Atlanta: Ponce City Market Food Tour & Beltline Street Art Walk

Summary

Taste chef-made classics in ponce city market then stroll atlanta beltline’s wild murals

You’ll taste chef-made favorites inside Atlanta’s historic Ponce City Market—think juicy burgers and Cuban sandwiches—then walk off lunch along the Beltline’s wild murals with stories from your local guide. Expect laughter, small surprises, and the feeling of being woven into Atlanta’s everyday energy for a couple hours.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t eat breakfast,” our guide grinned, and honestly, I should’ve listened. We started right inside Ponce City Market—this old Sears building is massive, brick everywhere, and you can still smell something toasty from the bakeries even before you see them. Our group felt a bit shy at first but that faded fast after the first bite: this cheeseburger from Chef Linton Hopkins. I’m not usually a burger person but it was juicy in a way that makes you pause mid-conversation. Li (our guide) told us about the building’s past—warehouse workers, old loading docks—and pointed out where you could still see faded paint on the bricks if you looked close enough.

We wandered through the food hall, stopping for a Cuban sandwich (I probably got mustard on my shirt), then tried some local craft beer. The place buzzes with people—families, couples, someone’s birthday behind us. At one point I caught this cinnamon-sweet smell wafting over from a bakery stall and nearly veered off course. Li kept us moving though, sharing little stories about each chef—apparently Hector Santiago is kind of a legend here? Everyone seemed to know him or at least had an opinion about his sandwiches.

After all that eating we finally spilled out onto the Atlanta Beltline. It was warm but breezy; you could hear bikes zipping past and someone playing music down the trail. Li stopped us by this huge mural—colors so bright they almost hurt your eyes—and explained how artists get picked for these walls (sometimes it’s just who shows up with paint). I liked watching locals stop to chat or snap photos; it felt like we were part of something alive instead of just passing through. I still think about that view back toward the city skyline framed by all that street art—it’s stuck with me more than I expected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Ponce City Market and Beltline

• Visit Ponce City Market food hall
• Eat award-winning cheeseburger
• Try toasty Cuban sandwich
• Learn history of Sears building
• Walk along Atlanta Beltline Eastside trail
• View street art by local artists

Top questions

How long does the Ponce City Market food tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours from start to finish.

Is food included on the Atlanta Beltline street art tour?

Yes, food tastings at five stops are included as part of your tour experience.

Does this day trip include craft beer tasting?

Yes, there is one local craft beer tasting included during your visit to Ponce City Market.

Are vegetarian options available on this food tour?

You can request dietary preferences or allergies at least 24 hours before your tour begins.

Is this Atlanta food & street art tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and transportation options are wheelchair accessible for this tour.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts inside Ponce City Market in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.

What should I bring for this walking tour?

Dress appropriately for weather conditions and bring an appetite—the tastings add up to a hearty lunch!

What’s included

Your day includes guided tastings at five different food stops inside Ponce City Market (enough for lunch), one local craft beer tasting, all while exploring with a small group and professional guide who shares stories as you stroll both indoors and along the Atlanta Beltline’s colorful trail.