Best NYC Street Food on a Budget – Where to Eat for Under $10

Think NYC is too expensive to eat well? This NYC best street food guide on a budget is packed with insider tips to help you feast like a local without blowing your wallet!

Every time I visit my family in Brooklyn and Long Island, I end up on a mission to find the best eats for the least amount of cash. This guide to NYC best street food is packed with my favorite budget-friendly bites, personal tips, and flavor-packed spots that prove you don’t need a fancy restaurant to eat really well in New York. Perfect for travelers who want to explore the city through food—without blowing their budget!

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From Naples to New York: My Street Food Story

I’m a Neapolitan girl who lives between Naples and the Amalfi Coast, but a big part of my heart lives across the ocean—in New York City.
My family is split between Brooklyn and Long Island, so I visit often to see the relatives I grew up hearing stories about. We’re also trying to reconnect with some we lost track of over the years, which has made every trip feel a little like a treasure hunt!

While chasing family ties, I also discovered another love: NYC street food.
From steaming halal platters to crispy dosas and late-night pretzels, street food in New York is a full-blown experience. It’s fast, flavorful, and surprisingly affordable—exactly what you need when you’re exploring the city on a budget.

This guide is a mix of my favorite finds, personal food adventures, and tips from locals, aka my Italian-American relatives.
Ready to eat your way through NYC without breaking the bank?
Let’s go!

Why NYC Street Food Is Totally Worth It

A Bite of the World on Every Block

One of the things that blew my mind during my first few visits to New York?
You can eat your way around the world in a single day, without ever stepping into a restaurant.

Walk through Midtown and you’ll smell sizzling halal chicken from a cart on one corner, and hear the crackle of Chinese scallion pancakes being flipped on another. In Queens, I once had Colombian arepas for lunch and Filipino BBQ skewers for dinner, all within five blocks. Then there’s Washington Square Park, where I first discovered a South Indian dosa stand that’s now a must every time I’m in town.

Street food in New York City isn’t just convenient.
It’s a celebration of the city’s diversity. Every truck, cart, and pop-up stall tells a story—from immigrant families chasing the American dream to second-generation kids sharing their heritage through food. Whether it’s Mexican tacos in Brooklyn, Turkish gözleme in Astoria, or Dominican pastelitos in the Bronx, the flavors are bold, authentic, and deeply personal.

And maybe that’s why it feels a little familiar to me, coming from Naples. Neapolitan food is part of who we are!

Eating Well Without Spending Big

Let’s be honest: New York isn’t exactly famous for being cheap. A decent sit-down meal can easily set you back $40–$50 (and that’s if you skip dessert).

But street food in NYC is the secret weapon for anyone trying to eat well without draining their wallet. For $10 or less, you can get a heaping plate of chicken over rice, a stacked sandwich, or a piping hot portion of dumplings that’ll keep you full for hours. It’s no wonder that students, workers on their lunch breaks, and savvy travelers flock to these spots.

I’ve had some of my most memorable meals standing on a sidewalk, napkin in one hand, plastic fork in the other. Like the time I grabbed a birria taco in Jackson Heights for $4.50—juicy, rich, dripping with consommé—and ended up chatting with the vendor about how he slow-cooks the meat for hours each morning.
That taco told me more about New York than any museum ever could!

TL:DR – You can plan a whole New York itinerary for up to 5 days without spending more than $40 per person in food (each day).

The Best NYC Street Food You Can Afford

Let’s get to the good part: what to eat, where to find it, and how much it’ll cost you.
These are the spots I keep going back to, the ones I recommend to friends visiting for the first time—and honestly, a few I stumbled on thanks to my Zio Carmine and his very detailed “food walk” routes through Brooklyn. Usually with a side of a Taylor Swift NYC playlist that keeps us company!

Hot Dogs Done Right: Gray’s Papaya & Cart Legends

Before I knew where to find dumplings or birria, I started with a hot dog. Classic. Fast. Cheap. And weirdly satisfying.
Super American, if you ask me. 

Gray’s Papaya is probably the most iconic—Zio Carmine insists it’s the “true New York experience,” and he’s not wrong. 

For around $3–4, you get a grilled hot dog with a snap, tucked in a soft bun, and loaded with onions, mustard, or sauerkraut. 

There are also hundreds of local carts scattered across Manhattan.
Some are forgettable, but many are goldmines.
Look for the ones with a small crowd and a bit of steam rising into the air—that usually means it’s fresh.

