Marco & Luca
1 / 30#30. Marco & Luca
- Rating: 4.0/5 (301 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 112 West Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Chinese, Noodles, Soup
- Read more on Yelp
Highest-rated cheap eats in Charlottesville by diners
Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.
Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.
Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.
Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Charlottesville area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (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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Revolutionary Soup
2 / 30#29. Revolutionary Soup
- Rating: 4.0/5 (304 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 108 2nd St. Southwest Ste 17 Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: New American, Vegan, Vegetarian
- Read more on Yelp
Quality Pie
3 / 30#28. Quality Pie
- Rating: 4.1/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 309 Avon St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Desserts, Diners, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
Holly's Deli & Pub
4 / 30#27. Holly's Deli & Pub
- Rating: 4.1/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1221 East Market St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Delis, Pubs, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Fabio's NY Pizza
5 / 30#26. Fabio's NY Pizza
- Rating: 4.1/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1551 East High St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Italian, Sandwiches, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
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Cafe 88
6 / 30#25. Cafe 88
- Rating: 4.1/5 (193 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 923 Preston Ave. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Chinese, Taiwanese
- Read more on Yelp
Beijing Station
7 / 30#24. Beijing Station
- Rating: 4.1/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 104 14th St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint - Charlottesville
8 / 30#23. Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint - Charlottesville
- Rating: 4.2/5 (297 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 109 2nd St. Southeast Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Burgers, Beer Bar, American
- Read more on Yelp
The Market at Bellair
9 / 30#22. The Market at Bellair
- Rating: 4.2/5 (178 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2401 Ivy Road Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Grocery, Delis, Convenience Stores
- Read more on Yelp
Baggby's Gourmet Sandwiches
10 / 30#21. Baggby's Gourmet Sandwiches
- Rating: 4.2/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 512 East Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
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Wayside Takeout & Catering
11 / 30#20. Wayside Takeout & Catering
- Rating: 4.2/5 (124 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2203 Jefferson Park Ave. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Southern, Comfort Food, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
Marco & Luca Dumplings
12 / 30#19. Marco & Luca Dumplings
- Rating: 4.2/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 176 Zan Road Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
Tubby's Deli & Restaurant
13 / 30#18. Tubby's Deli & Restaurant
- Rating: 4.3/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1412 East High St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Burgers, Delis, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Dürty Nelly's Pub - Deli
14 / 30#17. Dürty Nelly's Pub - Deli
- Rating: 4.3/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2200 Jefferson Park Ave. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Delis, Irish Pub, Dive Bars
- Read more on Yelp
Thai Fresh
15 / 30#16. Thai Fresh
- Rating: 4.3/5 (117 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 106 5th St. Southeast Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
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The Market at Mill Creek
16 / 30#15. The Market at Mill Creek
- Rating: 4.3/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1345 Parham Crcl Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Delis, Convenience Stores
- Read more on Yelp
La Michoacana Taqueria & Restaurant
17 / 30#14. La Michoacana Taqueria & Restaurant
- Rating: 4.3/5 (302 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1138 East High St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
Bodo's Bagels
18 / 30#13. Bodo's Bagels
- Rating: 4.4/5 (348 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 505 Preston Ave. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Bagels, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Korner Restaurant
19 / 30#12. Korner Restaurant
- Rating: 4.4/5 (36 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 415 9th St. Southwest Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Barbie's Burrito Barn
20 / 30#11. Barbie's Burrito Barn
- Rating: 4.4/5 (64 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 201 Avon St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
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Bodo's Bagels
21 / 30#10. Bodo's Bagels
- Rating: 4.4/5 (405 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1609 University Ave. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Bagels, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Riverside Lunch
22 / 30#9. Riverside Lunch
- Rating: 4.4/5 (269 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1429 Hazel St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp
Brown's
23 / 30#8. Brown's
- Rating: 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1218 Avon St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Convenience Stores, Soul Food, Gas Stations
- Read more on Yelp
Mona Lisa Pasta
24 / 30#7. Mona Lisa Pasta
- Rating: 4.5/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 921 Preston Ave. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Canipe Brothers Bar & Grill
25 / 30#6. Canipe Brothers Bar & Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2104 Angus Road Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: American, Sports Bars, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
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Bodo's Bagels
26 / 30#5. Bodo's Bagels
- Rating: 4.5/5 (656 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1418 Emmet St. North Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Bagels, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
Little Manila
27 / 30#4. Little Manila
- Rating: 4.7/5 (32 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 814 Cherry Ave. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Filipino, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
Sombrero's Cafe
28 / 30#3. Sombrero's Cafe
- Rating: 4.7/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 112 West Main St. Ste 1 Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Mexican, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
Vu Noodles
29 / 30#2. Vu Noodles
- Rating: 4.7/5 (83 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 111 East Water St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Noodles
- Read more on Yelp
El Tako Nako
30 / 30#1. El Tako Nako
- Rating: 4.8/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2405 Hydraulic Road Charlottesville, Virginia
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- 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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