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Best Philadelphia Cheap Eats


As the world economy slows down, we may want to tighten our belts, but we still need to fill our stomachs. Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in Philadelphia.

Check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.

Atiya Ola’s Spirit First Foods Vegan
11/20
4504 Baltimore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
215-939-3298 | Menu
Vegan, raw foods and even something for the omnivores in West Philly. More...

The Black Sheep Pub & Restaurant Irish
12/20
Dining Room at The Black Sheep Pub & Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA 247 S. 17th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-545-9473 | Menu
Cozy Irish pub near Rittenhouse Square. More...

Bridget Foy's South Street Grill American
13/20
200 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-922-1813 | Menu
South Street mainstay serves consistent American fare. More...

Cafe Roberto Italian
12/20
2108 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-545-0793 | Menu
Puglia-born brothers dish up authentic trattoria fare at this cozy South Street storefront. More...

Caribbean Delight Caribbean
11/20
1124 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-829-1030 | Menu
Island spice on South Street. More...

Cedars Middle Eastern
13/20
616 S. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-925-4950
Affordable, friendly Middle Eastern restaurant is a step up from the usual. More...

Dalessandro's Philly Steak Sandwiches
Quick Bite
600 Wendhover St.
Philadelphia, PA 19128
215-482-5407 | Menu
Dalessandro's in Roxborough still draws a crowd. More...

Dark Horse Pub Irish
13/20
421 S. Second St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-928-9307 | Menu
Football, darts and a step above the usual pub grub at this lively watering hole. More...

Dim Sum Garden Chinese
12/20
59 N. 11th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-627-0218 | Menu
Bargain dumpling house offers a sure thing from Shanghai. More...

Dmitri’s Seafood
13/20
2227 Pine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-985-3680 | Menu
Uptown edition of the Queen Village gem shines just as bright. More...

Effie's Greek
12/20
1127 Pine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-592-8333 | Menu
Authentic Greek hospitality and food in a tiny mid-town taverna. More...

Elevation Burger Burgers
12/20
Wynnewood Shopping Center
50 E. Wynnewood Ave.
Wynnewood, PA 19096
610-645-7704 | Menu
Elevating the humble burger to a higher consciousness. More...

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen Deli
Quick Bite
700 S. 4th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-922-3274 | Menu
A Jewish deli tradition for matzoh ball soup, pastrami sandwiches and much more. More...

Fu-Wah Mini Market Deli
Quick Bite
810 S. 47th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
215-729-2993
Lai family mini-mart and tofu hoagies in West Philly. More...

Fuel American
13/20
1225 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-922-3835
Fuel for healthy living at an affordable price. More...

The Gold Standard Cafe American
11/20
4800 Baltimore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
215-727-8427
Tasty American fare at The Gold Standard Café. More...

Jamaican Jerk Hut Jamaican
11/20
1436 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-545-8644 | Menu
Jamaican fare at a sunny South Street spot. More...

Jim's Steaks Philly Steak Sandwiches
Quick Bite
400 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-928-1911 | Menu
Jim's Steaks is a local fave. More...

Joe's Peking Duck House Chinese
11/20
Marlton Crossing Shopping Center
145 Rte. 73S
Marlton, NJ 08053
609-985-1551 | Menu
Crispy duck flies off the plate in South Jersey. More...

Kabul Afghan
11/20
106 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-922-3676 | Menu
Tasty Afghan specialties at a storefront restaurant in Old City. More...

Karma Indian
12/20
114 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-925-1444 | Menu
Authentic Old City Indian restaurant delivers. More...

Khajuraho Indian
11/20
Ardmore Plaza
12 Greefield Ave.
Ardmore, PA 19003
610-896-7200 | Menu
Exotic Indian fare and artwork in a Main Line strip center. More...

La Fourno Italian
11/20
636 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-627-9000 | Menu
Pizza is just the beginning at this bustling trattoria. More...

Little Pete's Diner
11/20
Philadelphian Apartment House
2401 Pennsylvania Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-232-5001 | Menu
Down-home comfort food 24/7 at this eatery across from the Art Museum. More...

Mai Lai Wah Chinese
11/20
1001 Race St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-627-2610 | Menu
Late night feasting is just the beginning at this Chinatown fave. More...

Manayunk Brewery American Regional
12/20
Dining Room at Manayunk Brewery, Philadelphia, PA 4120 Main St.
Philadelphia, PA 19127
215-482-8220 | Menu
Sip handcrafted beers while enjoying views of the Schuylkill River from the outdoor dining deck. More...

Marra's Italian
11/20
1734 E. Passyunk Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
215-463-9249 | Menu
Old-school Italian in South Philly. More...

Melrose Diner Diner
11/20
1501 Synder Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19145
215-467-6644 | Menu
The original diner of everyone’s dreams. More...

Monk's Cafe Belgian
12/20
264 S. 16th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215-545-7005 | Menu
Come for the 200 Belgian beers and stay for the hard-to-match pub cuisine. More...

More Than Just Ice Cream American
12/20
1119 Locust St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-574-0586 | Menu
Family-friendly fare and standout desserts. More...

Morning Glory Diner Diner
12/20
735 S. Tenth St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-413-3999
Line up for one of the best breakfasts in town. More...

Nam Phuong Vietnamese
13/20
1110 Washington Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-468-0410 | Menu
No frills Vietnamese restaurant for authentic pho and beyond. More...

Nick's Roast Beef of Old Philly American
11/20
16 S. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-928-9411 | Menu
Nick's in Old City delivers the beef. More...

Penang Malaysian
12/20
Dining Room at Penang, Philadelphia, PA 117 N. 10th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-413-2531 | Menu
Spicy Malaysian cuisine in Philly's Chinatown. More...

Pho 75 Vietnamese
12/20
Wing Phat Plaza
1122 Washington Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-271-5866 | Menu
Eat Vietnam’s favorite noodle soup for breakfast, lunch or dinner. More...

Pietro's Coal Oven Pizza Pizza
12/20
1714 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-735-8090 | Menu
Thin-crust pizza and more at this kid-friendly eatery. More...

Sang Kee Peking Duck House Chinese
12/20
238 N. 9th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-925-7532 | Menu
Chinatown spot for crispy Peking duck. More...

Smile Cafe Thai
12/20
165 S. 22nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-564-2502 | Menu
Extensive menu of Thai fare including juicy dumplings and bright tasting pad thai. More...

South Street Souvlaki Greek
11/20
509 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-925-3026 | Menu
Dependable gyros and Greek fare in the heart of South Street. More...

Standard Tap American
12/20
901 N. Second St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-238-0630 | Menu
This gastropub sets the standard for food and brews. More...

13 American
13/20
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
1201 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-625-6795
Comfort food and American classics at lucky 13 in the Marriott. More...

Tony Luke's Old Philly Style Sandwiches Sandwiches
Quick Bite
39 E. Oregon Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
215-551-5725 | Menu
Topnotch roast pork sandwiches in South Philly. More...

Tria Eclectic
13/20
Dining Room at Tria, Philadelphia, PA 123 S. 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-972-8742 | Menu
A tasty trio of fermentation---wine, beer and cheese---make this café stand out from the pack. More...

Varga Bar Gastropub
13/20
Dining Room at Varga Bar, Philadelphia, PA 941 Spruce St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-627-5200 | Menu
Tasty gastropub fare complemented by craft beer and wine by the glass. More...

Villa di Roma Italian
13/20
936 S. Ninth St., #36
Philadelphia, PA 19147
212-592-1295 | Menu
Villa di Roma throbs with life and gallons of red sauce. More...


Check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.

Back to Best Cheap Eats

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