Where To Find The Best Restaurants In NYC That Do Not Dig A Hole in Your Wallet

Author: Shalu Gupta
Rushing commuters, baffled tourists, shopping women, street hustlers, this frenetic pace of New Yorkers is a common day and night scene. This beautiful, fast-moving city has a lot to offer for everyone out there. However, the one aspect that may have people thinking twice about coming here is the sky-high cost of living. The unspeakable rent prices and having to pay up to $20 for nothing more than a cocktail on a regular basis. These are only a few of the expenses one would need to endure when living it up in the Big Apple.

Living in NYC may bind you to compromise on a few things. However, no one likes sacrificing on their food, be it for health or indulgence purposes. With expensive restaurants in abundance, living an appetizing, food filled life seems no more than a far fetched dream, doesn’t it? But that’s where we step in. We have found a few of the best restaurants in NYC that combine delicious food with affordable prices. By unearthing these gems, we are here to enlighten you and your dining experiences with immense consideration towards your budget.

Gaia Italian Café: Located at 251 East Houston Street, the experience at this restaurant is one that stays with you forever. The minimalist, cozy ambience and the authentic Italian fare truly embody the pride and passion of the owner. The freshness of everything from the bread to the sauces is enough to significantly refine your palate. Don’t miss out on the Spinach Gnocchi for a mild, delectable delight. The $5 Siciliano Panini featuring eggplant, fresh tomatoes, parsley and salted Ricotta cheese will leave you in awe as the overdose of flavors takes center stage. Visit Gaia if you wish to try a plethora of authentic, reasonably priced Italian food.

Porchetta: Ever heard of this form of pig meat in the Italian culinary tradition? If you haven’t you’re missing out; but worry not, as Sara Jenkins and Matt Lindemulder have brought this divine form of Central Italian street food to the shores of NYC! Porchetta, roasted pork with crispy skin, is a savory delight that requires the pig to be gutted, deboned, mixed with herbs and then slow roasted in a wood oven. It is typically sliced to order and served in a sandwich or on a piece of toast. Porchetta NYC (the name of the restaurant as well) gets their meat only from pigs, which are humanely raised and free of antibiotics and growth hormones -a huge plus for health-conscious eaters especially at their highly reasonable rates.

Taquitoria: New Yorker or tourist, be sure to stop by at this quaint spot located in the Lower East Side for a unique experience. Distance yourself from the same old boring tacos and burritos and try something divinely different- taquitos, or rolled tacos. Treat yourself to three taquitos for just $6 or five for $9; it’s that simple. Choose your desired toppings and fillings with options including beef, chicken, pork or black beans.

Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings: Set up by the Cheng siblings, this restaurant’s claim to fame is the secret recipes the sisters have unearthed from their mom. Specializing in Taiwanese-Chinese dumplings, Mimi Cheng’s possesses a charming, lively vibe that is in line with the loving nature behind the preparation of the food. Each dumpling has an intriguing story behind it, featuring organic meat with nutritious goodness and the highest quality ingredients. And the $8 you’ll pay for about six dumplings in an absolute steal. Don’t miss out on these handmade bundles of joy!

Chipotle Mexican Grill: Another quick stop for Mexican lovers that will keep your wallet and nutritionist happy. Enjoy their scrumptious burritos, bowls and more with the freshest, GMO-free ingredients. Chipotle is flexibility personified, as you can design and build your own tacos, burritos, bowls and salads from scratch. They’re a huge favorite amongst New Yorkers, so don’t miss out on Chipotle if you haven’t tried it already.

Whether it’s party planning or taking your better half out for a memorable evening, swing by any of these reasonably priced, yet life-changing restaurants. Apart from the budget-conscious nature of these venues, the service, ambiance and food will all blow you away and keep you coming back for more. Search and find numerous other affordable options by typing in restaurants near me NYC and take your pick from an array of choices.