Affordable and Delicious: Reasonable Restaurants in Atlanta

Finding reasonable restaurants in Atlanta isn’t hard if you know where to look. The city’s food scene offers plenty of spots where you can eat well without blowing your budget, from neighborhood diners and strip-mall gems to casual spots along the BeltLine.

This guide focuses on affordable, good-quality places around Atlanta, organized by area and type of food, with local context that helps whether you live here or you’re just visiting.

What “Reasonable” Usually Means in Atlanta

When people in Atlanta say a restaurant is “reasonable,” they usually mean:

• Entrees typically under $20
• Lunch in the $10–$15 range
• Good portion sizes for the price
• No required dress code and a relaxed vibe
• You can walk in without a long wait most weeknights

You’ll find many of these spots in Decatur, Buford Highway, West Midtown, Downtown, and along the BeltLine, plus pockets of great food in neighborhoods like Grant Park, East Atlanta, and the West End.

Quick-Glance: Types of Reasonable Restaurants in Atlanta

Prices are approximate and can vary with add-ons, drinks, and time of day.

Affordable Eats by Area

1. Downtown & Around the Tourist Core

If you’re near the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or State Farm Arena, you don’t have to rely on only high-priced options inside the attractions.

What to look for downtown:

• Casual counter-service spots for burgers, sandwiches, and salads
• Food courts in office towers and mixed-use buildings (often cheaper at lunch)
• Local pizza and wing joints within walking distance of major hotels

Money-saving tips downtown:

• 🍽️ Go at lunch: Many places offer cheaper lunch specials than dinner plates.
• 🚶 Walk a couple of blocks away from the main attractions; prices often drop once you leave the immediate tourist zone.
• ⚾ On game days (Falcons, United, Hawks, concerts), prices at stadiums are fixed, but nearby restaurants may offer happy-hour food specials if you go early.

2. Midtown & the BeltLine Area

Midtown is known for higher-end dining, but it also has plenty of reasonable restaurants if you choose carefully.

Good value options in Midtown:

• Fast-casual chains plus local spots around Peachtree Street and 10th Street
• Affordable no-frills Asian, Mediterranean, and Mexican restaurants on side streets
• Food halls near the BeltLine, where you can pick smaller portions and control your total spend

What locals do to keep costs down:

• Order one entree and a side to share instead of two large mains.
• Use MARTA to Midtown Station or Arts Center Station and walk; this saves parking fees so more of your budget goes to food.
• Explore Monroe Drive, Ponce de Leon Avenue, and the Eastside BeltLine for casual, counter-order places with reasonable pricing.

3. Decatur: Neighborhood Feel, Reasonable Meals

Decatur, just east of Atlanta and reachable by MARTA (Decatur Station), is packed with mid-priced neighborhood restaurants.

Why Decatur is great for reasonable dining:

• Many places offer entrees under $20, including burgers, tacos, noodles, and hearty salads.
• Family-friendly spots where sharing plates is normal.
• Walkable downtown square with choices: pizza, pub food, ramen, Mediterranean, and more.

Tips for eating affordably in Decatur:

• Check for early evening specials; some kitchens run lower-priced menus before 6 or 7 p.m.
• If you’re with a group, many restaurants have shareable appetizers that can easily become a meal.
• Parking in city decks around the square is often more affordable than in-town Atlanta garages, which helps overall cost.

4. Buford Highway: A Major Hub for Reasonable & International Food

Locals often point to Buford Highway when someone asks where to get excellent food at reasonable prices.

This corridor runs through Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville, and is accessible via MARTA’s Doraville and Chamblee stations combined with a short rideshare or bus ride.

What you’ll find on Buford Highway:

• Mexican, Central and South American cuisines
• Vietnamese pho and banh mi
• Chinese regional restaurants, hot pot, and dumplings
• Korean BBQ and comfort dishes
• Bakeries and dessert shops from multiple cultures

Why it’s budget-friendly:

• Many places focus on simple decor, generous portions, and fair prices.
• A lot of menus are designed for family-style ordering, which lets groups try more dishes without overspending.
• Lunch combos, noodle soups, and rice plates usually fall within the $10–$15 range.

For many Atlanta residents, Buford Highway is the go-to answer for good food, big flavors, and reasonable checks.

5. West Midtown, Howell Mill, and the Westside

The West Midtown / Howell Mill area has rapidly developed, with a mix of trendy, pricey spots and more down-to-earth restaurants.

You can find:

• Burger and taco places with counter service (often under $15–$18 per person for food)
• Casual pizza and Italian-inspired eateries that offer by-the-slice or small-plate options
• Occasional lunch specials and weekday deals targeted at nearby office workers

Cost-control tips in West Midtown:

• Parking can be paid or limited—factor that into your budget.
• Look for food halls and mixed-use developments, where pricing can be more moderate and you’re not locked into one restaurant.
• Going during off-peak hours (late lunch or early dinner) can shorten lines and sometimes reveal lower-priced menus.

6. Grant Park, East Atlanta, and Neighborhood Spots

Outside the dense commercial corridors, Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods are full of budget-friendlier, casual restaurants.

Areas to explore:

• Grant Park (especially around Memorial Drive and Cherokee Avenue)
• East Atlanta Village
• Kirkwood, Edgewood, and Reynoldstown
• Westview and West End

Here you’ll find:

• Local pubs and bars serving burgers, sandwiches, wings, and daily specials
• Small Southern breakfast and brunch cafes with biscuits, grits, and omelets
• Pizza and pasta spots that make it easy to share large portions

These neighborhoods are especially attractive if you:

• Prefer laid-back, local hangouts over fine dining
• Want kid-friendly options without high prices
• Like places where walk-up, phone-in, or takeout orders are normal

Reasonable Restaurants by Style of Food

Southern & Soul Food on a Budget

Atlanta has a strong Southern and soul food tradition, and not all of it is high-end.

