Best Cheap Eats in Atlanta: Great Restaurants on a Budget

Atlanta has a serious food scene, but you don’t have to spend like you’re on Peachtree in a suit to eat well. If you’re searching for the best restaurants in Atlanta that are cheap (or at least budget-friendly), you’ll find everything from late-night wings and soul food to tacos, banh mi, and meat-and-threes that feel like home.

Below is a practical guide focused on good food at low to moderate prices, organized by neighborhood and style so you can actually use it whether you live here or you’re visiting.

Quick-Glance: Cheap Atlanta Restaurants By Category

*Prices are approximate and can vary by location and time of day.

How to Find Cheap, Good Restaurants in Atlanta

Before getting into specific names, it helps to know where and when to look:

• Look just off the main streets. A block or two away from Peachtree, the BeltLine, or major stadiums, prices usually drop.
• Go at lunch. Many places have lunch specials and blue-plate-style deals that are cheaper than dinner.
• Check counter-service spots. Places where you order at the counter are often more affordable than full-service restaurants in the same neighborhood.
• Use MARTA as a guide. Areas near major MARTA stations (Midtown, Five Points, Decatur, Doraville) often have clusters of cheap eats within walking distance.

Classic Atlanta “Cheap but Iconic” Spots

These are the kinds of places people bring out-of-town friends to when they want Atlanta flavor without a high tab.

The Varsity – Downtown / Midtown

• Style: Old-school drive-in fast food
• Location: 61 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 (near Georgia Tech and North Avenue MARTA)
• What to know:
  • Famous for chili dogs, onion rings, and frosted orange drinks.
  • Very budget-friendly; easy to feed a couple people under $20.
  • Busy during game days and lunchtime; lines can move fast.

Busy Bee Café – Vine City / Westside

• Style: Soul food, meat-and-three
• Location: 810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
• Why it’s great for cheap eats:
  • Hearty portions of fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, and more.
  • You can often make a full meal with an entrée and a couple of sides for a moderate price.
  • Expect a wait at peak times; locals and visitors both line up.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Midtown

• Style: Classic Southern dining
• Location: 224 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Budget angle:
  • Not the absolute cheapest on this list, but large portions and traditional plates can be shared or stretched into leftovers.
  • A solid option when you want a sit-down Southern meal without fine-dining prices.

Soul Food & Southern Comfort on a Budget

Atlanta does soul food and Southern cooking very well, and many neighborhood spots still serve big plates for reasonable prices.

Atlanta Breakfast Club – Downtown / Midtown Edge

• Style: Breakfast and brunch-focused Southern comfort food
• Location: 249 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 (near Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola)
• Good for cheap eats because:
  • Breakfast dishes like biscuits, grits, and chicken & waffles can be filling for the price.
  • Great option if you’re exploring downtown attractions and don’t want a high-priced tourist meal.

Local Meat-and-Threes

Scattered around metro Atlanta, meat-and-three restaurants offer a plate with one meat and multiple vegetables/sides at a set price. To find affordable ones:

• Look in Westside, Southwest Atlanta, East Atlanta, and near Decatur for local favorites.
• Many offer daily specials (like baked chicken or pot roast) that are cheaper than the regular menu.
• Go at lunch for the best value.

Typical plate:

• 1 meat + 2–3 sides + bread for around what many cafes charge just for a sandwich.

Cheap Tacos & Latin Food Around Atlanta

Tacos, pupusas, and other Latin street foods are some of the most affordable, flavorful options in the city.

El Tesoro – Edgewood

• Style: Mexican street food, tacos, tortas, breakfast burritos
• Location: 1374 Arkwright Pl SE, Atlanta, GA 30317
• Why it’s a budget win:
  • Tacos are individually priced, so you can order exactly as much as you need.
  • Breakfast tacos and burritos are particularly filling for the cost.
  • Outdoor seating and casual setup keep costs down.

Taqueria del Sol – Multiple Locations

• Style: Tex-Mex / Southern-Mexican fusion tacos and enchiladas
• Popular locations:
  • 2165 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  • 359 W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
• Budget notes:
  • Tacos are fairly inexpensive and you can combine a couple with chips and salsa for a full meal.
  • Lines can get long at peak hours, but service is usually quick.

Buford Highway: Tacos, Pupusas, and More

Buford Highway runs through parts of Brookhaven, Doraville, and Chamblee, and it’s one of the best areas in metro Atlanta for cheap, authentic international food:

• Numerous taquerias, pupuserías, and panaderías with prices aimed at locals rather than tourists.
• Many spots are cash-friendly and casual, with generous portions and combo plates.
• Take MARTA to Doraville Station, then bus or rideshare a short distance along Buford Highway for a full day of affordable eating.

Affordable Asian Food: Pho, Banh Mi, and Noodles

Atlanta has a broad Asian food scene, especially along Buford Highway and in Doraville, Chamblee, and Duluth. Many places offer large bowls and plates for reasonable prices.

Lee’s Bakery – Buford Highway

• Style: Vietnamese banh mi and pho
• Location: 4005 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
• Why it’s loved by budget-conscious diners:
  • Banh mi sandwiches are typically very inexpensive and big enough for a meal.
  • Pho and noodle bowls are filling and shareable.
  • Counter-service setup keeps things casual and quick.

