Once the stomping ground for Yiddish theater productions, eclectic variety stores, kosher delis, and Italian markets, New York’s Lower East Side has evolved from its tenement roots. The neighborhood, formerly home to working class immigrants in the early twentieth century, is Manhattan’s southern stop for contemporary vaudeville extravaganzas (The Box), cans of PBR as cheap as your late-night subway fare (Welcome to the Johnsons), and taxidermy—hipster style (Freemans). Wait, did we say evolved? For the skinny on all things gastronomic and alcoholic, below is a list of Lower East Side favorites—both affordable and worth the splurge.

RESTAURANTS:
AFFORDABLE

Barrio Chino
253 Broome St (Orchard & Ludlow Sts)
212.228.6710
www.barriochinonyc.com

Authentic inexpensive Mexican tapas, an impressive list of Tequilas, cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juice, super friendly service, and incongruous but beautiful Chinese décor make this small, bustling spot a favorite stop before a night out on the town.

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Chickie Pig’s
122 Ludlow St (Delancey & Rivington Sts)
212.966.4900
www.chickiepigs.com

What began as a hobby for the chef/owner, who sharpened his pizza-making skills on friends and family, has become a welcome addition to the L.E.S. This is not your typical New York slice — try the fig, gorgonzola, and prosciutto pie or invent your own from a menu of tantalizing, unusual toppings. The warm, rustic ambiance secured this family-run spot as an instant neighborhood favorite. After your meal, have a cappuccino; they take their coffee very seriously.

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Dim Sum Go Go
5 East Broadway (Catherine St & Chatham Sq)
212.732.0797

In an area where dim sum beckons from every corner, it can take a lot to stand out—yet Dim Sum Go Go does just that, wooing veteran dumpling eaters and new fans alike. Avoid the typical lunch hour; with it’s proximity to the court house, Dim Sum Go Go almost makes jury duty worthwhile.

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Jeeb Thai
154 Orchard St (Rivington & Stanton Sts)
212.677.4101

Jeeb is what happens when Thai food meets tapas – inexpensive small plates perfect for sharing for optimal variety. This pretty little spot is BYOB; enjoy the lovely backyard on warm days.

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Oliva Bar & Restaurant
161 East Houston (Allen St)
212.228.4143
www.olivanyc.com

Though Citysearch voted Oliva “Best First Date Spot,” this eight-year-old fixture is perfect for less nerve-racking nights and dining in groups. The red and white sangria blends beautifully with the authentic Basque cuisine and live music — not to mention, a shockingly beautiful wait staff.

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RESTAURANTS:
WORTH THE SPLURGE

Allen & Delancey
115 Allen St (Delancey St)
212.253-5400
www.allenanddelancey.net

Finding this nouveau restaurant is as easy as knowing its name. Getting a reservation is a different story. Though chef Neil Ferguson was famously dismissed by veteran/reality star Gordon Ramsay, his arrival has proven a big gain for the Lower “Eats” Side.  The weathered, shabby chic décor and exposed brick are par for the course in these parts. Kumamoto oysters, Braised Long Island Fluke, and Tasmanian Trout are worth the price and the side trip, especially on weekends when the kitchen stays open until 2 a.m.
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Bacaro
136 Division St (Ludlow St)
212.941-5060

The owners of Nolita’s classic Peasant opened this Italian wine bar and share-plates restaurant in late 2007. If you need your space, dine in the upstairs section of this posh spot, where you can enjoy the Venetian cuisine and seafood bent in front of picture windows. Adventurers may opt for this former aquarium shop’s subterranean confines, where a labyrinthine series of rooms lit by iron candelabras makes for one of the most romantic confines in this very bottom corner of the Lower East Side.

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Falai
68 Clinton St (Rivington St)
212.253.1960
www.falainyc.com

Former Le Cirque pastry chef Iacopo Falai makes no effort to westernize his Florentine eatery where authenticity extends to pastas and desserts that are prepared on premises from scratch. The price points are slightly higher than one might find at the Times Square Olive Garden, but patrons here go home happy, with dignity in tact.

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Freemans
Freeman Alley, off Rivington (Bowery & Christie St)
212.420-0012
www.freemansrestaurant.com

The meat-lovers’ menu and taxidermy décor may not woo any vegans, but downtown hipsters with discerning palates have made this a fast favorite. The lines outside attest to the solid cuisine and collective wish that Freemans took reservations for parties smaller than six.

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WD-50
50 Clinton St (Stanton & Rivington Sts)
212.477.2900
www.wd-50.com

Local boy and Jean-George Vongerichten protégé Wylie Dufresne turned the foodie community on its ear when he opened WD-50 in a former bodega, and reinvented haute-cuisine as New Yorkers knew it. That he did so in a neighborhood where tourists and uptowners once feared to tread is almost as noteworthy as his thrilling combinations of ingredients. Try the bone marrow and chestnut appetizer, the fruit accented pork belly, or anything else off one of the most creative menus in town.

