Where and when to find great food deals in Atlanta
Get the most out of your dining-out budget.
Anabel Prince
January 30, 2024
Dining out is a nice treat — if you can afford it. The average cost for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant in Atlanta is estimated at $50, but can easily cost more when factoring in drinks, parking, etc. Yet across the city, it’s possible to find excellent deals if you know where to look and when to go. Weekday happy hours are an easy hack for smart diners looking to sample local restaurants at a discount. From appetizers to signature menu items, you can fill up on local favorites without maxing out your budget.
O-Ku Sushi
1085 Howell Mill Rd A3, Atlanta, GA 30318
The small but mighty O-Ku happy hour, available Monday through Thursday from 5 – 6:30 p.m., features $3 edamame and miso soup, $4 heaps of fresh seaweed salad, and discount sushi rolls. Try the fan-favorite Mt. Fuji roll ($10 during happy hour; $17 on the dinner menu), featuring tempura shrimp and avocado, topped with a crab mixture, crunchy onions, and eel sauce. The classic California roll ($7) is so solid it can convert sushi haters, thanks to a light tempura crab crunch balanced by creamy avocado.
Postino
Locations in Buckhead and West Midtown
Head for a late-night nosh at Postino, where you can enjoy the bruschetta board-and-bottle deal Mondays and Tuesdays after 8 p.m. For just $25, you’ll enjoy a bottle of wine and a choice of bruschetta, topped with classic options like fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil, or inventive creations including Mexican street corn. There are plenty of variations to consider, and at this price, you can try them all. Thank us later when you start your week off with this treat.
Blu Cantina
Locations in East Atlanta and Camp Creek
From classic Tex-Mex to Latin-fusion bar eats, Blu Cantina offers comfort food with a kick. Both locations feature a lunch menu each day from 12 – 3 p.m., including a $5 southwestern eggroll or turkey taco and two fish tacos for just $6.99. Visit on “Taco Tuesdays” from 4 p.m. – 11 p.m., and you’ll find a concise menu that’s got everything you need for an affordable evening out: cheap tequila, tacos, and queso.
Fogón and Lions
10 Roswell St #100, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Explore Spanish cuisine at this Alpharetta hot spot during its two happy hour windows: Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 – 6 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday at 4 – 5 p.m. With each dish at only $5 a piece, you can try them all, including the beef empanadas (made from Chef Julio Delgado’s family recipe), Spanish-style pork meatballs, corn-fritter “Sorullos,” or chicken croquetas. Pair with a sangria or Tempranillo for just $7 each.
5church
Locations in Midtown and Buckhead
With two locations and “social hour” menus to choose from, 5church offers a deal for everyone. Visit between 3 – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and head to the bar at either spot, where you’ll find discount offerings with satisfying, standout dishes at each.
At the Midtown Location, you must order the lamb burger ($15) which comes with hand-cut fries. Other happy hour exclusives include the short rib tacos ($14) and confit wings ($14) in four different flavors. Patrons can also snag $8 cocktails, $6 glasses of wine, and a $4 Printer’s Ale Dylux lager.
If you’re visiting in Buckhead, start with the catch-of-the-day ceviche and plantain chips ($14) or a signature charcuterie board featuring a chefs selection of meats and cheeses, pistachios, and olives ($18 happy hour; $28 standard). For substantial bites at an unbeatable price, opt for the $12 beef sliders or the $10 tomato and burrata bruschetta with white anchovies.
Beetlecat
299 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307
Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m., you enjoy oyster happy hour at this upscale seafood standout. You’ll find 20+ rotating choices, ranging in price from about $3 – $5 each, with oysters procured from shores throughout the east coast, from Prince Edward Island to Florida. You’ll find flavor profiles with each to help you narrow down your choices, but oyster lovers will always find something that delights.
For those of us who weren’t able to fully commit ourselves to No Spend January, these happy hours offer the perfect compromise. Go out, have a nice bite, and support ATL restaurants.
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Why are people moving to Atlanta?
These are seven possible reasons, according to surveys and studies.
The metro Atlanta area continues to grow. Between 2022 and 2023, the city of Atlanta increased by 14,300 residents, raising the total population estimate of the Atlanta region to more than five million.
