Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in Midtown-Times Square
22 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Los Tacos No.1
Tijuana-style adobada carved to order with tortillas made all day.
Notable Picks
8.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Trendy Table Hotspots
A high-velocity counter taqueria that nails Tijuana-style classics with disciplined execution and nonstop turnover that keeps everything fresh. The adobada and carne asada tacos are the clear anchors, with handmade tortillas and clean, punchy salsas. Expect a tight, standing-room vibe and a quick but friendly flow designed for repeat bites, not lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada taco, Carne asada taco, Quesadilla with adobada
What Makes it Special: Tijuana-style adobada carved to order with tortillas made all day.
A high-volume Times Square slice counter that still delivers the fundamentals: thin, well-browned crust, clean tomato-sweet sauce, and fast handoffs even when the line wraps. It’s built for late-night utility—grab a classic slice, eat immediately, and keep moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese slice, Pepperoni slice, White slice
What Makes it Special: A classic NYC slice built to hold up under massive late-night volume.
8.7
Adel's is known for its classic Halal street food offerings, particularly its juicy chicken and lamb over rice with fresh salads.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken over Rice, Lamb over Rice, Falafel
What Makes it Special: Iconic street food with a loyal following.
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Late Night Legends
Royal Grill Halal Food is a long-running Midtown cart drawing office workers, tourists, and night wanderers for deeply spiced chicken tikka, combo rice platters, and biryani at very friendly prices. Lines move fast, portions are generous, and regulars call it one of the most consistent halal-Indian spots near Bryant Park.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy chicken tikka over rice, Lamb biryani with green and white sauces, Chicken masala combo over rice
What Makes it Special: A beloved Midtown cart serving boldly spiced halal-Indian platters with huge value.
#5
JoJu
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
JoJu’s Midtown outpost brings the Elmhurst-born banh mi shop to 5th Avenue with modern Vietnamese sandwiches, rice bowls, and loaded fries built for office-hour lunches. Fans praise the crackly bread, deeply marinated proteins, and efficient counter system that keeps lines moving even at peak weekday rush.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Sweet (JoJu) Banh Mi, Caramel Pork Bowl, JoJu Fries
What Makes it Special: Modern Vietnamese banh mi and bowls with serious flavor and speed.
8.4
The Bryant Park location of The Kati Roll Company turns Kolkata-style paratha wraps into one of Midtown’s quickest Indian meals. Compact, counter-style and often busy, it’s popular with late-working office crowds and theatergoers who want boldly spiced rolls rather than a full sit-down spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Achari paneer roll, Chicken tikka roll, Shami kabab roll
What Makes it Special: A long-standing Midtown spot specializing in Kolkata-style kati rolls made to order.
#7
Margon
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
A humble Cuban spot offering hearty rice, beans, and rotisserie‑style meats for a bargain — ideal before or after a show. Locals come for filling portions at low prices and familiar flavors. Portions are generous and homestyle without pretension.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lechón Asado, Moros y Cristianos (rice & beans), Cubano sandwich
What Makes it Special: Simple, Cuban‑style comfort food at prices under many NYC mid‑range spots.
8.3
Counter‑serve plant‑based comfort food that turns classic NYC street‑food into vegan favorites — from seitan gyros to mac ’n’ cheese. Great for a quick, satisfying bite in Midtown between errands or shows.
Must-Try Dishes:
Impossible Chopped Cheese, Vegan Drumsticks, Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese
What Makes it Special: Transforms NYC street‑food classics into fully vegan comfort dishes.
8.1
Classic New York‑style pies with generous slices and take‑out friendly service, favored by locals and theater‑goers alike. It delivers consistent, affordable pizza without the frills — a dependable staple for casual family meals downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Large cheese slice, Pepperoni pie, Stromboli
What Makes it Special: Old‑school NY‑style slices and pies at consistent quality and low price.
8.1
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family-run Theater District staple since 1991 with homemade pastas and sauces made fresh daily. Nearly 3,000 Yelp reviews attest to consistent quality at reasonable prices, making it a neighborhood favorite for pre-show dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Rigatoni alla Trecolori, Homemade Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Family-owned 30+ years with everything made fresh in-house daily
#11
Kwik Meal NYC
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Counter‑service spot serving halal street‑food classics — good for late nights and cheap, filling meals. Generous portions and strong flavor make it a reliable grab‑and‑go when other kitchens are closed. It’s a no‑frills place that delivers value for the price.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken over rice (white sauce), Lamb over rice, Falafel wrap
What Makes it Special: Halal street‑food late into the night at rock‑bottom prices.
#12
Burgermania
8
A halal-focused smash-burger spot that’s easy to miss but built for repeatable, no-frills satisfaction—crispy patties, straightforward combos, and a quick counter rhythm. It’s strongest as a late-evening grab when you want burger-and-fries comfort without the bar scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Atomic Burger, Big Boy Burger, Deluxe Burger Combo
What Makes it Special: Halal smash burgers with strong value and fast turnaround.
