A good meal plus a short walk beats a long plan. This 2-hour food, history, and street art tour pairs big flavors with the story of Atlanta’s Ponce City Market and the Beltline. You’ll nibble your way through a former Sears building, then step outside for street art along the Eastside Trail.

I especially like two things. First, the tastings are set up like a proper lunch, not tiny bites. Second, the guide connects what you’re eating to where the building came from, including details like the Sears-era origins of the site.

One thing to consider: you’re moving between indoor tasting stops and an outdoor Beltline walk, so good walking shoes matter. Also, if you have allergies, you need to flag them at least 24 hours ahead because the menu changes can’t be guaranteed without notice.

Key highlights you should care about

• Former Sears building (1923): you’ll get the story behind Atlanta’s favorite food hall
• Five tasting stops that add up to a hearty lunch
• One craft beer tasting included (minimum drinking age is 21)
• Beltline Eastside Trail street art walk for a change of pace
• Small group size with a maximum of 12 people so you actually move together
• Mobile ticket and admission included, so you’re not guessing at entry

Ponce City Market: the food hall inside a 1923 Sears giant

Start at the concierge desk at Ponce City Market (near Onward Reserve). The setting is a big deal here. This place lives inside a former Sears, Roebuck & Co. building built in 1923, and it’s described as the largest brick structure in the Southeast.

That scale changes how the tour feels. Inside, you’re not just popping between stalls. You’re walking through a real, massive shell of an older era, then tying the “why” to how the market became the destination it is now. Expect the guide to point out details you might otherwise miss, including period context that helps you picture the space before it was a food hall.

How the tastings are set up (and why you’ll leave satisfied)

This tour is built around tastings at 5 stops, and they’re designed to add up to a hearty lunch. The point isn’t to taste five random things. It’s to create a sequence: a burger-style hit, a sandwich moment, something creamy and sweet, a drink to reset your palate, then another savory stop before finishing with dessert.

Pacing is part of the value. Since the group stays small (up to 12), the flow is easier than in a bigger crowd. You’re also doing the tastings in two rounds because the tour mixes indoor eating with that outside walk. That rhythm helps you avoid the classic food-tour problem: too much food in one room, too fast.

One extra practical detail: there’s a craft beer tasting included. If you’re under 21, you can still join, but you’ll want to plan for tastings that don’t involve alcohol.

The menu mix: what you’ll actually taste and what it means

The sample lineup gives you a good idea of the style: a mix of comfort food, international flavors, and dessert that doesn’t mess around.

Famous late night burger

This is the signature burger option you’ll want to notice. Everything is made in-house, down to the pillowy brioche bun and bread-and-butter pickles. If you love burgers, this is the stop you’ll remember when you’re back in your hotel room deciding what to search for next.

Cubano with Cuban mojo seasoning

You’ll get a roast pork sandwich with Cuban mojo seasoning, plus cheese and pickles, on locally made Cuban bread. This is a smart counterpoint to the burger: different textures, different spice direction, and a slightly more “lunchy” feel.

Gelato worth slowing down for

The gelato described here is rich and creamy, and it’s been named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things. Even if you don’t care about TV shout-outs, this is the kind of tasting that gives you an easy win: cool, sweet, and satisfying after the savory stops.

Yuzu lemonade with hibiscus syrup

Between heavy bites, this kind of drink matters. The yuzu lemonade brings tartness, and the hibiscus syrup adds a floral note. It’s basically a palate reset that keeps the tour from feeling like a food marathon.

Chicken sandwich with a twist (Indian street food flavor)

One stop highlights a chicken sandwich with a twist tied to an Indian street food approach. The chef named here is Meherwan Irani, and he’s described as a James Beard Award-winning chef. Translation for your stomach: expect bold flavors and a “how does this work so well?” moment.

French patisserie dessert

The final tasting is French patisserie. You’ll finish sweet, with that last bite acting like the tour’s stamp—after which you can keep exploring Ponce City Market on your own.

If you’re a picky eater, this is still approachable because the menu mix is varied. Just don’t wait until the day of to mention restrictions. The tour specifically asks for allergies and preferences at least 24 hours in advance, and they can’t make necessary changes if you don’t give notice.

