10 Atlanta Food Festivals That Won’t Leave You Hungry

By Chris Watkins

Published October 15, 2021
Last Updated September 11, 2024

Atlanta is the culinary epicenter of the South. Yes, we know that’s a bold statement, but it doesn’t make it any less true. Especially when you have James Beard Award-nominated chefs like Kevin Gillespie, whose unique dim-sum style restaurant Gunshow is still one of the hardest reservations to get in town, and Ryan Smith of Staplehouse bringing thoughtful and groundbreaking cuisine for a good cause, leading the charge in the restaurant scene.

These chefs, as well as countless others, are maestros of the kitchen, conducting symphonies of flavor that keep ATL foodies coming back for more. Whether you’re looking for down-home Southern fare or refined fine dining, the food scene has something for every taste.

Here are 10 of the best food festivals in Atlanta to get you started:

Atlanta’s Kevin Gillespie is a James Beard Award-nominated chef best known for his performance on “Top Chef” and his restaurants Woodfire Grill, Gunshow and Revival. Join Kevin Gillespie as he walks through Atlanta’s Palisades Trail and offers an insider’s look at the DeKalb Farmers Market to prepare a memorable dish for restaurant guests.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

Atlanta has a unique responsibility of being a steward to our neighboring foodie cities in providing the ultimate proving ground to exhibit the South’s culinary mastery. Since its inception in 2010, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival has sought to champion the indelible stories and unique flavors of the South by providing a pulpit to exalt the culinary experiences of farmers, chefs and mixologists in a four-day celebration of Southern food culture. And it’s gotten better every year with inventive culinary themes, educational programming, curated dinners and, of course, the yearly tasting tents that put the South’s best chefs to task offering their best bites.
When: Fall
Where: Midtown

Taste of Atlanta

As we mentioned, Atlanta’s food scene continues to up the ante and redefine itself with established institutions and new concepts finding success in the foodie-filled landscape. And the best way to try them all is at Taste of Atlanta. This annual food festival in Atlanta should be on every die-hard foodie’s bucket list. With live cooking demos, special events and ATL’s top restaurants vying for the title of “Best Taste,” it’s no wonder TofA also keeps the party going throughout the year with food-centric events like the Southern Wing Showdown and Atlanta Meatball Festival. It’s an ATL must.
When: Fall
Where: Historic Fourth Ward Park

Atlanta Brunch Festival

Brunch in Atlanta could be considered the most important meal of the week for some. People plan for weeks in advance while daydreaming of plates piled high with pancakes, French toast and, of course, chicken and waffles. And don’t get us started with bottomless mimosas. We guess that’s why Atlanta Beer Festivals decided that it was time for the Atlanta Brunch Festival. The yearly bonanza unites ATL cornerstones like Einstein’s, The Shed at Glenwood and more into an all-out brunch party at Atlantic Station with as many mimosas and Bloody Marys as you can stomach – but you’ll want to leave room for pancakes.
When: Fall
Where: Atlantic Station

Atlanta Chili Cookoff

Nothing says fall quite like a warming bowl of hearty chili, and ATL has heaping bowls of it at the annual Atlanta Chili Cookoff. This comfort food clash pits restaurant and amateur teams against one another to settle once and for all who has the best chili game.
When: Fall
Where: Dunwoody

Atlanta Ice Cream Festival

The Atlanta Ice Cream Festival is an annual extravaganza to celebrate the joys of brain freeze and the pinnacle of summer fun. Bringing together an avalanche of frozen treat purveyors to serve up heaping doses of ice cream, fro-yo, Popsicles and more, the Ice Cream Festival is the place to binge on ice-cold goodies during this family-friendly food festival in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park.
When: Summer
Where: Piedmont Park, Midtown

Atlanta Pizza Festival

Who doesn’t love a good pizza pie? Now pizza fans can indulge in a variety of pizza styles (including gluten free) from the world’s top pizzerias. Modeled on the nation’s largest pizza event in Boston, Atlanta is now reaping some of the same pizza goodness. In addition, enjoy top quality beverages, live entertainment and local music. Atlanta Pizza Festival benefits Christopher’s Haven Atlanta, which supports children receiving cancer treatment away from home.
When: Fall
Where: Atlantic Station

Southern Wing Showdown

An entire festival dedicated to chicken wings? It’s happening right here in ATL. Poultry purveyor Springer Mountain Farms invites you to wing war like you’ve never seen at the annual Southern Wing Showdown. In this finger-licking-good foray, chefs from across the Southeast battle wing supremacy. Please let there be lemon pepper…
When: Summer
Where: The Fairmont, Westside

Edgewood Mac & Cheese Festival

Speaking of comfort food, who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? From growing up on the boxed pasta and powered cheese goodness, the ooey-gooey fave is a staple on most Southern kitchen menus, and the Edgewood Mac & Cheese Festival highlights some of the best soul-stirring offerings. Who wouldn’t want to discover their inner kid over bowls of mac and cheese from the likes of Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, Marlow’s Tavern and more?
When: Fall
Where: Walker Park, Edgewood Neighborhood, Eastside

Food That Rocks

The sister festival to Taste of Atlanta, Food That Rocks is a three-day tasting event to celebrate Sandy Springs and benefits local restaurants and frontline health and public safety workers. Tickets include samples of food, beer, wine and cocktails accompanied by live music. 
When: Summer
Where: Sandy Springs

PeachFest

With the peach being the fruit our lovely state is best known for, why did it take this long to have a food festival celebrating its sweet, juicy glory? The inaugural PeachFest kicked off at FlatironCity in the Fairlie-Poplar district Downtown to celebrate the luscious fruit with top local chefs and mixologists crafting traditional and modern takes on Georgia-grown peaches. Ever had peach pizza? What about peach-glazed heritage pork? Peach punch much? Peachfest is an Atlanta food festival that locals and visitors alike will enjoy for years to come.
When: Summer
Where: Peachtree Center

Bonus:

Cabbagetown Stomp & Chomp

The Cabbagetown Stomp & Chomp annual festival benefits Cabbagetown parks, green spaces and community center and features Bluegrass and a chili cookoff. Visitors will enjoy live music, chili tastings from more than 70 teams and an artists’ market.
When: Fall
Where: Atlanta, Cabbagetown neighborhood

Atlanta Bourbon Festival

Hosted by the folks who bring you Atlanta Beer Festivals and the Atlanta Brunch Festival, Atlanta Bourbon Festival festival will showcase a wide variety of bourbons and whiskeys. Enjoy 50+ bourbon/ whiskey options, cocktails, beer & wine along with live entertainment. Food available at additional cost.
When: Fall
Where: Guardian Works, on Westside

Chris Watkins is an Atlanta-based writer and photographer and serves as the voice of Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (@DiscoverAtlanta) on social media. You can follow him on Instagram @christopherbw.