The holidays can be tough on your wallet — especially in a city that's not exactly budget-friendly.
But that shouldn't stop you from indulging in the city's diverse and delicious food scene. There are plenty of restaurants across New York offer amazing dishes for less than $10.
From spicy shrimp bibimbap or lobster mac-and-cheese, here are the best places to eat out without breaking the bank in the five boroughs:
MANHATTAN
Where: 289 Mercer St., Union Square
What to Try: Spicy shrimp bibimbap ($8.50) and soft tofu seafood stew ($7)
A favorite among rushing NYU students, Kuku Canteen's rice bowls and tofu stews are a spicy, hearty option on cold days.
► Macbar
Where: 54 Prince St., Nolita
What to Try: Mac Lobsta' ($8.99)
Mac n' cheese makes everything better, and this joint serves up pumped-up versions. Try one with queso blanco or even lobster.
BROOKLYN
Where: 291 Grand St., Williamsburg
What to Try: Cheese and sweet plantain arepa ($8.50) or grilled leek and sun-dried tomato arepa ($8.50)
The Caracas Arepa Bar is a good call if you want cheap and filling food. The servings are large and the fillings are diverse. It also hosts a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m., every day.
Where: 345 Smith St., Carroll Gardens
Dish: Fried chicken salad on a potato roll ($7)
If you're craving comfort food on the cheap, check out this Smith Street eatery that promises "fried chicken. Cold beer. Seven days a Week." If chicken isn't your thing, there's also a beef burger and a black bean burger.
QUEENS
Where: 41-10 Main St., Flushing
What to Try: Concubine's Chicken Hand-Ripped Noodles ($7)
This family-owned Western Chinese joint attracts 30-minute waits for good reason: the hand-pulled noodles taste gourmet but won't put a dent in your wallet.
Where: 92-09 63rd Drive, Rego Park
What to Try: Chebureki with mushrooms ($1.85) and samcy with pumpkin ($1.65)
If you've never tried Uzbeki cuisine, hop on the M or R train. You can sample deep-fried turnovers and pickled veggies at this Rego Park eatery.
BRONX
Where: 1530 E. 222 St., Eastchester
What to Try: Chicken wing rice plate ($5) or individual fried dumplings (50 cents each)
Named after the Jamaican dumpling (a buttery deep-fried dough ball), this Bronx-based shop is known for its fresh and affordable Caribbean flavors. For less than a dollar, you can stuff yourself full of dumplings and still have money left for your Metrocard.
Where: 5761 Broadway, Kingsbridge
What to Try: Cheese and bacon-filled cassava balls ($6.99)
Try out delicacies such as fried chickpeas, oxtails or crispy green plantains at this reasonably priced Mexican restaurant just a few blocks from Van Cortlandt Park.
STATEN ISLAND
► Pho Mac Vietnamese Restaurant
Where: 1407 Richmond Ave., Bulls Head
What to Try: Rice Noodle Soup With Beef Meatballs and Brisket ($7.50)
With dozens of variations on the Vietnamese beef-and-noodle classic, this Staten Island joint will satisfy even the biggest pho craving.
Where: 668 Bay St. (Stapleton)
What to Try: Saturday and Sunday all-you-can-eat buffet ($13.95)
If you can't decide on just one dish, stretch your budget a few dollars higher and head to this Sri Lankan buffet for a variety of belly-filling curries and biryanis.
