Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Upstate New York

OpenTable

Updated 05 September 2026

Looking for the best value restaurants in Upstate New York? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Ancora!

4.9

4.9 (648)

$30 and under

Italian

Utica

About the restaurant

Ancora is located adjacent to the historic Stanley Theatre and is one of Central New York's premier dining establishments.

With its concrete-exposed high ceilings, stage lighting, custom-designed wine tower bar, open kitchen, colorful, local artwork and seasonal outdoor seating, Ancora is the perfect blend of rustic old-world and urban design.

Featuring Italian-Mediterranean inspired cuisine and craft cocktails, Ancora will have you begging for more. Make sure you save room for dessert. Our homemade crepes are the perfect ending to every meal.

Shared with friends or cherished alone, Ancora is the ideal compliment to any evening, conversation or show.

Top review

Michele

Dined 2 days ago

The server Greg was excellent & attentive! Greens were made perfectly with not a lot of fillers. All three of our dinners were absolutely delicious! The hot & dirty martinis were also outstanding!

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Mulberry Italian Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (1934)

$31 to $50

Italian

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Equal parts restaurant and experience, Mulberry Italian Ristorante is a wonderful option for those who want an authentically delicious meal. Explaining that it may look like the Bronx, but that it tastes like Manhattan, this cozy eatery is just south of the center of Buffalo and offers iconic Italian foods.

Visitors to Mulberry Italian Ristorante can enjoy their lunch or dinner menu items and will find that even some of the standards are far more creative than what they usually encounter. Freshness is also a huge part of the experience, and the caprese is hand crafted each day while the pasta is homemade on the premises. Delicious and comprehensive, the Mulberry Italian Ristorante menu is a delight.

Top review

Amy

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely an amazing experience. Was there from out of town and went as a referral. It met all our expectations. Best chicken wings ever.

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4.6

4.6 (104)

$30 and under

Greek

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Ziki is a modern Greek/Mediterranean neighborhood restaurant located in the heart of Williamsville, NY. We offer a great breakfast and lunch program and a weekend brunch menu as well. Open 7 days a week 8am-9pm Wednesday through Saturday. Monday, Tuesday and Sunday we open 8am-4pm. We are known for our breakfast and lunch and dinner and our signature dish is our Souvlaki Salad. For dinner, Our Roasted Lamb Shank is a must. Authentic dishes like Pastitsio and Mousaka and desserts like Rice Pudding and Bougatsa and Baklava are made in house by Effe who started the restaurant in 1982.

Top review

louise

Dined on 16 Aug 2026

Francesca our waitress was so sweet and professional ! I love ZIKI'S we go at least once a week , healthy good quality food.

Stella A Kitchen and Bar

4.9

4.9 (787)

$31 to $50

American

Lakewood

About the restaurant

Join us for casual fine dining in an eclectic atmosphere. Our kitchen is led by chef owner Bruce Stanton. We take pride in sourcing and preparing fresh quality seafood and meats, pastas, unique salads and southern inspired dishes. Serving dinner Wednesday-Saturday, reservations are highly recommended. 3 time winner of open table diners choice.
We are steps from Chautauqua Lake ( public dock in summer) , a short drive from the National Comedy Center, Chautauqua Institution, and the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel.
Booking special events on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday evenings and luncheons everyday.
Stella will be closed from Jan 1- Feb 3, 2026. We look forward to seeing you Feb 4!

Top review

KimGold

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding overall dining experience. Friendly staff, outstanding menu options, amazing meal presentation, comfortable decorative ambience, Thank you Stella’s crew for another great evening! We appreciate your hospitality!

Lizzie Keays Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (237)

$31 to $50

American

Warrensburg

About the restaurant

Under new ownership, local celebrity chef Billy Trudsoe a native to the Adirondacks who you saw on Hells Kitchen “battle of the ages,” season 21 on the Fox network has taken over this historic restaurant. You can try Chef’s world famous, “black forest chicken” his signature dish he presented to Gordon Ramsay. Also, his divers scallops which helped seal a big win for the blue team during a challenge. Chef Billy's team has developed an upscale casual dining concept right here, in the heart of Warrensburg , New York. Building his brand “BTrue’s Mad Flava,” our restaurant will offer creative dishes for everyone. Chef Billy is an award-winning chef, that has been cooking up delightful meals for his patrons throughout the Adirondacks for over 25+ years. Born and raised in Chestertown, New York he is overly excited for the opportunity to serve this community. Live music on Mondays & do not miss our new remodeled Rhino room.

