
Highest-rated cheap eats in Manhattan by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Manhattan area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (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.
#13. Sonic Drive-In
- Rating: 2.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 800 North Third Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Fast food, Burgers, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Sonic Drive-In
- Rating: 2.6/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2711 Anderson Ave. Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Fast food, Burgers, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Taco John's-Manhattan
- Rating: 2.8/5 (24 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 214 Leavenworth St. Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Chens Chinese Restaurant
- Rating: 3.2/5 (68 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2704 Anderson Ave. Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Pizza Shuttle
- Rating: 3.5/5 (76 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1800 Claflin Road Ste 120 Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Vista Drive In
- Rating: 3.6/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1911 Tuttle Creek Blvd. Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Radina's Bakehouse
- Rating: 3.6/5 (143 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 227 Blue Earth Place Ste 111 Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Cafes, Coffee & Tea, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Hillside Cafe
- Rating: 3.7/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2307 Stagg Hill Road Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Radina's Coffeehouse & Roastery
- Rating: 3.9/5 (79 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 616 North Manhattan Ave. Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Bakeries, Coffee Roasteries, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Bluestem Bistro
- Rating: 4.1/5 (114 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1219 Moro St. Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Bakeries, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Paramour Coffee
- Rating: 4.3/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2005 Clocktower Place Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes, Coffee Roasteries
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Arrow Coffee Company
- Rating: 4.5/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1800 Claflin Road Ste 170 Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, New American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#1. The Hi Lo
- Rating: 4.6/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1119 Moro Manhattan, Kansas
- Categories: Pizza, Bars, Burgers
- 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.