3 Affordable New York City Restaurants Locals Love

This Caribbean food restaurant at Broadway and West 175th Street (near the A train 175th Street station in Manhattan) has been a staple in the Washington Heights neighborhood for more than 30 years. Malecon Restaurant is airy and bright, filled with the sounds of Spanish music and conversation.

If you come for breakfast, order the mangu — mashed green plantains with your choice of eggs, cheese and/or breakfast meat. Don’t forget your cafe con leche, a popular blend of espresso and milk. For lunch, try the delicious rotisserie chicken with rice and beans. Entrée prices range from $3 to $35.

If you are craving authentic Greek food in New York City, the place to go is Periyali on West 20th Street between 5th and 6th avenues in central Manhattan. To get there, take the 1 or 2 train to the 18th Street station. A dining staple since 1987, this intimate, festive restaurant offers friendly service and a great place to mingle with local Greeks. You might even spot a few celebrities!

Start with the traditional anise-scented Greek drink, ouzo, and ask the waiter to recommend a Greek wine to pair with the shrimp saganaki or grilled octopus. The prix fixe lunch and dinner menus are great deals. Prices for dishes range from $9 to $35.

If you want a tasty burger without having to wait in the long lines you’ll find at other city restaurants, try Bareburger. This fun, inviting and delicious organic burger chain has multiple locations in New York City.

No matter what you order, it will be loaded with tasty, all-natural ingredients. You can go for a bean, veggie or beef burger, or you can get adventurous and try the wild boar, elk or bison burger. Prices for burgers start at just under $10, while sides like fries, coleslaw and onion rings range from $3.25 to $5.95.