Top review

Jeanne

Dined 7 days ago

My husband steak boas was cooked perfectly (MR) my filet mignon cooked perfectly (MR) as well. Wait staff are awesome.

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4.9

4.9 (481)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Delmar

About the restaurant

Warm and intimate neighborhood kitchen and gathering place offering seasonally-driven, globally-inspired flavors by Chef Javier Villatoro. Located in the heart of Delmar, NY, Coray Kitchen delivers an elevated dining experience, fresh oyster bar, craft cocktail program, and down-to-earth atmosphere for the greater Capital Region. Indoor and outdoor dining available.

Specializing in farm-to-table, New American and California Cuisine, with a focus on scratch cooking.

Top review

EileenGold

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing steak and potatoes! The steak was like butter! And the mushroom cream sauce was rich and flavorful! Love this place! Thanks again Michelle!

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Popular dish

Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Popular dish

Lobster pasta

Concordia Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (156)

$31 to $50

Italian

Endicott

About the restaurant

Endicott, NY's newest fine dining experience located in the heart of the historic Little Italy neighborhood. Guests can enjoy exceptional dishes in a sophisticated neighborhood restaurant. Our menu features Italian favorites alongside seasonal specialties. Join us for a new Northside of Endicott experience!

Top review

Natasha

Dined 2 days ago

We loved it! It was a wonderful way to start Family Weekend with our son. The staff was lovely and the food was amazing! The homemade pasta was delish. Definitely coming back!

Smith's Public House

4.8

4.8 (120)

$30 and under

American

Cohoes

About the restaurant

Step into the rich history and vibrant present of Smith's Public House, the premier pub in Cohoes, New York. Dating back to 1873, our historic building has been lovingly restored to create a welcoming space where community and tradition converge. Indulge in our specialty classic cocktails, locally brewed beer, and upscale pub fare that's sure to please even the most discerning palate. As we honor the legacy of the legendary Michael T. Smith, also known as "Big Mike," we invite you to savor the fusion of past and present within our walls. Join us in celebrating the unique history of Smith's while experiencing the modern, inviting atmosphere we've crafted for all to enjoy.

Top review

LorraineGold

Dined 6 days ago

Really enjoy this restaurant’s history and atmosphere. Service and food are very good.

The Fish Friar

4.8

4.8 (21)

$50 and over

Cocktail Bar

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Discover fresh, sustainable seafood and craft cocktails at The Fish Friar in Syracuse. Explore our menu and enjoy a coastal dining experience downtown. Fresh seafood from the New England Coast, sustainably caught, and thoughtfully prepared !

Please Note: Outside Seating is First Come, First Serve. Feel free to make a request when booking.

Top review

valerie

Dined on 9 Sept 2026

Overall FABULOUS experience. Despite it being a yucky rain-filled weather day so no outdoor seating was set up, the front being fully opened up made it still feel great inside. Food was fresh and delicious. And major shoutout to the bartender for making us customized martinis!!!

Lucia's on the Lake

4.9

4.9 (5399)

$31 to $50

Italian

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Voted one of The Top 100 Restaurants in The United States by OpenTable Diners, Lucia's On The Lake is a captivating contemporary Seafood, Steak, and Italian Restaurant right on the Water. Featuring a Rooftop Patio, and Waterviews throughout the entire restaurant, Diners are captivated by the beauty of the Lake, warm ambience, dynamic food, and exceptional service.

AWARDS
Voted Top 100 Overall Restaurant USA - OpenTable 2023
Voted Top 100 Restaurant with a View USA - OpenTable 2021
Voted Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurant USA - OpenTable 2022
Best of 716 New York - 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
OpenTable Diners Choice Award - 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
DiRona Wine Spectator Award of Excellence North America 2024

*** We want to be as accommodating as possible when it comes to reservations, if it says nothing available please give us a call to make a reservation! (716)-627-9752

Top review

Karen

Dined 3 days ago

As usual, Lucia’s proved to be an excellent choice for dinner; food and service were outstanding

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