I’ve been on countless food tours around the South, but I had the unique opportunity to take one in my hometown. I’m a native of Marietta, a suburb of Atlanta, and am frequently telling others of the great eateries nearby.
But there were some I hadn’t even been to. That’s where Marietta Food Tours comes in. I’ve known Brian and Cecilie for a while, so I was excited to see what they’re all about. They were even amenable to my dietary requirements! Note that the locations may have changed.
Marietta, Georgia’s Best Restaurants
Australian Bakery Cafe
Australian Bakery Cafe is one of my favorite spots in the Marietta Square for when I need a taste from Down Under. Opened in the 1990s by expats, the bakery was the first to sell authentic meat pies in the United States.
They ship pies around the country and also sell Australian, South African and British treats. I’ve had their pies before, but this time around, they offered us something different, their off-menu fish and chips. The chips were freshly cut and the fish was lightly breaded.
WR Social House
WR SOCIAL HOUSE may have changed names and concept, but the restaurant still serves up modern Southern dishes. The menu features locally baked bread, house-ground meat, and locally sourced produce.
The rest of the group noshed on pimento cheese fritters topped in honey and hot sauce while I had the dairy-free option of South Carolina boiled peanut hummus with crudites and flour tortilla chips. Their burgers and brunch also come highly recommended.
Paul’s Pot Pies
Paul’s Pot Pies started as a frozen meal service and still only offers pies to go. The eatery’s namesake has worked as a caterer and in the foodservice industry for over 20 years. Pies come in six-inch and 10-inch varieties with different fillings depending on the day of the week.
Favorites include chicken pot pie, jambalaya, beef stroganoff, and even vegetarian pies. Grab one to eat when you get home or freeze it for an easy weeknight meal.
Cool Beans Coffee Roasters
Cool Beans Coffee Roasters provides you with a much-needed jolt halfway through the tour, where we were served a small cup of coffee. They roast their beans onsite, so you know it’s fresh. Watch the bright red roaster in action or grab a pastry and sit on the patio outside.
Kiosco Colombian Restaurant
Kiosco was a favorite, especially as I had no prior knowledge of what Colombian food entailed. I used to go to the small building when it was an office for a local theater company. Now it’s a cozy restaurant that frequently has a wait.
The samples were the heartiest of the day, including a salad and traditional tamales, pictured above. When you have time to return, indulge in the meat-heavy menu of seafood paella and carne asada.
Marietta Wine Market
Marietta Wine Market sells the square’s best selection of wines from Georgia and beyond and also offers tastings with light bites like dips and cheeses. Peruse the selection of over 500 beers and wines and bring some home. Come back on Wednesdays and Saturdays for wine tastings or even sign up for one of their trips to the North Georgia wineries.
Miss Mamie’s Cupcakes, Cakes and Such
Every tour should end with something sweet. Miss Mamie’s is just that, winning Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. Cupcake flavors include coconut lemon, tangerine rosemary, and Guinness, pictured above. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available. Other desserts include tarts, pies, cheesecake, cookies, and custom cakes for weddings and events.
Tips for Attending Marietta Food Tours
Marietta Food Tours offers three-hour tours on Saturdays, which includes ten tastings. Dietary restrictions can be adapted to if you give them enough notice. A tour costs $45 and includes a book of coupons for future visits back to the restaurants included. The walk is easy for all fitness levels.
My tour was covered by Marietta Food Tours, but all opinions are my own.
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