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Where to Eat in Midtown Atlanta for $25 or Less

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Midtown is the heart of Atlanta — home to Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre, High Museum of Art and Atlanta Botanical Garden, all connected by tree-lined streets and easy MARTA access. It’s also the center of Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community, reflected in the neighborhood’s inclusive bars and restaurants. The dining scene here leans upscale, but if you know where to look, eating well for $25 or less in Midtown is absolutely doable. Bonus — it’s one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city, so leave the car and explore on foot or by bike.

Po’ Boy at Bon Ton

A dimly lit restaurant with a neon sign reading 'Fancy Service' and patrons seated at tables in Atlanta, Georgia.
Neon lights, late-night energy and Vietnamese-inspired bites make Bon Ton a Midtown favorite for cocktails, dinner and after-dark vibes.

Bon Ton in Midtown is the kind of place that’s equally good for lunch or a late night out. The move is the house banh mi with catfish at $16 — dressed with dill pickle, lettuce, remoulade and tomato, all eaten under the glow of a sign that reads “Fancy Service.” If you’re staying into the evening, head upstairs to the Waiting Room and make it a night of dancing.

Where: 674 Myrtle St. NE

El Sancho at Lewis Barbecue

A mouthwatering barbecue platter featuring a variety of smoked meats, including pulled pork, brisket, and sausage, accompanied by classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans, and pickles in Atlanta, Georgia.
Smoked brisket, house-made sausage and classic Southern sides make Lewis Barbecue a must for Texas-style barbecue near the Atlanta Beltline.

Lewis Barbecue sits right off the Beltline in Midtown and is exactly where you bring a group when you want serious Texas-style BBQ. Head here on a nice day and order the El Sancho — brisket piled high on a fresh bun for $16, and don’t skip the pickled red onions. Make it loco with all three meats if you’re hungry ($16.50). The beef tallow fries are a must, and the patio fills up fast with the Beltline crowd of pedestrians and cyclists nearby.

Where: 1544 Piedmont Ave. NE

Siesta Menu at El Viñedo Local

El Viñedo Local sits right near the Fox Theatre and has one of the best covered patios in Midtown — a great stop before or after a show. While dinner leans more upscale, the Siesta Menu from 3 to 5 p.m. is the sweet spot for a mid-afternoon bite on a budget. Two empanadas for $12, two arepas for $14 or two Panadería Criolla pastries for $8 — all the flavor, none of the dinner price tag. Pair it with a South American wine or a fair-trade coffee, and you’ve got yourself a perfect afternoon.

Where: 730 Peachtree St. NE

Biang Biang noodles at Xi’an Gourmet House

At Xi’an Gourmet House in Midtown, the biang biang noodles are the main event — pull one and watch it stretch far. This Michelin-recommended spot serves some of the best Chinese cooking in the city, with a focus on Xi’an cuisine. Order the spicy cumin lamb biang biang noodle at $14 — thick ribbon noodles tossed in a stir-fry of cumin lamb, spicy chili powder, green onion, minced garlic, soybean sprouts, Napa cabbage, white onion and bell peppers. Most dishes come in well under $15, making it one of Midtown’s best deals.

Where: 955 Spring St. NW

Chana Masala at Desi Spice

Desi Spice is tucked into one of the busiest parking lots in Midtown, but the food makes it worth the effort. The chana masala at $14 is a standout — tender chickpeas simmered in a rich, creamy tomato gravy, best enjoyed with warm naan. The space is cozy and relaxed, and the menu is packed with solid options that keep locals coming back regularly, whether for takeout or before a walk along the Beltline.

Where: 931 Monroe Dr. NE

Signature Rolls at Nagomiya

Nagomiya — “house of tranquility” in Japanese — is an authentic Japanese-owned spot in Midtown serving craft sushi, izakaya small plates and solid ramen in a setting that lives up to its name. Signature rolls hover around $15, and our pick is the Mind of Zen — white fish tempura and cucumber topped with yellowtail, shiso, wasabi tobiko and ponzu with grated ginger. Oh, and there’s a button at the table to summon your server when you’re ready for more. 

Where: 1010 West Peachtree St. NW

Lamb Gyro at Café Agora

Café Agora is a cozy Turkish, Greek and Mediterranean restaurant right in the heart of Midtown. The lamb gyro at $12.99 is the one to get — spit roasted marinated lamb wrapped in warm pita bread. Start with the hummus — chickpeas blended with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and tahini — before your main. It’s right up the street from the Midtown MARTA station. 

Where: 92 Peachtree Place NE

Filet Mignon Pho at Ahn’s Kitchen

Walk into Anh’s Kitchen and the hardest part is deciding what to order — from banh mi to rice dishes and clay pot dishes. But at this Midtown Vietnamese staple, the pho is the star. Order the filet mignon pho at $18 — a massive bowl of thin rice noodles in a rich broth topped with tender, medium-rare slices of beef that melt right in. Even on a hot Atlanta day, this bowl hits the spot.

Where: 855 Peachtree St. NE.

Politan Row Food Hall at Colony Square

A spacious, modern lobby with a striking wooden ceiling, comfortable seating areas, and lush greenery in Atlanta, Georgia.
Explore global flavors, stylish gathering spaces and chef-driven concepts all under one roof at Colony Squaare’s Politan Row in the heart of Midtown.

Can’t decide what to eat? Politan Row at Colony Square in Midtown is the answer. This food hall brings together 11 independent restaurant concepts under one roof — from tacos to Caribbean — with a patio bar and a secret cocktail lounge called Jojo’s Beloved tucked inside. Our pick is the BBQ Chicken 65 pizza from Tandoori Pizza and Wings at $18.99 — a 12-inch pie with BBQ tamarind sauce, shredded mozzarella, Chicken 65, red onion, herb ranch and cilantro. Come with a group, order from a few different spots, and make a night of it. You can even make a reservation in advance to ensure seating.

Where: 1197 Peachtree St. NE

Where to Eat in Midtown Atlanta for $25 or Less

Muriel Vega is an Atlanta-based bilingual freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience covering technology, culture and innovation. Previously, she served as managing editor at Hypepotamus, and her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Eater, Dwell, Outside, Atlanta Magazine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Bitter Southerner, among others.

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