![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/manhattan_island.jpg\")
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New York City<\/a> has a reputation for being one of the most expensive dining destinations in the world. It\u2019s easy to wander into high-end restaurants without realizing it and walk away with the idea that dining out in NYC is wallet-busting.<\/p>\n And while it is true that New York is home to a lot of $500 set-menu restaurants and restaurants where a \u201cnice\u201d and \u201csimple\u201d dinner with wine can top $100, the city is also home to starving artists, working-class folks, and un(der)paid interns trying to make it in the big city \u2014 and they can\u2019t afford any of those fancy meals.<\/p>\n Heck, not many people can!<\/p>\n I mean, who can drop $100 on dinner all the time? Not me! And probably not you either. Most people couldn’t.<\/p>\n Because of that, New York City<\/a> also has a variety of cheap eats, happy hours, and food deals that make it easy to eat in NYC on a budget. However, as a visitor, it\u2019s often hard to know where to find those hole-in-the-wall restaurants and markets. This is definitely a place where you need to be in the know for a lot of these deals. There are thousands of restaurants in the city.<\/a> How do you navigate them all?<\/p>\n You need someone on the inside. And that someone is me.<\/p>\n Today, I’m going to share my tips on how you can eat out in NYC on a budget and give you some of the knowledge from living in the city for years:<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a list of the best spots to get dumplings in NYC:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can get a big, juicy dog with lots of fixings for $2-5. Here are the best hot dog shops in New York City:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n MealPal also has a dinner option and packages as small as 8 meals per month, so even if you\u2019re planning a 2-week trip, you could make this work (any package you choose will make your lunches or dinners only $6-8 each). It\u2019s a good way to try new restaurants as well as eat cheap. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n New York City<\/a> may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it doesn\u2019t have to break the bank when it comes to eating here. Remember, this is a city of 8 million people, and if you break away from the tourists and get into the fabric of the city, you\u2019re going to unearth a plethora of restaurants and bars to eat and drink at on a budget!<\/p>\n For more in-depth tips on NYC, check out my 100+ page guidebook written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel in the city that never sleeps. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> If you\u2019re looking for hostels, here my complete list of favorite hostels the city.<\/a> <\/p>\n If you prefer to stay in a hotel, these are my favorite hotels in NYC.<\/a> <\/p>\n Additionally, if you\u2019re wondering what part of town to stay in, here\u2019s my neighborhood guide to NYC!<\/a><\/p>\n Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?<\/strong> Need a Guide?<\/strong>Eating in NYC Tip #1: Hit the Oyster Happy Hours<\/h3>\n
![\"oysters](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/oysterhappyhour.jpg\")
\nDuring the week, you can find countless oyster happy hours, which are one of the most popular things to do (especially in the summer when you can sit outside). They start around 4pm and go until 6 or 7pm, and the oysters are around $2. Arrive early, as most restaurants fill up quickly and build up impossible wait times. My favorite (and the best) oyster happy hours in NYC are:<\/p>\n\n
Eating in NYC Tip #2: Bottomless Brunch<\/h3>\n
![\"Bottomless](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/nyfood3.jpg\")
\nNew York City runs on the bottomless brunch, where for around $35 you get unlimited drinks with your food. This is a weekend-only thing and a staple of the city\u2019s social scene. There are countless bottomless brunches, so it would be impossible to include them all here, but below are some of the most affordable and best value bunches in the city:<\/p>\n\n
Eating in NYC Tip #3: Grab a Pizza Slice<\/h3>\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/pizzaslice.jpg\")
\nNYC and pizza go together like white on rice. You can\u2019t separate the two, and in my opinion, the New York slice is probably one of the best pizzas in the country (sorry, Chicago<\/a>)! If you\u2019re looking to eat on a budget, grabbing a slice is one of the best ways to save money in New York. Slices range from $1 to $4, though $2 is the max I\u2019ll pay (unless it\u2019s really good). Below is a list of my favorite dollar-slice joints (and a couple non-dollar slices just because they are that good):<\/p>\n\n
Eating in NYC Tip #4: Munch on Dumplings<\/h3>\n
![\"Delicious](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/nyfood5.jpg\")
\nChinese dumplings are another one of the best value meals in the city because you can get huge plates of dumplings for literally just a few dollars (and if you get them frozen for later, they are even cheaper). They\u2019ll fill you up for lunch and you\u2019ll still have leftovers for dinner. And, thanks to the city\u2019s large Chinese immigrant population, the dumplings are incredibly authentic. This is the real deal here. <\/p>\n\n
Eating in NYC Tip #5: Grab a Dog<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/nyfood6.jpg\")
\nHot dog shops litter the street corners of New York. They might not be the healthiest meal but they are super cheap and make for a quick lunch. Though the hot dog has been around for centuries, the modern dog was popularized by Nathan Handwerker, a Jewish immigrant from Poland<\/a>, living in NYC. In 1915, he worked at a hot dog stand at Coney Island. He started his own stand (Nathan\u2019s Famous) and undercut his former boss to sell his own dogs and the rest is hot dog history. <\/p>\n\n
Eating in NYC Tip #6: Food Trucks<\/h3>\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/nyfood7.jpg\")
\nIf you\u2019re looking for cheap eats, check out the food trucks around town that are a staple for office workers. You\u2019ll find shawarma, hot dogs, gyros, halal items, and lots more grab-and-go food. They tend to be located near big parks like Central Park or Union Square, Midtown, or the big squares in the financial district. Their cheap, quick eats are what we have for breakfast and lunch (though many are around during the evening too). Most meals cost $5-7.
