Georgia's diverse culinary prowess is well-established, so it makes sense that its farmers markets are as impressively wide-ranging as they are. Atlanta features an overwhelming amount of pop-up produce havens to choose from—some of them specializing in international fare, many with choice locations, and others that embody the spirit of the city. We've narrowed down the selection to seven of our favorites, many of which are also near trails and parks, allowing you to combine time outdoors with some healthy shopping.
Krog Street Market
Inside this remodeled 1920s warehouse is a treasure trove of southern restaurant and retail gems, but there's also a few dedicated stalls for produce and other fresh food vendors, too—there's even an organic grocer, Nature's Garden Express. Still, Krog Street Market is best suited for shoppers looking for someone else to do the prep work—and quite stylishly. The hip, forward-thinking Intown spot offers guests a Tex-Mex fix at Superica, clean cuisine and Paleo fare at UrbanPl8 or tasty pints to go at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. Treat yourself after a run or jog along the Eastside Trail on the BeltLine—don't forget top-notch craft brewery Hop City maintains a brick-and-mortar there, too.
Westside Provisions District Farmers Market
Award-winning restaurants under the helm of revered chefs are a staple feature in the West Midtown area: There's JCT Kitchen and Bar, Ormsby's, West Egg Cafe, and the longstanding Bacchanalia, among so many others. Unsurprisingly, when the Westside Provisions District Farmers Market debuted in 2015, it was an instant hit. At the weekly Sunday shindig, neighborhood businesses pepper its roster of vendors and specialty programming, while homegrown Georgia produce pioneers like Mercier Orchards, the iconic Blue Ridge apple farm, and Dickey Farms—purveyors of peaches since 1897—keep a steady presence. Newcomers like Treehouse Milk, makers of plant-based dairy alternatives, and Whole Dog Market, which offers healthy treats for pups, are embraced with the warmest of welcomes. The latest in the Community Farmers Market group's efforts, the Westside Provisions District is situated right behind Yeah! Burger at Howell Mill and 14th Street, just 10 minutes by car from the 3-mile Westside trail on the BeltLine, scheduled to open this summer.
Your DeKalb Farmers Market
One of the longest-running of the bunch—it was founded in 1977 as a small Decatur produce stand—is focused on global fare, proudly displaying the flags of the nearly 200 different countries represented by vendors inside its more than 142,000-square-foot market that's open daily from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. If you're searching for something different, Your DeKalb Farmers Market is hard to beat: In fruits and vegetables alone, there are more than 450 varieties available. While an even bigger location has been in the works for years, its current East Ponce de Leon spot boasts the convenience of the nearby Downtown Decatur Square and the popular trails that run through it, like the Rocky Ford 4-miler and the 2-mile Adair stretch.
Buford Highway Farmers Market
The vast array of international dining options that's made Buford Highway famous is a driving force in its beloved farmers market, too. Vietnamese, Korean, Mexican, South American, Caribbean, West African, European—whatever ingredients or cuisine you're looking for, you're bound to find it at this Atlanta institution. And while the bustling area isn't especially known for outdoor events, its offerings got a major boost last year when a local organization, We Love BuHi, partnered with IWeLife for the area's first major fitness event, which included a half-marathon, 10K, 5K and 2-mile stroll; keep an eye out for the second edition this fall.
Grant Park Farmers Market
Smack-dab in the oldest city park in Atlanta, the Grant Park Farmers Market is thoroughly woven into local tradition and history. The roster of vendors is exemplary: There's fresh pasta, small-batch butter, local honey, homemade sourdough bread, heirloom veggies and a slew more. You'll want to stock up on groceries, of course, but gather goods last; a stroll through the picturesque park trails first is a must.
Ponce City Market
Like the Krog Street Market, PCM is an ideal spot for picking up a few groceries, but it is primarily catered toward already prepared food—which makes stopping at its Food Hall after traversing the BeltLine's Eastside Trail a perfect pick-me-up. The grab-and-go assortment is solid, and there's also a superior selection of sit-down spots where you can catch your breath post-workout. (And don't let the sleek and stylish interior deter you—they're used to hosting fitness gear-clad diners on the daily.)
East Point Farmers Market
At the fire station across from City Hall each week, the neighborhood of East Point—a historic area that retains a small-town feel only 10 minutes from downtown Atlanta—holds its farmers market, a community-based, volunteer-run event that occasionally doubles as a fundraiser for neighborhood initiatives. The indoor/outdoor market, which now includes a Food Truck Court, is a rain-or-shine affair every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., making it a reliable go-to and is a boon to mid-week, late-afternoon shoppers. Cyclists, especially, will love it—the legendary Dick Lane Velodrome is minutes away.
Written by Jhoni Jackson for RootsRated in partnership with Atlanta CVB and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