Let me also just add one more hot dog place that is a family business for us!
Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island is my mom and dad’s favorite street food place in New York City. So if you’re planning to visit Coney Island, make sure you stop by!

Halal Guys Magic: The Iconic Chicken and Rice Platter

This was my cousin’s go-to lunch when she worked in Midtown. One day, she handed me a platter of chicken and rice with white sauce, and I’ve never looked back.

Halal Guys isn’t just famous—it’s a street food institution.
For about $10–11, you get a massive portion of chicken (or gyro meat), spiced rice, salad, pita, and sauces. If it’s your first time, go easy on the hot sauce. Seriously. 

Vegan & Flavor-Packed: NY Dosas in the Park

I found this cart while wandering near NYU with my Zia Gianna, who swears by plant-based food but still refuses to acknowledge she might be developing a vegetarian streak.  

The line was long. The smells were incredible.
And the dosa?
Crispy, stuffed with spicy potato, and served with sambar and coconut chutney for under $10.

Even meat lovers will love this one.
It’s light, flavorful, kind of addictive, but very different from the vegetarian dishes in Naples (Italy). The good kind of different.
Plus, the vendor’s friendliness alone is worth the wait!

Birria-Landia: Tacos That Deserve Their Hype

If you’re around Jackson Heights in the evening, do not skip Birria-Landia.
These tacos are juicy, rich, and served with a little cup of consommé that’s perfect for dipping.

Zio Carmine took me here one night after we got “lost” on purpose to check out new taco trucks. Each taco is around $4.50, and two are more than enough for a quick dinner (to be fair, I was full after one and a couple of bites of the second one). 

Wafels & Dinges: Sweet, Sticky, and So Worth It

One bite of this waffle and I was nine years old again, standing with my dad in front of the only waffle shop in my small town, waiting for dessert.

This food truck rotates around the city, but I usually find it near Central Park or the Flatiron. Their Belgian waffles are crispy outside, soft inside, and topped with all sorts of “dinges” (toppings). 

Nutella (my favorite, and yes, I’m very much biased here), strawberries, whipped cream, maple syrup—choose your mood.
Expect to pay $6–8, depending on what you add.
I’m a dessert kind of girl, so yes. Totally worth it.

Dumpling Heaven in Chinatown

Zia Gianna and I have a tradition: every time we’re in the city together, we head to Chinatown for dumplings. Her rule? Never pay more than $5.

From soup dumplings to pork buns and fried chive pockets, the variety is endless.
Sometimes it felt like visiting Soho in London or the nearby Chinatown, and gosh, I love that feeling!

You’ll find street carts and tiny storefront windows serving up steamy, fresh bites in minutes. 

Bonus tip: Avoid the places with flashy signs. Look for handwritten menus and locals standing in line.

Queens Night Market: Where the World Eats

If you’re lucky to be in NYC on a weekend, go to the Queens Night Market.
It’s where you’ll find real diversity—not just in people, but in flavor.
I was shocked to discover that most people visiting New York City have no idea it even exists!

I once had Uzbek kebabs, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, and a Brazilian cheese bread all in the same night. Each for around $5-6.

This place is loud, friendly, and packed with options.
Go hungry. Go curious!

Skewers & Souvlaki Carts You Can’t Miss

My first souvlaki skewer in NYC came from a Greek cart near Astoria Park.
I didn’t even know what I wanted—I just followed the smell.

For under $8, you get grilled meat on a stick, warm pita, and a drizzle of tzatziki or lemon. Some vendors even throw in a little salad on the side. 

The flavors are simple but bold—exactly what street food should be, if you ask me!

Tramezzini NYC: A Little Slice of Italy

Walking past Tramezzini NYC felt like spotting a piece of Venice in Brooklyn.
Two Italian brothers run this little stand, serving soft, triangular sandwiches stuffed with mortadella, artichokes, tuna, or speck. 

I heard them talking in Italian, and I just had to check this place out. Ended up chatting like we were old friends while I ordered one out of curiosity.
Well, I instantly felt like I was on a lunch break in Piazza San Marco. So good!

They’re a bit pricier—around $9–11—but perfect when you’re craving something familiar and delicious in between subway rides.
The taste is authentic: certified by a true Italian gal!

Quick Bites You Didn’t Know You Needed

Let’s be real: some of the best snacks in NYC aren’t flashy.
They’re just fast, warm, and satisfying.