The Eastside Trail walk: street art and Atlanta on foot

After the indoor course, the tour heads outside for a 30-minute walk on the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail. This is a great move because you get a visual breather, plus you see the city’s public art in a way that feels lived-in rather than museum-staged.

The Beltline is also where you’ll notice the street-level Atlanta vibe: people out doing their thing, artists building around real foot traffic, and color that hits immediately even if you’re not a “street art person.” The tour focuses on what you’re looking at, so it’s not just a stroll. You’ll hear about the artists and spot work along the path.

Practical tip: if you want this part to feel easy, wear shoes you’d actually wear for an urban walk. The tour is short, but it’s still a walk between tastings. Also, the experience runs in all weather conditions, so dress for the forecast.

Inside the building: why the history piece feels useful, not filler

Ponce City Market is the kind of place where the architecture can distract you from your food cravings. The tour uses that in a good way. You’re guided through the market, then paused at points where the building’s past makes the space make sense.

The story is about transformation: a Sears store becoming something new, and the neighborhood changing along the way. The guide is also described as using props like photos and even a reproduction Sears catalog from the early 1900s. That matters because it turns abstract history into something you can picture while you’re standing in the room.

This is the difference between “we walked and someone talked” and “you got context.” When the history is tied to what you see, your brain keeps the details. And when you finish eating, you’ll understand what you’re looking at when you wander on your own.

Small group energy and why $95 can make sense here

Let’s talk price and value in plain terms. The tour costs $95 per person for about two hours, and it includes admission plus all tastings. For a food tour, that’s the key: you’re not paying $95 just to be pointed at counters. You’re paying for a guided sequence, organized tastings across multiple spots, and that included craft beer tasting.

Does it justify the cost? For the right person, yes, because the tastings add up to a full lunch. A lot of “cheap food tours” are basically sampling-sized bites that leave you hungry. This one is designed to stop that problem.

You also get the advantage of a maximum of 12 travelers. That’s big enough to feel lively, but small enough that the guide can actually manage pacing and preferences. If you’re doing this as your first big food outing in Atlanta, it also helps you get your bearings inside Ponce City Market quickly—so you know where you’ll want to go back.

Best for first-timers, food lovers, and people who want a fast feel for Atlanta

This tour fits best if you want a mix, not a deep specialization. You’ll like it if you’re:

• Here for a short stay and want a fast, tasty introduction to Ponce City Market
• A food-first traveler who also enjoys hearing why places become what they are
• Someone who likes a walking component but doesn’t want a long trek

It’s less ideal if you hate walking entirely, or if you rely on very specific dietary needs and can’t give advance notice about allergies. The tour asks for allergy and preference info at least 24 hours ahead, and if you don’t send it, they can’t guarantee menu changes.

What to do after the tour ends (so you keep the momentum)

When the experience ends, you’re free to explore Ponce City Market on your own. That timing is smart because you’ll already have a feel for the layout and the kind of places you’re likely to enjoy.

A good approach is to use the guide’s history context to pick one or two areas of the market to revisit for a longer browse. Since you’ll have already tasted multiple styles—burger, sandwich, gelato, dessert—you can decide what direction you want to go next rather than guessing.

Should you book this Ponce City Market Food, History and Street Art tour?

If you want a 2-hour plan that combines lunch-level tastings, guided architecture/history, and a short Beltline art walk, I’d book it. The biggest strength is the balance: you eat enough to feel satisfied, then you walk enough to reset your appetite and see a different side of the city.

Choose it if you want an easy win for your first day in Atlanta or your first time at Ponce City Market. Skip it only if you’re not up for any walking at all, or if you can’t meet the deadline for allergy and preference updates.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour runs for about 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

It costs $95.00 per person.

What food and drink is included?

The tour includes food tastings at 5 stops, one local craft beer tasting, admission, and all tastings.

Where do we meet, and where does it end?

You meet at the Ponce City Market concierge desk near Onward Reserve at 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is the Beltline walk part of the tour?

Yes. You walk along the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail for about 30 minutes, focusing on street art along the path.

What should I do if I have allergies?

Let the operator know about any food allergies or preferences at least 24 hours before the tour begins. If you don’t notify them in advance, they may not be able to make necessary changes to the menu.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience operates in all weather conditions, but if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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