
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.
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#25. Taqueria Guadalajara
- Rating: 4.5/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2448 Home Acre Drive Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#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
#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
#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
#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
#20. La Super Torta
- Rating: 4.6/5 (197 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 721 Georgesville Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#6. El Ranchito
- Rating: 4.7/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1275 Brown Road Columbus, Ohio
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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.