Whenever I tell people that I’m from New York, one of the most common reactions is “Wow, that’s great…but isn’t it ridiculously expensive?” Although NY is an expensive city, I don’t think that I can live anywhere else. I’ve been spoiled by its glamour, availability of everything and the high probability for spontaneous adventure. Over the years, I’ve learned how to have a great day out in the city on a budget.
Lunch specials are some of my favorite ways to have a great meal while saving some cash. Recently, some of my friends and I found ourselves hungry in the Upper West Side in Manhattan, right by Central Park, where restaurant prices are outrageous, at least for my student wallet!
We strategically searched for the best place to have some delicious and affordable food, and after scanning the menus of numerous restaurants, we settled on a Japanese fusion restaurant, Sushi Hana.
It was a beautiful day and we chose to sit outside to add a people watching aspect to our lunch 
The lunch special at this particular restaurant has some great choices:
I started off with a fresh salad with a light ginger dressing.
I chose to get the chicken teriyaki option for my meal with brown rice.
This meal was so delicious! The brown rice was incredible and the chicken teriyaki had a great flavor and even some veggies! The orange is a great end to a meal as well. There were so many choices and flavors to pick at the whole meal!
After lunch for under $9, we walked over to Central Park for some nature watching & free live music.
And if you’re craving something sweet, head over to the Buttercup Bake Shop, one of top rated cupcake shops in NYC.
Where one $2.25 cupcake is enough for two because of its rich icing.
Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too in NYC?
Cheat Sheets:
- Free or discounted drinks in NYC
- Search free cultural/food/social events, updated regularly
- Cheap eats search in NYC
What are some of your favorite “meal deals” when you’re going out to eat?
You are right on with these tips! I have learned a lot of cheap ways to stay busy in the city, and the lunch special idea is definitely at the top. In fact, don’t tell the boyf, but for his birthday, I’m taking him to brunch at Mesa Grill, which is way pricey. However, most of the dinner entrees are on the brunch menu–for like $10 less! All a part of my plan.
Your lunch looks delicious! I wish there was a restaurant like that here!!
i certainly do NOT say that you can’t have your cake and eat it too
what a lovely day!
this isn’t exactly a deal, but my favorite combination of foods/activity is pizza at grimaldi’s followed by ice cream at the brooklyn ice cream factory followed by a walk along the promenade
JAPANESE food ! what what!!!
i haven’t been to nyc in ages!! used to go all the time until my gparents moved to New Mexico!! i’d love to go back sometime!
NYC is amazing!
Great photos!! What a great sushi meal deal!
Have a wonderful evening!
WHAT a day! We have a Sushi Hana RIGHT next to where I work, but I have never stopped in because I heard it was so expensive! Now, I may have to give it a shot!!
i have the same feelings about ny – couldn’t be anywhere else! i always tell people that it’s easy to experience the city on a budget. a lot of times the budget-friendly, in-the-know things are the most fun!
any specials like that are great right now. we like the deals on 2 meals, or any type of special they have going on. Also, we normally don’t go out to eat too often, we try to split things when we can, and we don’t usually go to really pricey places unless its a special occasion or if we’ve saved up for it.
that lunchbox looks wonderful but that cupcake is what i’m really digging!
I love the pics from Central Park, especially the turtles!!
gotta rep the UWS! Rent aside, I found NY to be pretty cheap if you knew where to go…there are so many cheap meal deals/diners/delis amidst the more expensive ones! I might have to hit up the Japanese place- I have always stayed on the UWS but never seen that place before! Looks good! I loved going to typical NY/Jewish delis and ordering something like a turkey sandwich….not the cheapest sandwich around (usually $9-10) but enough meat in them to take home some for a second meal
I like specials too. Last week I got a great dinner special that came with salad, main course, dessert and coffee.
That teriyaki chicken lunch special looks superb!
Ahh, that cupcake looks so good! Way better than Magnolia’s, I bet!
wow that lunch looks delic/is a great price too, cant beat that!
I am a fan of the lunch special too! Have you ever been to Sugar Sweet Sunshine? Their cupcakes are super cheap and beyond tasty!
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I’d love to live in NYC for a year. I don’t think I could be there forever…just to foreign to the way I grew up. I’m a suburbs girl. But the hustle and bustle just seems so energizing. It’s what I love about London. I’ve also heard that NYC has a very neighborhood-like feel – that you get to know people near where you live.
Love the bento box! A lot of times it works out so my friend and I split a salad and appetizer or fancy fish so we don’t have to spend a ton of money, or just eat bunny food!
Wow amazing deals!! And chicken teriyaki is definitely my fave. Do two for one drinks count as my favorite “deals”?