important note: This place is cash-only, so make sure to bring some bills with you.
Shu Jiao Fu Zhou is one of the cheapest places to eat in NYC. The food is simple but delicious, and the portions are generous for the price.
8. Trapizzino
Trapizzino brings a popular Roman street food to New York. The “trapizzino” is like a stuffed pizza pocket.
How it works:
- Choose your filling (9-hour braised oxtail, beef meatballs, etc.)
- It’s stuffed into a triangular piece of pizza crust
Recommendation: Try the stracciatella and cantabrian anchovy filling.
Each trapizzino costs about $10. It’s a unique and filling meal that’s different from typical NYC street food.
Don’t miss: The supplì (fried risotto balls) are also worth trying if you have a few extra dollars.
9. Banh Mi Saigon
Banh Mi Saigon (no website available) is a go-to spot in Chinatown for Vietnamese sandwiches.
What’s in a banh mi:
- Crisp baguette-style bread
- Pickled carrots and daikon
- Chiles
- Cucumber slices
- Cilantro
- Mayo
- Protein (usually marinated pork)
A banh mi here costs just $10, making it one of the best deals in the city for a filling sandwich.
Pro tip: If you’re not eating the sandwich right away, ask for it to be prepared “for tomorrow”. They’ll pack the veggies separately so the bread doesn’t get soggy.
10. Birria Landia
Birria Landia started as a food truck and became so popular that it now has permanent locations in Brooklyn and SoHo.
What is birria: A tender, slow-roasted meat stew
Menu items (all under $5):
- Birria tacos
- Consomé (rich broth, great for dipping)
- Tostadas
- Mulita (stuffed tortilla sandwiches)
You can get a full meal here for $15-20, depending on how hungry you are. The lines can be long, but many say it’s worth the wait.
11. Joe’s Steam Rice Roll
Joe’s Steam Rice Roll (Instagram: @joessteamriceroll) brings a popular Cantonese street food to NYC.
What are steam rice rolls: Thinly-steamed rice batter filled with meat or vegetables
Fillings to choose from:
- Pork
- Shrimp
- Beef
- Vegetables
The rolls are made by hand, which gives them a unique, chewy texture. They’re usually dressed with soy sauce and/or chili oil.
Price: Around $10 for a filling light lunch
12. Two Hands Corn Dogs
Two Hands Corn Dogs offers a Korean twist on the American corn dog.
How it works:
- Choose your coating (7 options available)
- Pick your filling (sausage, cheese, etc.)
Popular coating: Fried potato cubes with Cheetos powder
Each corn dog costs about $5, making it one of the most affordable snacks or light meals in the city.
13. Halal Guys
Halal Guys started as a food cart in 1990 and has grown into a chain with locations across NYC and beyond.
What to order:
- Platter ($15): Choose beef, chicken, or falafel
- Gyro ($9)
The portions are generous, especially for the price. The long lines, particularly in the evening, show how popular this place is.
Note: “Halal” means the food is prepared according to Islamic law.
14. Veselka
Veselka has been serving Eastern European food in the East Village since 1954.
Cheap eats options:
- Ukrainian borscht (beet soup): $6 for a cup, $11 for a bowl
- Pierogis (dumplings): $9 for four
Veselka is open 24 hours, making it a great spot for late-night cheap eats.
History: This restaurant played a big role in introducing Ukrainian cuisine to New York City.
15. Cheeky Sandwiches
Cheeky Sandwiches (Instagram: @cheekysandwiches) is known for serving great sandwiches at reasonable prices.
Must-try: Braised short rib sandwich with horseradish, arugula, and cherry tomatoes
All sandwiches here are under $10, which is rare for high-quality sandwiches in NYC.
Note: As of the last update, Cheeky Sandwiches was under renovation. Check their social media for the latest information.
16. Mei Lai Wah
Mei Lai Wah (no website available) is a Chinese bakery famous for its stuffed steamed buns.
Popular item: Pineapple pork bun
Price: Buns start at just $1.50 each
The pineapple pork bun combines tender meat with slightly sweet dough. It’s a filling snack or light meal for a very low price.
17. Ess-A-Bagel
Ess-A-Bagel is a New York institution known for its large, chewy bagels.
What to order:
- Plain bagel with cream cheese (under $5)
- Bagel with lox and cream cheese (around $13)
While the bagel with lox is at the higher end of “cheap eats”, it’s a filling meal and less expensive than at many other NYC bagel shops.
Tip: Go early, especially on weekends, to avoid long lines.
18. Wonton Noodle Garden
Wonton Noodle Garden (no website available) is a no-frills spot in Chinatown for tasty and affordable Chinese food.
Popular dishes:
- Wonton noodle soup
- Roast duck over rice
Most dishes here are under $10, making it one of the best value restaurants in Chinatown.
19. Evelia’s Tamales
Evelia’s Tamales (no website available) is a small cart in East Harlem known for its authentic Mexican tamales.
Price: $1.25 per tamale
Flavors:
- Chicken
- Pork
- Cheese
- Sweet (filled with raisins)
This is one of the cheapest meals you can find in NYC. Three or four tamales make a filling lunch for under $5.
20. Naya Express
Naya Express offers quick and affordable Lebanese food.
What to order:
- Falafel wrap ($8.50)
- Chicken shawarma plate ($11.50)
Naya Express has several locations around the city, making it a convenient option for a quick, cheap meal.
Conclusion
New York City might be known for its expensive restaurants, but as this list shows, you can find plenty of delicious, affordable food options if you know where to look. From $1.25 tamales to $10 banh mi sandwiches, there’s something for every taste and budget.
Remember, prices can change, and some of these spots might have long lines during peak hours. But the wait and the hunt are often worth it for tasty, budget-friendly meals in one of the world’s greatest food cities.
Whether you’re craving tacos, dumplings, pizza, or something you’ve never tried before, these cheap eats spots offer a chance to explore NYC’s diverse food scene without breaking the bank. Happy eating!