What makes this area so popular with newcomers? Recent studies, surveys, and reports show Greater Atlanta has demonstrable appeal, from dating to job prospects. See some of the factors that may explain why Atlanta keeps drawing newcomers.
Jobs are plentiful — especially for Gen Z
For young professionals, Atlanta is the perfect city to start a career. An analysis by personal finance organization WalletHub cited ATL as the top city in the U.S. for professionals who are just starting out. The report weighed factors like professional opportunity, including the availability of entry-level jobs and starting salary, in addition to quality-of-life factors, like median salary and average work-week length. Out of 182 U.S. metros, Greater Atlanta topped the list.
Creatives can thrive
Of the available jobs in ATL, many are creative careers that were once relegated to the coasts. According to the Georgia Council for the Arts, the creative industries in Georgia represent 5% of all employment and 4% of the state’s business revenue. More than 200,000 people in Georgia are employed in creative professions.
Beyond employment options, Atlanta has grown its reputation as a cultural hub of the South, drawing TV and film productions, nurturing artists, and cultivating standout skill sets. (Complex even named Atlanta the best U.S. city for rap in 2023.) Whether working as a creative or enjoying the benefits, Atlanta is an attractive choice for those who value arts, culture, and entertainment.
Singles, ready to mingle?
Multiple studies have ranked Atlanta as one of the top U.S. cities for singles hoping to find love. WalletHub ranked Atlanta fourth on a list of best cities for singles in an analysis comparing “key indicators of dating friendliness.” Another report found that more than half of the population is single, creating a larger dating pool for those hoping to find the one.
There are excellent school districts
For folks in a different stage of life, the metro area offers solid choices for young families, particularly those seeking quality educational choices. Niche, a platform that features reviews and rankings of local communities, shows the Atlanta area is home to top-rated school districts, all within easy driving distance (minus the traffic) of downtown. The metro Atlanta area offers something for students and parents from Decatur to Johns Creek to Alpharetta and beyond.
It’s a great home for people who love pets
According to research and analytics from the Atlanta Regional Commission, approximately 43% of Atlanta households have at least one pet (mostly dogs). Perhaps due to demand, Atlantans can access veterinary care, pet-friendly restaurants and businesses, and plenty of spacious parks and outdoor areas where they can take their dogs to play.
The weather can’t be beat
Summers can get hot and humid, but the rest of the year tends to be pleasant. According to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average temperature in Atlanta is about 65 degrees. This temperate climate offers the perfect environment for people who want to enjoy the outdoors year-round, not just during peak seasons, making the city an excellent fit for outdoor enthusiasts, gardeners, runners, walkers, cyclists, and more.
It’s easy to experience nature (or the world)
Tired of the city? Atlanta is a convenient central location to help you get wherever else you want to go. Head north for a weekend in the mountains — wineries, hiking, and cabins with a view — or catch a flight at Hartsfield-Jackson, where you can travel to just about anywhere in the world.
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8 stand-up shows coming to DFW that promise big laughs
Make your next night out a funny one.
This time of year, things can feel dark — literally — thanks to early sunsets that seem like they set in a few ticks after mid-day. If you feel yourself falling into the winter doldrums, there’s only one antidote: Laughing so hard it hurts. Across North Texas, you can catch comedians who have earned critical recognition, gads of fans, and reputations as the best in the biz. Catch one of your favorite stand-up comedians in the Dallas area (or find a new one) in the next few months and shake off what ails you.
Stavros Halkias
Jan. 27, 10 p.m.
Majestic Theatre
Tickets start at $34.99
Baltimore’s son Stavros Halkias earned internet stardom through his raunchy-but-earnest crowd work and glowing critical reviews as part of a new wave of young (ish) comedic talent. Now, fresh off the heels of his first Netflix special, “Fat Rascal,” Stavvy is bringing his contagious, uproarious laugh to the Majestic Theatre. Unless you want to discuss a recent heartbreak or what you’ve been shame-eating, it’s best to stay mum when he solicits the crowd for stories. See the link for tickets.
Atsuko Okatsuka
Feb. 2, 7:00 p.m.
