E. 48th Street Market: A Beloved Italian Food Market in Metro Atlanta

If you’re in the Atlanta area and craving authentic Italian groceries, deli sandwiches, and specialty ingredients, E. 48th Street Market in Dunwoody is one of the most reliable local spots to know about. It’s not a food hall in the modern, trendy sense, but more of a classic Italian market and deli that functions like a neighborhood hub for food lovers across metro Atlanta.

Below is everything a local or visitor might want to know before going.

Where E. 48th Street Market Is and How It Fits Into Atlanta’s Food Scene

Location:
E. 48th Street Market
2462 Jett Ferry Rd #334
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Phone: (commonly listed online; verify before calling as numbers can change)

The market sits in a shopping center in Dunwoody, just north of I‑285, which makes it convenient for:

• Perimeter Center workers grabbing lunch
• Sandy Springs and Brookhaven residents stocking up on Italian staples
• Intown Atlantans willing to make a short drive for specialty ingredients

In the broader Atlanta restaurant and food hall landscape, E. 48th Street Market fills a niche that’s a bit different from large multi-vendor halls like Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market:

• It’s a single, family-style Italian market and deli, not a collection of separate restaurant stalls.
• It offers groceries, prepared foods, and a deli counter under one roof.
• It’s used by many Atlantans as a go-to for Italian pantry items, meats, cheeses, and sandwiches you’re unlikely to find at big-box grocers.

What You’ll Find Inside: Groceries, Deli, and Prepared Foods

E. 48th Street Market is part Italian grocery store, part deli, and part take-home meal spot. You can usually expect:

Italian Groceries and Pantry Items

You’ll typically find:

• Imported pasta in various shapes
• Tomato products and sauces (canned tomatoes, passata, jarred sauces)
• Olive oils and vinegars (often including extra-virgin and specialty regional styles)
• Cured meats and cheeses (at the deli counter and pre-packed)
• Italian cookies, biscotti, and sweets
• Coffee and espresso blends commonly used in Italian homes
• Jars of olives, peppers, capers, and antipasti

For Atlanta home cooks, this is helpful if you’re:

• Recreating dishes from trips to Italy
• Following recipes that call for specific Italian brands or regional ingredients
• Shopping for a charcuterie or antipasto spread for gatherings

Deli Counter and Sandwiches

One of the main draws for many Atlanta locals is the deli counter. This is where you can typically order:

• Made-to-order Italian sandwiches (on fresh bread, with cured meats and cheeses)
• Hot or cold prepared items such as meatballs, pasta salads, or classic sides
• Sliced prosciutto, salami, mortadella, capicola, and more
• Various cheeses like provolone, mozzarella, and Italian hard cheeses

Many workers and residents around Perimeter and Dunwoody use it as a lunch stop or a grab-and-go dinner solution.

Take-Home Meals and Specialty Items

Depending on the day and season, you may also find:

• Frozen or refrigerated entrees (like lasagna or baked pasta you can reheat at home)
• Fresh or frozen ravioli and specialty pastas
• House-made sauces and prepared components for home cooking
• Seasonal or holiday-specific items (like panettone around the winter holidays)

For Atlantans trying to balance busy schedules with decent food at home, this kind of market is especially useful when you don’t want a restaurant meal but don’t have time to cook from scratch.

Typical Experience: What to Expect When You Visit

Atmosphere

E. 48th Street Market generally feels like:

• A neighborhood store where staff often recognize regular customers
• A compact, cozy space rather than a sprawling supermarket
• A functional, food-first environment—more about the goods than trendy décor

You’ll see shelves of imported items, a deli counter, refrigerated cases, and often locals chatting while they wait for sandwiches.

Ordering and Shopping Flow

A common visit might look like this:

1. Walk in and scan the shelves for pantry items first (pasta, sauce, snacks).
2. Head to the deli counter to:
   • Order a sandwich or hot item
   • Get meats and cheeses sliced to order
3. While your order is being prepared, you can:
   • Pick up drinks or sweets
   • Check any prepared foods in the coolers
4. Pay at the front once you have everything.

