Affordable takeout in NYC can be hard to come by, especially when it comes to finding a delicious, convenient option that won’t break the bank. Thankfully, New York City is full of price-conscious restaurants that serve up a wide variety of quality eats, making it easier than ever to find a tasty meal without overspending. Whether you’re looking for pizza, Chinese food, or something else entirely, there are plenty of options to choose from.
From classic New York pizzerias and family-owned eateries to quick-serve corner joints and $1 slice shops, here is our list of the best places to get affordable takeout in New York City.
Best for Pizza:
- Joe’s Pizza
Joe’s has been around since 1975 and continues to be one of the city’s favorite go-to spots for classic thin-crust pizza. You can get a regular slice for $2.50 or a vegan slice for $3.50.
- Prince Street Pizza
Prince Street is renowned for its specialty pies, which topped with unique toppings like honey, buffalo mozzarella, and spicy honey pepper. Slices start at $3.50.
- Artichoke Basille’s Pizza
If you’re looking for a thick-crust slice that is a departure from the classic thin-crust New York pizza pie, then Artichoke Basille’s is the place for you. Each slice is packed with artichoke, spinach, and creamy cheese sauce. Slices start at $4.
Best for Chinese Food:
- Woorijip Authentic Korean Food
Woorijip Authentic Korean Food serves up inexpensive and delicious Chinese cuisine at extremely low prices. For example, you can get a bowl of spicy beef noodle soup for only $5.50.
- Great NY Noodletown
Great NY Noodletown serves up classic Chinese dishes like lo mein, noodle soups, and chow mein, all at incredibly affordable prices. Plus, portions are large and incredibly filling. You can get an order of lo mein for just $7.
- HAPIfork
HAPIfork is a hip, popular Chinese restaurant with a focus on health, sustainability, and flavor. Their menu features dishes like organic Ming shrimp and organic vegetable stir fry, all of which are priced under $10.
Best for Sandwiches:
- Wichcraft
Wichcraft is a sandwich-centric restaurant known for its delectable artisanal sandwiches. Check out the Mendocino sandwich, which comes with turkey and a special roasted pepper relish for only $8.25.
- Subway
Subway is the quintessential fast food sandwich shop, offering loads of classic subs with fresh ingredients at unbeatable prices. You can snag traditional 6-inch subs for as little as $3.
- S’MAC
S’MAC is a macaroni and cheese joint which serves up a variety of mac and cheese-filled sandwiches like the French Connection, which packs Gruyère cheese and roast beef in between two edges of macaroni.
Best for Street Food:
- Yaffa’s Kitchen
Yaffa’s Kitchen is a small eatery that serves up falafel, shawarma, and other Middle Eastern street food. Their falafel sandwich is particularly famous, made with freshly-made falafel and veggies, which only costs $4.
- Biryani Cart
The Biryani Cart is a NYC-famous cart that serves up Indian inspired street food and is known for its delicious chicken biryani. Get the Kashmiri chicken biryani for $5.
- Dough
Dough serves up freshly-rolled, hand-tossed doughnuts for just $1 each. The flavors range from classic glazed to Nutella and peanut butter.
Best for Fast Food:
- McDonald’s
McDonald’s is a classic fast food spot that always delivers in terms of affordability and convenience. The chain serves up traditional burgers and fries as well as some salads and smoothies that are less than $10.
- White Castle
White Castle is a regional fast food chain that serves up burgers that are smaller than the standard fast food patty. You can get two burger sliders and a side of fries for under $5.
- Burger King
Burger King is another go-to fast food spot that offers a wide variety of sandwiches, which makes it easy to find a quick, on-the-go meal for cheap. You can get a classic Whopper for under $5.
New York City is a huge and bustling city, and it can be tough to find a convenient and affordable takeout spot. Luckily, with some savvy research and a bit of exploring, you can discover some amazing places to get your favorite meals. Whether you’re looking for pizza, Chinese food, sandwiches, or something else, there’s something to meet your needs at a price that won’t break your budget.
