If you’re a sucker for pain, head to a Sweet Green in NYC between 11:30am and 1:30pm on a weekday. You’ll find long lines of business casual cladded workers diligently waiting for their $20 salads. The air abuzz with workers swiftly crafting various salad concoctions as anxious waiters in the snaking line catch up on office gossip.
Waiting 30+ minutes for a boring $20 salad I could make at home isn’t a savvy use of time or money, if you ask me. But Katie, I don’t want fast food!!!
Don’t panic…
Here are 3 spots for lunch in NYC with healthy options for under $15.
1. Naya
Naya dishes up fast casual Middle Eastern fare that’s delicious, healthy, and reasonably priced. You pick either a wrap, bowl or salad, your protein (I like the chicken shawarma and lamb kafta), then you get to got crazy with the toppings! Options include things like baba ghannouj, pickled Lebanese cucumbers, and onion-parsley sumac mix. Pick a sauce and voila! A delicious meal!
What makes Naya one of my favorite places for lunch in NYC is the fact that you get unlimited toppings. Most places have a limit, but more toppings means more flavor and more value for money.
2. DIG
DIG dishes up beautiful, filling bowls that are shockingly under $15. You can opt for one of their chef specials, or make your own bowl. Everything is prepared perfectly and the sides are epically tasty. My favorites are the charred broccoli, roasted sweet potatoes, and kale, which they massage it to get out the bitter taste. Everything is what I WISH I could make at home. But can’t.
3. Fields Good Chicken
Field’s Good Chicken serves up mega juicy chicken that you can get in a bowl, in a salad, or on it’s own. Everything is delicious and will leave you feeling perfectly full. Plus, the mac ‘n cheese is epic and you can also score a fried chicken sandwich. It’s an underrated lunch spot in NYC, and you won’t encounter too many lines!
These 3 spots for lunch in NYC will leave both your belly and wallet full!
Want something cheaper? Check out THESE 5 eats for under $10!