\n <\/p>\nEating in NYC Tip #7: Make Your Own Food<\/h3>\n
![\"making](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/cookingathome.jpg\")
\nSure, New York City has tons of delicious and expensive restaurants, but go to the supermarket, grab either a premade meal or ingredients to make your own, and head to one of the parks and eat outside. Or back to your Airbnb to make your meal. Most supermarkets also have areas where you can eat inside too. My favorite grocery stores in the city are:<\/p>\n\n
Eating in NYC Tip #8: Try Meal Pal (for the extended traveler)<\/h3>\n
![\"Meal](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/mealpal.jpeg\")
\nIf you\u2019re looking to be in town for a while (two weeks or more), consider signing up for the service MealPal<\/a>. It\u2019s $85 for 70 credits (about $4.83 a meal or 10-12 meals), which works out to be a super cheap way to eat. Monday through Friday at lunch you get to choose a preset meal from thousands of restaurants. Think of it like a lunch menu at your fingertips. <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nEating in NYC Tip #9: Eat Outside Manhattan<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/nyfood10.jpg\")
\nI love Manhattan. It\u2019s my favorite borough in the city, but whenever I leave it, I\u2019m always reminded of how expensive it is. The other boroughs are like half the price of Manhattan. In Queens, for example, you\u2019ll find a ton of great and cheap food.
\n <\/p>\nEating in NYC Tip #10: Use the Apps<\/h3>\n
![\"Yelp](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/yelpscreenshot.jpeg\")
\nLooking for cheap eats? Crowdsource. Use apps to search for people\u2019s favorite restaurants or what is affordable near you. My suggested apps are:<\/p>\n\n
Eating in NYC Tip #11: Eat Bagels<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/nyfood12.jpg\")
\nThe NYC bagel is as famous as the NYC slice. We take our bagels seriously here (just ask all the ex-NYers living in LA if they can find a good bagel there! They\u2019ll say no and lament that\u2019s one thing they miss the most). Most bagels cost $3-5 with cream cheese, more if you want lox (which you should). A bagel sandwich will cost around $5-7. Here\u2019s a list of my favorite bagel spots:<\/p>\n\n
Eating in NYC Tip #12: Do Restaurant Week<\/h3>\n
![\"fine](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/restaurantweek.jpg\")
\nThe dates change each year but if you’re here for New York City\u2019s Restaurant Week, they have some amazing deals. Over 380 of New York\u2019s best restaurants offer 2- and 3-course lunch and dinner menus starting at $30, $45 and $60. This gives you a chance to sample the best restaurants in town at a fraction of the regular price. Visit the official page<\/a> for all the details and to book your table. You\u2019ll also be able to browse restaurants by neighborhood, cuisine, lunch or dinner options, and more!
\n <\/p>\nBONUS: 12 Affordable Restaurants in NYC<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/nyfood14.jpg\")
\nWant some specific restaurants? Here are some of my favorite cheap restaurants to eat at when you visit:<\/p>\n\n
Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to New York City!<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/GuideBookCovers\/NM_Guide_to_NYC_Flat.jpg\")
<\/div>\nBook Your Trip to NYC: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nUse Skyscanner<\/a> to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. <\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a> as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.<\/p>\n
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nCheck out my resource page<\/a> for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. <\/p>\n
\nNew York has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Take Walks<\/a>. They have expert guides and can get you behind the scenes at the city’s best attractions. They’re my go-to walking tour company!<\/p>\n