The Best Cheap Eats in New York City

The OpenTable Team

New York City has a storied legacy for being home to some of the world's best restaurants. The city has amazing eateries, authentic mom-and-pop spots, trendy places for people-watching, and everything in between. Luckily, taking advantage of the best dining spots in NYC does not mean dropping a fortune—there are plenty of dining establishments with options as affordable as they are delicious. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. You’ll find everything from neighborhood gems to rooftop bars, buzzy tapas spots to airy brasseries—all vetted by the types of tastemakers who know the best spots around the city. Impress your friends and family and score a table; we wish we could join you.

19 Restaurants

Updated December 02, 2019

Restaurants:	Freds Madison at Barneys New York, Bar Boulud, Westlight…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	American, French…
Neighborhoods:	Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Williamsburg…

Freds Madison at Barneys New York

$$$$·American·

Upper East Side

1,846 reviews

Great for Lunch
Sunday Lunch
Great for Brunch

When it comes to shopping in New York City, Barneys considers itself to be one of the most high-end and expensive department stores. However, luckily, the restaurant in the Madison…Read more

There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm

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Bar Boulud

$$$$·French·

Upper West Side

7,991 reviews

Pre/post Theatre
Fit for Foodies
Neighborhood Gem

Daniel Boulud is one of the most famous restauranteurs in NYC. For the best cheap eats that he has to offer, then go to Bar Boulud, the most budget version of Daniel Boulud's food…Read more

95% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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Westlight

$$$$·American·

Williamsburg

942 reviews

Scenic View
Good for a Date
Romantic

For a trendy, inspiring atmosphere that also serves some cheap eats, head to Westlight. Westlight is in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, arguably the trendiest neighborhood in the entire wo…Read more

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Minetta Tavern

$$$$·French·

West Village

2,634 reviews

Cozy
Neighborhood Gem
Fit for Foodies

Looking for historic, classic New York fare that is affordable? Minetta Tavern might just be the place. When compared to some of the more recognizable names in New York restaurants…Read more

92% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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Le Coucou

$$$$·French·

SoHo

2,925 reviews

Special Occasion
Romantic
Fit for Foodies

French food is the star at Le Coucou, the beloved French eatery where food comes artfully prepared and the service is reliably helpful and friendly. Le Coucou has a couple of optio…Read more

92% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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Balthazar

$$$$·French·

SoHo

7,978 reviews

Special Occasion
Great for Brunch
Authentic

Balthazar is one of the most famous contemporary dining institutions in NYC, made famous by shows like Sex and the City. Today, Balthazar gets packed starting at lunchtime because …Read more

92% recommended

Fit for Foodies in New York / Tri-State Area

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La Pecora Bianca - Midtown

$$$$·Italian·

Midtown East

1,050 reviews

Good for a Date
Neighborhood Gem
Casual

Midtown is notoriously overpriced when it comes to dining since it is an area home to a lot of business diners eating on expense accounts and tourists who are only in town to see B…Read more

96% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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The Polo Bar

$$$$·American·

Midtown East

699 reviews

People will feel like they are at a country club when they eat at The Polo Bar, but diners will not have to pay the membership dues. The Polo Bar is surprisingly reasonable for a p…Read more

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Upland

$$$$·Contemporary American·

Gramercy / Flatiron

2,581 reviews

Fit for Foodies
Hot Spot
Special Occasion

Upland is another newbie on the dining scene that will allow diners to revel in the trendy crowd of the fashion capital while eating. No one would say that Upland is one of the bes…Read more

92% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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The Lobster Club

$$$$·Japanese·

Midtown East

307 reviews

Good for a Date
Creative Cuisine
Special Occasion

One might think that a restaurant called “The Lobster Club” is as expensive as they come. Not so with the Lobster Club in NYC, which manages to make fine dining seem like cheap eat…Read more

82% recommended

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Sant Ambroeus SoHo

$$$$·Italian·

SoHo

434 reviews

Great for Lunch
Great for Brunch
Authentic

Saint Ambroeus is somewhat synonymous with luxury. There are outposts of the restaurant in places like the Upper East Side, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons. However, check out the Sai…Read more

93% recommended

Table for 2 today

5:45 PM

+100 pts

Lafayette

$$$$·French·

NoHo

2,809 reviews

Great for Brunch
Neighborhood Gem
Great for Lunch

Lafayette is one of NYC's trendiest restaurants. The atmosphere in the eatery is unforgettable: the banquettes are comfortable, the ceiling is soaring, and the baked goods displaye…Read more

89% recommended

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Casa Enrique

$$$$·Mexican·

Long Island City

913 reviews

Authentic
Good for a Date
Handcrafted Cocktails

Casa Enrique guests can enjoy incredible food for cheap, especially when eating lunch there. Items like guacamole, lengua (cow tongue) tacos, and chicken enchiladas are some of the…Read more

87% recommended

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The Loyal

$$$$·American·

West Village

540 reviews

Good for a Date
Neighborhood Gem
Great for Brunch

Diners feel loyal to the food at the Loyal once they try their happy hour. While this trendy downtown eatery can get pricey, the happy hour allows customers to sample their outstan…Read more

88% recommended

Table for 2 today

Sea Fire Grill

$$$$·Seafood·

Midtown East

2,501 reviews

Special Occasion
Good for a Date
Good for Anniversaries

Seafood can be expensive. Why not sample some of the best at the most affordable prices possible for fine dining? The Seafire Grill finds ways to make tasting their exquisite menu …Read more

90% recommended

Seafood in New York / Tri-State Area

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Temple Court

$$$$·American·

Financial District

1,135 reviews

Romantic
Special Occasion
Good for a Date

Legendary restaurateur Tom Colicchio is the mastermind behind Temple Court. Don't expect fast food prices here. But, in terms of a Tom Colicchio restaurant, this place serves up so…Read more

95% recommended

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Amaranth

$$$$·Mediterranean·

Upper East Side

574 reviews

Neighborhood Gem
Great for Outdoor Dining
Good for a Date

One of the places for best cheap eats that feels cozy and romantic is Amaranth. Amaranth is on the Upper East Side (East 62nd), and offers reasonably priced and artfully-prepared I…Read more

95% recommended

Table for 2 today

ABC Cocina

$$$$·Tapas / Small Plates·

Union Square

2,543 reviews

Fit for Foodies
Hot Spot
Good for Groups

When looking at ABC Cocina from the outside, people see a carpet store. This makes sense since the eater is inside ABC Carpet and Home. ABC Cocina, a Latin restaurant by legendary …Read more

91% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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Covina - Permanently Closed

$$$$·American·

Midtown East

678 reviews

Good for a Date
Neighborhood Gem
Casual

For cheap eats at one of the city's most exciting new restaurants, head to Covina for their happy hour. This American-Mediterranean fusion restaurant has a happy hour daily for eat…Read more

95% recommended

Not available on OpenTable

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