Given the heavy foot-traffic in Midtown West owing to the tourists thronging near Times Square and the Broadway theaters and the presence of large investment banks like Morgan Stanley, restaurants and coffee shops in this part of Manhattan do a brisk business.
At times, it seems like Midtown West is nothing but an endless line of restaurants.
Besides the chain restaurants like Maoz, Hooters, Starbucks etc, there are plenty of independent restaurants on the west side of Midtown Manhattan.
Every cuisine finds a place in Midtown West.
Thai, Indian, Italian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, well, you have to ask what cuisine you can’t get in Midtown West and not the other way around.
A lot of Midtown Manhattan restaurants have lunch specials that are well within the reach of the 99%. It’s dinner that’s the headache with sky-high prices.
Here are a bunch of carefully selected Midtown West restaurants where you can get cheap and good food:
Steak ‘n Shake
1695 Broadway
(Between W.53rd St and W.54th St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-247-6584
Steakburgers and shakes, 4 Meals Under $4, Half-Price Shakes, 2PM-4PM
Divine Chocolate Shake. Clean toilet.
Hours: Mon-Sun, 10AM-Midnight
Subway: B, D, E to 7th Ave; N, Q, R to 57th St-7Th Ave
Tulcingo del Valle
665 Tenth Ave
(Between W.46th and W.47th St)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-262-5510
Cheap Mexican Food, $3 Tostadas, $2.75 Tacos
Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-10PM, Sun, 10AM-10PM
Subway: C, E to 50th St
Web site: http://www.tulcingorestaurant.com
Szechuan Gourmet
21 W.39th St
(Between 5th Ave and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-921-0233
Dan Dan Noodle with Chilli Minced Pork $4.95
Hours: 11:30AM-10PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 42 St-Bryant Park
Utsav
1185 Ave. of the Americas (Sixth Ave)
(Between 46th St and 47th St)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-575-2525
Takeout Vegetarian Indian Lunchbox $7.95 (two Vegetable Curries, Rice, Dal, Naan Bread and Salad) Meat Lunch Box $9.95
Hours: 11:45AM-3PM, Daily
Subway: B, D, F, M to 47 St-Rockefeller Center
Pie Face
1691 Broadway
(Corner of 53rd St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-247-9065
Mini Pies $2.95 $5.95 for large. Try the Tandoori Vegetable Pie.
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Subway: B, D, E to 7th Ave; N, Q, R to 57th St-7Th Ave
Web site: http://piefacenyc.com
Crave Sandwiches
1120 Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave)
(At W.43rd St)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-398-7070
Go for the Crispy Chicken $7.50
Hours: Mon-Fri 6AM-9PM Sat 7AM-5PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 42 St-Bryant Park; 7 to 5 Av
Web site: http://www.crave-sandwiches.com
China Gourmet
877 Eighth Ave
(Between W.53rd St & W.52nd St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-246-818
Great Chinese lunch place.
Large portions; Go for the Egg Drop Soup ($1.35), Szechuan Style Tofu $5.20; Shrimp with Curry Sauce $5.75
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:00AM-11:00PM; Fri & Sat: 11:00AM-12:00AM
Sunday: 11:30AM-11:00PM
Subway: A, C, E to 50th St; 1, 2 to 50 St; B, D, E to 7 Av
Karam II
24 W.45 St
(Between 5th Ave and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-354-7400
Small Combo (2 Veg entrees) $6, Zatar with Vegetables $6, Baklawa (4pc) $2.50
Hours: Mon-Fri 11AM-8:30PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 42 St-Bryant Park; 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R to Times Sq-42 St
Go! Go! Curry
273 W.38th St
(Between 7th Ave and 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-730-5555
Small Go-Go Curry $5, Toppings Extra ($1-$2)
Hours: 10:55AM-9:55PM
Subway: A, C, E to Port Authority or 34th St-Penn Station; 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S to Times Sq-42 St
Web site: http://www.gogocurryusa-ny.com
Don Antonio
309 W.50th St
(Between 8th Ave and 9th Ave)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 646-719-1043
For lunch, stick to Panini ($9-$10). For dinner, try the $10 Marinara Starita Pizza (tomato sauce, oregano, fresh garlic, pecorino romano, basil, extra virgin olive oil) or $9 Mast’nicola (pecorino romano, basil, lardo)
Hours: Mon-Thu: 12PM-11PM Fri-Sat: 12PM-12AM Sun: 12PM-10PM
Subway: C, E to 50th St; 1 to 50th St; N, Q, R to 49th St
Szechuan Gourmet
244 W.56th
(Between Broadway and 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-265-2226
Lunch specials are attractively priced, crispy boneless duck with garlic sauce $9.75 after tax.
