My favorite NYC budget food spots (where you can eat for $10 or less!)

Let’s play a little word association game: when I say ‘New York City’, what is the first word that pops into your head? 

For many of you, some variation of the word ‘expensive’ likely blossomed in your mind. As the 6th most expensive city on the planet [source], it’s understandable why everyone is so convinced that everything in NYC is unaffordable.

While there’s no doubt that NYC is a pricey place, not everything in the city costs an ungodly amount of money. Especially when it comes to food. 

As a New York State local who lived in the city for college, these are a few of my favorite places in NYC where you can eat for less than $10. 

Gray’s Papaya ($2.75 to $5)

📍Location | 💵Price: $2.75 to $5

Hot dogs are a staple NYC food that happens to be very affordable at most places. But for the very best ones in the city, you have to hit Gray’s Papaya. 

Gray’s Papaya holds a special, nostalgia-coated place in my heart. I’ve been going here to get hot dogs with a bright orange papaya drink on the side since I was a little kid with my dad. Over two decades later, the food and drinks still taste exactly the same as when I was five. 

Despite inflation and changing times, Gray’s still remains one of the cheapest places to eat in New York City. You can get a whole meal with a drink included for under $5. 

Spongie’s Cafe ($1.25)

📍Location | 💵Price: $1.25

Spongie’s Cafe was a happy new discovery for me on my last visit to New York City. This place serves a unique specialty that is kind of like a flavored sponge cake in the shape of a muffin. It’s a non-messy, easy-to-hold snack that tastes delectable and costs next to nothing. 

Each one of the Spongie’s cakes costs $1.25 or you can grab a dozen for $12. They come in a ton of yummy flavors as well, such as purple yam, apple cinnamon, banana chocolate chip, and cappuccino. 

Personally, I love a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth type of confection and this item really fits the bill. All in all, Spongie’s Cafe and its cakes are the ideal cheap treat to get in the middle of a busy day exploring Manhattan. 

Gnocchi On 9th (Price: $10)

📍Location | 💵Price: $10

If you’re in search of a hearty meal in NYC that still won’t break the bank, try out Gnocchi on 9th in the East Village. I absolutely adore the concept of this on-the-go Italian spot and the staff at Gnocchi on 9th was also super welcoming to my friends and I. 

Gnocchi on 9th serves chewy, delicious gnocchi with homemade sauces, like traditional vodka sauce and pomodoro. Instead of getting this meal on a plate, it’s served in a Chinese takeaway-style container. It’s perfect for busy New Yorkers on the move. 

For just $10, you get a huge portion of pasta that can satisfy two people. You also have the option to add some burrata cheese on top for an extra charge, which of course I did. It was very tasty and filling, and could definitely work as a budget-friendly lunch or even dinner in New York. 

Mei Lah Wah ($1.50 to $5)

📍Location | 💵Price: $1.50 to $5

Mei Lai Wah is a beloved, affordable food joint in Chinatown that’s built up a following for its mouthwatering roast pork buns. 

While the famous buns are a must-order, there are tons of different goodies to try at this Chinese bakery. You can get pineapple buns, fried wontons, egg rolls, rice noodle rolls, and more, for as little as $1.50 apiece here. 

Just be prepared because Mei Lai Wah is one of the most popular places to get a cheap bite in Chinatown. There is almost always a line of people winding around the block who are waiting to try their delicacies. Get there when they open at 8:30 am to avoid a wait. 

Omusubi Gonbei ($2.50 to $4 )

📍Location | 💵Price: $2.50 to $4 

When you’re getting ready to leave Manhattan and you need a quick, low-priced snack for the train ride, pop into Omusubi Gonbei. It’s half counter-style onigiri restaurant and half Japanese grocery store. It’s just a few blocks from Grand Central Station. 

Omusubi Gonbei is packed with a variety of cheap snacks. The onigiri are all less than $5 and come in a range of flavors, including shrimp tempura, grilled eel, natto, and spam. There are also fun types of chips, sweets, and drinks to purchase. 

I went for a spam musubi and a spicy tuna onigiri. I also splurged for a bag of seaweed chips, strawberry mochi candies, and a can of milk tea from a brand I always got at 7-Eleven in Japan. 

Altogether, the collection of train snacks from Omusubi Gonbei cost way less than I would’ve paid to get something to eat at Grand Central. Plus, the quality of food is much better than anything available at the train station. 

👉 Read Next: I ate at 6 famous NYC food destinations. Here’s how I rate each.

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New York City is known around the world as a place you can only afford to visit if you’re rich. These delicious, low-cost food spots in NYC prove that popular notion wrong, and these are just for starters. There are tons of other budget-friendly places in Manhattan to check out.

Although the city can be insanely expensive, there are ways to reduce costs and make spending time in New York economically feasible. To learn more, read my article on how to visit NYC on a budget.