Your Guide to the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is one of the city’s signature culinary events, bringing together top Southern chefs, mixologists, restaurants, and food lovers for several days of eating, drinking, and learning. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are planning a trip around the festival, this guide walks you through what to expect, how it works, and how to make the most of it.

What Is the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival?

The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is a multi-day celebration of food, wine, spirits, and Southern hospitality, typically held once a year in or near Midtown Atlanta and nearby neighborhoods.

You’ll find:

• Tasting tents featuring restaurants, chefs, and food brands
• Wine, beer, and spirits sampling areas
• Cooking demos and chef showcases
• Classes and seminars on food, wine, cocktails, and Southern ingredients
• Signature dinners, brunches, and special events hosted at local restaurants and venues

The focus is on Southern flavors and talent, but you’ll also see global influences that reflect Atlanta’s diverse food scene.

When and Where It Usually Happens

Dates and exact locations can change year to year, but there are some common patterns.

Typical Timing

• The festival often takes place in the fall (commonly around late September or early October), though dates can shift.
• Events are usually spread across 3–4 days, often over a long weekend (Thursday–Sunday or Friday–Sunday).

Because dates change, always check the current year’s schedule through official festival channels before making travel plans or buying tickets.

Common Atlanta Areas Involved

Events are often centered around:

• Midtown Atlanta – A frequent hub for tastings, classes, and walkable access to hotels and MARTA.
• Piedmont Park area – Occasionally used for large outdoor tasting spaces.
• Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, and Buckhead – Often host off-site dinners, tasting events, or restaurant collaborations.

You may see addresses and venues such as:

• Hotels and event spaces along Peachtree Street NE in Midtown
• Restaurants around Howell Mill Road NW (West Midtown)
• Restaurants near the BeltLine Eastside Trail and Ponce City Market

Because venues change, it’s smart to confirm the specific locations listed on your tickets or event schedule.

Main Types of Events at the Festival

The festival is usually divided into several types of experiences. Understanding these helps you pick the right tickets.

1. Tasting Tents

These are often the most popular events for casual festival-goers.

You can expect:

• Dozens of restaurants and food vendors offering bite-sized tastings
• Wineries, breweries, and distilleries pouring samples
• Outdoor, walk-around setting with music and lounge areas
• A set time window (for example, a 3-hour afternoon session)

Tasting tents are a good fit if you:

• Want to try a lot of different food and drink in one place
• Prefer a more relaxed, social environment
• Are visiting Atlanta and want a fast way to explore the city’s food scene

2. Classes and Seminars

These are smaller, more focused, and often ticketed separately.

You may find sessions on:

• Wine tasting basics and pairing tips
• Southern ingredients (like okra, grits, or regional barbecue styles)
• Cocktail-making and mixology
• Chef-led cooking demos with samples

Classes are ideal if you:

• Want a more educational experience
• Enjoy hearing directly from chefs, sommeliers, and bartenders
• Prefer smaller groups and reserved seating

3. Special Dinners and Brunches

Throughout the festival, some restaurants and venues host one-night-only menus and collaborations.

Common themes:

• Multi-course tasting menus with wine pairings
• Chef collaborations (local chefs paired with visiting talent)
• Themed brunches highlighting specific regions or styles (e.g., Lowcountry, Gulf Coast, modern Southern)

These events often take place at:

• Well-known local restaurants in Midtown, Inman Park, Westside, Buckhead, and Old Fourth Ward
• Boutique hotels with strong culinary programs

They tend to be more intimate and upscale, with limited seating and higher prices.

Tickets, Pricing, and How to Choose

Ticket structures change year to year, but you’ll commonly see some combination of:

• General Admission (GA) to tasting tents
• VIP or upgraded passes with early entry or exclusive areas
• A la carte tickets for specific classes, dinners, or brunches
• Occasionally, multi-day or all-access passes

Factors to Consider When Choosing Tickets

• Budget: Tasting tents usually offer the most food and drink for one price. Dinners and classes can add up, especially for couples or groups.
• Interest level: Food enthusiast? Opt for classes and chef dinners. Just want a fun day out? A tasting tent session may be enough.
• Schedule: If you live in Atlanta, you might pick just one or two marquee events. If you’re visiting, a weekend pass plus one special dinner can make for a full culinary getaway.

💡 Tip: Popular dinners and VIP experiences can sell out quickly. If you already know you want those, buy those tickets first, then add tastings and classes around them.

What to Expect on the Day of the Festival

Arrival and Check-In

• Plan to arrive 15–30 minutes early for tasting tents and classes.
• You’ll typically check in at a main entrance, show your ID, and receive a wristband and possibly a tasting glass.
• For dinners and off-site events at restaurants, you check in directly at the restaurant host stand or designated entrance.