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-10PM; Sat-Sun 12PM-10PM
Subway: N, Q, R to 57 St-7 Av; B, D, E to 7 Av; 1, A, B, C, D to 59 St-Columbus Circle
Breeze Thai-French Kitchen
661 Ninth Ave
(Between W.45th St and W.46th St)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-262-7777
$6.95 Lunch Special 11:30AM-3:30PM
Hours: Mon-Thu 11AM-11PM; Fri-Sat 11:30AM-Midnight Sun 11:30AM-11PM
Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St-Port Authority; C, E to 50th St
99 Cent Fresh Pizza
1723 Broadway
(Between W.54th St & W.55th St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-245-2155
99-Cent Pizza slice – Hey, What More Do You Want from Life?
On a cold winter day, when we stepped into the 99-cent Pizza store on Broadway we found two friendly Bangladeshi youths and a delicious slice.
No chairs, no stools and no restrooms. But the price, quality and friendly service amply compensated for what we didn’t get.
Subway: N, Q, R to 57 St-7 Av; B, D, E to 7 Av; 1 to 50 St
By the way, 99¢ Fresh Pizza has seven other locations in NYC.
569 9th Ave., at W.41st St
151 E 43rd St., Btwn 3rd & Lexington Ave
360-362 W.42nd St., Btwn 8th & 9th Ave
388 6th Ave, Btwn Waverly & W 8th St
201 E 34th St., Btwn 2nd & 3rd Ave
473 Lexington Ave., Btwn 45th & 46th St
325 5th Ave., Btwn 32nd & 33rd St
New Bombay Indian Cuisine
764 Ninth Ave
(Between W.51st St and W.52nd St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-977-3098
Chicken or Lamb Lunch Specials $7.95, Daily 11AM-3PM
Hours: 11AM-10:30PM, Daily
Subway: A, C, E to 50th St
Chanpen Thai Cuisine
761 Ninth Ave
(Between W.51st St and W.52nd St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-586-6808
$8 Lunch Specials Mon-Fri 11:30AM-3PM
Hours: Daily 11:30AM-11PM
Subway: C, E to 50 St
Bill’s Bar & Burger
16 W.51st St
(Between 5th Ave and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-705-8510
Fat Cat Burger $7.95; Classic Burger $7.95; Market Veggie Burger $7.95. Sides (like Onion Rings, Fries etc) are Extra.
Hours: Sun-Tue 11AM-11PM Wed-Sat 11AM-12AM
Subway: L to 8 Ave; A, C, E to 14 St
Ray’s Pizza
1710 Broadway
(Between W. 54th St & W.55th St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-247-7901
Subway: B, D, E to 7th Ave; N, Q, R to 57th St-7Th Ave
Web site: http://www.rayspizza.com
Ray’s Pizza 99¢ pizza slice was big, had more cheese and thicker than the 99 Cent Fresh Pizza across the road.
By the way, 99¢ pizza is also available at some 7 eleven stores in NYC.
Pure Thai Cookhouse
766 Ninth Ave
(Between W.51st & W.52nd St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-581-0999
Whether it’s the Sukhothai Pork Noodle soup ($9) or the more common Pad Thai, fans swear it can’t go wrong.
