cindy - I'm with you - would much rather spend my $$ on other things than food - I would also rather spend my time seeing interesting things or sitting in a park, than sitting in a restaurant! If we allowed for $50 per day, per person, we would never be able to afford to go anywhere! We try to keep to the same sort of budget we would use at home (we rarely go out for meals). We are in NYC next month (from the UK) and we will have breakfast at the hotel. We'll also go to a supermarket for a quick shop to stock the fridge with bits and pieces so that we won't starve! We will definitely buy water at the supermarket. So, breakfast at the hotel and lunch will be deli sandwiches or a salad from McD or a picnic lunch which we can make ourselves. We are only in NYC for 2 full days, so we will probably have pizza or fast food for one night's 'dinner', and might 'splurge' on a proper dinner the second night; or we might not!
Hope you have a great time!

I am traveling but have saved a number of tips on how to eat cheap in NYC.

There is no need to go to chains.

But maybe some others can list some of the cheaper places they know.

The first tip is do not eat in midtown.

The second is have your big meal for lunch, there are many bargains around town.

Third, in a backpack collect all sorts of food and have a feast in the hotel room-meat, cheese, fruits, chocolate, bread, wine, and side dishes all work well.

"The first tip is do not eat in midtown."

In my book, what a bad idea -- unless you dont' consider 8th and 9th Avenue, in the West 40s and 50s, etc. midtown. Some of the best bargains and REALLY GOOD food are in that area. The idea that "midtown" is limited to the Times Square Olive Garden and other chains, or overpriced tourist joints is absurd. First of all the half million or so New Yorkers who work and/or live in midtown wouldn't stand for that.

Well - it all depends on what you want to spend your money/time on, how you live at home, if spending more on food will affect other areas of your trip.

We are "typical" upper west siders in that we work long hours and either eat out or order food in most nights. The $70 local Italian restaurant is what we do 2 or 3 times a week (different places and cuisines of course). We do a splurgish meal once veery 2 weeks or so - usually on the weekend with friends - and assume $200 per couple at a minium.

But - we do like good food, enjoy spending a couple of hours over dinner (although not every night, but definitely when with friends or on vacation) and this is just part of what we budgt for.

Oh - and I agree to avoid ANY national chain restaurants in NYC. The food is the same awful micro-nuked stuff you get at the local mall - but the price will be twice as high.

I think someone mentioned above that Chipotle, despite being a chain, is actually quite good and not very expensive.

You are so right, nytraveller. One of my brothers often asks how we can afford nice holidays. Easy - we don't go to restaurants or pubs every night, like he does! If he took a trip to the USA (unlikely, as he won't fly), it would most probably cost him twice as much as it costs us - but he is used to eating out and we're not. Recently, we went out for a 'posh-ish' meal for my husband's birthday - it was a very rare event and something we won't be repeating soon! The bill for ourselves, 2 sons + 1 daughter-in-law came to over $400 and only 2 of us had any wine! We were horrified as the food and service were both really awful and I could've cooked a much, much nicer meal at home for a fraction of the price!

Actually, I never think about food when I budget our vacations. I don't go on holiday to eat - but that's not to say that we go hungry! One of the enormous platefuls in an US restaurant would fill the 3 of us for several days - LOL!

Agree that the portions here are enormous - almost obscene in many of the chain places. That's why we usually share an appetizer - and often take home a doggy bag.

But when we splurge - we splurge - ordering all courses - just eating only a part of each one. I know it's wasteful of food - but if we're going somewhere to enjoy what the chef is doing you want to taste as many different things as possible.

Also agree that if someone has the time to shop and cook - meals at home can often be better than many in chain - or even regular neighborhood restaurants.

It's just that with our work lives cooking isn't an option at all - except rarely on weekends or holidays.