Pho & Noodle Shops Along Buford Highway

You’ll find many pho, ramen, and Chinese noodle spots clustered along Buford Highway:

• Look for places with laminated menus and big photo boards—often a sign of broad, affordable offerings.
• Dishes like pho, bun (vermicelli bowls), and stir-fried noodles tend to be good value.
• If you’re unsure, check daily specials often posted near the entrance or at the counter.

Burgers, Sandwiches, and Wings That Won’t Break the Bank

Sometimes you just want something quick, greasy, and satisfying for under $15.

Grindhouse Killer Burgers – Multiple Locations

• Style: Burgers, fries, and shakes
• Metro locations include:
  • 1842 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 (Piedmont)
  • 2565 Apple Valley Rd NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319
• Budget angle:
  • You can put together a burger, fries, and a drink without hitting fine-dining prices.
  • Lunch and weekday specials can stretch your budget further.

Fred’s Meat & Bread – Krog Street Market (Inman Park)

• Style: Sandwiches—cheesesteaks, burgers, fried chicken
• Location: 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Why it’s a good value:
  • Portions are generous; one hearty sandwich can be plenty for an average appetite.
  • Perfect if you’re walking the Eastside BeltLine and want a good meal without table-service pricing.

Local Wing Spots

Atlanta is full of wing joints—from small neighborhood takeout spots to well-known bar-and-wings chains. For cheap wings:

• Check areas like West Midtown, East Atlanta Village, Old Fourth Ward, and College Park.
• Look for daily wing specials (often on certain weekdays or during games).
• Many places price wings by the piece, so you can scale up or down to your budget.

Pizza by the Slice & Budget-Friendly Pies

Pizza is one of the easiest ways to eat cheaply in Atlanta, especially if you’re okay with slice shops and casual patios.

Fellini’s Pizza – Multiple Locations

• Style: New York-style slices and whole pies
• Popular locations:
  • 909 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 (Virginia-Highland area)
  • 2809 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 (Buckhead)
• Budget notes:
  • Slices are reasonably priced, and two slices can easily be a meal.
  • Outdoor seating and order-at-the-counter format keep things informal.

Grant Park / East Atlanta Pizza Spots

In Grant Park, East Atlanta Village, and Little Five Points, you’ll find:

• Pizza joints with happy hour slice specials.
• Spots where you can split a large pie between friends to keep it cheap.
• Many are walkable from neighborhood bars and BeltLine access points, which helps avoid extra parking costs.

Cheap Eats Near Key Atlanta Areas

Cheap Food Near Downtown Attractions

If you’re visiting places like the Georgia Aquarium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or the College Football Hall of Fame, downtown prices can be high. To save:

• Walk or rideshare a short distance to North Avenue, Edgewood, or Midtown.
• Consider:
  • Atlanta Breakfast Club (breakfast/brunch near the Aquarium)
  • The Varsity (North Avenue MARTA, quick and cheap)
  • Counter-service spots along Peachtree Center that cater to office workers at lunch.

Budget-Friendly Options Around Midtown & the BeltLine

Midtown and the BeltLine can get pricey, but there are still ways to eat cheaply:

• Look for food halls like Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market. While not uniformly cheap, some stalls offer sandwiches, bowls, or snacks at reasonable prices.
• Walk a bit away from the BeltLine to find local taquerias, pizza shops, and burger places with lower rent and lower prices.

Buford Highway & Doraville: The Best Concentration of Cheap Eats

If you don’t mind leaving the city core:

• Take MARTA to Doraville Station.
• From there, a short ride along Buford Highway opens up:
  • Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Mexican, Central American, and more, usually at local, everyday prices.
  • Many restaurants offer lunch combos, big shared plates, and free tea or water.

Practical Tips to Keep Restaurant Costs Down in Atlanta

A few local habits can help you stick to a budget almost anywhere in the city:

• Aim for lunch, not dinner. Many places charge less for essentially the same food at lunchtime.
• Share big plates. Southern and Asian restaurants often serve portions meant to be shared or that can easily stretch into leftovers.
• Skip the drinks. Soft drinks, cocktails, and specialty coffees can quickly double your cost. Atlanta tap water is free and widely offered.
• Watch for weekday specials.
  • Taco Tuesdays 🌮
  • Wing nights
  • Burger or pizza specials in neighborhood bars
• Use MARTA and walk. Parking in Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead can add several dollars to your meal; using transit or walking can offset the price of better food.

How to Decide if a Cheap Restaurant Is Right for You

When you’re scanning options, especially in unfamiliar parts of town:

• Check the menu posted outside or near the counter for clear pricing.
• Look at portion photos (if displayed) so you don’t over-order.
• Note whether they are cash-only; some small spots still are, especially along Buford Highway.
• If you have dietary needs (vegetarian, halal, gluten-conscious), scan for a few options before you commit to sitting down.

Eating well in Atlanta on a budget is absolutely doable. Focus on soul food spots, Buford Highway restaurants, taco joints, slice shops, and counter-service places just off the main tourist strips, and you’ll find some of the best cheap restaurants in Atlanta without feeling like you’re settling.