#13
Lolita
8
A modern Mexican cocktail bar‑restaurant mixing tacos and agave‑forward drinks in a mood‑forward setting that fits Midtown nightlife. Good for pre‑show drinks or a casual dinner with friends, with vegetarian and pescatarian options. The ambiance leans more lounge‑bar than casual taqueria, but food remains solid and reasonably priced. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish taco, Vegetarian enchilada, House guacamole
What Makes it Special: Tacos and cocktails in a stylish Midtown lounge.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Late Night Legends
Comfort Food Classics
Late‑night friendly BBQ spot serving hearty racks of ribs plus classic Southern‑style sides, popular with tourists and locals alike for its generous portions and vibrant vibe. A go-to after shows in Times Square when you want ribs without pretension.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baby Back Ribs, BBQ Brisket, Cornbread & Baked Beans combo
What Makes it Special: Reliable, no‑frills ribs with big portions in a central midtown location.
7.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Instagram Worthy Wonders
The country's largest pizzeria occupies a stunning 19th-century church with original stained glass windows, serving thin-crust brick oven pizza since 1997. Seating 400 in the soaring nave makes it ideal for groups before Broadway shows.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Cheese Pizza, Sausage and Peppers Pizza, Garlic Knots
What Makes it Special: Pizzeria in a converted church with stunning stained glass architecture
7.8
A no‑frills slice shop known for cheap, quick pizza slices — ideal for a budget‑friendly, casual family meal near 48th Street. It’s not fancy, but consistent for straightforward pizza when you want convenience and value.
Must-Try Dishes:
Plain cheese slice, Pepperoni slice, Veggie slice
What Makes it Special: Budget‑priced slices for quick meals near Times Square.
#17
Pho 39
7.8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Pho 39 is a cozy Midtown pho shop just south of Bryant Park, focusing on straightforward bowls of beef broth, noodles, and classic Vietnamese sides. Office workers and commuters use it as a reliable, no-fuss spot to warm up with pho, banh mi, and spring rolls between meetings or trains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Flank & Brisket Pho, Grilled Chicken Banh Mi, Duck Spring Rolls
What Makes it Special: A central Bryant Park pho shop built around classic broths and quick service.
#18
Nishida Sho-ten
7.8
A late-hours, ramen-first pocket that reads more like a local regular’s stop than a Midtown headline. The best bowls lean classic—tonkotsu and richer styles—built for comfort, not theatrics, and it’s one of the few in the ZIP that’s explicitly positioned for late-night ramen. Go with one signature bowl and keep toppings selective so the broth stays the point.
Must-Try Dishes:
White Tonkotsu Ramen, Black Ramen, Karaage
What Makes it Special: Late-night ramen in 10018 with a low-key, regulars-first feel.
#19
TSQ Food Court
7.8
A 24/7 grab‑and‑go joint offering burgers and wraps right in the heart of Times Square — ideal for late‑night cravings. Customers rave about the “Broadway Bacon Burger” and appreciate the round‑the‑clock availability for after‑show meals or post‑work bites. It delivers solid value and convenience when most other spots are closed. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Must-Try Dishes:
Broadway Bacon Burger, Classic Cheeseburger, Hand‑cut Fries
What Makes it Special: Always‑open 24/7 burgers in the heart of Times Square.
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
This long-running Japanese grocery on 41st Street backs its shelves of imported snacks and pantry goods with a small kitchen turning out ramen, udon, curry, and donburi. Ramen isn’t the only draw, but it’s a convenient way to get a hot bowl alongside onigiri and other quick bites near the library and Grand Central.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonkotsu Ramen, Miso Ramen, Kimchi Miso Ramen
What Makes it Special: Japanese grocery institution where you can pair a hot ramen with excellent onigiri and snacks.
#21
Frozen City
7.7
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Sweet Treats Escapes
A simple Midtown frozen-yogurt stop that’s strongest when you treat it like a clean, quick cold fix rather than a destination dessert. Stick to one base flavor and one crunchy topping so the texture stays the point, not a sugary pile-on.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic tart froyo, Chocolate froyo, Soft-serve swirl with one topping
What Makes it Special: Straightforward froyo/soft-serve with a fast, no-drama Midtown setup.
#22
Radio City Pizza
7.6
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Food Hall Frenzy
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A compact Midtown slice counter steps from Rockefeller Center, popular for fast, no-frills pies. The Sicilian options and hearty topping combos make it an easy family stop between sightseeing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Buffalo Chicken Slice, Sicilian Pepperoni Slice, Regular Cheese Slice
What Makes it Special: Reliable Midtown slices with strong Sicilian tray lineup.