Best Fast Casual in NYC: 20 Spots to Try for a Quick Meal

Whether you’re in a time crunch or just looking for a healthier lunch option, fast casual restaurants are the way to go!

Like most things, opinions can vary about the best fast-casual in NYC. Many of these spots offer rewards and loyalty programs, so make sure to join those to score free meals and add-ons!

Whether you’re looking for a salad, some tasty Mediterranean, or even fried chicken, we’ve got you covered in this article. Here are 20 of the best fast casual spots in NYC:

1. Sweetgreen
2. Naya
3. Cava
4. Just Salad
5. Sticky’s
6. Chopt
7. Inday
8. Los Tacos No. 1
9. Taim
10. Tamam
11. Crif Dogs
12. The Original Soup Kitchen
13. Melt Shop
14. DIG
15. Joe & The Juice
16. Mari.ne Handroll
17. Oxido
18. Sweet Chick
19. S’MAC
20. Nish Nush

Let’s look at each below. 👇

Note: This article was written by a real live human being, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

Best Fast Casual Restaurants in NYC Podcast

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1- Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen is a go-to spot for healthy salads, warm bowls, and quick bites.

We love the Harvest Bowl and Kale Caesar.

Sweetgreen is not exclusive to New York. Check out all their locations here.

2- Naya

Naya offers quick and wholesome Mediterranean meals. You typically build your own bowl, salad, or roll.

Our favorite things from Naya include:

• Chicken Shish Taouk
• Falafel
• Yogurt & cucumber
• Pickled Lebanese cucumbers
• Spicy hummus and others

Naya is not exclusive to New York. Check out all their locations here.

3- Cava

Cava is another delicious Mediterranean fast-casual option, perfect for lunch in NYC.

The Harissa Avocado bowl is a great option!

Cava is not exclusive to New York. Check out all their locations here.

4- Just Salad

Just Salad offers fresh and quick salads, making it the perfect fast casual option.

Some favorites include the Buffalo Chicken salad, Warm Chicken + Goat Cheese bowl, and Crispy Chicken Poblano salad.

Just Salad is not exclusive to New York. Check out all their locations here.

5- Sticky’s Chicken Fingers

We absolutely love Sticky’s chicken fingers and fries. They have a wide variety of sauce options as well!

Sticky’s is exclusive to the New York City and New Jersey area. Check out all their locations here.

6- Chopt

Chopt is another delicious option for quick salads, especially for lunch.

You can’t go wrong with their Crispy Chicken Ranch Salad.

Chopt is not exclusive to New York. Check out all their locations here.

7- Inday

Inday is some of the best fast casual Indian food in NYC.

We love their Chicken Tikka Masala and the Charred Chicken Bowl.

Inday is exclusive to New York City. Check out all their locations here.

8- Los Tacos No. 1

Los Tacos No. 1 has, arguably, the best street tacos in Manhattan.

Every single menu item is delicious; we’ve had them all!

Los Tacos No. 1 is exclusive to New York City. Check out all their locations here.

It also made our list of the best places to eat in Times Square!

9- Taim

A Taim opened up near us, offering great deals, and we fell in love!

Their chicken shawarma is a great option when building your own bowl or pita.

Taim is not exclusive to New York. Check out all their locations here.

10- Tamam

Tamam is another Falafel-inspired fast-casual spot we love in NYC.

Their Hummus Bowl with Falafel is top-notch.

There is only one Tamam location on the Upper East Side. Check it out here.

11- Crif Dogs

Crif Dogs offers deluxe hot dogs with unique toppings and flavors.

The Tsunami dog is as good as it sounds!

There is only one Crif Dogs located in the East Village. Check it out here.

This Episode’s You’ll Have to Check It Out Segment – Please Don’t Tell

Please Don’t Tell is a speakeasy accessible through Crif Dogs, #11 on this list.

After entering through a phone booth, you’ll find a dimly lit speakeasy with a host of delicious cocktails. Their smoky old-fashioned is our favorite!

Get a reservation or you may wait for 30-60 minutes, depending on the time and day of week.

Check out Please Don’t Tell here.

12- The Original Soup Kitchen

Yes, this spot was the inspiration behind the famous episode of Seinfeld.

Truly, their soups are phenomenal! Don’t skip the Lobster Bisque and New England Clam Chowder.

There is only one location on the edge of Hell’s Kitchen, and it is take-out only. Check it out here.

13- Melt Shop

Unique grilled cheese sandwiches, thick milkshakes, and fried chicken.

Yep, sign us up!

Melt Shop is not exclusive to New York. Check out all their locations here.

14- DIG

Dig is a casual take on classic salads, plates, and healthy bowls.

We’ve loved everything we’ve tried from Dig!

Dig is exclusive to New York City. Check out all their locations here.

15- Joe & the Juice

Joe & the Juice has plenty of locations in NYC serving smoothies and juices, healthy bowls, and delicious paninis.

The smoothies can be a bit overpriced, but I’m always happy with the paninis I order!

Joe & the Juice is not exclusive to New York. Check out all their locations here.

16- Mari.ne Handroll

Mari.ne Handroll is a fast-casual NYC sushi spot focused on the corporate lunch crowd.

The prices are higher than expected, but their handroll sets are the perfect grab-and-go option!

Mari.ne Handroll has one location near Times Square. Check it out here.

17- Oxido

Oxido is extremely similar to Chipotle. I like the toppings options at Oxido more than Chipotle, but it’s mostly the same. Fresh and healthy fast-casual Mexican food!

Oxido offers rewards, so you can get free food if you dine frequently.

Oxido has one location near Times Square. Check it out here.

18- Sweet Chick

According to their website, ‘Sweet Chick serves the best chicken and waffles on planet Earth”.

While that is a stretch, the chicken here is phenomenal. They offer unique sandwich options, wings, salads, and even grits.

Sweet Chick is exclusive to New York City. Check out all their locations here.

19- S’MAC

S’MAC is a fast-casual spot with mac & cheese combos you’ve never thought of, let alone tried!

We first discovered S’MAC on a cold, snowy NYC day and were instantly hooked. Try the Nosh Buffalo Chicken!

S’MAC has one location in the East Village. Check it out here.

20- Nish Nush

Nish Nush is arguably our favorite fast casual spot in NYC.

We haven’t found a better bang for your buck with high-quality flavor!

Nish Nush has two locations in FiDi and Tribeca. Check it out here.

Tasty Fast Casual Food in NYC Recap

Fast-casual food is a staple for busy lunch runs, quick meals before shows, and healthy meals on the go.

What are your favorite fast casual spots in New York? Tell us in the comments.