This Is the Most Affordable Food Destination in the U.S.—Here’s Where to Eat on a Budget, According to a Local

Whether you’re traveling or staying local, dining out is one of life’s simple pleasures. But it’s also become far more expensive: average menu prices have jumped 31 percent in the U.S. between February 2020 and April 2025, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Those rising costs aren’t uniform nationwide, though. The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts analyzed data across all 50 states to find the most budget-friendly places to eat out—and surprisingly, New York topped the list.

Researchers considered factors such as restaurant availability, the share of independent establishments, average menu prices, and the ratio of household dining spending to income. While New York’s average menu price of $12 ranks on the higher side, its high concentration of independent restaurants (71.8 percent) reflects what the study calls “a thriving restaurant industry.” Connecticut and New Jersey followed in second and third place.

Nowhere is New York’s vibrant dining scene more evident than in its biggest (and priciest) city: New York City. When I first moved here over two decades ago, fresh out of grad school and on a tight budget, I made it my mission to find the best meals for the money. Even now, with a more comfortable income, that instinct remains strong.

Here are 12 of my favorite budget-friendly NYC meals—a mix of chains and local gems, each offering a true taste of the city.

Vanessa’s Dumpling House
Chinatown has long been a haven for affordable eats, especially when it comes to dumplings, and Vanessa’s Dumpling House remains on of the the most refined. Now with six locations around the city, and one in New Jersey, the Eldridge Street location is still the most bustling, offering 8 dumplings for $6.50 or wonton noodle soup for $7, among a vast menu. Fun fact: I always have at least 100 of Vanessa’s frozen dumplings in my freezer since it costs $14 for 25 pieces—and just eight dumplings make a hearty meal.

Mamoun’s falafel
In 1971, Mamoun’s became New York’s first falafel restaurant in the West Village—and every single time I pass the MacDougal Street location, there’s a line stretching down the sidewalk with a mix of New York University students, locals, and visitors, hungry for one of the best deals in town. Its falafel sandwich starts at $6.50, while the Middle Eastern eatery with nine locations also offers lamb shawarma and grilled chicken.

Tacombi
While the taqueria sold its first tacos out of a minivan in Mexico’s Playa del Carmen in 2006, it opened its first shop in a New York City garage in 2010 and has grown to a dozen locations in the state, as well as other east coast cities. As a sit-down restaurant with tacos starting at less than $5 and quesadillas at less than $10, it remains one of the best deals in town—especially on Tuesdays when it’s buy one taco, get one free at every location when you dine in.

Hamburger America
As the birthplace of Shake Shack and 7th Street BurgerNew York City has long been a burger town—and the buzziest right now is Hamburger America in Soho. Both the luncheonette’s Classic Smash Burger and George Motz’s Friend Onion Burger, named after its founder, are $7.50 for a single, while those preferring grilled cheese or PB&J can get fill up for $5.

Adel’s Famous Halal Food
Through snow, rain, and late nights, Adel’s will always have a line down the block from its 49th Street and Sixth Avenue location from the moment the cart opens at 6 p.m. until it closes at 4 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays or 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Ever since the Halal Guys started opening brick-and-mortar shops, this has been the go-to cart of choice for New Yorkers, especially for its chicken and rice (try it with spicy rice), which comes with salad, chopped pita, and its famous white sauce. Prices aren’t officially posted, but I’ve gotten change for $10 when I paid cash, and paid just above that when I used my card. If you’re craving the food without the wait, they do offer online ordering via Seamless at a marked-up rate of $17.

Russ & Daughters
Whether you go to the historic 1914 location on Houston Street or the shiny new ones in Hudson Yards or Brooklyn Navy Yard, Russ & Daughters is a slice of New York City that can’t be missed: homemade bagels go for $2, $5.50 with schmear, or topped with smoked fish, starting at $17.

Sugarfish
Fine dining can come with a reasonable price tag … if you know where to go. Started by chef Kazunori Nozawa in Los Angeles, the trendy sushi restaurant has become just as synonymous with New York City, with six locations. Best known for its “Trust Me” set meals, the lite version starts at $30. But what makes it even more affordable is that this is a no-tipping establishment, so the price tag you see is exactly what you pay. And for this quality of sashimi and sushi, it’s a steal.

The Relais de Venice
Ever since I went to the outpost of its sibling restaurant in Paris well over a decade ago, I’ve been going to the New York location of the steak frites restaurant at 54th Street and Lexington. There’s only one set menu: a green salad with mustard vinaigrette topped with walnuts, followed by two rounds of sliced grilled steak (you get to choose how you’d like it cooked), and crispy fries with a secret green sauce that I crave so much, I always ask for more. The set menu is $35—not a bad deal for a sit-down French meal in the heart of Midtown. Two winters ago, it went so viral that my friend and I waited two hours to get in, but nowadays I go around 9 p.m. when I know I can slip right in.

Gray’s Papaya
What’s New York without hot dogs? Especially from the Gray’s Papaya at 72nd and Broadway. While the price of its famous “Recession Special” (two franks and a tropical drink) has doubled since I moved here, it’s still $7.50, including tax, which makes for a delicious way to fill up, especially when you load up with all the toppings (ketchup, mustard, sauerkraut, onion, and relish). Plus every fruit drink is an experience of its own, from the refreshing coconut and pina colada to the juicier papaya and banana.

The Burrito Box
I don’t know what my expression is when I eat at this small shop at 57th and Ninth Avenue, but every time I do, passersby stop in and ask me what I ordered. Having frequented this spot for well over a decade, my current obsession is its carnitas burrito for $14. While that might not be the cheapest price tag, it’s so generously massive—and comes with a side of chips and salsa—that it’s always been two meals for me, making it well worth the cost.

Mei Lee Wah
After 60 years on Bayard Street, the Chinatown institution Mei Lee Wah just relocated to a larger space on Mott Street. Its most famous dish is its roasted pork bun ($3), which is enjoyed best while steaming hot. While my personal choice is the pineapple bun version ($3.60) which adds an extra dimension, both will fill you up. But the mainstay also offers a robust menu of Chinese eats including dim sum, congee, rice rolls, chow fun, and more—with most entrees under $10.

Kashkaval garden
I’ve long called this my favorite restaurant in Manhattan for its laid-back atmosphere and friendly service, and its selection of tapas and meze. A single selection is $10 and four are $23, but the way to go is to sit at the bar where they’re $7 all day. My perfect combo is the baba ganoush, walnut pepper spread, roasted beets with dill, and tzatziki, while they also have hummus, a Turkish bean salad, stuffed grape leaves, and spinach and feta. Plus its wine, beer, and well drinks are all $7 at the bar—as well as at the tables from 3 to 6 p.m. Sundays through Fridays, too.