Big Ed's City Market Restaurant ★ 4.2
Scratch-made biscuits, country ham, grits, and eggs at the City Market. The most affordable genuine Southern breakfast downtown; biscuit with ham under $10.
Try: Scratch biscuits, country ham and eggs
Clyde Cooper's Barbeque is an eastern nc bbq budget eat in North Hills, Raleigh.
Open since 1938, the city's most historic barbecue address. Whole-hog pulled pork with coleslaw and hush puppies; one of NC's most representative cheap meals.
Editorially verified June 24, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Address: 1326 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
Scratch-made biscuits, country ham, grits, and eggs at the City Market. The most affordable genuine Southern breakfast downtown; biscuit with ham under $10.
Try: Scratch biscuits, country ham and eggs
Ten vendors in a converted coach garage span Korean BBQ, empanadas, bagels, and Indian street food. Most items $8 to $14; widest cheap-eat range in Raleigh.
Try: Korean BBQ bowls, empanadas, bagels
Best-value specialty coffee in Raleigh at direct-trade quality. Four city locations; Village District on Hillsborough is the most central for visitors.
Try: Specialty coffee and pastries
The most affordable craft pint in Raleigh, with 32 rotating taps around $5. The Neil Street taproom is community-focused and accessible; wide style range.
Try: City of Oaks ales by the pint
Stone-milled organic sourdough and pastries at bakery counter prices. Full loaf $10-12; pastries from $4. Quality rivals any specialty bakery in the South.
Try: Sourdough loaf, pastries
Sitti's falafel wrap and mezze make it the most affordable table-service option in downtown. Bar lunch reliably under $15 with generous portion sizes.
Try: Falafel wrap and mezze