The Best Cheap Eats in New York City
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.
| Restaurants: | Freds Madison at Barneys New York, Bar Boulud, Westlight… |
|---|---|
| Price Range: | $$ - $$$ |
| Cuisines: | American, French… |
| Neighborhoods: | Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Williamsburg… |
For 2 people today
Freds Madison at Barneys New York
$$$$·American·
Upper East Side
- Great for Lunch
- Great for Brunch
- People Watching
When it comes to shopping in New York City, Barneys considers itself to be one of the most high-end and expensive department stores. However, luckily, the restaurant in the Madison…Read more
Bar Boulud
$$$$·French·
Upper West Side
- Pre/post Theatre
- Fit for Foodies
- Neighborhood Gem
Daniel Boulud is one of the most famous restauranteurs in NYC. For the best cheap eats that he has to offer, then go to Bar Boulud, the most budget version of Daniel Boulud's food…Read more
Westlight
$$$$·American·
Williamsburg
- Scenic View
- Special Occasion
- Great for Outdoor Dining
For a trendy, inspiring atmosphere that also serves some cheap eats, head to Westlight. Westlight is in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, arguably the trendiest neighborhood in the entire wo…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityMinetta Tavern
$$$$·French·
West Village
- Good for a Date
- Fit for Foodies
- Cozy
Looking for historic, classic New York fare that is affordable? Minetta Tavern might just be the place. When compared to some of the more recognizable names in New York restaurants…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityLe Coucou
$$$$·French·
SoHo
- Special Occasion
- Romantic
- Good for a Date
French food is the star at Le Coucou, the beloved French eatery where food comes artfully prepared and the service is reliably helpful and friendly. Le Coucou has a couple of optio…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityBalthazar
$$$$·French·
SoHo
- Special Occasion
- Good for a Date
- Great for Brunch
Balthazar is one of the most famous contemporary dining institutions in NYC, made famous by shows like Sex and the City. Today, Balthazar gets packed starting at lunchtime because …Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityLa Pecora Bianca - Midtown
$$$$·Italian·
Midtown East
- Neighborhood Gem
- Good for a Date
- Great for Lunch
Midtown is notoriously overpriced when it comes to dining since it is an area home to a lot of business diners eating on expense accounts and tourists who are only in town to see B…Read more
The Polo Bar
$$$$·American·
Midtown East
- Special Occasion
- Good for a Date
- Romantic
People will feel like they are at a country club when they eat at The Polo Bar, but diners will not have to pay the membership dues. The Polo Bar is surprisingly reasonable for a p…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityUpland
$$$$·Contemporary American·
Gramercy / Flatiron
- Good for a Date
- Fit for Foodies
- Good for Birthdays
Upland is another newbie on the dining scene that will allow diners to revel in the trendy crowd of the fashion capital while eating. No one would say that Upland is one of the bes…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityThe Lobster Club
$$$$·Japanese·
Midtown East
- Creative Cuisine
- Business Meals
- Fit for Foodies
One might think that a restaurant called “The Lobster Club” is as expensive as they come. Not so with the Lobster Club in NYC, which manages to make fine dining seem like cheap eat…Read more
Sant Ambroeus SoHo
$$$$·Italian·
SoHo
- Good for a Date
- Great for Lunch
- Cozy
Saint Ambroeus is somewhat synonymous with luxury. There are outposts of the restaurant in places like the Upper East Side, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons. However, check out the Sai…Read more
Lafayette
$$$$·French·
NoHo
- Great for Brunch
- Good for a Date
- Great for Lunch
Lafayette is one of NYC's trendiest restaurants. The atmosphere in the eatery is unforgettable: the banquettes are comfortable, the ceiling is soaring, and the baked goods displaye…Read more
Covina
$$$$·American·
Midtown East
- Good for a Date
- Bar Seating
- Neighborhood Gem
For cheap eats at one of the city's most exciting new restaurants, head to Covina for their happy hour. This American-Mediterranean fusion restaurant has a happy hour daily for eat…Read more
Casa Enrique
$$$$·Mexican·
Long Island City
- Fit for Foodies
- Authentic
- Good for a Date
Casa Enrique guests can enjoy incredible food for cheap, especially when eating lunch there. Items like guacamole, lengua (cow tongue) tacos, and chicken enchiladas are some of the…Read more
There aren’t any available tables for 2 today at 7:00 pm
View AvailabilityThe Loyal
$$$$·American·
West Village
- Good for a Date
- Neighborhood Gem
- Bar Seating
Diners feel loyal to the food at the Loyal once they try their happy hour. While this trendy downtown eatery can get pricey, the happy hour allows customers to sample their outstan…Read more
Sea Fire Grill
$$$$·Seafood·
Midtown East
- Business Meals
- Special Occasion
- Good for a Date
Seafood can be expensive. Why not sample some of the best at the most affordable prices possible for fine dining? The Seafire Grill finds ways to make tasting their exquisite menu …Read more
Temple Court
$$$$·American·
Financial District
- Good for a Date
- Special Occasion
- Good for Anniversaries
Legendary restaurateur Tom Colicchio is the mastermind behind Temple Court. Don't expect fast food prices here. But, in terms of a Tom Colicchio restaurant, this place serves up so…Read more
Amaranth
$$$$·Mediterranean·
Upper East Side
- Neighborhood Gem
- Cozy
- Good for a Date
One of the places for best cheap eats that feels cozy and romantic is Amaranth. Amaranth is on the Upper East Side (East 62nd), and offers reasonably priced and artfully-prepared I…Read more
ABC Cocina
$$$$·Tapas / Small Plates·
Union Square
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
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