How Locals Eat Cheap in the Upper East Side

With a median household income nearing $170,000, life in the Upper East Side comes with a hefty price tag.

The UES is an affluent Manhattan neighborhood known for its lavish apartments, refined cultural institutions, and respite from the most tourist-y areas of the city — luxurious, sure, but not exactly catered towards new post-grads drowning in debt or broke college students.

Not willing to blow my whole paycheck during my lunch break, I made it my mission to find reasonably-priced but undeniably delicious meals, snacks, and treats in the Upper East Side.

I’ve ranked my top 5 Upper East Side to-go spots based on four criteria: flavor, price, accessibility & photogenicity.

Empanada Mama

📍 1435 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10021

This proud Columbian restaurant and bar in NYC celebrates multiple cultures with diverse ethnic flavors compiled in a flavor-explosion pastry. While not exclusive to the UES, Empanada Mama is a small chain that I find myself returning to at least once a week.

While many Latin-owned restaurants carry their own culturally-authentic empanadas, Empanada Mama has a few Greek, Jamaican, and American infused pastries, too.

The flavors? In a variety of wheat, corn, or baked, some of their empanada menu items include: Cheeseburger, Bombay, Pepperoni Pizza, Brasil, Eggplant Parmesan, and an exciting Viagra.

My go-to order: 

• Reggaeton: Caribbean-style roast pork, sofrito seasoned yellow rice, pigeon peas ($4.80)
• Viagra: Mama’s seafood stew with fresh tiger shrimp & crab meat ($4.80)
• Mango shake: Milk based ($7.00)

This Empanada Mama To-Go location is my perfect pick-me-up and their empanadas can be either a snack or substitute for a quick meal. Each empanada order includes a red or green sauce, and they’re paired great with a soft drink, milkshake or dessert.

• Flavors: ★★★★★ Dynamite!
• Pricing: ★★★★★ All empanadas are just under $5.00 each. 
• Accessibility: ★★★★★ A fulfilling bite you can have in 10 minutes.
• Photogenicity: ★★★★★ A golden crust on the outside & a divine meal on the inside.

La Panineria NYC

📍 322 East 81th street, New York, NY 10028

“Made with amore,” La Panineria’s specialty are Italian sandwiches and dishes using fresh & organic ingredients, bringing to life authentic Italian flavors. This spot is great when you wouldn’t mind spending a little more for a complete & fulfilling meal.

This location is a few steps down from the sidewalk, hidden from the local streets. The aroma of Italian seasonings stick with you when passing by, and especially, entering the restaurant.

As a former picky eater, I would highly recommend ordering their Pasta Pesto Salad. For about $20, their bowl is enough to split and save for two meals. It’s also incredibly convenient knowing I could order any pasta dish for takeout!

My go-to order:

• Pasta Pesto Salad with nut-free pesto sauce, Italian Parmigiano cheese, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil (& sometimes with grilled chicken or sauteed mushrooms): $19.00 – 25.00

Some other great honorable mentions menu items: Burrata Sandwich, Pasta Rosa, Homemade Lasagna with Bolognese Sauce, and Bombolino. It’s worth spending a little extra for a healthier, authentic Italian dish.

• Flavors: ★★★★★ Delicious! You can taste the fresh ingredients.
• Pricing: ★★★★☆ Even though one meal averages around $20, I can divide into two meals for the day. 
• Accessibility: ★★★★★ So easy to order ahead and pick up a great meal to eat within 30 minutes.
• Photogenicity: ★★★★★ You’ll definitely eat with your eyes first and want seconds!

As tempted as I am to gatekeep this spot, my list would be incomplete without mentioning Panineria.

Sashimi Express II

📍 223 E 74th St, New York, NY 10021

A small joint with dozens of authentic sushi rolls, Sashimi Express II is a fresh and healthy worth-it meal. My first impression was how humble-looking it is from both outside & inside, with a handful of standard 8.5×11 paper-printed menu items taped to their wall.

They’re also a cash-only restaurant (which, in NYC, means good eats.)

I was immediately drawn to their “Any 3 rolls for $11.95” special ($13.01 after tax.) They offer various tuna, salmon, snapper, shrimp, avocado and other rolls.

I tried their Spicy Salmon, Spicy Tuna, and Egg Avocado roll, where you receive 24 rolls total (8 each of your chosen 3) with sides of soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.