If you’re still not sure what to eat in NYC let me suggest a few extras I love:

• NY-style pretzels with mustard – salty, chewy, and about $3
  
• Jamaican beef patties – flaky pastry, spicy filling, about $2.50
  
• Churros from street vendors in the Bronx – crunchy and sugary, around $4-6
  
• Elotes (grilled corn on the cob) – messy and fantastic, between $3,50 to $9
  
• Bagels – especially the $1 ones from older bakeries
  

How to Plan the Perfect NYC Street Food Day

If you want to enjoy the NYC street food experience, you need a game plan.
The city is huge, your time might be limited, and the food—well, there’s a lot of it. 

But with a bit of strategy (and an empty stomach), you can eat your way through a full day without spending more than $30.

Here’s how I usually do it when I’m staying in Brooklyn with my Uncle Carmine or meeting up with Zia Gianna in Manhattan.
Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, this breakdown will help you make the most of every bite.

Start with a Bagel, Like a True New Yorker

Forget croissants—New York wakes up with bagels.
And they’re not just any bagels. We’re talking dense, chewy, golden rings of dough, often still warm from the oven.

Zia Gianna swears by a tiny place in the Upper West Side where she orders “an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese and a black coffee” like it’s a mantra.
Forgive me, but she was mandatory: do not write the place in your blog because it will get swamped!

I tend to go simpler—just plain with butter or, when I’m extra hungry, one with lox and cream cheese.
Expect to pay around $2 to $5. Affordable, filling, and the perfect start to your day.

If you’re planning a full street food tour, keep it light. You’ll need the room later.

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Mix It Up Midday: Sweet, Savory, and So Satisfying

By lunchtime, me and Aldo usually somewhere between downtown Manhattan or over in Queens, with our matching NYC outfits, if we’re tagging along with my cousin.
This is where you can get creative—mix sweet and savory to keep your taste buds on their toes.

A go-to combo of ours?
A plate of chicken and rice from a halal cart, followed by a soft Belgian waffle with Nutella. 

Street food in New York isn’t just about eating—it’s about trying flavors you’ve never had before and combining them however you want!

This is also a great moment to try dumplings, empanadas, or skewers.
Most vendors serve food that’s easy to walk with and costs under $10.

Evening Eats: Trucks, Markets & Tacos Under the Stars

Evenings are when NYC’s food trucks really shine.
I love heading to Jackson Heights in the evening with Zio Carmine, especially when we’re on the hunt for birria tacos. 

You’ll see the steam rising, hear the sizzle, and smell spices that’ll make your stomach growl.

Another fun option is to explore a market like the one in Queens, where dishes are capped at $6 and the choices are endless—Filipino lumpia, Ecuadorian ceviche, Nigerian jollof rice, and more.

And if you’re out late? Look for churro stands, pretzels, or those vendors selling grilled corn or hot nuts. Even when everything else is closed, New York street food keeps going!
In Italy, we say New York is “La città che non dorme mai” (translated from Italian: “The City That Never Sleeps”), and it’s so true!

Budget Tips – What to Bring & How to Pay

The unspoken rules of eating like a local in NYC and some smart street food tips: 

• Bring small bills. Not every vendor takes cards, especially the older carts in Chinatown or the Bronx.
  
• Carry napkins or tissues. Not all stands provide them, and you’ll definitely need one (or five).
  
• Eat while walking—but carefully. It’s normal in NYC, just avoid dripping sauces onto your bag or your shoes (ask me how I know).
  
• Know what you want before you get to the front. These lines move fast. If you’re not ready, people will sigh behind you.
• Trust your nose. If something smells amazing and there’s a short line, follow your instincts. Some of the best street food in New York City is found by happy accident.
• Don’t try to eat everything in one day (even if Zia Gianna tries to convince you otherwise). You’ll be back. Trust me.

Final Thoughts – Bring an Appetite and an Open Mind

If you’re heading to New York, come hungry and curious.
The NYC street food scene is bold, messy, and full of surprises—in the best possible way.

From Zia Gianna’s must-have bagels to those late-night taco runs with Zio Carmine, every trip we take feels different, but the food?
Always unforgettable. 

You don’t need a big budget or fancy plans—just a sense of adventure and maybe a few napkins in your pocket.

Try something you’ve never had.
Trust the line.
Follow the smell. 

And if you find a street food gem I haven’t mentioned yet, I’d love to hear about it—drop it in the comments or send me a message.
Let’s build this list together!

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