Cheap Eats In New York City Under 30 USD

cheap eats in nyc
Hannah
Hannah 
Updated
| 4 min read

Sure, New York City has amazing national landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. It has breathtaking museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and beautiful, solemn memorials like the National 9/11 Memorial Museum. The city even has gorgeous green spaces, including Central Park, where you can escape the brilliance of Broadway and the cacophony of sounds and lights emanating from Times Square. But in case you needed just one more reason to visit the Big Apple, here’s another: the food. New York City is a foodie’s paradise, where the vibrant neighborhoods infuse dishes with colorful, cultural flavors, and innovative chefs bring unending creativity, diversity, and imagination to the table. Across the many boroughs of New York, there are so many remarkable restaurants to choose from, from big-name restaurants to hole-in-the-wall local favorites. Although New York City may have a reputation for being expensive, there are still some great places where you can get fantastic food without breaking the bank! Read the list below for a list of where you can get cheap eats under 30 USD in New York City.

1. Famous Fish Market

Modern Fish and Chips
Source: Photo by user LearningLark used under CC BY 2.0

The name of this little establishment says it all. This restaurant might be small, but it is mighty popular. The simple menu consists of only fried fish, shrimp, and chips, but every meal is served fresh, hot, and simply delicious. With every meal cooked to perfection, it’s no wonder that the line for the Famous Fish Market is often long! However, whether you eat your famous fish with hot sauce or tartar sauce, you can always count on it being superb.

Famous Fish Market

Address: 684 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10030, USA

Opening Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 11:00am - 11:00pm, Thursday-Saturday: 11:00am - 12:00am

Website: Famous Fish Market

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2. La Morada

Gorditas de Chicharrón en Salsa Roja
Source: Photo by user Nicholas Lundgaard used under CC BY-SA 2.0

For unbelievably delicious, fresh Mexican food, look no further than La Morada in the South Bronx. This family-owned restaurant focuses on cuisine from Oaxaca, a region in southern Mexico, and aims to preserve and share indigenous food. For budget-friendly options, opt for the tamales or the Tlacoyo, corn cakes that are stuffed with beans and topped with fresh cactus salad. Of course, the tacos, burritos de vegetales, and flautas de pollo are also fantastic choices and will keep you fueled up on your busy days of sightseeing.

La Morada

Address: 308 Willis Ave. Bronx, N.Y. 10454

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10:50 am - 8:55 pm

Website: La Morada

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3. Oita Sushi

Sushi Toppings (11833720623)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user EHRENBERG Kommuni... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Keep your day moving, and pick up a quick feast of sumptuous sushi creations from the refreshing Oita Sushi. At this takeout and delivery restaurant, you will find an extensive menu of sushi and sashimi options. The vast variety of options is perfect for accommodating your budget and your taste buds! From tobiko (flying fish egg) sashimi and egg custard (tamago) sushi, to seaweed salad and miso soup, there is plenty to try here. There are also some vegetarian options, including asparagus rolls and avocado hosomaki.

Oita Sushi

Address: 1317A 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11:00am - 9:00pm

Website: Oita Sushi

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4. Pao De Queijo

Empanada - Stu Spivack
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user stu_spivack used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Pao De Queijo is a casual Brazilian restaurant that serves classic favorites alongside modern interpretations of traditional dishes, and focuses on using the freshest ingredients possible. With a wide selection of small starters, crisp salads, well-known Brazilian treats, and options for breakfast, there is a lot to love at this restaurant. Try the mouthwatering Bauru burger or gorge on delicious empanadas like the Pastel De Palmito/Frango Com Catupiry or the Risoli De Vegetais. For a sweet snack, don’t forget the Brigadeiro Beijinho, a classic chocolate treat!

Pao De Queijo

Address: 31-90 30th St, Astoria, NY 11106, USA

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 10:00am–11:45pm

Website: Pao De Queijo

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New York Tour Guide

Annie Leguennec

Annie Leguennec

My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the city's rich heritage and its continuing legacy as the birthplace of the United States of America. Book my tour. Explore and learn about this unique city where you will walk on the footsteps of our America's founding Fathers. My tours are conducted in English, French and Italian.

