The New York travel blog that has all the information you need for your next holiday including cheap eats, budget nights out and the best place to shop a bargain! Just click on the images for a direct link to the corresponding website!
Eats
Tacombi
€
Best for: dinner for bigger groups, lively atmosphere.
With seven locations around New York, Tacombi is filled with good atmosphere, good vibes and most importantly, great food. Their authentic Mexican dishes are perfect for sharing and come in generous portions, with prices that won’t break the bank. The menu caters to a lot of different tastes and styles so you won’t be stuck for choice.
Fancy Nancy
€€
Best for: a brunch for smaller groups.
Once you’ve eaten at Fancy Nancy you’ll understand why there’s a queue outside the door even before they’ve opened! This small space offers a casual and relaxed family-feel dining experience. Their speciality is doing the simple things really well. They don’t take bookings so be prepared to wait! (It’s worth it!)
Chavela’s
€
Best for: lunch/dinner, any group size.
Another Mexican-inspired restaurant that is well worth a visit. With a very lively atmosphere, Chavela’s offers a unique menu with plenty of choice. Their lunch specials come in at just $9.95 and it’s worth every penny. Top tip: don’t leave without trying on of their infamous cocktails!
Kiki’s
€€
Best for: rustic experience, friendly ambience.
Located in New York’s Chinatown, there is nowhere better to experience authentic Greek food. Their family-style menu is simple – no muss no fuss – just delicious and fresh food. The best thing about Kiki’s? The bang for your buck!
Going Out
Do or Dive
€
Best for: a causal night out with friends.
If you’re looking for a cheap night out but still want to have a great time, lucky for you New York is full to the brim with dive bars. Do or Dive is just one of many bars that offer cheap drinks but a great atmosphere. With an outdoor beer garden, this place is perfect for some afternoon or late night drinks. Happy hour until 7pm every Monday – Friday! What more could you want?
Hartley’s
€€
Best for: that little bit of home you were searching for.
Slightly more expensive than your average pub, but it’s all worth it to have that pint of Guinness sitting in front of you. This authentic Irish pub is casual and definitely not a cliché. With rustic vibes it feels like the pub from ‘down the country’ that you needed all along. There’s live trad music every Monday and a simple menu with homey food (try the grilled cheese sandwich!).
Culture
The Frick Collection
On a normal day this museum offers standard prices for students ($12) but if you go there on a Wednesday they offer pay-what-you-wish admission – you decide what you want to pay. The Frick is well worth a visit if you’re an art enthusiast. It houses the collection of industrialist Henry Clay Frick. The building itself boasts a beautiful indoor atrium, complete with a fountain. It’s the perfect place to get away from the bustle of New York life.
Also worth a look:
Shopping
Brooklyn flea (Sundays only)
Set up in the picturesque surrounding of DUMBO in Brooklyn, this weekly flea market has plenty to offer from interesting prints to clothes, jewellery and old records. Visit here if you’re looking for an eclectic mix of New York culture and value for money.
Beacon’s Closet
This interesting shop sells any fashion item you could possibly need. And the best thing about it? It’s all vintage and well-priced. Be ready to rummage for what you’re looking for though, there’s a lot to get through!
Spoonbill and Sugartown Booksellers
This beautiful second-hand bookshop, located in Williamsburg, is perfect for the wandering bibliophile. You could spend hours on end in here and never be bored. All their books are in great condition, with a wide range of different subjects and topics. Something for everyone!
Happy exploring!
Image sources:
- Tacombi - Yelp, https://www.yelp.ca/biz/tacombi-flatiron-new-york-3?start=40
- Fancy Nancy - https://www.fancynancybk.com/
- Chavela's - On The Grid, https://onthegrid.city/brooklyn/crown-heights/chavelas
- Kiki's - The Infatuation, https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/reviews/kikis
- Do or Dive - https://www.doordivebedstuy.com/
- Hartley's - https://www.hartleysnyc.com/about/
- The Frick Collection - Untapped Cities, https://untappedcities.com/2019/07/22/the-top-15-secrets-of-the-frick-collection-in-nyc/
- Spoonbill and Sugartown - Bushwick Daily, https://bushwickdaily.com/bushwick/categories/arts-and-culture/4318-spoonbill-sugartown-east-williamsburg-natalie-shields