If you’re going during typical lunch hours on weekdays, expect some wait time at the deli counter, similar to other popular sandwich spots in Atlanta.

When to Go: Timing, Parking, and Lines

While exact hours can change, E. 48th Street Market is usually open most days of the week with standard daytime and early evening hours. To avoid surprises, it’s wise to:

• Check the most up-to-date hours through a recent online listing or by calling
• Be aware that holidays and Sundays may have different schedules

Parking

Since it’s in a shopping center in Dunwoody, it typically has:

• Surface parking right out front
• No need for paid decks or validation, unlike some intown Atlanta markets

This makes it a convenient stop if you’re already running errands in the Perimeter Mall or Dunwoody Village area.

Busy Times

You’ll likely find it busiest:

• Weekdays around lunch (noon–1:30 p.m.)
• Saturday midday, when many people shop for weekend meals or gatherings

If you prefer a slower experience or need to ask questions about ingredients, try:

• Late morning on weekdays
• Mid-afternoon after the lunch rush

How It Compares to Other Atlanta Food Halls and Markets

While E. 48th Street Market is categorized under “Food Halls and Markets” for restaurant listings, its format is different from places like Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, or Chattahoochee Food Works.

Here’s a simple comparison to help you decide where it fits into your plans:

If you’re planning a social outing where each person wants something different, a true food hall might be better.
If you’re focused on Italian food and ingredients—especially to take home—E. 48th Street Market is more on target.

Tips for Atlantans Visiting E. 48th Street Market

A few practical pointers based on common local experiences:

• Plan ahead for holidays 🕯️
  Around Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and other major holidays, specialty markets in Atlanta can get crowded and may sell out of popular items. If you need specific cheeses, cured meats, or breads, consider going earlier in the week.

• Bring a grocery list 📝
  If you’re shopping for a recipe that calls for Italian-specific ingredients, write them down and bring the recipe. Staff at places like this often help customers find suitable substitutions.

• Ask about house favorites
  Many people discover a favorite sandwich or product by asking what:

  • Sells out most frequently
  • Locals or staff tend to recommend for first-timers

• Combine your stop with other errands
  Since Dunwoody is close to Perimeter Mall, Sandy Springs, and parts of North Atlanta, many residents combine a visit here with:

  • Grocery runs at larger supermarkets
  • Shopping trips in the Perimeter area
  • Commuter routes along GA‑400 or I‑285

Who E. 48th Street Market Is Best For

This market is especially useful if you:

• Live in North Atlanta, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or Brookhaven and want a nearby Italian option
• Work in the Perimeter Center business district and need a satisfying, deli-style lunch
• Visit Atlanta and are staying in hotels around Perimeter Mall or along GA‑400/I‑285
• Cook Italian food at home and want access to ingredients you may not find at standard grocery chains

For those staying closer to Midtown, Downtown, or the BeltLine, it’s a bit of a drive, but many Atlantans still consider it worthwhile for specialty Italian items.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

To get the best experience as an Atlanta resident or visitor:

1. Decide your goal

   • Quick sandwich or meal? Go during off-peak lunch if you can.
   • Pantry restock or party shopping? Give yourself extra time to browse.

2. Check hours before driving
   Hours and holiday schedules can change, and traffic around I‑285 and GA‑400 can be heavy at peak times.

3. Consider cooler bags in warm weather
   Atlanta heat is intense much of the year. If you’re buying cheeses, meats, or frozen items and have a longer drive back to Midtown, Decatur, or beyond, an insulated bag can help keep things fresh.

4. Explore beyond the obvious items
   If you typically buy only pasta and sauce, use the trip to discover:

   • New olive oils or vinegars
   • A different cured meat or cheese
   • Italian cookies or snacks you haven’t tried

E. 48th Street Market may not be a flashy, multipurpose food hall, but for many people in and around Atlanta, it’s a reliable Italian food destination—part deli, part grocery, part neighborhood staple—well worth knowing about if you love Italian flavors or just want a solid sandwich on the north side of the city.