If you’re an Adelphi student, you know that your weekly visits to NYC every Saturday and Sunday include a struggle of deciding which restaurant to dine at. Sure, the options are endless, but will they all satisfy your belly and your instagram feed the same way? As someone suffering from an undying enthusiasm to try out almost every place in Manhattan, I was able to come up with a list of restaurants that are budget friendly and have great food.
-
The Butcher’s Daughter
Not trying to sound biased, but this is my favorite place in the whole city. Located at the corner of Kenmare and Elizabeth streets in the Lower East Side, The Butcher’s Daughter is not only a visual pleasure, but a gustatory delite as well. The service is super fast, and all the waiter’s are very happy-go-lucky and efficient. We were in and out in less than 30 mins. The signature dish of this place is the Eggs Avocado Benedict ($18). Although a little pricey, the smoothies ($11) are also very tasty, and a healthy option. They come in customized squared glass bottles. The yoghurt parfaits ($13) and Spicy Kale Caesar Salad ($15) are for all the health-freaks, and the hot chai tea ($6) latte has a lovely after taste.
-
Jack’s Wife Freda
Although a little small, this place is brightly lit in a very trendy way. The waiters are super energetic and friendly, and the food, of course, is mouth-watering. If you love yourself a big meal, I’d recommend the Madame Freda ($15), which is basically like a Croque Monsieur. The freshly squeezed juices ($5 each) are heavenly as well. If you like eating healthy, the Matzo soup ($11) or the Eggs Benedict ($18) are good choices. This cozy joint is located in the East Village.
-
By CHLOE
For all the vegans out there, by CHLOE is a safe haven. The interior is so pretty and uplifting, and the food is even better. The Quinoa Taco ($11.95) has black beans, sweet corn, avocado, tortilla strips, and a lot of other delicious ingredients. For beverages, the Panatea Matcha ($4.50) is very tasty. The service is fast in the sense that you order at the counter, and take your food trays to your table – a system similar to Shake Shack. There are a number of locations for this popular joint, with the biggest one being in Nolita.
-
Serafina
Everyone loves Italian food, some might be closeted while the others are diehard fans. If you’re going to eat pizzas, the Al Salmone is a must-have. The pizza crust is thin and crispy, without giving off a hard or burned taste and texture. The sauce has the right amount of sweet and salty, and the smoked salmon pieces melt in your mouth. Although this pizza is $20, you can easily share it with another person if you’re not a big eater. Always order the Burrata as an appetizer, and enjoy the complimentary bread basket. This place has a few locations, but the coziest one is tucked away on the first floor of a building in the Upper East Side.
-
Cafe Habana
Believe it or not, I once waited for 3 hours to get my grilled corn and steak taco at this place. Cafe Habana is a small, cozy place tucked into a side-street in Nolita. This place is super famous for its corn, and rightfully so. The grilled corn is $7 and the tacos are $6 each, which is a steal. The iced black tea is also very refreshing. The staff is super helpful, and service is speedy. Just remember to carry cash when you go here, because they do not accept any credit or debit cards.