Budget-Friendly Places to Eat in Atlanta: Where to Go When You’re Hungry on a Budget

Atlanta has a reputation for amazing food, but you don’t have to blow your entire paycheck just to eat well here. Whether you’re a local trying to stretch your dining-out budget or a visitor looking for affordable Atlanta restaurants near where you’re staying, the city is packed with spots that deliver great flavor at reasonable prices.

Below is a practical guide to budget-friendly eating in Atlanta—organized by neighborhood, style of food, and common situations (quick lunch, group dinners, late-night bites).

What “Affordable” Usually Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, “affordable” restaurants generally fall into a few ranges:

• Quick eats / counter service: Around $8–$15 per person
• Sit-down casual restaurants: Around $12–$20 per person (before tip and tax)
• Family-style or shareable dishes: Can bring the per-person cost down if you split plates

Prices jump in certain areas (like Midtown and around major attractions), but you can almost always find a lower-cost option a short drive or MARTA ride away.

Affordable Eats by Atlanta Neighborhood

Downtown & Around the Attractions

If you’re near Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, State Farm Arena, or Mercedes-Benz Stadium, many restaurants cater to tourists and event crowds, so it pays to look one or two blocks off the main strips.

Common affordable options downtown include:

• Casual diners and cafes with breakfast all day and lunch plates
• Pizza-by-the-slice spots
• Fast-casual Mexican or Mediterranean places where you can build bowls or wraps

Money-saving tips downtown:

• Eat just before or after major events to avoid surge crowds and higher-priced “event menus.”
• Look for lunch specials during weekdays—many downtown spots offer a smaller entrée plus a side at a discount.
• Check if restaurants near Georgia State University (around Peachtree Center and Edgewood Ave) have student-friendly pricing; these are often cheaper than spots directly around Centennial Olympic Park.

Midtown: Cheap Bites Near Museums and Offices

Midtown is home to Piedmont Park, the High Museum of Art, and lots of office towers, so budget-friendly choices tend to focus on quick lunch and early dinner.

Common types of affordable Midtown options:

• Noodle and ramen shops with large, filling bowls under or around $15
• Counter-service burger and sandwich spots
• Lunch-focused cafes with soups, salads, and sandwiches

How to save in Midtown:

• Look for lunch combos available only until mid-afternoon.
• Many places around Peachtree Street NE advertise daily specials on chalkboards—these can be better value than ordering à la carte.
• If you’re near Georgia Tech, check restaurants along Spring Street NW or Tech Square; they often price with students in mind.

Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park & Eastside BeltLine

The Eastside BeltLine trail is popular for walking, biking, and people-watching, and it’s also lined with restaurants. Some are pricey, but there are still plenty of affordable casual options.

What you can typically find in this area:

• Taco and burrito shops where you can keep costs down by skipping extra add-ons
• Counter-service Asian fusion or poke spots
• Pizza places with shareable pies ideal for groups

Eastside savings tips:

• Share one large pizza or a few appetizers among friends instead of everyone ordering individual entrées.
• Look for happy hour food menus (even if you don’t drink alcohol) that discount snacks, sliders, or small plates in late afternoon or early evening.
• At more popular BeltLine spots, eating earlier in the evening can sometimes mean faster service and access to specials.

Little Five Points & Poncey-Highland: Funky and Affordable

These neighborhoods tend to skew casual, eclectic, and budget-friendly, with many long-time local favorites.

Expect to find:

• Neighborhood pubs and bars with inexpensive burgers and wings
• Vegetarian and vegan spots with grain bowls, salads, and wraps
• Pizza slices, sandwich shops, and coffeehouse cafés

This is a good area if you want somewhere laid-back, affordable, and a little offbeat, especially in the evenings and on weekends.

Westside, West Midtown & Georgia Tech Area

Near the Georgia Tech campus and the redeveloped West Midtown area, you’ll see a mix of trendy spots and student-ready prices.

Common budget-friendly picks:

• Taco stands and food stalls in mixed-use developments
• Fast-casual Southern or “meat-and-three” style places with a protein and sides
• Burger joints and chicken sandwich counters

Because this area attracts both students and professionals, lunch and early dinner are prime times for budget menus.

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Go-To for Affordable International Food

If you’re serious about eating very well on a budget, Buford Highway—just northeast of the city—is a must. It’s famous locally for its huge variety of international restaurants at reasonable prices.

Along and near Buford Highway (running roughly through Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville):

• Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Mexican, Central American, Ethiopian, and more
• Many places focus on large portions that can easily become two meals
• You’ll find bakeries, bubble tea shops, and food courts inside shopping plazas

Tips for Buford Highway:

• Most spots are casual and family-friendly; prices are often lower than intown neighborhoods for similar portion sizes.
• Consider splitting several dishes family-style to try more for the same total cost.
• Some places accept cash only or add fees for certain cards, so it can help to bring a little cash just in case.

Types of Affordable Restaurants in Atlanta

1. Classic Southern “Meat-and-Three” and Soul Food

A “meat-and-three” usually gives you:

• 1 protein (fried chicken, pork chop, baked chicken, etc.)
• 2–3 sides (mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, green beans, etc.)
• Often includes cornbread or a roll

These plates are typically filling and reasonably priced, especially at lunch. You’ll find this style of menu:

• At cafeteria-style restaurants
• In neighborhood diners across Atlanta
• At some soul food spots that offer daily specials

To keep your meal affordable, choose water instead of soda and skip extras like appetizers or dessert—portions are usually large enough without them.