Common reasonable options:

• Meat-and-three restaurants (choose one meat and three sides)
• Plate lunches with fried chicken, pork chops, baked chicken, or fish
• Soul food buffets (prices can be higher than they look if you overfill your plate, so watch the per-pound costs)

Look for these especially in:

• West End and SW Atlanta
• Neighborhoods south and west of downtown
• Near HBCUs like Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College, where there’s often student-friendly pricing

Typical dishes that are filling and reasonably priced:

• Fried or baked chicken with two sides
• Meatloaf or turkey with collard greens and mac and cheese
• Vegetable plates with cornbread for a lighter, lower-cost option

International Cuisine That’s Usually Affordable

In and around Atlanta, especially along Buford Highway, in Decatur, and in Clarkston, you’ll find international restaurants that are both authentic and budget-conscious.

Common budget-friendly choices:

• Vietnamese pho, bun (vermicelli bowls), and banh mi sandwiches
• Chinese stir-fries, fried rice, and noodle dishes from casual spots
• Indian and Pakistani thalis, dosas, and biryanis at counter-service or buffet-style locations
• Latin American taquerias and pupuserias, where tacos, tortas, and pupusas are typically low-cost
• Mediterranean plates with falafel, shawarma, rice, and salad

These restaurants often:

• Serve large portions that can easily be split into two meals.
• Offer lunch-only pricing that’s a few dollars cheaper than dinner.
• Emphasize quick service and simple surroundings, keeping prices lower than white-tablecloth establishments.

Vegetarian and Vegan on a Budget

Atlanta has a growing vegetarian and vegan scene, including some spots where prices remain moderate.

What to expect:

• Plant-based soul food in a casual setting (especially in West End and surrounding areas)
• Vegan burgers, wraps, and bowls at counter-service restaurants
• Mediterranean and Indian restaurants with naturally vegetarian-heavy options that are often reasonably priced

To stay within budget:

• Look for combo plates or “choose-your-own-bowl” formats.
• Opt for water instead of specialty drinks, which can quickly raise the bill.
• Consider splitting larger entrees or platters, which are often more generous than they appear.

How to Find Reasonable Restaurants in Atlanta Day-to-Day

Even if you don’t have specific restaurant names in mind, you can still consistently find good-value food around the city.

1. Use Atlanta’s Layout to Your Advantage

• Near MARTA rail stations (e.g., Five Points, Peachtree Center, Midtown, Decatur), you’ll often find grab-and-go and counter-service restaurants that cater to commuters and office workers, keeping prices reasonable.
• In suburban shopping centers just outside the core (Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, Tucker, Smyrna), strip malls often hide family-run spots with lower rent and lower prices.

2. Time Your Meals Strategically

• Lunch over dinner: Many places serve nearly the same dishes at lower lunchtime prices.
• Late lunch / early dinner: Going between 2–5 p.m. avoids lunch rush surcharges and dinner markups in some areas.
• Weekdays vs. weekends: Brunch in Atlanta can get expensive on weekends. A weekday breakfast at the same spot is usually more affordable.

3. Smart Ordering Tips

• Skip or share appetizers and desserts to keep checks in the “reasonable” range.
• Choose water or basic drinks instead of cocktails and specialty beverages if budget is tight.
• 💡 Many Atlanta restaurants are portion-heavy; plan on sharing or taking leftovers home.

4. Consider Takeout or Delivery—But Watch the Fees

• Takeout directly from the restaurant often costs less than delivery apps once fees and tips are included.
• If you’re staying near Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, walking to pick up food from a nearby reasonable restaurant can give you better value than eating in a pricier tourist spot.

Helpful Local Reference Points

If you’re new to Atlanta and want to get oriented around affordable food choices, it helps to know key corridors and clusters:

• Buford Highway corridor
  Runs through Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville parallel to I-85. Known for diverse, affordable international restaurants.

• Downtown core
  Around Peachtree Street, Marietta Street, and Centennial Olympic Park: mix of tourist-oriented places and smaller reasonable spots, especially on side streets and in food courts.

• Midtown & Eastside BeltLine
  Around 10th Street, Monroe Drive, Ponce de Leon Avenue: choose carefully and look for fast-casual and small local spots for reasonable pricing.

• Decatur Square
  Centered at Decatur’s downtown, reachable via MARTA Decatur Station: walkable, with many mid-priced neighborhood restaurants.

• West End & SW Atlanta
  Along Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, Lee Street, and Cascade Road: known for soul food, Caribbean, and casual local eateries, many of them budget-friendly.

Practical Money-Saving Habits for Eating Out in Atlanta

To keep your dining in Atlanta consistently “reasonable,” it helps to build a few habits:

• Plan around lunch specials: Many places have weekday lunch deals under $15.
• Check portion sizes: If the restaurant is known for big portions, plan to split or save half.
• Use public transit when possible:MARTA rail and buses can reduce parking and rideshare costs, especially when heading to Midtown, Downtown, Decatur, or the Westside.
• Explore beyond the obvious: Some of the best values are a block or two off the main drag or in unassuming shopping centers.

With a bit of planning and a willingness to explore, Atlanta offers plenty of restaurants where you can eat well without spending a fortune, from Downtown to Buford Highway and every neighborhood in between.