I’m still finding my go-to order, and I’m enticed to try their $12.50 Salmon Box next. I really enjoyed the 3 sushi rolls I chose and I’m looking forward to tasting their other sushi rolls the next time I visit.

• Flavors: ★★★★★ Satisfies your sushi craving.
• Pricing: ★★★★★ Worth it for quality and generous portions.
• Accessibility: ★★★★★ They’re quick preparing your order on the spot.
• Photogenicity: ★★★★★ Sushi is a given Instagram-photo moment. Sashimi Express II packages them well!

7th Street Burger

📍 1603 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

Similarly to Empanada Mama, 7th Street Burger is another NYC staple with locations across the city. Honestly, it was exciting discovering one of NYC’s best burgers being accessible to the Upper East Side.

Their classic single-patty smashed cheeseburger is $7.07 and served with American cheese, pickles, grilled onions and their delicious house sauce put together on a Martin’s potato bun.

Simple ingredients yet unapologetically greasy, 7th Street Burger stands out from most restaurants in the UES that tend to be health conscious. But for what it’s worth, they also have vegetarian burgers and loaded fries that are also topped with their must-have house sauce.

My go-to order (on separate days, of course):

• Cheeseburger: A small, juicy, timeless classic ($7.07)
• Double Cheeseburger: Double-patty smashed cheeseburger ($10.35)
• Loaded Beef Fries: 100% all beef burger chopped up with American cheese, grilled onions and house sauce served on fries ($12.52)
• Loaded Impossible Fries: Vegetarian, Impossible burger chopped up with American cheese, grilled onions and house sauce served on fries ($13.61)

A fan-favorite this summer: 7th Street Burger’s Spicy Jalapeño menu is an honorable mention. It includes all of their classic menu items with sliced jalapeño peppers added for customers that want some extra heat with their Ghost Pepper Sauce.

• Flavors: ★★★★★ Perfect burgers and fries every single time. Everyone needs to experience their house sauce.
• Pricing: ★★★☆☆ Aside from their original $7 burger, their other menu items are slightly expensive, but definitely worth it for flavor. No regrets.
• Accessibility: ★★★★★ Easy fast food!
• Photogenicity: ★★★★★ 7th Street Burger is a must-have on your Foodstagram photo dumps.

Artara Coffee

📍 214 East 82nd Street, New York, NY 10028

Artara Coffee had it’s grand opening in the Upper East Side this August, and it is the cutest coffee shop I’ve ever visited.

Another below-street level spot, yet bursting with bright beachy colors, this Cambodian cafe is quickly becoming a new UES favorite. Within a month of being open, their Mango and Taro Matcha lattes and smoothies quickly sold out.

What I appreciate the most about this cafe is having the best of both worlds: great beverages and a beautiful interior. They have high quality coffee, matcha, smoothies, refreshers and frappuccino’s.

My current go-to order:

• Strawberry Matcha Latte: strawberry puree, milk and matcha, served cold ($7.00 for 16oz)
• Coconut Matcha Cloud: coconut water, matcha cold foam, served cold ($8.00 for 16oz)

Some more enticing menu items include: Affogato (ice cream + espresso), Strawberry Lychee Sparkler, Salted Caramel Frappuccino, Phnom Penh (Artara’s Signature: Strong bold coffee with condensed milk), Ube Matcha Foam

Most New York City coffee shops averages $7 a cup, and Artara’s Coffee is within this competitive range. They have slightly cheaper cups of espresso’s, latte’s, cappuccino’s, and cold brews ($3.50 – 6.00.) They also have pastries such as donuts and single bite cakes available to compliment your coffee or matcha.

• Flavors: ★★★★★ Earthy, sweet, refreshing.
• Pricing: ★★★★☆ Expected NYC prices for coffee and lattes, but all reasonably priced for the quality.
• Accessibility: ★★★★★ Warm and friendly service.
• Photogenicity: ★★★★★ Fun sky blue stairs and a full length mirror outdoor interior, great vibes!

More to Explore in the Upper East Side

Finding new, delicious restaurants in New York City is a primal experience everyone should take advantage of. As popular the Upper East Side is to Gossip Girl, becoming familiar with the affordable local restaurants in NYC will be your best guide if you’re ever touring this neighborhood.

There’s so much more restaurants to try, but I hope you’ll include my top 5 spots for your next visit here!