Tours by Annie

5. Shanghai You Garden

BBQ Pork Buns at Yum Cha Cafe, 2008
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Alpha used under CC BY-SA 2.0

If you are in the neighborhood of Flushing, you can’t miss a meal at Shanghai You Garden. This delightful restaurant offers delicious dining, takeout, and delivery options. With a focus on the freshest ingredients, this restaurant crafts tasty renditions of classic dishes like shrimp dumplings and toasty, soup-filled buns. There are also plenty of affordable breakfast options, including sweet sticky rice rolls, scallion pancakes, and fried buns with chives and egg.

Shanghai You Garden

Address: 135-33 40th Rd, Flushing, NY 11354

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:00am - 11:00pm

Website: Shanghai You Garden

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6. Margon New York

Cuban Sandwich
Source: Photo by user Mark Mitchell used under CC BY 2.0

Margon is a warm and cozy restaurant. Come here for a taste of Cuba and feast on generous portions of breakfast and lunch entrees. Start your mornings off right with Cuban coffee and creamy Latin-style oatmeal or a B.L.T. sandwich. If you’re in the neighborhood around lunch time, try the pastels en hoja, a meat-filled pocket wrapped in plantain husks, or the delicious Cuban sandwich.

Margon New York

Address: 136 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 6:00am - 5:00pm, Saturday: 7:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: Closed

Website: Margon New York

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7. Hyderabadi Biryani & Chat

Samosa Recipe - A Mouth Watering Indian Snack Recipe By Sonia Goyal
Source: Photo by user Soniya Goyal used under CC BY-SA 2.0

You can count on great food and excellent service at Hyderabadi Biryani & Chat. This friendly Indian restaurant is the perfect place to grab a meal that packs a flavorful punch. Cheap eats abound on this menu, and include options like stuffed samosas, tandoori chicken, aloo gobi, and all sorts of traditional, sweet Indian desserts. Wash everything down with a refreshing mango lassi and you’ll be in fighting form to continue on your New York adventure.

Hyderabadi Biryani & Chat

Address: 44-27 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11355

Opening Hours: Monday-Tuesday: 11:00am - 10:00pm, Wednesday-Saturday: 11:00am - 10:30pm, Sunday: 12:00pm - 10:00pm

Website: Hyderabadi Biryani & Chat

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8. Rincon Criollo

Creme Caramel India
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user SajjadF used under CC BY-SA 3.0

This Cuban restaurant has a rich history and a delectable menu. The original Rincon Criollo establishment was opened in 1950 in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba, and the family brought their delicious approach to food with them when they opened up in New York in 1976. There are now two New York locations. The menu is filled with Cuban classics, and there are quite a few budget-friendly options available. Start with Cuban tamales, then try a Spanish omelette with potatoes and onions, and a side of fried sweet plantains. Of course, you should polish off the meal with the sumptuous caramel custard or orange shells with cream cheese. Whatever you order, you can be sure your meal will burst with fresh flavor!

Rincon Criollo

Address: 40-09 Junction Boulevard Corona-Queens, NY or 16 W Jericho Turnpike Huntington Station, NY

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 12:00pm - 10:00pm

Website: Rincon Criollo

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9. Happy Stony Noodle

Ping SJ hot & sour soup
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user BrokenSphere used under CC BY-SA 3.0

A fantastic option for both dining in and takeout options, Happy Stony Noodle has an extensive menu of Chinese dishes. At this pleasant restaurant in Elmhurst, you can feast on traditional dishes and refreshing sides. The menu is filled with budget-accommodating options like pork ball soup, eggplant in garlic sauce, and salt and shredded pork with bamboo shoots over rice.

Happy Stony Noodle

Address: 83-47 Dongan Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 11:00am - 9:30 pm

Website: Happy Stony Noodle

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Low-priced, but high-flavor eats

The variety of restaurants and eateries in New York City are astounding. No matter what cuisine you crave, these restaurants can offer something in your price range. Great food doesn’t have to be exorbitantly priced! Enjoy these cheap eats under 30 USD next time you visit New York!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Hannah is a freelance writer, list making aficionado, and world traveler currently based in Germany. She is an avid explorer, and believes in creating new experiences to put on her bucket list to...Read more

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