I had the opportunity recently to attend one of the many Atlanta Culinary Tours run by ATL locals Dave and Beth - this one was at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market!

Having attended Atlanta Street Food Urban Picnics here in the past, it was great to get a really well-rounded tour of the market along with some history on the site and meeting the local vendors. For those who haven’t had a chance to make it down to this historic market, definitely take the time to do so at your first opportunity. Great restaurants, bakeries, candy, fresh vegetables, and meat vendors will greet you with a smile and you won’t believe the deals to be had.

Beth and Dave were excellent guides and are the perfect hosts for these foodie events, being big fans of all types of cuisines. Dave is on Twitter as @EatBuHi, documenting his eating adventures along Buford Highway. They feature several different tours including those of restaurants in neighborhoods like Inman Park, the Old 4th Ward and themed dinners as well!

Some of the stops along our tour included Miss D’s New Orleans Candy, featuring homemade candied apples, pralines and flavored popcorn that is out of this world. Miss Dionne came to Atlanta from New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina and is one of the first people you see when you enter the market. We also got to taste the famous and delicious sweet potato cheesecake from the Sweet Auburn Bakery, who also sell pastries, breads and more that they make fresh on-site.

A savory stop was at Ciao Boca, which features really yummy Italian food. We had bites of their yummy meatball on crostini and the Italian version of a BLT with arugula. They also sell paninis, salads, and more. More comfort food abounded at the Metro Deli Soul Food that has everything from mac & cheese, greens, pork, ho cakes, and for dessert - homemade peach and sweet potato cobbler. So good!

We also got the a secret recipe from Regina at Country Meats for cooking collard greens. She has been working at the Sweet Auburn Market since it opened more than 20 years ago! Our last stop was Cafe Campesino, which had amazing coffees and melt in your mouth scones that are baked there at the shop! They have a separate entrance at the front of the market that allows them to be open longer hours for those looking for a caffine fix before or after work.

Twitter friends Sean (@SeanEatsAtlanta) and Malika (@ATLEatsNTweets) sample some of the house brew.

A fantastic tour, we were stuffed beyond capacity with delicious food, treats and drinks. Highly recommend you check out one of Dave and Beth’s upcoming tours! They sell out quickly, so don’t wait when the next one becomes available! They are on Facebook or you can follow them on Twitter for the latest updates.