Photo by ballookey
We know that dating can be expensive, but it’s still somewhat mandatory if you want to pull off a social life in the city of bright lights. So rather than spend a quarter of your paycheck on an over-priced dinner, we’ve dug up some of our favorite places to go for low-cost (and delicious!) meals in New York City. Let us know if you have any to add to the list.
1. Flor de Mayo
Chinese and Latin American
484 Amsterdam
(between 83rd and 84th)
Manhattan
Check this place out for an extensive menu and fun displays of food (like the rice and shrimp served in a hollowed out pineapple). The food is delicious and the prices are dirt cheap for a sit-down restaurant.
2. Kenka
Japanese/Sushi
25 St. Marks Place
Manhattan
Kenka is probably one of the most cherished attributes of Saint Marks. There’s usually a line here, although the wait is relatively quick. Get there early as it tends to fill up quickly later in the evening.
3. Song
Thai
295 Fifth Avenue
(at 2nd Street)
Brooklyn
With a lively bar and spacious dining area, Song is an excellent place to take a date — especially with the house DJ spinning tunes on the weekend. And the fact that all the entrees are under $10 isn’t bad either.
4. Panna II Garden Indian Restaurant
Indian
93 1st Avenue
(at 6th Street)
Manhattan
Panna II is your place if you want fun and kitsch. The food is great and I’ve gotten plenty of full meals here for less than ten bucks. If you really want to liven things up, claim it’s your date’s birthday and enjoy dim lights, a disco ball, and an upbeat techno-ish birthday song.
5. Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant
Middle Eastern cuisine
119 Macdougal Street
Manhattan
It’s not the fanciest of places, in fact it’s not even that pretty. But good food it doth have. We’d recommend coming here as a preclude to the movies or another outing since the interior is a bit small and can get cramped.
6. Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwich
Vietnamese
311 Atlantic Avenue
(between Smith and Hoyt)
Brooklyn
An East Village and Brooklyn favorite, nobody does Vietnamese sandwiches like Nicky’s. Hop in and grab a couple of $5 Classics and a couple of their amazing Vietnamese coffees for a cozy, laid-back time.
7. El Nuevo Amanecer Restaurant
Mexican
117 Stanton
(between Essex and Ludlow)
Manhattan
This place may not look like much on the outside, but their food is delicious — and cheap! It’s usually pretty crowded late at night when the bar crowds dissipate and head over to fill their stomachs, but head over around 6pm and you should be able to nix the wait.
8. Christine’s Polish American Restaurant
Polish cuisine
208 First Avenue
(at 14th Street)
Manhattan
Christine’s has been noted as some of the most authentic Polish food outside of Poland. They’re best known for their breakfasts, so try a late brunch date and enjoy a long, laid-back meal to offset the rush of the past week. Eggs, home fries, sausage, toast, juice and coffee will run you around $6.
Caribbean/Latin American/Mexican
757 Fulton Street
(at S. Portland Street)
Brooklyn
This place serves up good food in a fun atmosphere. It’s a perfect spot for a first date with its casual, laid back vibe and beautiful outdoor garden.
10. Butterfly Blue
Soul Food
1813 Amsterdam Ave.
(between 149th and 150th)
Manhattan
Blue Butterfly is a must if you enjoy your soul food. Go on a Thursday night to enjoy live jazz in their fun and chill atmosphere or check out their karaoke during the week.
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[...] 10 Super Cheap Date RestaurantsAn East Village and Brooklyn favorite, nobody does Vietnamese sandwiches like Nicky’s. Hop in and grab a couple of $5 Classics and a couple of their amazing Vietnamese coffees for a cozy, laid-back time. 7. El Nuevo Amanecer Restaurant … [...]
[...] 10 Super Cheap Date RestaurantsAn East Village and Brooklyn favorite, nobody does Vietnamese sandwiches like Nicky’s. Hop in and grab a couple of $5 Classics and a couple of their amazing Vietnamese coffees for a cozy, laid-back time. 7. El Nuevo Amanecer Restaurant … [...]