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BARS:
AFFORDABLE

169 Bar
169 East Broadway (Rutgers & Jefferson Sts)
212.473.8866
www.169barnyc.com

Known as “The Bloody Bucket,” in the 1940s, 169 Bar wasn’t always the safest of places to check out live music. A few character-building decades later, this Chinatown mainstay is now a cool jazz and other live music venue with both street cred and neighborhood charm.

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The Magician
118 Rivington St (Essex St)
212.673.7881

A favorite among area bloggers and under-the-radar celebs, this unassuming, roomy bar manages to keep its cool in one of the city’s most frenetic neighborhoods. The jukebox is stocked with punk rock, country, and all things rebellious, though the regulars veer more toward salt-of-the-earth. Just don’t order any drinks that require a blender.

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Max Fish
178 Ludlow St (Houston & Stanton Sts)
212.253.1922
www.maxfish.com

One of the original hipster bars, “The Fish” has somehow managed to remain equally popular among jaded regulars and weekend warriors. Cult classics play on TVs above the bar, indie rock music crackles from overhead speakers, and a few old-school video games provide occasional sound effects. While you may have a Josh Hartnett or Ethan Hawke sighting, this legendary room will be equally welcoming to Bob from accounting.

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National Underground
159 East Houston St (Allen & Eldridge Sts)
212.475.0611

Singer/songwriter and part owner Gavin DeGraw occasionally makes the round at this bi-level, urban honky-tonk frequented by luminaries of the music world. Upstairs the live music is free, while entry to the downstairs showcase room ranges from $5 -$20. The Texas-theme is two-bits playful and two-bits serious, though with visits from Drivin N Cryin and Drive-By Truckers these guys aren’t kidding about their dedication to country music.

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Welcome to the Johnsons
123 Rivington St (Norfolk St)
212.420.9911

Step through a time warp and into your parents’ den, circa 1978 – or just stop by this L.E.S favorite. Plastic covers protect rec room furniture from spilled root beer orange soda and more potent libations. With a soundtrack of Weezer and Black Sabbath and a busy pool table, you’re likely to outstay your welcome — and that’s just fine with the ironically hip staff and clientele.

BARS:
WORTH THE SPLURGE

The Box
189 Chrystie St (Stanton & Rivington Sts)
212.982.9301
www.theboxnyc.com

Two years in, this Vaudeville-inspired supper club and theatre is still one of the more interesting things to have happened to NYC nightlife in the past decade— appearances on “Gossip Girl“ not withstanding. Pop, rock, and hip-hop-spinning DJs give way to seemingly random stage shows featuring rappers, gospel choirs, burlesque dancers, and simulated sex shows — and that’s just the printable entertainment. Table reservations are often required — and with prices like these, it’s wise to plan ahead for a night at the Box.

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Gallery Bar
120 Orchard St (Delancey & Rivington Sts)
212.529.2266
www.gallerybarnyc.com

Art and commerce come together in this bi-level lounge where everything on the walls is for sale. Those wishing to create their own masterpieces head to the top floor’s old-school photo booth, where black and white and color photos provide a visual record of the night’s debauchery. DJs spin a mix of rock, soul and funk to a crowd more likely to purchase art than make it, but someone has to pay for the decadent, pricey cocktails.

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Milk & Honey
134 Eldridge St (Delancey St)
No Number

Behind the soundproof exterior of a former tailor’s shop lies this faux-speakeasy which almost single handedly resurrected the classic cocktail lounge. Reservations are made through an ever-changing phone number; once nearly impossible to secure, the number is now in the Palm Pilot of most plugged-in hotel concierges. The sidecars and other old-school favorites are among the best around.

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105 Riv
105 Rivington St (Ludlow St)
212.475.2600

105 Riv draws a chic mix of design conscience New Yorkers and club savvy Europeans to its 150+ confines, where house, electronic, and soul tunes are played by international DJs. There are times when the club appears to be closed, but rest assured the gatekeeper’s peeking through a peephole and will come out to welcome patrons who look the part. Mondays and Thursdays are the better nights here; the party starts … and ends … way past your bedtime.

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Verlaine
110 Rivington St (Essex St)
212.614.2494

A better date spot than pick-up joint, this orange hued lounge serves up fancy cocktails that are not only made from house infused liquors, but also individually patented to make sure their contents stay close to home. Like the cocktails, the serviceable bar food menu packs a subtle Vietnamese influence and its tapas style servings fall into the same moderate price range.