Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the New Bern area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (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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Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries
1 / 21- Rating: 2.9/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3200 A MLK Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Burgers, American, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
Golden China
2 / 21- Rating: 3.0/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 953 US Hwy 70 East New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
Kitchen On Trent
3 / 21- Rating: 3.4/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2500 Trent Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Gina's Pizza
4 / 21- Rating: 3.4/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1904 South Glenburnie Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
China Garden
5 / 21- Rating: 3.4/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1216 South Glenburnie Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
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Sea Glass Cafe
6 / 21- Rating: 3.6/5 (159 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1803 South Glenburnie Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Moore's Olde Tyme Barbeque
7 / 21- Rating: 3.7/5 (151 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3621 Doctor M L K Jr Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Barbecue, Seafood, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
Zaxbys
8 / 21- Rating: 3.9/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2006 South Glenburnie Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Chicken Wings, fast food, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
Spunky McDoogle's
9 / 21- Rating: 4.0/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1908 South Glenburnie Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
Sumo Bowl
10 / 21- Rating: 4.0/5 (61 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1905 South Glenburnie Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
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Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q
11 / 21- Rating: 4.0/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2507 Drive Mlk Jr Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Barbecue, Chicken Shop, American
- Read more on Yelp
The Bern Bar & Grill
12 / 21- Rating: 4.1/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1904 South Glenburnie Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Bars, American
- Read more on Yelp
Savages Woodburning Pizzeria
13 / 21- Rating: 4.1/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 303 Metcalf St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp
Cow Cafe
14 / 21- Rating: 4.1/5 (168 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 319 Middle St. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches, Cafes, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
Ghent Sandwich Shop
15 / 21- Rating: 4.1/5 (26 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1914 Drive MLK Jr Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Burgers, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
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Sara's
16 / 21- Rating: 4.1/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1150 Broad Creek Road New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Taqueria San Luis
17 / 21- Rating: 4.1/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1706 US Hwy 70 East New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
Carolina Bagel Company & Deli
18 / 21- Rating: 4.2/5 (106 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3601 Trent Road Ste 10 New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Bagels, Breakfast & Brunch, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
El Taco Loco
19 / 21- Rating: 4.4/5 (279 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2408 Drive Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
China King
20 / 21- Rating: 4.4/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 133 Bridge Town Blvd. New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
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Panichelli's Pizzeria
21 / 21- Rating: 4.8/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 40 Shoreline Drive New Bern, North Carolina
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Sandwiches
- 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.