Hours: Lunch
Mon-Sun 12PM-4PM
Dinner
Mon-Thu 4PM-10:30PM
Fri-Sat 4PM-11:30PM
Sun 4PM-10PM
Subway: C, E to 50th St
Web site: http://purethaishophouse.com
Pam Real Thai
404 W.49th St
(Between 9th Ave and 10th Ave)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-333-7500
Red Curry $8; Pad Thai (Beef, Pork or Chicken) $7.50; Larb $5.95; Thai Iced Tea $2
Hours: Sun-Thu 11:30AM-11PM; Fri-Sat 11:30AM-11:30PM
Subway: C, E to 50 St
Main Noodle House
1011 Sixth Ave
(At W.38th St)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-869-0888
Roast Pork Wonton Soup with Egg Noodles $8
Hours: Mon-Sat 11AM-10:30PM Sun 12PM-10:30PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 42nd St-Bryant Park
Ying Du (Ming Du)
273 W.38th St
(At 8th Ave)
New York, NY10018
Ph: 212-575-6978
Chinese Restaurant and Bakery, Roast Pork with String Bean on Rice $4.50
Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM-6PM
Subway: A, C, E to 34th St-Penn Station or 42nd St-Port Authority
BCD Tofu House
17 W.32nd St
(Between Broadway and 5th Ave)
New York, NY 10001
Ph: 212-967-1900
Famous for Korean Tofu soups (several are $8.99)
Hours: Open 24-hours
Subway: N, Q, R to 34th St-Herald Square station
Lunch Box Buffet
257 W.34th St
(Between 7th Ave and 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10001
Ph: 212-868-8881
$5 Lunch Box
Hours: 11AM-11PM
Subway: A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 o 34th St-Penn Station; B, D, F, M, N, Q, R to Herald Sq
Gourmet Palace
13 W.29th St
(Between 5th Ave and Broadway)
New York, NY 10001
Ph: 212-213-1314
Pakistani/Indian Food. Cheap $6 Combos
Subway: N, R to 28 St
Room Service
690 Ninth Ave
(Between W.47th St and W.48th St)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-582-0999
Pad Thai (Chicken, Vegetable or Tofu) $6.90 for Lunch and $8.90 at Dinner
Hours: Sun-Thu 11:30AM-11:30PM; Fri-Sat 11:30AM-12AM
Subway: C, E, 1 to 50 St; N, Q, R to 49 St
Amish Market West
731 Ninth Ave
(Between W.49th St & W.50th St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-245-2360
Honey Turkey Sandwich $7.50, Sandwiches $7.50-$8.50; Hot Sandwiches $6.95
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8AM-9PM Sat-Sun: 9AM-8:45PM
Subway: C, E to 50th St
Bombay Fast Food
1013 Sixth Ave
(Between W 37th & W.38th. St)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-840-3767
$5-$6 Indian Chaat (Bhel Puri, Samosa Chaat, and Papri Chaat)
Subway: B, D, F, M to 42 St-Bryant Park
Hing Won
48 W.48th St
(Between 5th Ave and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-719-1451
Roast Pig over Rice ($6.45) or Pork Dumplings ($5.55)
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8AM-10PM; Sat-Sun: 12PM-8:30PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr; N, Q, R to 49 St; E, M to 5 Av/53 St
Tabata Noodle
540 Ninth Ave
(Between W.39th St and W.40th St)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-290-7691
Tan Tan Men broth ($9) is popular
Hours: Daily, 11:30AM-11PM
Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St-Port Authority
Pick A Bagel
891 Eighth Ave
(At W.53rd St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-582-8333
Bagel with Variety of Cream Cheese $2.95-$3.95
Hours: Daily 5AM-11:45PM
Subway: B, D, E to 7 Ave; C, E to 50 St; N, Q, R to 57 St-7 Ave
SoomSoom Vegetarian Bar
8 W.46th St
(Between 5th Ave and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10036
Soom Soom Original Pita with Falafel ($5.95).
Cheap: Crazy Mondays, Buy One Get One Free 5PM-11PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts- Rockefeller Center
Margon
136 W 46th St
(Between 6th Ave & 7th Ave)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-354-5013
Tight seating but a favorite of foodies for the Cuban sandwiches and octopus salad. The New York Times describes Margon as “a decidedly shabby aisle-size Cuban restaurant…serving huge portions of delicious food at very low prices. Roast fresh ham, slices of lean meat suffused with garlic, is full of flavor, draped over yellow rice and petite black beans or meatier red beans, with sweet plantains.” Under $10.
