Highest-rated cheap eats in Columbus 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 Columbus 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.

East Coast Pizzeria

1 / 30

#30. East Coast Pizzeria

- Rating: 4.4/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5060 North High St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Pizza, Desserts, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Taste of Greece

2 / 30

#29. Taste of Greece

- Rating: 4.5/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 212 Kelton Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Greek, Food Stands, Moroccan
- Read more on Yelp

Kolache Republic

3 / 30

#28. Kolache Republic

- Rating: 4.5/5 (150 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 702 S. High St. The Daily Growler Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Frankie's Pizza

4 / 30

#27. Frankie's Pizza

- Rating: 4.5/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 200 Granville St. Gahanna, Ohio
- Categories: Pizza, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

Taco Nazo

5 / 30

#26. Taco Nazo

- Rating: 4.5/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2200 East Dublin Granville Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

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Taqueria Guadalajara

6 / 30

#25. Taqueria Guadalajara

- Rating: 4.5/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2448 Home Acre Drive Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Go Go Gyro and African Grill

7 / 30

#24. Go Go Gyro and African Grill

- Rating: 4.5/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 134 North Hamilton Road Gahanna, Ohio
- Categories: Mediterranean, Greek, African
- Read more on Yelp

Choripan

8 / 30

#23. Choripan

- Rating: 4.5/5 (128 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5927 Karric Square Drive Dublin, Ohio
- Categories: Argentine, Specialty Food
- Read more on Yelp

Upper Cup Coffee

9 / 30

#22. Upper Cup Coffee

- Rating: 4.5/5 (291 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 79 Parsons Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Basic Biscuits Kindness & Coffee

10 / 30

#21. Basic Biscuits Kindness & Coffee

- Rating: 4.5/5 (91 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1160 Goodale Blvd. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

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La Super Torta

11 / 30

#20. La Super Torta

- Rating: 4.6/5 (197 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 721 Georgesville Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Tacoriendo Movil

12 / 30

#19. Tacoriendo Movil

- Rating: 4.6/5 (74 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3344 Allegheny Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

Stav's Diner

13 / 30

#18. Stav's Diner

- Rating: 4.6/5 (263 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2932 East Broad St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Diners, American
- Read more on Yelp

Yogi's Hoagies

14 / 30

#17. Yogi's Hoagies

- Rating: 4.6/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1274 Morse Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Laguna Mexican Street Food & Ice Cream

15 / 30

#16. Laguna Mexican Street Food & Ice Cream

- Rating: 4.6/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1980 Hard Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Shaved Ice
- Read more on Yelp

Ava's Taste Of The Caribbean

16 / 30

#15. Ava's Taste Of The Caribbean

- Rating: 4.6/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2836 West Broad St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Caribbean, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

La Poblanita

17 / 30

#14. La Poblanita

- Rating: 4.6/5 (119 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3825 Indianola Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Food Stands, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Si Señor Peruvian Sandwiches and More

18 / 30

#13. Si Señor Peruvian Sandwiches and More

- Rating: 4.6/5 (322 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1456 West 5th Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Peruvian, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Krema Nut Company

19 / 30

#12. Krema Nut Company

- Rating: 4.6/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1000 Goodale Blvd. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Specialty Food, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Agapé Mediterranean

20 / 30

#11. Agapé Mediterranean

- Rating: 4.6/5 (190 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 405 Polaris Pkwy Ste 101 Westerville, Ohio
- Categories: Mediterranean, Greek, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Terita's Pizza Carry Out

21 / 30

#10. Terita's Pizza Carry Out

- Rating: 4.7/5 (147 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3905 Cleveland Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Taqueria Los Primos

22 / 30

#9. Taqueria Los Primos

- Rating: 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 233 West 5th Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp

Tabletop Game Cafe

23 / 30

#8. Tabletop Game Cafe

- Rating: 4.7/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4316 North High St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Themed Cafes, Tabletop Games
- Read more on Yelp

Belle's Bread

24 / 30

#7. Belle's Bread

- Rating: 4.7/5 (505 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1168 Kenny Centre Mall Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Bakeries, Cafes, Custom Cakes
- Read more on Yelp

El Ranchito

25 / 30

#6. El Ranchito

- Rating: 4.7/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1275 Brown Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

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Cherbourg Bakery

26 / 30

#5. Cherbourg Bakery

- Rating: 4.7/5 (183 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 547 South Drexel Ave. Bexley, Ohio
- Categories: Bakeries, Gluten-Free, Donuts
- Read more on Yelp

Foodateria Kenyan and Nigerian Kitchen

27 / 30

#4. Foodateria Kenyan and Nigerian Kitchen

- Rating: 4.7/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2492 Home Acre Drive Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: African
- Read more on Yelp

Freedom A La Cart

28 / 30

#3. Freedom A La Cart

- Rating: 4.7/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 123 East Spring St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Caterers, Bakeries, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Los Agavez Taqueria

29 / 30

#2. Los Agavez Taqueria

- Rating: 4.8/5 (145 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3166 North High St. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

Taqueria Jalisco

30 / 30

#1. Taqueria Jalisco

- Rating: 4.9/5 (63 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4640 Cleveland Ave. Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks, fast food
- 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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