
Highest-rated cheap eats in Albany by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Albany area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (out of 4) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than five locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.
#29. Allie B's Cozy Kitchen
- Rating: 4.2/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 353 Clinton Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Southern, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Lynn's Uptown Sports Tavern
- Rating: 4.2/5 (35 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 15 Colvin Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Sports Bars, American
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Jack's Diner
- Rating: 4.2/5 (175 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 547 Central Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Jim's Tastee Freez
- Rating: 4.2/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 58 Delaware Ave. Delmar, New York
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Little Pecks
- Rating: 4.3/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 211 Broadway Troy, New York
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Albany Halal Grill
- Rating: 4.3/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 118 Ontario St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Halal, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Lucky Corner
- Rating: 4.3/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 162 3rd St. Troy, New York
- Categories: Taiwanese, Chinese, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Ale House
- Rating: 4.3/5 (83 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 680 River St. Troy, New York
- Categories: Pubs, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Healthy On Lark
- Rating: 4.4/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 274 Lark St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Juice Bars & Smoothies, Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp
#20. K Plate Korean Street Food
- Rating: 4.4/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 78 4th St. Troy, New York
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Karam Restaurant
- Rating: 4.4/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1473 State St. Schenectady, New York
- Categories: Indian, Halal, Pakistani
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Genoa Importing
- Rating: 4.4/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 435 Loudon Road Albany, New York
- Categories: Delis, Italian, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#17. On the Hill Cafe
- Rating: 4.4/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 143 Troy-Schnectady Road Watervliet, New York
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch, Wraps
- Read more on Yelp
#16. T-Swirl Crepe
- Rating: 4.4/5 (122 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 622 New Loudon Road Ste 1 Latham, New York
- Categories: Creperies, Desserts, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Afghan Kabab Express
- Rating: 4.4/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 305 Central Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Halal, Afghan, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#14. The Excelsior Pub
- Rating: 4.4/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 54 Philip St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Pubs, American
- Read more on Yelp
#13. South Troy Diner
- Rating: 4.4/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 579 1st St. Troy, New York
- Categories: Diners
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Ria's Bistro
- Rating: 4.5/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 113 State St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Miranda's Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (97 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 52 Columbia St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Fiorello Bakery & Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1180 A Western Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Bakeries, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Koni's Broadway Kafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (31 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 357 Broadway Troy, New York
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Oaxaquena Triqui
- Rating: 4.5/5 (167 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 68 North Lake Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Grocery, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#7. McCarroll's The Village Butcher
- Rating: 4.5/5 (59 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 406 Kenwood Ave. Delmar, New York
- Categories: Meat Shops, Delis, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Euro Deli and Market
- Rating: 4.6/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 231 Wade Road Extension Latham, New York
- Categories: Specialty Food, Polish, Imported Food
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Babe's Cafe
- Rating: 4.6/5 (72 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 38 Bedford St. Ste 2935 Cohoes, New York
- Categories: American, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Ragonese Italian Imports
- Rating: 4.7/5 (98 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 409 New Scotland Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Specialty Food, Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Eggy's Place
- Rating: 4.7/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2 Erie Blvd. Albany, New York
- Categories: Food Trucks, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Fiorello Importing & Luigi's Deli
- Rating: 4.8/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1182 Western Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Bon Appetit Cafe
- Rating: 4.8/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 80 Wolf Road Colonie, New York
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Middle Eastern, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 388 metros.