The Most Affordable Restaurants on New York's Upper East Side

Husband-and-wife owners Minh and Mandy Truong offer an elegant peek into traditional Cambodian flavors at their Upper East Side restaurant, where a comprehensive a la carte menu offers a wide selection of everything from Khmer noodles and fried rice to Siem Reap specials, along with sections dedicated entirely to duck and fish. Top picks include chive dumplings, fried to a golden crisp and served with a ginger soy sauce, and nyoam, or thick rice noodles, tossed with a red curry sauce made with ground fish, cucumbers, long beans, and bean sprouts. Don't miss the banh chao crepe, a half-round golden crepe filled with ground shrimp, chicken, and a variety of vegetables and spices, that's intended for stuffing into lettuce wraps for a delicious treat.

It's old-world Bohemia, not hippie-chic, at this Czech beer hall located on the first floor of the National Bohemian Hall building. It exudes a classic European bar vibe with wood paneling, simple wood tables and vintage knick knacks. Naturally, beers and pilsners are the drink of choice, but for grape lovers, there is a nice European-focused wine list sprinkled with Czech wines. Hearty fare is definitely in store here. A large bowl of borscht arrives redolent of dill and is tangy and vibrant with a buttery finish, while grilled kielbasa is smoky and moist, sided by a mustard-forward potato salad. Dumplings litter the menu, even at dessert, where strawberry-filled dumplings topped with crumbled gingerbread are a delicious finale.

Chef/co-owner Albin Vincent, who grew up in Kanyakumari, India with deep roots in Sri Lanka, has penned a love letter to both regions at this Upper East Side restaurant with a contemporary setting. Chef Vincent learned to cook at his grandmother's knee, mastering the art of traditional Sri Lankan and Southern Indian dishes like pan-fried spicy kingfish served on a banana leaf with fried makrut lime leaves or kothu roti, a classic Sri Lankan specialty comprised of roti, meat, and sauteed vegetables mixed with scrambled eggs. Served with raita and a small side of curry with shredded chicken, it's not to be missed. For dessert, mashed carrots cooked down with warming spices and tossed with raisins and cashews is a sweet finale.

Is this the Upper East Side or the streets of Bangkok? Tha Phraya's interior pops with red lamps that dot the dining room, reminding one of a walk down Patpong Alley.
There are a few familiar favorites like green curry and Thai iced tea, but that's where the typical offerings end. Instead, discover a unique variety of dishes from all over the Thai region including Northern Thai sausage spring rolls and khao soi to Southern Phuket-style curry served family style. Be sure to order the light and crispy sai-ua spring roll with flavorful Chiang Mai sausage and zabb hang, a bowl of rice noodles tossed with tender, sliced pork, meatball, and more in a homemade brown sauce. Specialty cocktails named after games played at Thai temple festivals are worth a visit alone.