Some people follow baseball, others memorize the Marvel canon. The biggest foodies know their favorite chefs by name and reference them with the naked adoration most of us reserve for Gandhi. The Atlanta Food and Wine Festival is a haven for just that type of food nerd, and the (still growing!) list of participating chefs reads like an all-star cast: Andre Smith from Bar Vegan, Robyn Thompson from Four Fat Cows, and Lino Yi from TKO. Along with the nearly 100 other brilliant chefs, bakers and mixologists on the roster, the talent at Atlanta Food and Wine Festival represent a cohort as diverse as the city itself.
Sure, there’s barbeque and soul food out the wazoo, but the Atlanta of today refuses to be pigeonholed. Thai spices, gluten free cupcakes and locally sourced wine are all available inside the over 50 tasting tents, which open on Friday and serve up throughout the weekend. General Admission passes include all-you-can-eat food, bottomless drinks and live music. And unlike prior years, the festival has now expanded its offerings to include two days of “gourmet gatherings” leading up to the unveiling of the tasting tents. These are essentially prix fixe dinners at various Atlanta restaurants, and while they require separate tickets to attend, they offer a chance to mingle with other festival fiends. If you’re the type of person who likes it when the chef comes out and talks to your table, this is the event for you.
The Specs
- Atlanta Food and Wine Festival doesn’t publish its attendance numbers, but the event has sold out in years past
- General Admission tickets run $125 per day or $165 for VIP
- Check out our list of the best things to do in Atlanta
FAQs
Which airport is closest to the festival grounds?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is 13 miles away
What is the bag policy?
There is no stated bag policy, but chairs, blankets and outside food and beverages are prohibited
Is the festival ADA accessible?
There is no stated accessibility policy, but parking at Fourth Ward Park is limited and tasting tents are mostly located on grass
Are children allowed?
Atlanta Food and Wine Festival is a 21+ only event
