
Highest-rated cheap eats in Baltimore by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Baltimore area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (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.
#30. Elkridge Deli Cafe
- Rating: 4.3/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6325 Washington Blvd. Ste G Elkridge, Maryland
- Categories: American, Breakfast & Brunch, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Aviation Deli & Grill
- Rating: 4.3/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6938 Aviation Blvd. Ste B Glen Burnie, Maryland
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Yog Crepes Waffles and Frozen Yogurt
- Rating: 4.3/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6053 Falls Road Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Creperies, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Station North Arts Cafe Gallery
- Rating: 4.3/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 131 West North Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Art Galleries, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Choi's Chicken & Trout
- Rating: 4.3/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3436 Annapolis Road Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Cheesesteaks, American, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Giovanna's Italian Kitchen
- Rating: 4.3/5 (128 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7401 Harford Road Parkville, Maryland
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Adamm's Airport Deli
- Rating: 4.4/5 (95 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 891 Elkridge Landing Road Linthicum Heights, Maryland
- Categories: Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Zauq Halal Kitchen
- Rating: 4.4/5 (116 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6669 Security Blvd. Woodlawn, Maryland
- Categories: Halal, Chicken Shop, American
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Soup's On
- Rating: 4.4/5 (249 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 11 West Preston St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Vegetarian, Soup, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Belvedere Bagels and Grill
- Rating: 4.4/5 (110 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1023 North Charles St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Daily Sushi
- Rating: 4.4/5 (144 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1842 East Joppa Road Parkville, Maryland
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Seafood, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Pastore's Italian Delly
- Rating: 4.4/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8646 Loch Raven Blvd. Towson, Maryland
- Categories: Desserts, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Los Mariachis Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.4/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2227 Eastern Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Koba Café
- Rating: 4.4/5 (202 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 644 East Fort Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Blacksauce Kitchen
- Rating: 4.4/5 (123 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 401 West 29th St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Caribbean, Smokehouse, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Taqueria el Sabor del Parque
- Rating: 4.4/5 (228 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2901 Eastern Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Diablo Doughnuts
- Rating: 4.4/5 (397 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 7698 Belair Road Ste 101 Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Donuts, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#13. The Wine Merchant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 10741 Falls Road Lutherville Timonium, Maryland
- Categories: Beer, Wine & Spirits, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Deven's Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1 Ferndale Road Glen Burnie, Maryland
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Cafe On the Square
- Rating: 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 11 South Paca St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Koco Food Truck
- Rating: 4.6/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Ashland Ave. & North Wolfe St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Food Trucks, Korean
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Sophia's Place
- Rating: 4.6/5 (98 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1641 Aliceanna St. Broadway Market Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Pitamore
- Rating: 4.6/5 (165 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 30 Light St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Mediterranean Halal Food Cart
- Rating: 4.6/5 (223 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2 Hopkins Place Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Street Vendors, Halal, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Yomna's Halal Gyro Cart
- Rating: 4.6/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 92 Market Place Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Halal, Food Trucks, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Taneytown Deli
- Rating: 4.7/5 (129 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 807 Frederick Road Catonsville, Maryland
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Ovenbird Bakery
- Rating: 4.7/5 (257 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 300 South Exeter St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Bakeries, Bagels, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Morning Mugs Coffee
- Rating: 4.7/5 (115 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 15 West Hughes St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Harmony Bakery
- Rating: 4.8/5 (231 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3446 Chestnut Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Bakeries, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Moo Moo Cows
- Rating: 4.9/5 (209 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 926 Light St. Ste 1 Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Hot Dogs
- 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.