Sure, temperatures are still in the 90s, but fall will be here before you know it, and you’ll need to put some meat on those bones to keep warm. Here are some of the best festivals around Atlanta to find food.
Taste of Soul Atlanta: Try out soul food dishes from chefs and vendors while enjoying music from artists including N'Dambi and Phillipa, as well as a tech and gaming showcase, a kids' zone with games and rides, pieces from Atlanta artists and college step shows.
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. Free entry; VIP tickets $30. 808 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive N.W., Atlanta. tasteofsoulatlanta.com.
Taste of Kennesaw: Sample dishes from more than 30 local restaurants from the Kennesaw and Cobb County area.
11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. Free entry. Downtown Kennesaw. kennesaw.com/taste-of-kennesaw/.
Southern Chefs Potluck: Chefs from some of Atlanta's most popular restaurants and farms — including Todd Ginsberg of the General Muir, Zeb Stevenson of Watershed on Peachtree and Hilary White of the Hil — will serve up side dishes with pickles, relishes and desserts. Bartenders including Kellie Thorn of Empire State South and Miles Macquarrie of Kimball House will keep the cocktails flowing. Proceeds will benefit Wholesome Wave, an organization that strives to give Georgians access to locally grown food.
3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. $150-$1,500. The Inn at Serenbe, 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Chattahoochee Hills. wholesomewavegeorgia.org/events/2016/7/21/southern-chefs-potluck.
Atlanta Greek Festival: Opa! Enjoy Greek specialties including pastitsio, moussaka and souvlaki in addition to Greek music and dancing, as well as cathedral lecture tours.
5-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. $5 admission; children 12 and younger are free. Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road N.E., Atlanta. atlantagreekfestival.org/.
Atlanta Kosher BBQ Competition and Festival: Sample barbecue from more than 25 competing teams and watch the Dunwoody and Cobb police departments and the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department compete in the Police vs. Fire BBQ Competition. Music will be provided by the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival.
11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Free entry. Brook Run Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. theatlantakosherbbq.com/.
The Cheese Fest: It's OK to get a little — or a lot — cheesy at this festival. Get samples of artisan cheeses and drinks and check out the Meltdown, where local chefs will compete to be voted as the creators of the best mac and cheese and grilled cheese, all while listening to live music from Packway Handle Band. If you don't get enough at the fest, there'll be opportunities to buy cheese to take home.
5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30. $35 in advance, $45 at the door, $75 for VIP tickets. Georgia Freight Depot, 110 Central Ave. S.W., Atlanta. thecheesefest.com/events/atlanta/.
Taste of Chamblee: Try out food and drinks from some of Chamblee's best restaurants, listen to live music from local bands and peruse crafts from local vendors.
5-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Downtown Chamblee. tasteofchamblee.net/.
Brookhaven Chili Cook Off: Sample chili and Brunswick stew from more than 75 local restaurants and amateur competition teams, in addition to live music, a kids' zone and cornhole.
12:30-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. $10-$20. Brookhaven Park, 2660 Osborne Road, Brookhaven. brookhavenchilicookoff.com.
Atlanta Mac & Cheese Festival: Love mac and cheese? Then this fest was designed for you. Try offerings from local restaurants and food trucks including Fox Bros. BBQ, Empire State South and Mac the Truck, in addition to live music and DJs.
12:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. $20. Walker Park, 200 Memorial Terrace S.E., Atlanta. atlmacandcheesefestival.com.
Taste of Atlanta: Try out dishes from more than 90 metro Atlanta restaurants and check out cooking and bartending demonstrations as well as a Family Food Zone and a VIP Grand Tasting Experience.
Oct. 21-23, Midtown at Tech Square. Prices vary. www.tasteofatlanta.com/tickets.php.
Souptoberfest: This festival, organized by Jenny Levison of Souper Jenny, will see more than 25 Atlanta chefs will cook up their favorite soups to share, along with live music. Proceeds will benefit the Zadie Project, which helps feed hungry kids in Atlanta.
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Oct. 23. Souper Jenny, 1082 Huff Rd., Atlanta. $30.
Chomp and Stomp: Another opportunity for you to get your chili on this fall, this Cabbagetown fest features chili from local restaurants and amateur cooks, bluegrass music, cabbage games and a 5K race.
Saturday, Nov. 5. Cabbagetown Park, 177 Kirkwood Ave., Atlanta. chompandstomp.com.
Brookhaven Brunch Festival: Every business that participated in the Atlanta Brunch Festival in March will be invited to participate, including Venkman's, D.B.A. Barbecue, Dish Dive, Einstein's, Food 101, Ladybird, Shake Shack and Wahoo Grill. In addition, Brookhaven brunch restaurants including Kaleidoscope, There, Haven, Flying Biscuit will also be asked to be a part of the event.
