Eat In New York for Under $30!

New York is an expensive place, and dining at some of New York’s best restaurants can come with a hefty price tag. Traveling, hotels, tickets, and of course shopping can all add up. This post will assure you that finding world class cuisine in the Big Apple does not have to break the bank!

Step one for finding the perfect meal for two under $30.00; get out of your comfort zone! There is no doubt that Midtown Manhattan is extremely convenient. Being so close to the Theater District, a hotbed for tourists and work professionals alike, the prices are often extremely high. By heading out of Midtown, you will discover a world more affordable yet delicious places to eat.

Da Marcella – Easily accessible from the B, D, F, and M train this family owned and run Italian restaurant offers a romantic atmosphere in a cozy setting in the heart of the Village. This is personally one of my ‘go-to’ spots when entertaining out of town friends and family. All pasta is made from scratch daily on site using family recipes stemming from Tuscan tradition. You can start with an order of Bruschetta for the two of you to split. ($6.00)  For your main course, I highly recommend the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. This is their house specialty, and you will not be disappointed. ($10.00 per plate)  Bringing your total for the evening (before taxes and tip) to $26.00! Want to splurge? Order two glasses of Pinot Grigio Mandrarossa 2012 Sicilia at $7.00 per glass. Or split the homemade Tiramsu for $7.00! It is definitely enough to share!

Da Marcella is located at 142 W Houston St, between Macdougal and Sullivan.

Step two for finding an affordable, yet perfect New York meal is to think outside of the box. This might mean eating your meal on your lap in Madison Square Park. Is any trip to New York complete without visiting Shake Shack? This may be one of the best burgers in town, and you can absolutely dine here under $30.00 without a problem! The Shakeburger comes in at $4.10. You definitely cannot skip the fries ($2.70 per order) and you probably should get two orders. Trust me, you are not going to want to share these crinkle cut fries! This is Shake Shack after all, and not ordering a milkshake would just be wrong. I would recommend the Black and White milkshake ($5.15 each). After ordering, your total for two burgers, two orders of fries, and two milkshakes comes out to $24.80 before tax!

There are a number of locations throughout the city. The original location is located at Madison Square Park (East 23^rd Street between Madison Avenue and 5^th Ave) but is currently under renovations. If you are catching a show in the Theater District, be sure to stop in the Shake Shack on 8^th Avenue and 44^th Street. If you are visiting the Met and Museum Mile, there is a Shake Shack not too far away on East 86^th Street between Lexington and 3^rd.

Step three, keep an open mind! When you think barbeque ribs, I am sure that New York is not the first city to come to mind. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t cook up delicious barbeque! You can head to the East Village to try one of New York’s most popular budget barbeque spots, Mighty Quinn’s. Mighty Quinn’s is cafeteria style, so sharing your order is made simple. Their most popular items include the pulled pork ($7.50) and their paprika rubbed brisket ($8.50). Definitely do not pass up on their delicious sweet potato casserole with maple and pecans. ($3.00 for a small). This selection brings you to $19.00 before taxes, so you will definitely have enough cash to splurge on local New York craft beer. My recommendation is Six Point Sweet Action!

Mighty Quinn’s is located in the East Village at 103 2nd Ave at East 6th Street.

When in doubt, you cannot go wrong with good old fashion comfort food! The Meatball Shop has several New York locations and they are open late. With a variety of options, The Meatball Shop is sure to be a hit. Place your order for two sets of Naked Balls ($8.00 each, my personal favorite chicken with pesto) a side of spaghetti to share ($5.00) and topping off your meal with an epic ice cream sandwich ($5.00) Your meal at The Meatball Shop comes to a total of $26.00 before taxes and gratuity.

Meatball Shop Chelsea is located on 22nd Street and 9th Avenue, the West Village location is 64 Greenwich Street.