Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in Greenwich Village
11 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
NY Dosas
Vegan South Indian dosas from a beloved Washington Square Park cart since 2001.
Notable Picks
#1
NY Dosas
8.7
A vegan South Indian cart parked along Washington Square South, NY Dosas turns out crisp, generously filled dosas, uttapam, and snacks that draw long lunchtime lines. Since 2001, Thiru Kumar’s cart has become a Greenwich Village fixture for students, office workers, and chefs on break looking for intensely spiced, budget-friendly plates eaten on park benches.
Must-Try Dishes:
Masala dosa, Pondicherry dosa, Vegan drumstick
What Makes it Special: Vegan South Indian dosas from a beloved Washington Square Park cart since 2001.
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Just off Washington Square Park, ME Chicken Rice focuses on Thai-style chicken rice—steamed, fried, or roasted—served fast at student-friendly prices. High ratings across delivery platforms and a devoted NYU-area following make it a go-to for quick, comforting plates rather than a long, sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
No.1 Steamed Chicken Rice, No.2 Fried Chicken Rice, Wing Zabb (Isaan-style fried wings)
What Makes it Special: Tiny counter-service shop specializing in Thai-style chicken rice with standout sauces and reliable takeout.
8
Artistic Pizza is a compact Greenwich Village counter that has built a following for its vegan and gluten-free slices alongside standard New York pies. It’s more functional than flashy, but the ability to grab plant-based mushroom or pepperoni slices by the slice until late makes it a go-to for mixed-diet groups near NYU.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegan Mushroom Slice, Vegan Pepperoni & Sausage Crumble Slice, Gluten-Free Whole Pie
What Makes it Special: Village slice counter specializing in vegan and gluten-free options without losing the New York-slice feel.
#4
Bagel Bob's
8
Old-school neighborhood shop turning out no-frills, properly dense bagels all day. The vibe is classic counter-service New York, with fast turnover and a loyal local base. Great for a straightforward bagel-and-schmear or a hefty breakfast sandwich.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese, Sesame bagel with butter, Turkey egg & cheese sandwich
What Makes it Special: Classic, unfussy bagels at a neighborhood-friendly price.
Worthy Picks
#5
Umami Sushi
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A compact Greenwich Village/Chelsea border takeout counter that surprises with careful roll construction and well-seasoned rice. The menu favors crowd-pleasers—spicy tuna, salmon-avocado, and richer special rolls—executed cleanly for the price. Best as a quick, reliable pickup when you want rolls over ceremony.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy rice with spicy tuna, Zuke chu-toro special roll, Salmon avocado roll
What Makes it Special: Budget-friendly rolls that stay tidy and flavorful.
7.9
3 Sheets is a rowdy, two-floor sports bar known for long happy hours, beer pong tables, and reliably crispy wings. The menu leans classic—buffalo wings, tots, and nachos—backed by half-priced bar deals that keep NYU students and budget-minded regulars coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Buffalo wings (single or double orders), Sweet Thai chili or BBQ wings, Truffle fries or loaded tots
What Makes it Special: Happy hour runs long, with cheap drinks and big baskets of wings in a party-bar setting.
A counter-service bagel shop that’s a neighborhood workhorse for fast, no-nonsense breakfast. The kettle-boiled bagels hold up under classic spreads and egg sandwiches, and the line moves quickly even during peak hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Everything Bagel with Lox Cream Cheese, Classic Bacon Egg & Cheese, Veggie Cream Cheese on Sesame
What Makes it Special: Old-school NYC bagels done right, very early hours.
#8
Bagel Pub
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A straightforward, no‑frills bagel counter that delivers kettle‑boiled bagels and classic sandwiches for a casual grab‑and‑go or quick sit‑down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Plain bagel with cream cheese, Egg & cheese bagel sandwich, Everything bagel with lox
What Makes it Special: Reliable classic bagels and sandwiches with quick counter service
#9
Ambo
7.7
A fast-casual bowl and wrap shop doing streamlined Indian flavors for quick lunches. The food is fresh and customizable, with solid spice blends and a health-forward tilt that works well on the go.
Must-Try Dishes:
Build-your-own Ambo bowl, Paneer tikka masala bowl, Chicken tikka taco
What Makes it Special: Indian flavors built for fast, customizable bowls.
#10
Panineria
7.7
A compact panini counter turning out Italian sandwiches on crusty bread with imported meats and cheeses. The menu is focused and fast, ideal for a lunch recharge rather than a linger-long meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Olga Panino (Prosciutto Cotto & Mozzarella), Chicken Parm Panino, Torre del Greco Panino
What Makes it Special: Straightforward Italian panini shop with high-quality imports.
#11
Sanuki Udon
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Across from NYU’s Stern campus, Sanuki Udon runs a cafeteria-style tray line for customizable udon bowls, rice dishes, and tempura at student-friendly prices. Fresh, chewy noodles, efficient service, and a constant rotation of beef and curry udon bowls make it an everyday Japanese stop rather than a special-occasion destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Curry Udon, Beef Udon, Shrimp Tempura
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual udon line with handmade noodles and an extensive tempura bar.