New York's Best Budget Date Spot 2008

The go-to choice for affordable Italian food in the East Village.

Reviews:

• “NOT on the menu”
• “It’s Okay…”
• “Good food, but not good enough to make up for the horrendous service. "
• “Great food, great atmosphere”
• “THE WORST!!!!!! Spent one hour and 20 minutes waiting for our food!!!!!!!!”

Tips: This location only accepts cash.

Max Restaurant – East Village or email Max Restaurant – East Village

The UCB has moved to a new space, but hasn’t abandoned its stellar lineup or highly reasonable ticket prices.

Reviews:

• “best comedy joint anywhere :>”
• “Improv At It’s Best”
• “HILARIOUS”
• “my new favorite place”
• “Great cheap laughs”

Tips: Sunday’s Asssscat 3000 at 7:30pm usually sells out; phone reservations are recommended.

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre or email Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre

Watch your back, falafel: The Venezuelan snacks at this charming hole-in-the-wall might just kick off a new cheap-eats trend.

Reviews:

• “Delicious, cheap and (literally) cheesy!”
• “Amazing!”
• “Best tasting fast food.”
• “Excellent catering”
• “Great food; Expensive for what it is.”

Tips: Caracas offers a small selection of beer and wine or try papelon con limon, a sugary (but refreshing) lime drink.

Caracas Arepa Bar or email Caracas Arepa Bar

A Village landmark for cheap falafel and shawarma.

Reviews:

• “really the best”
• “Best Falafel in the City”
• “Best Falafel in NYC”
• “Great Falafel, Easy On The Wallet”
• “Still going strong”

Tips: Find more of the city’s best cheap eats.

Mamoun’s Falafel

Tasty Thai classics in a convivial, stripped-down urban space.

Reviews:

• “WORST SERVICE”
• “Cheap Drinks”
• “Good Neighborhood Food”
• “Cheap, Friendly, and Quick”
• “Chapter Two”

Tips: On weekends, local DJs liven up the scene by spinning dance music in the dining room.

Joya

Molto Mario detours into Spain, with inspired tapas and a buzzing scene.

Reviews:

• “Authentic”
• “Never disappoints”
• “Fantastic”
• “Great place for a snack and a drink, except when it’s crowded!”
• “Good spot to grab a bite and a glass of wine”

Tips: More than a dozen Spanish varietals, from Rias Biaxas to Rioja to Garnacha-merlot mixes, arrive by the quarto, not by the glass. These 1/3 bottle ($12 to $30) carafes are perfect for two people to share.

Bar Jamon

Everyone’s a regular at this cheap and chipper international haunt just a stone’s throw from the Holland Tunnel entrance.

Reviews:

• “A truly unremarkable and upsetting visit to a once fantastic restaurant. "
• “Used to be amazing…now not so much”
• “Glad i didn’t see the recent bad reviews”
• “Only Real Selling Point is Their BYOB”
• “WASTE OF MONEY”

Tips: BYOB is the rule here. With rich and lusty fare like this, consider spicy, medium-bodied reds from Southern France, like Cotes du Rhone or Languedoc Roussillon. If you arrive empty handed, the owners will guide you to the nearest liquor store.

Ivo & Lulu

Velvet Elvises and trashy food done right draw an after-work crowd to this Chelsea hangout.

Reviews:

• “great bachelorette party!”
• “Not very friendly….”
• “The hipster bartender rocked our world;fab scenery”
• “RUDE SERVICE!”
• “You gotta go here!!!”

Tips: The house cocktails for two are pricey but fun. The “Paradise Hawaiian Style” mixes three kinds of rum in a hollowed-out pineapple.

Trailer Park

Powered by Citysearch