The Texas Theatre
Tickets start at $38
You might recognize Atsuko Okatsuka if you’re chronically online, thanks to her signature bowl cut, bright style of primary colors, and perfectly executed accessories. She went viral for the #DropChallenge and has been in the zeitgeist since, bringing her unique brand of humor, which is equal parts physical comedy, pure theatrical silliness, and electric storytelling, sometimes about traumatic situations she’s endured. (Her HBO special, “The Intruder,” is named for an episode with an intruder who tried to break into her house three times in one day.) There’s no one like Okatsuka, and there won’t be anything like her “Full Grown” tour. Snag a ticket here.
Maddy Smith
Feb. 9 – 10, showtimes at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Big Laugh Comedy Club Fort Worth
Tickets start at $20
As a standout cast member of MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out,” Maddy Smith regularly roasts people beyond recognition and shows off her lightning-quick improvisational skills. She’s also a regular at the Comedy Cellar, an opener for big-name talent, and has appeared on “Bar Stool Sports” and BET’s “On the Ropes.” While she’s a comedian’s comedian, fans love her equally for her sometimes zany, always unapologetic, straight-shooting style. Consider attending the 9:30 p.m. show to catch Austin’s Casey Rocket in the small room at 7 p.m. and see absurdist humor that will both confuse and delight you. Pick up tickets here.
Sam Morril
Feb. 8 – 10, multiple times
Addison Improv
Tickets start at $30
Since being named one of Comedy Central’s “ones to watch” in 2011, Morril has certainly been watchable: He’s appeared on late-night shows, released several comedy specials, and even hosted an Emmy-nominated sports show. (If listening is more your style, you can also catch him on the “We Might Be Drunk” podcast.) His gruff delivery of wide-ranging material is not for pearl clutches, but instead of punching down, he punches equidistantly — and it always feels like the audience is in on the joke. Grab tickets here.
Zainab Johnson
February 24, 9:30 p.m.
Dallas Comedy Club
Tickets start at $25
“Last Comic Standing” alum Zainab Johnson puts the multi in multi-hyphenate as a writer, actress, and stand-up comic. She’s appeared on TV series like Greg Daniels’ “Upload” and hosted Netflix’s “100 Humans,” all while being a paid regular in some of America’s most well-known comedy clubs. Her new Amazon Prime special, “Hijabs Off,” includes stories about growing up with 12 siblings in Harlem, yet every poignant anecdote is paired with levity and clever insights. You’ll feel like you’re having a night with your smartest, funniest, and most stylish friend. Get your tickets here to see the tour.
Chris Redd
Feb. 24, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Big Laugh Comedy Club Fort Worth
Tickets start at $25
Former “SNL” cast member, Second City touring member, Emmy Award winner (and underrated jewel of “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping”), Chris Redd, is a masterful performer. His improvisational bona fides are on full display during his stand up, where his comedic voice and electric energy transform every story or crowd interaction into a show of its own. You can catch him for the early or late show. Get tickets to either here.
Ronny Chieng
March 2, 7:00 p.m.
Majestic Theatre
Tickets start at $39.50
You might know Ronny Chieng from one of his many movie appearances, including popular titles like “Crazy Rich Asians,” “M3GAN,” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” Or, it’s possible you’ve caught him on the small screen as senior correspondent (and occasional host) of the “Daily Show.” Given his tenure on the satirical news show, Chieng is well practiced at balancing biting commentary with hilarity, and that juxtaposition extends nicely to his “Love to Hate It” tour, which he described as complaining about things he loves. Relatable. Catch him while you can at the Majestic Theatre.
Maria Bamford
March 26, 7:30 p.m.
Addison Improv
Tickets start at $25
If you’re still mourning the cancellation of Bamford’s Netflix series “Lady Dynamite,” here’s your opportunity to see the mastermind behind it. She has earned two “Comedy Central Presents” specials — the first woman to do so — adding to numerous specials and extensive voice work from shows like “BoJack Horseman” to movies like “Kung Fu Panda.” Her weird and wonderful approach to even heavy topics, including her anxiety and depression, makes her accessible to anyone who feels like they live in the outer limits (but can find humor in it, anyway.) Bamford was once called “The funniest woman in the world” by Judd Apatow, but you can see for yourself in person. Click here for tickets.
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