A Day of Eating in New York for Less Than €100

When I told people I was going on vacation to New York for a week, the first reactions were: “Expensive! Have you saved enough?” and “Oh, nice, paying $12 for a beer.” And yes, if you’re not careful, you can easily pay a fortune for a glass of wine and a bar snack. But with a little research, you can eat much more cheaply. Luckily, I’ve already done that research for you. Follow this itinerary and you’ll stay comfortably under €100 with three meals and a snack.

The restaurants I had picked out in advance all seemed affordable. But after warnings that you can quickly spend $80 on a simple breakfast for two, I did start to get a little nervous. Still, we managed to stay within budget every time. Prices are based on a party of two, because sharing is caring (and cheaper).

Breakfast at Studio at Freehand

If you walked past it, you’d probably never go into this hotel, but as soon as you enter the restaurant on the second floor, you’ll never want to leave. The decor is cozy and hip at the same time, but of course we’re here for the food. You can order breakfast classics with a Persian twist. Like a bagel with salmon and herb labneh ($18) or a Persian frittata with a wonderfully fresh, herby sauce ($19). Flavors I had never tasted together before—and wow, was it delicious.

This place is especially known for its pastry chef, so your breakfast isn’t complete without a sweet finish. Share the Persian love cake with cardamom, pistachio and rhubarb, or get the chocolate morning bun or babka (sticky Jewish sweet bread) with chocolate and coffee. All $5 or $6.

Damage: $29.50 p.p. maximum (including a cappuccino)

Lunch at Russ & Daughters

A visit to New York isn’t complete without eating something from Russ & Daughters. This Jewish ‘appetizing store’ specializes in smoked fish. The display case is filled with countless types of smoked salmon, as well as smoked sturgeon and tuna. You can have everything packed to take away at their shop, but you can also sit down at the café around the corner. Much nicer.

The potato latkes with sour cream and salmon roe ($17) are an absolute must—the best potato pancake I’ve ever eaten. If there are two of you, also order the pastrami Russ ($12) with salmon prepared like pastrami. Together with Muenster cheese, sauerkraut, mustard and pickle, it’s served on a pretzel bun. Add a cream soda (sparkling water with homemade syrup, $5), and your quintessential New York lunch is complete.

Damage: $19.50 p.p.

Snack: Donut at Daily Provisions

Even the least sweet-toothed person will be overjoyed by a cruller from Daily Provisions. From the outside, the ridged donut doesn’t look particularly exciting, but as soon as you take a bite, ultimate happiness begins. The inside is incredibly airy, while the dough is so soft it almost resembles custard. So delicious that we immediately bought a second one—and, if it had been up to me, a third as well.

Damage: $3.75 p.p.

Dinner at Win Son

Don’t be surprised if you have to stand in line for a very long time on weekends to eat at this Brooklyn hotspot. Believe me, it’s more than worth it. American Taiwanese is the description, but I don’t even know where to begin describing how incredibly delicious this dinner was. From clams in a green garlic and scallion sauce and scallion pancakes to an eggplant dish I still think about every day. Perfectly fried eggplant with kefir cheese, seasoned cashews and black vinegar. Seriously, wow.

Whether you still have room for dessert or not: order it anyway. If all goes well, you’ll only be here once. The fried sweet dough with vanilla ice cream and condensed milk is intense but heavenly. Be sure to add the peanut-butter-and-cilantro topping for an extra $2. Yes, cilantro on your ice cream. Just go with it. The two of us ate five dishes here (more than enough) and shared a large bottle of beer.

Damage: $40.60 p.p.

Tip

The poor New York waitstaff work incredibly hard but don’t earn much, which is why it’s customary to leave a 15 to 20 percent tip. It sounds like a lot, but you’ll still stay within budget. After this delicious day, you’ll be at $93.35. Add a 20 percent tip and you’ll be at $112, which converts to €95. So you still have five euros to spare in case the exchange rate changes. There you go!