Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Rochester area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (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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International Food Market & Cafe
1 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1175 Market Place Drive Rochester, New York
- Categories: Halal, International Grocery, Meat Shops
- Read more on Yelp
The Original Steve's Diner
2 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (486 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1694 Penfield Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Mediterranean, Greek
- Read more on Yelp
South Wedge Hots and Subs
3 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 492 Monroe Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: American, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Balsam Bagels
4 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (286 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 288 North Winton Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Bagels, Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
Rocky's
5 / 30- Rating: 4.3/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 190 Jay St. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Italian, Sandwiches, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
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Linda's New York Pizzeria
6 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (78 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1219 Lyell Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Pizza, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
Founders Cafe
7 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (114 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 13 South Fitzhugh St. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Sandwiches, New American, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
Nino's Pizzeria
8 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1330 Culver Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
Charlie's Restaurant
9 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (112 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1843 Empire Blvd. Webster, New York
- Categories: Seafood, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Mr. Beenz Diner
10 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1941 Buffalo Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
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Desiato's Deli & Subs
11 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1475 East Henrietta Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches, Soup
- Read more on Yelp
Pino's Deli & Subs
12 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (134 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2590 West Ridge Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Delis
- Read more on Yelp
Brownstein's Deli and Bakery
13 / 30- Rating: 4.4/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1862 Monroe Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Delis, Bagels, Kosher
- Read more on Yelp
The Arnett Cafe
14 / 30- Rating: 4.5/5 (129 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 332 Arnett Blvd. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Southern, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Natural Oasis
15 / 30- Rating: 4.5/5 (146 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 288 Monroe Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Ethiopian, Vegetarian, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
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Jim's On Main
16 / 30- Rating: 4.5/5 (278 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 785 East Main St. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Diners, American
- Read more on Yelp
Cafe Sasso
17 / 30- Rating: 4.5/5 (220 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 739 Park Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Cocktail Bars, Cafes, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
DiPisa Subs
18 / 30- Rating: 4.5/5 (37 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 196 Court St. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Sandwiches, Soup, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
Pat's Coffee Mug
19 / 30- Rating: 4.5/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 627 Clinton Ave. South Rochester, New York
- Categories: Diners, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
Calabresella Importers of Italian & Greek Food
20 / 30- Rating: 4.5/5 (97 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1386 Buffalo Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Italian, Delis, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
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Lakeside Haven Family Restaurant
21 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3212 Lake Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Diners
- Read more on Yelp
Meat The Press
22 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Rochester, New York
- Categories: Food Trucks, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Sips Coffee & Cafe
23 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 149 Pattonwood Drive Rochester, New York
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
Georgie's Bakery and Cafe
24 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 857 Clinton Ave. South Rochester, New York
- Categories: Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Ricci's Italian Imports
25 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3180 Latta Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Delis
- Read more on Yelp
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Orange Glory Cafe and Catering
26 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 480 East Main St. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes, American
- Read more on Yelp
Cocina Latina
27 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2960 Dewey Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Latin American
- Read more on Yelp
New City Cafe & Roastery
28 / 30- Rating: 4.6/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 441 Parsells Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Coffee Roasteries, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
Railway Station Diner
29 / 30- Rating: 4.8/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 836 West Ridge Road Rochester, New York
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Diners
- Read more on Yelp
CRUMPETS
30 / 30- Rating: 4.9/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 441 Monroe Ave. Rochester, New York
- Categories: Cafes
- 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.
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