Highest-rated cheap eats in Charleston, South Carolina 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 Charleston 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.

Green Garden

1 / 29

#29. Green Garden

- Rating: 4.3/5 (40 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1354 Remount Road North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Hibachi Hut

2 / 29

#28. Hibachi Hut

- Rating: 4.3/5 (48 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5900 Rivers Ave. North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Japanese
- Read more on Yelp

EVO Craft Bakery

3 / 29

#27. EVO Craft Bakery

- Rating: 4.3/5 (131 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1075 East Montague Ave. North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

Semilla Food Truck

4 / 29

#26. Semilla Food Truck

- Rating: 4.3/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 218 President St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican, Food Delivery Services
- Read more on Yelp

Charleston Coffee Exchange

5 / 29

#25. Charleston Coffee Exchange

- Rating: 4.3/5 (215 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2875 Ashley River Road Ste 1 Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Pan Garden

6 / 29

#24. Pan Garden

- Rating: 4.3/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1985 Folly Road Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Platia

7 / 29

#23. Platia

- Rating: 4.3/5 (154 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 720 Magnolia Road Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Greek, Food Trucks, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp

Olde Village Market & Deli

8 / 29

#22. Olde Village Market & Deli

- Rating: 4.3/5 (28 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1073 East Montague Ave. North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Delis, Grocery
- Read more on Yelp

Metto Coffee & Tea

9 / 29

#21. Metto Coffee & Tea

- Rating: 4.3/5 (232 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 354 West Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, American, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

Orlando's Pizza

10 / 29

#20. Orlando's Pizza

- Rating: 4.3/5 (195 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 295 Seven Farms Drive Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp

The Drop In Bar & Deli

11 / 29

#19. The Drop In Bar & Deli

- Rating: 4.4/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 32-B Center St. Folly Beach, South Carolina
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer

12 / 29

#18. Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer

- Rating: 4.4/5 (593 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4 Vanderhorst St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Cafes, Beer Bar, Bagels
- Read more on Yelp

Sunrise Bistro

13 / 29

#17. Sunrise Bistro

- Rating: 4.4/5 (278 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1797 Main Road Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Bagels, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop - West Ashley

14 / 29

#16. Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop - West Ashley

- Rating: 4.4/5 (133 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2875 Ashley River Road Ste 5 Bees Ferry Crossing Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches, Salad, Delis
- Read more on Yelp

Bon Banh Mi

15 / 29

#15. Bon Banh Mi

- Rating: 4.4/5 (429 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 162 Spring St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Vietnamese, Sandwiches, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

Skoogies

16 / 29

#14. Skoogies

- Rating: 4.5/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 840 Coleman Blvd. Ste C Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Caribbean Delight

17 / 29

#13. Caribbean Delight

- Rating: 4.5/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3309 Rivers Ave. North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Caribbean
- Read more on Yelp

Boxcar Betty's

18 / 29

#12. Boxcar Betty's

- Rating: 4.5/5 (193 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1701 Shoremeade Road Ste 610 Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Johnny's Hot Dogs

19 / 29

#11. Johnny's Hot Dogs

- Rating: 4.5/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 883 Ben Sawyer Blvd. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Hot Dogs, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

Bertha's Kitchen

20 / 29

#10. Bertha's Kitchen

- Rating: 4.6/5 (203 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2332 Meeting St. Road North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Southern, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp

H & R Sweet Shop

21 / 29

#9. H & R Sweet Shop

- Rating: 4.6/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 102 Royall Ave. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Burgers, Soul Food, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

Charlie's Grocery

22 / 29

#8. Charlie's Grocery

- Rating: 4.6/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1 Jasper St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Convenience Stores, Delis, Falafel
- Read more on Yelp

Dave's Carry-Out

23 / 29

#7. Dave's Carry-Out

- Rating: 4.6/5 (228 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 42 Morris St. Ste C Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Seafood, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

24 / 29

#6. The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

- Rating: 4.7/5 (235 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1107 King St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

Euro Foods Bakery & Cafe

25 / 29

#5. Euro Foods Bakery & Cafe

- Rating: 4.7/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1664 Old Town Road Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Imported Food, International Grocery, Georgian
- Read more on Yelp

Wally Gyros

26 / 29

#4. Wally Gyros

- Rating: 4.7/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2028 Pittsburgh Ave. North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp

Workmen's Cafe

27 / 29

#3. Workmen's Cafe

- Rating: 4.7/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1837 North Grimball Road Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp

Bitty & Beau's Coffee

28 / 29

#2. Bitty & Beau's Coffee

- Rating: 4.7/5 (366 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 159 Church St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Hi! Boba Tea

29 / 29

#1. Hi! Boba Tea

- Rating: 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5646 Rivers Ave. Unit D North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Bubble Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies, 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.