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.

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Allie B's Cozy Kitchen

1 / 29

#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

Lynn's Uptown Sports Tavern

2 / 29

#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

Jack's Diner

3 / 29

#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

Jim's Tastee Freez

4 / 29

#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

Little Pecks

5 / 29

#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

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Albany Halal Grill

6 / 29

#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

Lucky Corner

7 / 29

#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

Ale House

8 / 29

#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

Healthy On Lark

9 / 29

#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

K Plate Korean Street Food

10 / 29

#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

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Karam Restaurant

11 / 29

#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

Genoa Importing

12 / 29

#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

On the Hill Cafe

13 / 29

#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

T-Swirl Crepe

14 / 29

#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

Afghan Kabab Express

15 / 29

#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

The Excelsior Pub

16 / 29

#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

South Troy Diner

17 / 29

#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

Ria's Bistro

18 / 29

#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

Miranda's Deli

19 / 29

#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

Fiorello Bakery & Deli

20 / 29

#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

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Koni's Broadway Kafe

21 / 29

#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

Oaxaquena Triqui

22 / 29

#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

McCarroll's The Village Butcher

23 / 29

#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

Euro Deli and Market

24 / 29

#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

Babe's Cafe

25 / 29

#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

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Ragonese Italian Imports

26 / 29

#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

Eggy's Place

27 / 29

#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

Fiorello Importing & Luigi's Deli

28 / 29

#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

Bon Appetit Cafe

29 / 29

#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.