Where to Eat in Buckhead Atlanta for $25 or Less

By Muriel Vega

Last Updated May 27, 2026

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Buckhead has long been known as Atlanta’s upscale dining destination, with white tablecloth steak houses, three Michelin-starred restaurants and a food scene that draws visitors from across the city. But Buckhead isn’t all glitz. Tucked between the splurge-worthy spots are some genuinely great places to eat without spending much — from ramen and tacos to deli sandwiches that have been feeding the neighborhood since 1929. When you’re done eating, the nearby Atlanta History Center and Margaret Mitchell House are worth a visit.

Here are our picks for eating well in Buckhead for $25 or less.

Short Rib Grilled Cheese at The Southern Gentleman

The Southern Gentleman in Buckhead Village is the kind of spot that feels special without breaking the bank. The gastropub celebrates Southern cooking with a fresh, modern approach — locally sourced ingredients, beautiful interiors and a bar program with more than 120 whiskeys to explore. Our picks are both $18 — the Short Rib Grilled Cheese with caramelized Vidalia onion, smoked gouda, gruyere and au jus, or the Hot Chicken Sandwich with house bread and butter pickles, Old Bay aioli, cabbage slaw and fries. Either way, you’re eating well under $25 in one of Buckhead’s most beautiful dining rooms.

Where: 3035 Peachtree Rd. NE

Soup and Sandwich Combo at Souper Jenny

Souper Jenny in Buckhead is a warm, no-fuss lunch spot built around fresh soups, salads and sandwiches that change daily. The menu rotates with the seasons and leans on local ingredients — with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options always in the mix. The best deal is the cup of soup and sandwich combo for $15. Fan favorites like My Dad’s Turkey Chili and Roasted Turkey sandwich with fresh mozzarella, almond pesto and mixed greens on sourdough keep regulars coming back. Better yet, since it’s inside the Atlanta History Center, you can stroll right in to check out the latest exhibitions, including the Atlanta Cyclorama, one of only two remaining Civil War cycloramas in the U.S.

Where: 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW (Buckhead location)

Spicy Chicken Ramen at Jinya Buckhead

Sometimes you just need a solid bowl of ramen — and Jinya in Buckhead delivers. The broth is simmered for more than 20 hours with whole pork bones, chicken, vegetables and classic Japanese ingredients such as miso, kombu and bonito. The result is rich, thick and deeply flavorful. Our pick is the spicy chicken ramen at $16.50 — chicken broth, chicken chashu, spinach, spicy bean sprouts and green onion over thin noodles. Choose your heat level: mild, spicy or hot (we vote spicy). Add a Jinya bun stuffed with pork chashu, cucumber and baby mixed greens served with JINYA’s original sauce while you’re at it.

Where: 3714 Roswell Road

Happy Hour Menu at Snap Thai Fish House

Some of the best eating in Buckhead happens between 3 and 6 p.m. at Snap Thai. Head here for happy hour and plant yourself on the spacious patio or grab a spot by the open garage door bar. The seafood bucket at $19 — shrimp, mussels, calamari, corn and potatoes in a sweet chili garlic butter — is the move for a group. But our pick is the Thai lemon pepper wings at $10 — crispy bone-in chicken paired with Sriracha ranch. It’s simple, satisfying and a very Atlanta combination. 

Where: 3699 Lenox Road NE

Falafel Sandwich at Zakia

Zakia in Buckhead is a Lebanese restaurant that earns every bit of its grand setting — three dining areas, a four-tiered chandelier, ornate pillars and a back room flooded with natural light and delicate white floral strings overhead. Let’s just say it’s stunning. Our pick for a solo bite or a lighter meal is the falafel sandwich at $16 — crispy falafel, hummus, pickled cucumber and chili aioli tucked into fresh pita and served with fries. Available for both lunch and dinner.

Where: 3699 Lenox Road NE

Fried Chicken Plate at Roshambo

Roshambo in Buckhead has really become a neighborhood diner spot tucked into a nondescript shopping center. The menu has something for everyone — bowls and salads alongside comfort classics like disco tots, grilled cheese and chicken parm. The fried chicken is legendary for a reason. The crispy, herb-spiced fried chicken plate at $24 comes loaded with biscuits and honey butter, mac and cheese, garlic green beans and seasonal sauces. It’s right at the edge of the $25 budget and worth every penny.

Where: 2355 Peachtree Road

Pastrami Sandwich at Henri’s Bakery and Deli

Henri’s Bakery and Deli has been a Buckhead institution since 1929 — and somehow it just keeps getting better with age. Come for the pastrami sandwich at $8.99 — piled high on your choice of white, wheat, rye, onion roll, croissant or French bread with mayo, mustard and pickle — then take it out to the courtyard and eat in the fresh air. With everything priced at less than $10, there’s no excuse not to grab a lemon square, a chocolate eclair or a cronut on the way out. One of Atlanta’s oldest and most beloved spots is still worth every visit.

Where: 56 East Andrews Drive NW

Fiesta Enchilada at Café Sunflower 

Café Sunflower has been one of Atlanta’s most beloved vegan restaurants for more than 30 years — and it’s still going strong in Buckhead. The menu is 100% plant-based and covers a lot of ground, from fried avocado tacos and seitan gyros to Sunday brunch. Try the fiesta enchilada at $24 — marinated soy chicken, sautéed onions, red bell peppers, vegan cheese and flour tortilla served with romaine and a fresh apple corn salsa. Vegan or not, this is just good food.

Where: 2140 Peachtree Road NW (Brookwood Square Shopping Center)

Taco Combo at Rreal Tacos

Rreal Tacos in Buckhead keeps it simple — fresh ingredients, authentic Mexican street food and tacos that speak for themselves. The taco combo is one of the best deals on the menu at $10 — two tacos with rice and beans, and you can swap in fish or steak for just $1.50 each. Our pick is the al pastor — seasoned pork slow-cooked on a spinning trompo with onion, cilantro and roasted pineapple. The birria barbacoa tacos are priced as less than $6 each, and you can get the consommé on the side for dipping. 

Where: 3365 Piedmont Road NE

Biscoff French toast at Toast on Lenox

Toast on Lenox is one of Buckhead’s most popular brunch spots — and once you eat here, you’ll understand why it stays packed every weekend. Try the Biscoff French Toast at $18 — thick slices drenched in caramel rum sauce, topped with mascarpone Chantilly, vanilla cream, powdered sugar and finished with a Biscoff cookie. It’s dessert disguised as breakfast and completely worth it.

Where: 2770 Lenox Road NE

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.

Originally Published May 24, 2026