Best Cheap Eats in Atlanta: Where to Eat Well on a Budget

Atlanta has a serious food scene, but eating out here doesn’t have to drain your wallet. From late-night slices to meat-and-threes, tacos, banh mi, wings, and soul food, you can eat very well in Atlanta for well under $15 a person if you know where to go.

This guide focuses on cheap eats in Atlanta that locals actually use every day—places and types of spots where you can reliably get a filling meal without feeling like you’re settling.

How to Find the Best Cheap Eats in Atlanta

Before diving into specific neighborhoods and types of food, it helps to understand how budget-friendly dining works in Atlanta.

Key patterns to know

1. Neighborhood matters
In general, you’ll find more affordable spots in and around:

• Buford Highway (Doraville–Brookhaven corridor) – unbeatable for Asian, Latin American, and international food.
• Westside / West End / Cascade – soul food, Caribbean, and classic Atlanta takeout.
• Downtown & Georgia State area – weekday lunch deals and grab-and-go options.
• East Atlanta / Little Five Points – casual bars, pizza, and quick bites.

2. Lunch is usually cheaper than dinner
Many restaurants around Midtown, Downtown, West Midtown, and Buckhead have:

• Lunch specials (often under $12)
• Express bowls/plates with a protein and sides
• Weekday-only deals near offices and campus areas

3. Strip malls are your friend
Some of the best cheap eats in Atlanta are in low-key strip centers, especially along:

• Buford Highway NE (Atlanta, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville)
• Jonesboro Rd, Memorial Dr, Campbellton Rd, and Panola Rd
• Jimmy Carter Blvd (just outside the Perimeter)

4. Know your “value meal” styles
For under or around $10–$15, you can almost always find:

• Taco combos (3 tacos + drink or sides)
• Banh mi sandwiches
• Gyro or shawarma plates
• Meat-and-three plates (one meat, two or three sides, cornbread/roll)
• Takeout Chinese or stir-fry combos
• Wing specials (especially on certain days of the week)

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Cheap Eats Powerhouse

If you remember only one phrase from this guide, remember Buford Highway. It’s one of the most reliable areas for inexpensive, authentic, and filling food in metro Atlanta.

Buford Highway runs roughly northeast out of the city, passing through Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville. Most of the restaurants here are in strip malls with big shared parking lots, and many offer:

• Hearty meals under $15
• Large portions suitable for sharing
• Quick service and takeout-friendly menus

Types of cheap eats you’ll find on Buford Highway

1. Tacos & Latin American food
You’ll see countless taquerias, pupuserias, and Pan-Latin spots where you can:

• Build a meal from $2–$4 tacos
• Get tortas, burritos, or quesadillas for a few dollars more
• Add horchata or aguas frescas for an inexpensive upgrade

These restaurants are great for feeding a group without a huge bill.

2. Vietnamese banh mi & pho
Vietnamese bakeries and cafes on and around Buford Highway are known for:

• Banh mi sandwiches often priced in the single digits
• Pho and noodle bowls that are generous enough to split
• Iced coffee and milk tea that are still reasonably priced compared to trendier spots

3. Chinese, Korean, and pan-Asian spots
Expect lots of:

• Lunch combo plates (rice + entree + soup or egg roll)
• Hot pot and Korean BBQ options, some with weekday specials
• Noodle shops with large bowls of ramen, hand-pulled noodles, or jjajangmyeon

Look for menu sections like “lunch specials,” “combo plates,” or “daily specials” to keep costs low.

Classic Atlanta Cheap Eats: Soul Food, Wings, and Meat-and-Three

Atlanta’s comfort food culture makes it easy to eat well on a budget, especially if you like Southern and soul food.

Soul food & meat-and-three

All across Atlanta—especially in neighborhoods like West End, Cascade, Camp Creek, and South Atlanta—you’ll find small restaurants and cafeterias serving:

• Meat-and-three plates (or meat-and-two)
• Fried chicken, smothered pork chops, fried fish, baked chicken
• Sides like mac & cheese, collard greens, candied yams, green beans, dressing, rice and gravy

These spots often have:

• Daily or rotating specials
• Lower prices at lunch than dinner
• Large portions that can stretch to two meals

To keep your total down, focus on plate specials instead of ordering items separately.

Wings & late-night eats

Atlanta takes wings seriously, and many wing spots and sports bars offer:

• Wing specials on weekdays (e.g., 50-cent or discounted wings)
• Combo deals with fries and a drink
• Lemon pepper, hot, mild, honey hot, garlic, and specialty sauces that define the local flavor

Many are open late, making them a go-to for cheap eats after events, concerts, or games near:

• Downtown (State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium area)
• Midtown
• East Atlanta Village / Little Five Points

Budget-Friendly International Food Beyond Buford Highway

You don’t have to drive to Buford Highway every time you want an inexpensive international meal. Plenty of neighborhoods in intown Atlanta have affordable, casual options.

