Best Inexpensive Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Eat Well on a Budget

Atlanta has a reputation for big flavors and big personalities, but you don’t need a big budget to eat well here. Whether you’re a student near Georgia Tech, a family in the suburbs, or a visitor staying downtown, there are plenty of inexpensive restaurants in Atlanta that deliver serious taste without draining your wallet.

Below is a local-focused guide to budget-friendly spots across the city, plus tips on how to stretch your dollars while still enjoying Atlanta’s food scene.

What “Inexpensive” Usually Means in Atlanta

When people in Atlanta say a restaurant is “cheap” or “inexpensive,” they usually mean:

• Entrees around $8–$15
• Counter service or casual table service
• Free water; sodas/tea a bit extra
• No required dress code or reservation

Prices can vary by neighborhood. Expect to pay a bit more in Midtown, Buckhead, and around major attractions than you would along Buford Highway, on the Westside, or in some parts of Decatur.

Budget-Friendly Southern & Soul Food

If you’re in Atlanta, you’ll probably want Southern food at least once. You can absolutely do this on a budget.

Classic Meat-and-Three & Southern Cafeteria-Style

These spots typically let you choose a meat plus 2–3 sides, often with bread included. Portions are usually generous.

• Busy Bee Café – Vine City / Near Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  Known locally for fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, and candied yams. Prices rise with add-ons, but you can keep it budget-friendly by sticking to a plate and water.

  • Address: 810 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
  • Tip: Go at off-peak times if you want to avoid long waits.

• The Beautiful Restaurant – Cascade Road
  A long-standing favorite for soul food buffet at relatively modest prices for the amount of food.

  • Address: 2260 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30311

• Marie’s at Ummat Café – West End
  Affordable Southern and Caribbean-inspired plates, often under typical sit-down restaurant prices.

  • Address: 691 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

Quick Southern Comfort on the Go

• Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – Peachtree Center / Chamblee
  Not the absolute cheapest, but you can get a 2- or 3-piece meal without spending much more than a typical fast-casual lunch.
  • Downtown: 231 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Money-saving tip:
Order one meat-and-three plate and split sides if you’re not too hungry. In Atlanta, portions for sides are often large enough to share.

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Best Value for Global Eats

If you’re comfortable driving or ridesharing, Buford Highway is one of the city’s best areas for inexpensive food. The strip from Brookhaven through Doraville is packed with Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Central American, and more.

Inexpensive Asian Restaurants on Buford Highway

• Food Terminal – Chamblee
  Malaysian street-food–inspired dishes; many noodle bowls and stir-fries under typical sit-down prices for the portions you receive.

  • Address: 5000 Buford Hwy NE Suite B201, Chamblee, GA 30341

• Lee’s Bakery – Vietnamese Bánh Mì & Pho
  Well-known for affordable bánh mì sandwiches; you can often eat well here for the price of a fast-food combo.

  • Address: 4005 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30345

• Pho Dai Loi – Vietnamese
  Large bowls of pho that can still be reasonably priced compared to many in-town restaurants.

  • Doraville: 4186 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30345

• Suwon Garden – Korean
  BBQ can get pricey, but there are stews and rice dishes that are more budget-friendly, especially if shared.

  • Address: 3880 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096 (note: Duluth is farther out but on many locals’ radar for value Korean food)

Inexpensive Latin American on Buford Highway

• Taqueria El Rey Del Taco
  Affordable tacos, tortas, and quesadillas, with many items priced individually so you can control how much you spend.

  • Address: 5288 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

• Las Delicias de la Abuela – Colombian
  Many empanadas, arepas, and small plates are budget-friendly, especially at lunch.

  • Address: 5680 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Money-saving tip:
Buford Highway restaurants often give large portions. Splitting a dish or taking half home is common and a good way to get two meals for the price of one.

Cheap Eats In & Near Downtown Atlanta

If you’re staying downtown around Peachtree Street, Centennial Olympic Park, or near Georgia State University, you’ll find a mix of chains and local spots. The key is to look just a block or two off the most tourist-heavy streets.

Near Georgia State University (GSU)

Student-heavy areas almost always mean good deals.

• Ameer’s Mediterranean Grill
  Budget-friendly shawarma, falafel, and platters that can be stretched into two meals if you’re not very hungry.

  • Address: 400 Whitehall St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

• Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt – Memorial Drive
  Small shack-style spot with ribs, BBQ sandwiches, and sides at prices lower than many modern barbecue restaurants.

  • Address: 264 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Around Centennial Olympic Park & CNN Center

In this tourist-heavy area, “inexpensive” usually means fast-casual:

• CNN Center Food Court (note: some changes over time)
  Often includes a rotating mix of sandwich, pizza, and quick-service spots. Prices aren’t the absolute cheapest but can still be reasonable compared with sit-down restaurants around the park.

• Tostones Inc. (and similar casual spots nearby)
  Look along Marietta St NW and Luckie St NW for small Latin, pizza, and burger joints that often cost less than restaurants directly facing the park.

Money-saving tip:
If you’re visiting attractions like Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola, consider eating just outside the most touristy blocks. Walk 5–10 minutes and you’re more likely to find local spots with better prices.

Midtown & Virginia-Highland: Eating Inexpensively in Trendy Areas

Midtown and Va-Hi can be pricey, but there are still ways to eat on a budget.

Midtown

• Pita Mediterranean Street Food (multiple locations)
  Casual build-your-own pita, bowls, and salads at moderate prices.

