Smoky ribs, shrimp and grits, pecan pie… can it get any better than the foods of the southern United States? In Atlanta, Georgia, it can. This major metropolis has attracted new residents from points all over the world. The resulting food scene is diverse and delicious. Tuck into southern staples and delightful adopted dishes on a food tour in Atlanta.

Here's your guide to food tours, one of the most delectable gastronomic experiences in Atlanta.

What are the best food tours in Atlanta?

Grant Park food and cemetery tour

Add a touch of the macabre to your eating experience with a food and cemetery tour. While the cemetery portion of the tour leans more toward historical than spooky, you’ll get a hefty helping of local history as you fill your belly.

Try eight different creations like short rib grilled cheese, pork belly toast and apple cheddar turnovers. Visit three Grant Park restaurants such as Augustine’s Gastropub, Republic Social House and Little Tart Bakeshop, and sample beers at My Friend’s Growler Shop.

Wander the segregated corners of Oakland Cemetery for a snapshot of racial division in the US that was magnified in the southern states. Marvel at elaborate mausoleums and commemorative statues. Pause for a moment at the graves of writer Margaret Mitchell and musician Kenny Rogers.

Atlanta BeltLine food tour

A BeltLine food tour is a great option for the early part of your stay in Atlanta. Discover one of the most colorful corners of the ATL while filling up on local dishes.

Follow the Eastside Trail past dazzling street art as you make your way to six restaurants. Try southern staples like biscuits and gravy as well as borrowed dishes like paella and Detroit-style pizza.

Midtown Atlanta food tour

Head to the “Heart of the Arts” in Midtown, an eclectic neighborhood that rubs shoulders with the Georgia Tech campus. A food tour through Midtown is a feast for all the senses. Savor four courses accompanied by 3 cocktails or non-alcoholic options as you walk the colorful district.

You’ll have enough to eat to equal lunch or dinner, and your guide won’t miss out on the chance to show you the sights. Pass by the Margaret Mitchell house and hear about the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Gone with the Wind”. Snap photos of the public art ranging from brilliant murals, to sculptures to lively street performances.

Market food tours in Atlanta

Atlanta’s creatives have breathed new life into dusty structures in once-blighted areas. Take a walk through Ponce City Market for a sampling of its wide variety or explore the Municipal Market before a quick southern biscuit-making session.

Which places are visited?

Markets

Atlanta’s artsy neighborhoods are dotted with food markets occupying repurposed buildings that were bound for the wrecking ball. Formerly bustling factories, stores and warehouses are now brimming with independent eateries serving up innovative fare.

If you aren’t up for lots of walking, choose tours that concentrate on Ponce City Market or the Municipal Market. The Ponce City Market is housed in the shell of a Sears catalog facility. The hulking brick structure is filled with shopping of all kinds as well as events and a rooftop park. Find raw ingredients and prepared delicacies at the century-old Municipal Market.

Although there aren’t tours that focus on this market, BeltLine food tours begin at the Krog Street Market. Whet your appetite at the wide variety of stalls and shops that make their home in the erstwhile Atlanta Stove Works Factory. Bite into Sichuan dumplings, Indian street food and enough candy and ice cream to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Midtown

A trip to Atlanta wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Midtown, the capital’s vibrant arts district. Midtown holds a concentration of culture and entertainment that is one of the richest in the southeast US. Stick around after your tour to catch a play or a concert here. Stop and smell the flowers at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and browse the countless art galleries.

The BeltLine

The Atlanta BeltLine and Inman Park area are a picture of urban renewal. The former railroad track has morphed into a public space known as the Atlanta BeltLine. Inman Park’s crumbling 19th-century mansions are being restored to their past glory, while the Krog District’s spruced up rusty industrial structures are now a hip social destination.

BeltLine food tours are centered near the Eastside Trail. This urban trail is a magnet for locals and visitors wanting some recreation and entertainment. Here you’ll find the Krog Street Market, abundant street art and green spaces that invite you to pause and soak up the ambiance.

How much do food tours in Atlanta cost?

Food tours in Atlanta range in cost depending on the type of tour and what is included.

Grant Park food and cemetery tours cost around US$80 per person and provide eight food tastings and one alcoholic drink. Beltline food tours cost between US$80 per person and US$100 per person. Higher-cost tours stop for tastings at six restaurants and serve one alcoholic beverage. Lower-cost tours make stops at four eateries and serve two cocktails.

Two- to three-hour Midtown food tours cost around US$120 per person and provide bites that add up to a four-course meal. Tours of the Municipal Market plus a biscuit-making class cost US$65 per person for a 2-hour experience. You’ll have ample tastings, plenty of fresh biscuits and a take-home recipe card.

Ponce City Market tours cost around US$100 per person for 3- to 4-hour tours. Enjoy five stops serving samples of Cubano sandwiches, chicken tikka on naan and craft beers.

What do food tours include?

Atlanta food tours include enough tastings to add up to lunch or dinner. Most also provide one or two alcoholic beverages for participants age 21 and over. You will also have the leadership of a local guide who will not only introduce you to the best of local cuisine. You’ll also hear the hidden story of the neighborhoods you visit and take in nearby landmarks.

Tours can be modified for some dietary restrictions if you notify the provider ahead of time. Tastings can be adapted for gluten-free and vegetarian diets, but vegan diets can’t be accommodated at this time.

Where do food tours in Atlanta start?

Market food tours meet at landmarks inside either Ponce City Market or Municipal Market. Midtown food tours meet at St Mark's United Methodist Church near the Georgia Tech campus. BeltLine food tours meet at Krog Street Market. Grant Park food and cemetery tours meet at Six Feet Under on Memorial Dr.

What is the duration of a food excursion in Atlanta?

Food excursions in Atlanta last from 2 to 4 hours, giving you plenty of time to try a range of different foods.

Are the tours wheelchair friendly?

Some Atlanta food tours are wheelchair friendly while others are not. Be sure to check with tour providers at the time of booking to make sure your needs will be met.

When is the best time for a food tour in Atlanta?

While a food tour in Atlanta can be enjoyed year-round, the best time is usually in the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) when cooler weather provides better conditions for walking and outdoor dining. You'll also encounter fewer crowds than in the peak summer season, and possibly cheaper prices.

Know before you go

If you have any specific dietary requirements, make sure to inform your tour operator ahead of time so they can make any necessary arrangements.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, as you may do some walking between different stops on your food tour.
If you do not drink alcohol, most food tours may offer non-alcoholic alternatives as part of the price.
Pace yourself between each food tasting, or set aside time for a nap after your tour!

Food Tours in Atlanta