Hours: Mon-Fri 6AM-5PM; Sat 7AM-3PM; Sundays Closed
Subway: B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center
Schnipper’s Quality Kitchen
620 Eighth Ave
(Corner of 8th Ave and W.41st St)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-921-2400
Sloppy Joe $6.99 Classic BLT Sandwich $6.99 Veggie Burger $7.99
Hours: Mon-Thur 10AM-10PM Fri-Sat 10AM-11PM Sun 10PM-9PM
Subway: A, C, E 42 St-Port Authority; 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R to Times Sq-42 St
BonChon Chicken
207 W.38th St
(At 7th Ave)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-221-3339
BonChon Chicken Lunch Special $8.95 between11:30AM-3PM
Hours: Mon-Thur, Sat 11:30AM-Midnight; Fri 11:30AM-2AM Sun 11:30AM-11PM
Subway: N, Q, R, 1, 2, 3, 7 to Times Sq-42 St
Maoz Vegetarian
558 Seventh Ave
(At W.40th St)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-777-0820
Maoz Falafel $5.25 Egg & Eggplant Pita $5.85
Hours: Sun–Thurs-11:00AM–12:00AM, Fri–Sat-11:00AM–1:00AM
Subway: 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R to Times Sq-42nd St
Web site: http://www.maozusa.com
Mid Town Buffet
566 Seventh Ave
(Between W.40th St & W.41st St)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-768-4422
Hey, $9.25 Chinese Lunch Buffet near Times Square
Hours: Daily, 10:30AM-10:30PM
Subway: 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S to 42nd St-Times Square
Indus Express
48 W.48th St
(Between 5th Ave and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-221-7952
Lunch Special 2 Veg, Dal, Rice, Roti/Naan $8.95 Add $1 for Chicken/Lamb
Hours: Mon-Fri 10AM-8:45PM; Sat-Sun 10AM-7PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center
JJ Hong Kong Cafe
995A Sixth Ave
(Between W.36th St and W.37th St)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-279-6666
Below $10 Lunch Combos at this Takeout Place
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10AM-10PM
Subway: B, D, F, M, N, Q, R to 34 St-Herald Sq; 1, 2, 3 to 34 St-Penn Stn
The Mean Fiddler
266 W.47th St
(Between 7th Ave and 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-354-2950
$7.95 Lunch Specials Mon-Fri
Hours: Daily 11AM-4AM
Subway: N, Q, R to 49th St; C, E to 50 St; 1 to 50 St
Wu Liang Ye
36 W.48th St
(Between 5th Ave and 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-398-2308
Dan Dan Noodles, Minced Pork Chili Vinaigrette $6.50; Lunch Specials between 12PM-3:30PM on Weekdays $8.50
Hours: Daily, 12PM-9:30PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr
Maoz Vegetarian
683 Eighth Avenue
(Between W.43rd St & W.44th St)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-265-2315
Maoz Sandwich $5.25; Eggplant Sandwich $5.85
Hours: Sun–Thurs – 11:00AM-12:00AM, Fri–Sat 11:00AM–1:00AM
Subway: A, E to 42nd St – Port Authority Bus Terminal
Wondee Siam
792 Ninth Ave
(Between W.52nd St and W.53rd St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-582-0355
Pad Se Iew, Red Curry or Pad Thai (7.50 for Lunch and $10.50 for Dinner)
Hours: Mon-Sat 11AM-11PM Sun 11AM-10:30PM
Subway: C, E to 50 St
Qi Bangkok Eatery
675 Eighth Ave
(Between W.42nd and W.43rd St)
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-247-8991
Thai Food.
Lunch Specials (including appetizer) start at $7.95 every day: 11AM-3:30PM Try the Pad See Ew.
Hours: Sun 12PM-11PM; Mon 11:30AM-10:30PM Tue-Thu 11:30AM-11PM Fri: 11:30AM-12:30AM Sat 12PM-12:30AM
Subway: 42nd St-Port Authority (A, C, E)
Web Site: http://www.qirestaurant.com
Go Sushi
756 Ninth Ave
(Between W.50th St and W.51th St)
New York, NY 10019
Ph: 212-459-2288
$6.50 for box of 8 rolls; Cheap Bento boxes
Hours: Daily, 11:30AM-11:30PM
Subway: 1, C, E to 50 St; N, q, R to 57 St-7 Ave
Pitopia
1369 Broadway
(At W.37th St)
New York,NY 10018
Ph: 212-792-6765
Half Falafel $3.95, Add-ons 75 Cents each; Any Combo Sandwich with unlimited Add Ons and Small Drink $8.95
Hours: Sun-Thur 11AM-11PM, Fri 11AM-3PM
Subway: B, D, F, M to 34th St-Herald Sq; 1, 2, 3, A, C, E to 34th St-Penn Station
Roll & Go
570 Eighth Ave
(At 38th St)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-398-4646
$1 Pizza Slice at this Deli
Hours: 24 hours, Daily
Subway: 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R to Times Square-42nd St
2 Brothers Pizza
542 Ninth Ave
(At 40th St)
New York, NY 10018
Ph: 212-695-2642
Home of the $1 Pizza Slice. Nuff said.
Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St-Port Authority Bus Terminal