2. Counter-Service & Fast-Casual Spots

Across Atlanta, you’ll see a lot of fast-casual restaurants where you order at the counter and food is brought to your table or packed to go. These are often cheaper than full-service restaurants because:

• You generally don’t pay a full-service tip (though you can still leave a smaller tip if you choose)
• You can customize your portions, skipping more expensive proteins or toppings

Common fast-casual patterns in Atlanta:

• Build-your-own bowls: Choose a base (rice, greens), protein, toppings
• Taco and burrito counters: Real control over how much you spend
• Salad and grain bowl concepts: Healthy and moderately priced

3. Food Halls: Lots of Choice, Some Good Deals

Atlanta’s food halls have become a big draw, and while some stalls are pricey, you can still find affordable, high-quality meals if you choose carefully.

Popular food hall areas include:

• Ponce City Market (Ponce de Leon Ave NE) – Trendy, busy, with a mix of cuisines
• Krog Street Market (Krog St NE) – Smaller, very walkable from the BeltLine
• The Municipal Market / Sweet Auburn Curb Market (Edgewood Ave SE) – Historically rooted and often more budget-friendly than the others

How to save at food halls:

• Walk the entire hall before you order to compare prices and portion sizes.
• Consider splitting a couple of larger dishes or sharing sides.
• Some vendors offer weekday lunch specials or combo deals.

4. Takeout-First & Hole-in-the-Wall Spots

Some of Atlanta’s best cheap eats come from small, no-frills restaurants and takeout counters, especially for:

• Fried chicken and wings
• Chinese takeout and hibachi-style plates
• Caribbean, West African, and Latin American cuisine
• Neighborhood pizza and sub shops

These places typically:

• Focus on big portions at modest prices
• Offer family meals or combo platters that are cost-effective if you’re feeding several people
• Are more common outside high-rent tourist zones, so exploring a bit beyond Midtown and Downtown can save money

Sample Cost Ranges for Common Atlanta Meals

Use this simple table as a rough guide for what you might spend at affordable Atlanta restaurants:

These ranges are estimates and can vary by location, time of day, and what you order.

How to Save Money Eating Out in Atlanta

Take Advantage of Lunch Pricing

Many Atlanta restaurants offer a cheaper lunch menu than their dinner menu, sometimes with:

• Smaller—but still filling—portions
• Bundled combos (entrée + side + drink)

If you’re on a tight budget, consider making lunch your main meal out and keeping dinner lighter or eating leftovers.

Look for Daily Specials and Combo Plates

Common budget-friendly offerings include:

• “Blue plate” daily specials at diners and Southern cafés
• Wing night, taco Tuesday, or burger specials at neighborhood bars or pubs
• Combo plates (entrée + side or drink included) that are less expensive than ordering separately

It’s often worth asking your server what the day’s special is before you decide.

Share Large Portions

Atlanta portions can be generous, particularly at:

• Southern and soul food restaurants
• Many Asian and Latin American spots
• Pizza and pasta places

To keep things affordable:

• Split one entrée and an extra side or appetizer between two people.
• Ask whether there’s a lunch portion or half-size plate.
• Box up part of your meal for later instead of ordering multiple courses.

Use Atlanta’s Transit and Location to Your Advantage

Restaurant prices can shift significantly by area. To stretch your budget:

• Ride MARTA to stations near more residential or student-heavy areas, where prices are often lower than in tourist zones.
• If you’re downtown for an event, consider eating in a nearby neighborhood (like the Old Fourth Ward, Castleberry Hill, or Midtown) instead of right next to the venue.
• Explore Buford Highway or other nearby suburbs for more affordable, authentic international cuisine.

Think Beyond Dinner: Breakfast & Brunch Strategies

Breakfast and brunch can be more affordable than dinner if you choose wisely:

• Diners and local breakfast cafés often offer hearty plates (eggs, grits, biscuit, meat) at reasonable prices.
• Some brunch-focused spots can be pricey, especially with drinks; you can save by:
  • Skipping cocktails and sticking to coffee, tea, or water
  • Ordering one larger plate to share and adding a side dish

Affordable Eating with Dietary Restrictions

Atlanta’s food scene makes it possible to eat affordably even if you have dietary needs:

• Vegetarian & Vegan: Look for places specializing in plant-based dishes or international cuisines that naturally feature veggie options (Ethiopian, Indian, Mediterranean). Ordering vegetable plates or sides can often be cheaper than meat-heavy entrees.
• Gluten-Sensitive: Many fast-casual places offer rice bowls, salads, or lettuce wraps instead of bread or tortillas.
• Halal / Kosher-Style Options: Certain Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and some international restaurants cater to halal needs; calling ahead can save you time and help you avoid wasted trips.

Always confirm ingredients with staff when ordering, as recipes and menus can change.

Practical Tips Before You Go

To keep your Atlanta dining experience smooth and affordable:

• Check hours before you leave. Some budget-friendly spots close between lunch and dinner or are closed on certain days.
• Ask about service charges. Some restaurants automatically add a service fee; knowing this helps you plan your total cost.
• Carry a backup payment method. A few small, older or family-run places may prefer cash or have card minimums.
• Use takeout when it makes sense. Ordering to-go from a casual restaurant can sometimes reduce the expectation of a large tip and let you control drink and dessert costs from home or your hotel.

Eating out in Atlanta doesn’t have to be expensive. By focusing on neighborhood diners, counter-service spots, international corridors like Buford Highway, and lunch or daily specials, you can explore much of the city’s food scene while still sticking to a budget.