Join us for our Sweet Auburn Curb Market Tour!

This tour is the first Saturday of the month at 2:00p

At this historic market, you can find fresh produce, meats (especially pork!), seafood, a wide variety of specialty shops and–most important to us–restaurants. Come Hungry! Restaurants on this tour can include (the line up changes from tour to tour):

This indoor walking tour lasts approximately 3 hours. We’ll visit several unique eateries that highlight the diversity of the market. We’ll look over the produce and meat vendors - good sources for ingredients and cooking tips. And we’ll fill you in on the fascinating history behind the Curb Market and the historic Sweet Auburn district.

Sweet Auburn Curb Market is Atlanta’s only publicly owned market and each shop inside is independently owned and operated. Think of the market as a small business incubator for new entrepreneurs in the food industry. Sonya Jones of the Sweet Auburn Bread Company on Auburn Avenue and Tom Murphy of Murphy’s in Virginia Highlands are two entrepreneurs who began at the market and grew their businesses to become icons in the Atlanta community.

History: In 1918 Atlanta established a farmer’s market on land cleared by a massive fire which had swept through the city the year before. The market was an immediate success. Wishing to give it a more permanent home, the Atlanta Woman’s Club raised $300,000 for a fireproof building. The brick and concrete building opened May 1, 1924, as the Municipal Market of Atlanta, in the exact geographic center of the city (my how we’ve grown, huh?). It soon became the largest single retail center for farm products in the state. It truly was “the place to shop” for all who lived in Atlanta. It still is! And now is a great time to visit. A new renovation, just completed, brings the building back to its 1920′s splendor.

FAQs

How large are the tour groups?

The number of people will vary depending on the tour, but most groups will be limited to no more than 16. This makes the tour more manageable for both the guides and the restaurants.

How much does a tour cost?

Price of each tour is listed on its description page. Pricing for private or custom tours will vary. Please contact us to discuss private tour pricing.

What should I wear?

Most of our tours are walking tours, so wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. It’s not a good idea to wear high heels or dress shoes. Check the weather on the day of your tour and dress appropriately – we’ll conduct our tours hot, cold, rain or shine. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, coats or umbrellas depending on the weather. We will only cancel or reschedule if weather conditions are dangerous - we’ll contact you by email if this occurs.

Can I bring my camera?

Sure! There are lots of opportunities to take pictures during the tours.

Can I bring my dog?

Sorry, no pets. We’re visiting restaurants, and pets aren’t allowed unless they are service dogs.

Can I bring my kids?

Probably no. You’ll have to make that call, based on your child’s age/maturity, but most of our tours are not set up for children. The samplings at some of the restaurants may feature alcohol or may not suit the palate of children that are “particular.” If you’re not sure, then don’t. The only tour that won't have alcohol is the Sweet Auburn Curb Market tour.

How much food will we be eating?

Word to the wise: Come Hungry! There are enough tastings that most people will not need a meal afterwards. If you’re still hungry once the tour is over, feel free to go back to your favorite stop for more!

I have allergies!

We’re not doctors, but if you have allergies or sensitivities to any foods or items used in food production, it’s safe to assume that absolutely everything served on this tour is or contains an allergen of some sort. We encourage you to use the same discretion that has enabled you to live a full and healthy life to this point!

Will I need to bring cash?

Our tours are all inclusive, but it’s a good idea to have some extra cash on hand for souvenirs, gifts, an extra dessert to bring home, etc.

When should I arrive for the tour?

It’s very important that you arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. We leave on time. If you’re running late, your confirmation will have a contact number to call.

Should I tip my tour guide?

In the tourism industry, it is customary to tip your guide. For Private Tours, a gratuity will be added to your total cost.

I need to cancel/reschedule. Is that a problem?