Tacos & Mexican around the city

In addition to Buford Highway, look for taco trucks and small taquerias near:

• Southwest Atlanta (Campbellton Rd, Greenbriar area)
• East Atlanta / Memorial Drive corridor
• Jonesboro Rd and Lakewood area
• Around major construction/warehouse areas, where workers eat lunch

You can usually:

• Mix and match street tacos
• Add rice and beans for a still-cheap, more filling plate
• Eat for under $10–$15 per person, especially at lunch

Mediterranean & Middle Eastern

Across Midtown, Decatur, and the Westside, you’ll find:

• Gyro wraps and shawarma sandwiches
• Falafel platters with rice, salad, hummus, and pita
• Build-your-own bowl spots with predictable pricing

Value tips:

• Bowls are often more filling than wraps for a similar price.
• Vegetarian options like falafel are often a bit cheaper but still hearty.

Caribbean & African

Atlanta has a growing number of Caribbean, West African, and East African restaurants, many of which are budget-friendly:

You’ll commonly see:

• Jerk chicken plates, oxtails (usually pricier), curry chicken, brown stew chicken
• Sides like rice and peas, plantains, cabbage, festivals, patties
• Injera platters, jollof rice, grilled meats, and stews at African spots

These plates are typically generous—splitting or taking home leftovers is common and stretches your money.

Cheap Eats by Area: Where to Go Based on Where You Are

Atlanta’s traffic is real, so it helps to know good cheap options near where you’ll already be.

Downtown & Georgia State / Five Points area

For students, office workers, and visitors staying near Peachtree St, Edgewood Ave, or the Five Points / Georgia State MARTA stations, look for:

• Counter-service lunch spots with bowls, sandwiches, and salads
• Pizza by the slice and quick pasta
• Grab-and-go delis and cafeterias in office buildings or around campus

Money-saving tips downtown:

• Many places run weekday lunch specials only, often 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Explore a block or two off the main Peachtree corridor for lower prices.

Midtown & Georgia Tech

Midtown, especially near Georgia Tech, has a mix of pricier restaurants and student-friendly budget options:

• Fast-casual build-your-own bowls and burritos
• Pizza slices and happy-hour specials
• Coffee shops with affordable sandwiches and pastries

Look near Tech Square, Spring St, and West Peachtree St for quick, inexpensive food.

Eastside: Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Little Five Points, East Atlanta Village

These areas are known for nightlife and creative restaurants but still offer:

• Affordable bar food: burgers, fries, wings, and sandwiches
• Slice shops and takeout windows
• Food trucks near bars and music venues

To stay on budget:

• Eat during happy hour or weekday specials.
• Share appetizers or a pizza instead of ordering separate entrees.

Westside & West End

If you’re near the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail, Morehouse/Spelman/Clark Atlanta, or West End MARTA, you’ll find:

• Soul food and meat-and-three restaurants
• Affordable Caribbean spots
• Wing and burger takeout

These areas are especially good for large portions at lower prices compared with some intown neighborhoods.

Cheap Eats Strategies for Locals and Visitors

You don’t need a long list of specific restaurant names to eat cheaply in Atlanta. Knowing how to approach ordering and timing can stretch your budget almost anywhere.

Smart ordering tips

• Prioritize lunch: Many sit-down and fast-casual spots offer cheaper lunch menus than dinner, often for the same dishes.
• Look for daily specials: Boards or menu inserts labeled “Today’s Special” often offer a discount.
• Share big plates: At many soul food, Asian, and Caribbean restaurants, 1–2 entrees plus an extra side can feed two people.
• Stick to water: Drinks can add several dollars per person; tap water is free in most dine-in spots.
• Skip extras: Appetizers, desserts, and add-ons can quickly double a bill—especially in trendier neighborhoods.

When you’re traveling without a car

If you’re relying on MARTA or rideshares, cheap eats are still very doable:

• MARTA rail stations with decent food nearby often include:
  • Five Points, Peachtree Center, Georgia State, Civic Center, Midtown, Arts Center
• Many affordable restaurants cluster near bus routes and busy corridors, such as:
  • Ponce de Leon Ave, Memorial Dr, Buford Highway inside the Perimeter

Staying near a MARTA station gives you better access to inexpensive food without paying rideshare fares for every meal.

Quick Reference: Typical Cheap Eats in Atlanta

Below is a simple reference table for what you can expect from common budget-friendly meal types in Atlanta. Prices are approximate and can vary by neighborhood.

How to Eat Cheap in Atlanta Without Sacrificing Quality

A few final principles can help you consistently find the best cheap eats in Atlanta, whether you live here or are just visiting:

• Follow where locals go: Busy spots with steady foot traffic, especially during lunch, usually indicate good value.
• Skip the most touristy blocks: Walking just a few minutes away from main attractions (Centennial Olympic Park, major hotels) often brings prices down.
• Explore beyond Buckhead for budget meals: Buckhead has great restaurants, but they’re rarely the best for cheap eats; head toward Midtown, Decatur, Buford Highway, or Westside instead.
• Use timing to your advantage: Plan your biggest meal at lunch or early evening and keep breakfast or late-night snacks simple.

With a little strategy and a willingness to explore neighborhoods like Buford Highway, West End, East Atlanta, and Midtown’s side streets, you can eat extremely well in Atlanta on a budget—whether you’re grabbing a quick bowl between classes, feeding a family, or stretching your travel dollars over a long weekend.