Grand Central

1 Dishes From its circular counter, Dishes serves some of the best food in Grand Central’s subterranean food court. One half of a large, flat Jerusalem bagel is filled with roasted zucchini and fresh goat cheese, then grilled like a panino, and costs just $3.50. 48 Grand Central Terminal, Lower Concourse (212-808-5511)

2 Bully's At this pleasant-looking, ungreasy place, you can opt for a to-go morning special, with turkey bacon and two fried eggs on a puffy kaiser roll, for $3.20—including coffee. Pig lovers need not despair; it’s the same deal for pork sausage or bacon. 150 E 44th St between Lexington and Third Aves (212-286-1249)

Lunch

3 Grill 44 What makes the pita pockets especially tasty here—besides the kosher chicken or lamb shawarma, falafel or baba ghanoush fillings—is a dressing with garlic, herbs and olive oil, and the excellent tahini. The hearty lamb shish kebab—with chunks of meat, lettuce, tomato and hummus, wrapped in pita—costs $6.95. 160 E 44th St between Lexington and Third Aves (212-949-0245)

4 Menchenko-Tei The hakata ramen ($7.75) is a transporting dish of tender noodles—like udon but much thinner—topped with pork slices, black mushrooms and shredded red ginger, and served in an incredibly rich and complex cloudy broth. 131 E 45th St between Lexington and Third Aves (212-986-6805)

Oms/b

5 Oms/b The Japanese rice balls here have everything: They’re tasty, healthy, good-looking and exotic. Our favorite is the triangular mound of seasoned rice mixed with salmon, which comes blanketed in a slightly sweet, translucent pastel-yellow soy wrapper and topped with a generous dab of salmon roe ($2.80). The best bet: three rice balls, an appetizer and soup—a deal of a lunch for $6.50. 156 E 45th St between Lexington and Third Aves (212-922-9788)

6 Cafe Zaaiya Cafe Zaiya is a thriving Japanese mini food court with stations for hot curries, cool cream puffs, bento boxes, baked goods and unbelievably cheap sandwiches made on the Japanese version of Wonder Bread—squishy and slightly sweet, whether it’s white or whole wheat. Fillings include tuna salad, egg salad and a panko-crusted chicken cutlet with shredded cabbage, for $2.50–$3.50, or $5.25 for a package that contains three full sandwiches. 18 E 41st St between Fifth and Madison Aves (212-779-0600)

Dinner

7 Goodburger Even though the marble counter seems perfectly set up for takeout, the soda-shop vibe may encourage you to stick around while you eat. The big grilled burgers are cooked to order for only $5.25. It’s as good as what you’ll get at Shake Shack, but with air-conditioning—and short lines. 800 Second Ave at 43rd St (212-922-1700)

8 Oyster Bar At the long counter, you’ll feel like a part of history as you watch oyster stew ($9.45) being prepared with a long pour of cream and a ladleful of shucked bivalves. More pleasing to eat, however, are the cornmeal-crusted fried oysters ($8.95). Grand Central Terminal, Lower Concourse (212-490-6650)
—Nancy Davidson

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