Dress Code

The general vibe is smart casual:

• For tasting tents:
  • Comfortable shoes (you’ll be on your feet and possibly on grass)
  • Light clothing suitable for Atlanta’s humidity and heat if it’s warmer months
• For dinners and special events:
  • Business casual to dressy casual (dresses, nice jeans or slacks, button-down shirts, etc.)

Plan for indoor A/C and outdoor heat in the same day if you’re moving between events.

Food and Drink Format

At most tasting events:

• Portions are small bites meant for sampling, not full meals.
• Food and drink are typically included with your ticket during your time slot (tips not usually required, but voluntary tipping at some bar setups may appear).
• It’s common to walk, sample, chat, and repeat, gradually building up a full “meal” over time.

Getting Around: Transportation and Parking in Atlanta

Using MARTA

If events are centered in Midtown, MARTA is often one of the easiest ways to get there.

Key nearby stations:

• Midtown Station – Convenient to much of Peachtree Street NE and surrounding hotels.
• Arts Center Station – Good for some Midtown venues and cultural institutions nearby.

From MARTA, you can usually walk, scooter, or rideshare to many festival locations.

MARTA main information line (for schedules and assistance):
Customer Information Center: (404) 848-5000

Driving and Parking

If you plan to drive:

• Many Midtown venues use paid decks and garages along Peachtree Street NE and side streets.
• Major areas with parking options include:
  • Near Colony Square (1197 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30361)
  • Around Piedmont Park and Monroe Drive (pay attention to residential restrictions)
  • Garages near Howell Mill Rd NW in West Midtown

Given that alcohol is a major part of the festival, consider parking once and walking, or using rideshare services.

Rideshare and Taxis

• Rideshare pick-up and drop-off is common around Peachtree Street NE, 10th Street, and 14th Street in Midtown, as well as around BeltLine access points and Ponce City Market.
• If you plan on drinking, arranging a designated driver, taxi, or rideshare is strongly recommended.

Atlanta-Local Tips to Make the Most of the Festival

For Atlanta Residents

• Plan around traffic: Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Westside can get congested around peak hours and on weekends.
• Use this to explore new spots: If you enjoy a sample from a local restaurant’s booth, note the name and neighborhood, then visit their brick-and-mortar location later.
• Mix one “big” event with one “intimate” event: For instance, a Saturday tasting tent plus a Sunday brunch or a Friday evening class.

For Visitors to Atlanta

• Staying in Midtown, Downtown, or Old Fourth Ward can reduce travel time between events.
• Combine the festival with nearby attractions like:
  • Piedmont Park and the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Ponce City Market for shopping and additional dining
  • High Museum of Art and Atlanta Botanical Garden (both near Midtown)

Sample Day at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

Below is a simple example of how you might structure a single day. Exact events and times change each year, but this gives you a sense of flow.

You can adjust this based on what tickets you have and how much you want to do in a single day.

Practical Planning Checklist

Use this list when getting ready for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival:

• ✅ Confirm event dates and locations for the current year.
• ✅ Choose ticket types (tasting tents, classes, dinners) and purchase early.
• ✅ Book lodging if you’re visiting (Midtown or nearby neighborhoods are often most convenient).
• ✅ Plan transportation (MARTA, rideshare, or parking).
• ✅ Check weather and dress for Atlanta’s heat/humidity or potential rain.
• ✅ Bring a valid ID for alcohol-related events.
• ✅ Eat a light snack before arrival so you’re comfortable but ready to sample.
• ✅ Bring a small bag for phone, wallet, sunscreen, and a portable charger.

If You Have Dietary Preferences or Restrictions

The festival generally offers a wide variety of foods, but options for specific needs can vary.

Common considerations:

• You may see vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-conscious options, but they may not be available at every booth.
• For serious allergies or strict dietary requirements, it’s wise to:
  • Review event descriptions for notes on menus when available.
  • Ask staff at each booth about ingredients before tasting.
  • Focus on classes or dinners where menus are shared in advance, which can make planning easier.

If you’re unsure, reach out through the festival’s official contact channels well before the event for guidance.

Making the Festival Part of Your Atlanta Food Journey

For people in Atlanta, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival can be a yearly way to:

• Discover new local restaurants and bars
• Learn more about regional Southern cooking and ingredients
• Host out-of-town friends and show off the city’s food scene

For visitors, it can be the centerpiece of a weekend that also includes:

• A walk through Piedmont Park
• Dinner on the BeltLine
• A visit to nearby neighborhoods like West Midtown, Inman Park, or Grant Park for more dining options

With a bit of planning around tickets, transportation, and your schedule, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival can be one of the most enjoyable ways to experience how Atlanta eats and drinks.