  • Midtown-area example: 915 West Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

• Poor Calvin’s – Fusion (for strategic ordering)
  Not a “cheap” restaurant overall, but there are often a few noodle or rice dishes and lunch options that can be relatively reasonable for the neighborhood. Go at lunch instead of dinner to save.

• Local pizzerias and slice shops along Peachtree and 10th/14th Streets
  Buying pizza by the slice is one of the best ways to eat cheaply in Midtown, especially if you skip alcohol and soda.

Virginia-Highland & Poncey-Highland

• Fellini’s Pizza (multiple locations)
  Known for large, affordable slices and simple salads.

  • Va-Hi: 909 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

• Woody’s Cheesesteaks – near Piedmont Park
  Griddled cheesesteaks and hot dogs at prices closer to grab-and-go than a full restaurant meal.

  • Address: 981 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Money-saving tip:
In these neighborhoods, pizza, burgers, and sandwich shops are your friend. In general, they’ll be cheaper than sit-down bistros and wine bars on the same block.

Westside, ATL BeltLine & Inman Park: Affordable Spots in Popular Areas

The Westside and BeltLine have plenty of stylish, higher-end places, but you can still find budget eats if you know where to look.

Westside (Howell Mill / Marietta Street Corridor)

• Taqueria del Sol – Howell Mill
  Many locals consider this a go-to for reasonably priced tacos and enchiladas in an otherwise pricey area.

  • Address: 1200-B Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

• Hankook Taqueria
  Korean–Mexican fusion with tacos, burritos, and bowls that are typically lower-priced than many sit-down spots nearby.

  • Address: 1341 Collier Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Along the BeltLine (Eastside Trail)

The BeltLine can be more expensive than other parts of town, but you can still eat cheaply with strategy:

• Krog Street Market – Inman Park
  A food hall with multiple vendors. Prices vary, but there are usually one or two stands with bowls, tacos, or sandwiches that won’t bust your budget.

  • Address: 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

• Ponce City Market – Old Fourth Ward
  Another food hall with a wide range. Some stalls are pricey, but you can find snack-sized portions, empanadas, or small plates if you browse before ordering.

  • Address: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Money-saving tip:
At food halls, walk a full lap before you buy anything. Compare prices and serving sizes; it’s easy to overspend if you order the first thing you see.

Inexpensive Vegetarian & Vegan-Friendly Options

Atlanta has a strong plant-based scene. Not every vegan spot is cheap, but some are very budget-friendly if you order smart.

• Soul Vegetarian – West End & Highland Ave
  Long-established vegan soul food: mac and cheese, lentil burgers, and plates that can be filling without being overly expensive.

  • West End: 879 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

• Healthful Essence – West End
  Caribbean-inspired vegan plates; ordering from the hot bar can be cost-effective if you focus on a couple of items rather than loading up on everything.

  • Address: 875 York Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

• Go vegetarian at non-veg restaurants
  Many Buford Highway spots and Mediterranean restaurants have falafel, veggie bowls, and tofu stir-fries that are less expensive than meat options.

Quick-Reference: Cheap Eats Neighborhood Guide

Here’s a simple snapshot to help you decide where to go based on where you are in Atlanta:

How to Eat Cheap in Atlanta Without Sacrificing Quality

No matter where you are in the city, a few strategies can keep your restaurant bill low.

1. Prioritize Lunch Over Dinner

Many Atlanta restaurants offer lunch specials that are significantly cheaper than the same dish at dinner. If you’re flexible:

• Eat your “big meal” at lunch and something lighter at night.
• Check posted lunch menus outside the restaurant; prices are often clearly listed.

2. Look for Counter-Service Spots

Places where you order at a counter and bus your own table typically cost less than full-service restaurants:

• Taquerias
• Sandwich shops
• Food hall stalls
• Cafés and noodle shops

You still get fresh, local food, just with lower labor and service costs.

3. Skip Alcohol and Fancy Drinks

In Atlanta, a couple of cocktails can easily double your bill. To stay on budget:

• Choose water, sweet tea, or fountain drinks instead.
• If you want a drink, consider going during happy hour and eating lightly.

4. Share Large Plates

Atlanta restaurants—especially Southern, Mexican, and many Asian places—often serve generous portions:

• Split one entree plus an extra side between two people.
• Ask for a box at the start if you know you’ll take half home.

5. Use Location to Your Advantage

• Around college campuses (Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory), you’ll find more wallet-friendly spots.
• Along Buford Highway and in sections of Doraville, Chamblee, and Decatur, it’s common to find hearty meals at lower prices than in Buckhead or Midtown.

When You’re Completely New to Atlanta

If you’re visiting or have just moved to the city and want a quick, budget-friendly introduction to local food:

1. Try one Southern spot

   • Busy Bee Café or The Beautiful Restaurant will give you a strong sense of Atlanta-style soul food without high-end prices.

2. Plan one meal on Buford Highway

   • Pick a cuisine you like (Vietnamese, Mexican, Korean, etc.), park once, and explore. Many places have menus posted outside so you can compare prices.

3. Grab a quick slice or sandwich in Midtown or Va-Hi

   • This keeps your costs down in more expensive neighborhoods while you explore nearby parks and attractions.

4. Use MARTA where possible

   • Certain inexpensive areas, like Downtown, Midtown, and some parts of Buckhead, are directly off MARTA rail stops, which cuts down on parking and rideshare expenses that can eat into your food budget.

Atlanta makes it easy to eat well on a budget if you know where to look. Focus on neighborhoods known for value, counter-service spots, and lunch specials, and you can taste a wide slice of the city—from soul food and tacos to pho and vegan plates—without overspending.