New York City consistently ranks as one of the top culinary cities in the world, and that’s no accident. Whatever your palate desires can be had in the Big Apple. The big kahuna restaurants with famous chefs get plenty of coverage and may give you a run for your money, but what about all of the great wallet-friendly dining secrets of the city that never sleeps? Read on for the top ten things you should know to dine well while saving your dollars in New York.
BLACKBOARD EATS – Blackboardeats.com offers exclusive deals at NYC, LA, SF and Chicago restaurants. Sign up for free and receive email alerts about hot restaurants and trendy eateries offering 30% off dinner and other fun things like complimentary appetizers and drinks. This is a great way to try new places without breaking the bank. They will email you a passcode, and you’ll have anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to use it before it expires. Be sure to tip your server at the pre-discount rate! Click HERE to learn more.
RESTAURANT WEEK – Twice a year, select New York City restaurants participate in Restaurant Week, where you can receive incredible deals on fantastic restaurants in the city that may have otherwise been out of your price range. Click HERE to sign up to receive email notification on the Summer 2014 Restaurant Week.
LIVING SOCIAL – Yet another go-to site when you are hunting for great deals on delicious eats in Manhattan and all other boroughs. Check regularly for savings of 50% and more. Click HERE for more information.
GROUPON – Like Living Social, but with a different name. Recent deals includes 51% off a 3-course meal at Serafina and a steal of a price for a 3-course meal at the iconic Russian Tea Room. Click HERE for further details.
THE ORGANIC GRILL (123 First Avenue) – Delicious entrees for under $15. The 20-ingredient salad is just $12.99. Their motto is, “You don’t have to be wealthy to be healthy.” Click HERE to learn more.
AGOZAR CUBAN RESTAURANT (324 Bowery) – Buy one, get one free drinks and tapas all night on Monday and Tuesday, and 5 to 8 p.m. the rest of the week. Click HERE to learn more.
RODEO BAR – A fun and casual Tex-Mex bar/restaurant with barrels full of freshly roasted peanuts all around. At happy hours (Mon through Sun, 4‒9 p.m.) they supply a small buffet of munchies and feature deals on food as well. Every night they have live rockabilly or country music and never charge a cover. Kids eat for free on Monday! Click HERE to learn more.
KEEN’S STEAKHOUSE (72 W. 36th Street) – Free snacks like shrimp and Swedish meatballs can be had at the bar 5:30 to 7 p.m. at this premiere steakhouse destination. Click HERE to learn more.
TARALLUCI E VINO (15 E. 18th Street) – Quiche, pizza, and other tasty treats are put out at the bar, where you can also dine, from 4 p.m. to closing. Click HERE to learn more.
YUM YUM 3 (658 Ninth Avenue) – Free appetizer with a drink purchase at this Thai restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen, 4 to 8 p.m. on weekdays. Click HERE to learn more.
CUCINA DI PESCE (87 E. 4th Street) – This East Village Italian restaurant sets out mussels at the bar every day 4 to 8 p.m., as well as offering all appetizers for half price. Click HERE to learn more.
Ashley Collins is the author of the 6th edition of The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to New York City, due out by Globe Pequot Press this fall.
DASHA® wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
