18 Great Restaurants In New York State That Won’t Break The Bank
New York State has no shortage of incredible dining spots, but finding great food without a sky-high bill can feel like a challenge.
Luckily, some restaurants serve up big flavors and memorable meals without emptying your wallet.
Whether you’re craving cozy comfort food or fresh, vibrant dishes, these spots prove you don’t need to splurge to enjoy the best of New York’s culinary scene.
Your taste buds and your budget will thank you.
1. Xi’an Famous Foods – New York City
Slurping hand-pulled noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods feels like teleporting straight to northwestern China. The spicy cumin lamb noodles will make your taste buds dance while your wallet stays surprisingly full.
Started as a tiny food stall in Flushing, this family-owned business exploded into a NYC sensation thanks to Anthony Bourdain’s enthusiastic endorsement.
Despite their fame, most dishes still hover around $12-15, proving exceptional food doesn’t require exceptional spending.
2. Vanessa’s Dumpling House – New York City
Crispy-bottomed pan-fried dumplings sizzle behind the counter at Vanessa’s, where $5 gets you four plump pockets of deliciousness.
The sesame pancake sandwiches might be the best-kept secret here – massive, satisfying, and typically under $6. College students and Wall Street suits alike queue up at this no-frills spot.
What began as a tiny Chinatown hole-in-the-wall has expanded to multiple locations while maintaining its commitment to ridiculously low prices and freshly made Chinese comfort food.
3. Joe’s Pizza – New York City
Legends aren’t built overnight, but Joe’s has spent decades perfecting the quintessential New York slice.
For just $3-4, you’ll experience the perfect balance of tangy sauce, melty cheese, and that distinctive foldable crust that makes NYC pizza famous.
Celebrity photos line the walls of this Greenwich Village institution, where locals and tourists form perpetual lines.
Founded in 1975 by Joe Pozzuoli from Naples, Italy, this no-frills joint proves that sometimes the simplest foods, executed perfectly, create the most enduring culinary memories.
4. Prince Street Pizza – New York City
Square slices reign supreme at this Nolita hotspot where the Spicy Spring – topped with crispy pepperoni cups that curl into tiny flavor vessels – creates sidewalk lines that stretch around the block.
Worth every minute of the wait! The secret lies in the dough, which somehow manages to be both light and substantial.
Originally home to the famous Ray’s Pizza, Prince Street took over in 2012 and quickly established its own legendary status, proving great pizza doesn’t require a second mortgage.
5. Los Tacos No. 1 – New York City
Watching skilled taqueros slice sizzling adobada off the vertical spit at Los Tacos No. 1 is half the fun. The other half?
Devouring the resulting taco – a perfect harmony of marinated pork, handmade tortilla, and fresh toppings – for around $4.50.
Founded by three friends from California and Mexico, this Chelsea Market standout brought authentic border-style tacos to Manhattan.
No seats, no frills, just exceptional tacos that transport you straight to Tijuana without the airfare.
6. Mamoun’s Falafel – New York City
Biting into a Mamoun’s falafel sandwich reveals why this Greenwich Village institution has thrived since 1971.
The crispy exterior gives way to a herbaceous, perfectly spiced interior, all wrapped in pillowy pita with tahini for under $6. Late-night crowds flock here for post-revelry sustenance.
The tiny original location retains its vintage charm with faded photos and simple counters, while newer outposts maintain the same recipes and prices that have made Mamoun’s a New York icon for over 50 years.
7. Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles – New York City
Mesmerizing noodle masters stretch and slap dough into submission behind the counter at this Chinatown gem.
Each bowl arrives steaming hot with your choice of width – from thin angel hair to thick fettuccine-style ribbons – swimming in savory broth for under $15. The tiny dining room fills quickly with noodle enthusiasts.
Beyond the signature hand-pulled varieties, knife-cut noodles offer delightful irregular shapes that catch sauce perfectly, while rice noodles provide gluten-free options without sacrificing the authentic experience.
8. The Halal Guys (53rd & 6th) – New York City
Yellow rice mountains topped with succulent chicken or gyro meat, doused in mysterious white sauce – this is the legendary street food that launched countless imitators.
This original 53rd & 6th cart transformed into a global phenomenon while maintaining its $8-9 platters.
Lines form around the block at peak hours.
Smart regulars know to go easy on the fiery red sauce (a few drops suffice) and that a regular portion easily feeds two normal appetites, making this possibly the best calorie-per-dollar value in Manhattan.
9. Shake Shack (Madison Square Park) – New York City
Burgers achieve transcendence at the original Shake Shack, where the Madison Square Park kiosk sparked a global empire.
The ShackBurger combines premium smashed patties with special sauce and potato bun perfection for around $7.
Summer means legendary lines, but the park setting makes waiting almost pleasant.
Beyond burgers, the crinkle-cut fries and frozen custard concrete mixers have cult followings of their own, proving fast food can be exceptional without the premium price tag.
10. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que – Syracuse
Motorcycle culture meets slow-smoked meats at this Syracuse institution where blues music and barbecue aromas fill the air.
The combo plates offer ridiculous value around $20, featuring ribs with bark so perfect they should be illegal.
What began as a mobile concession stand at motorcycle festivals evolved into New York’s barbecue heavyweight.
The original location maintains its gritty charm with road signs and vintage memorabilia adorning the walls, while the homemade sides – especially the mac & cheese – rival the stellar meats for menu supremacy.
11. Nick Tahou Hots – Rochester
Garbage Plates reign supreme in Rochester, and nobody does them better than their inventor, Nick Tahou Hots.
This magnificent mess typically features macaroni salad, home fries, and your choice of protein smothered in meat sauce – all for about $12. College students flock here after midnight.
The no-frills diner atmosphere hasn’t changed much since the 1950s, complete with counter service and fluorescent lighting, creating the perfect backdrop for this ultimate comfort food that’s fueled generations of Rochesterians through long winters and late nights.
12. Ted’s Hot Dogs – Buffalo Area
Charcoal-grilled to snappy perfection, Ted’s hot dogs have been a Buffalo-area obsession since 1927.
The unmistakable smoky flavor comes from genuine charcoal grills visible behind the counter, where flames kiss each frank to juicy deliciousness for around $4.
The homemade hot sauce adds perfect heat without overwhelming.
Loganberry drink – a regional specialty – makes the ideal sweet companion to these savory dogs, while the onion rings consistently rank among Western New York’s finest, creating a meal that’s satisfyingly complete while still under $10.
13. Heid’s of Liverpool – Liverpool
Time travel isn’t possible, except perhaps at Heid’s, where the same snappy hot dogs and coneys have delighted Central New Yorkers since 1917.
The white porcelain building with red trim houses a simple operation: perfectly grilled Hofmann franks on fresh rolls for about $3.50. Locals debate whether the red or white hot dogs reign supreme.
The throwback experience includes watching your dogs sizzle on the ancient flat-top grill and enjoying them at picnic tables outside or counter seats within. Cash-only policies and limited menu options only enhance the vintage charm.
14. Jim’s Steakout – Buffalo
Late-night hunger pangs in Buffalo lead inevitably to Jim’s Steakout, where massive steak hoagies loaded with melted cheese, grilled onions, and mushrooms satisfy the most demanding appetites for around $11.
The Chicken Finger Sub achieves legendary status by combining crispy tenders with hot sauce and blue cheese. Open until 5am at most locations, Jim’s serves as Buffalo’s after-hours savior.
While cheesesteaks are the headliners, don’t overlook the stellar chicken wings or the stinger sub – a Buffalo original that combines steak and chicken fingers in one magnificent sandwich.
15. Doug’s Fish Fry – Skaneateles/Cortland
Golden-battered haddock fillets larger than the plate they’re served on have made Doug’s a Central New York institution since 1982.
The fish dinner with sides runs about $15, featuring seafood so fresh you’d swear you were oceanside instead of in upstate New York.
The Skaneateles location offers lake views with your meal. Beyond the signature fish, homemade clam chowder draws devoted fans, while the tartar sauce recipe remains a closely guarded secret.
Simple picnic-style tables and counter service keep the focus where it belongs – on exceptionally fresh seafood at fair prices.
16. Main Street Bistro – New Paltz
College students and hikers fuel up at this New Paltz staple where the $5.95 Breakfast Special – two eggs, home fries, and toast – might be the Hudson Valley’s best bargain.
Weekends bring lines out the door for their legendary stuffed French toast and huevos rancheros. Funky local art adorns the walls of this cozy cafe.
Despite their affordable prices, they’re committed to quality ingredients and local sourcing when possible.
The relaxed vibe makes it equally suitable for nursing a hangover or planning your Shawangunk Ridge climbing adventure.
17. Spiedie & Rib Pit – Vestal/Binghamton
Binghamton’s culinary claim to fame – the spiedie – reaches its highest form at this local chain.
Cubes of marinated chicken or pork, grilled to perfection and stuffed into fresh Italian bread, deliver Mediterranean-meets-upstate flavors for under $10.
The signature sandwiches come wrapped in foil, keeping them warm and allowing the juices to soak deliciously into the bread.
Family-owned since 1993, they’ve expanded while maintaining quality and value. For first-timers, the combo platter offers the perfect introduction to both their famous spiedies and fall-off-the-bone ribs.
18. Collegetown Bagels – Ithaca
Cornell students power through all-nighters thanks to CTB’s epic sandwiches stacked high on freshly baked bagels, breads, and rolls.
Creative combinations like the “Zabs” (pizza bagel) and “Suicide Sandwich” run $8-12 and easily fuel two meals. More than just bagels, their pastry case tempts with enormous cookies and muffins.
The bustling atmosphere combines academic intensity with Ithaca’s hippie charm, while multiple locations around town ensure you’re never far from their coffee and carbs, which have fueled countless college degrees since 1976.