Ponce City Market vs Krog Street Market: Complete Atlanta Food Hall Comparison (2025)
Trying to decide between Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market for your Atlanta food hall adventure? You’re not alone! These two popular destinations are often compared, and for good reason—they’re both fantastic food halls located on the Atlanta BeltLine with unique vibes and excellent dining options.
This complete comparison will help you decide which market fits your preferences, schedule, and what you’re looking for in an Atlanta food hall experience!
The Quick Answer
Visit Ponce City Market if you want: A larger, more polished experience with extensive shopping, rooftop activities, and 30+ food vendors. Perfect for spending 2-4 hours.
Visit Krog Street Market if you want: An intimate, neighborhood feel with carefully curated food vendors, local boutiques, and a relaxed atmosphere. Perfect for a 1-2 hour visit.
Best option: Visit both! They’re only a 10-15 minute walk apart on the BeltLine, making it easy to experience both in one day.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | Ponce City Market | Krog Street Market |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 2.1 million sq ft building | Intimate single-level space |
| Vibe | Bustling, polished, Instagram-worthy | Local, laid-back, artsy |
| Food Vendors | 30+ options | 10-15 options |
| Shopping | 50+ retail stores | 8-10 boutiques |
| Parking | Large garage ($2/hour) | Limited street parking |
| BeltLine Access | Yes (rooftop entrance) | Yes (direct access) |
| Best For | First-time visitors, families, shoppers | Locals, foodies, relaxed dining |
Location & How to Get There
Ponce City Market
Address: 675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Located in the historic Sears, Roebuck & Co. building in Old Fourth Ward, Ponce City Market is massive and impossible to miss.
Getting There:
- By Car: Large parking garage available ($2/hour, $12 daily max). Can fill up on weekends.
- By MARTA: 15-minute walk from North Avenue Station (Red/Gold Line)
- By BeltLine: Direct access from the Eastside Trail
- By Bike: Bike racks available throughout
Krog Street Market
Address: 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Located in historic Inman Park, Krog Street Market is housed in a renovated 1920s warehouse with authentic industrial character.
Getting There:
- By Car: Smaller parking lot (tight on weekends). Street parking available in surrounding neighborhood.
- By MARTA: 10-minute walk from Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station (Blue/Green Line)
- By BeltLine: Direct access from the Eastside Trail
- By Bike: Very bike-friendly with racks available
Pro tip: Both markets are connected by the Atlanta BeltLine, making it easy to walk or bike between them in just 10-15 minutes!
Size & Layout
Ponce City Market
Ponce City Market is HUGE—over 2.1 million square feet across multiple floors. The Central Food Hall occupies the ground floor corridor, but the building also houses:
- 50+ retail shops and boutiques
- Tech company offices on upper floors
- Luxury residential apartments
- Skyline Park rooftop with mini golf, games, and bars
- Multiple anchor restaurants with separate entrances
You can easily spend 3-4 hours here exploring everything.
Krog Street Market
Krog Street Market is much more intimate—a single-level space you can walk through in about 5 minutes. It includes:
- Central food hall with vendor stalls
- 8-10 boutique shops
- Sit-down restaurants on the perimeter
- Small outdoor patio area (dog-friendly!)
It’s designed for a focused 1-2 hour visit—grab food, browse a few shops, and enjoy the neighborhood vibe.
Food Vendors & Dining Options
Ponce City Market Food Hall
With 30+ vendors, Ponce City Market offers incredible variety:
- Bellina Alimentari – Upscale Italian from Chef Mike Patrick
- Hop’s Chicken – Nashville hot chicken
- Biltong Bar – South African-style dried meats and craft beer
- Botiwalla – Indian street food (try the pav bhaji!)
- W.H. Stiles Fish Camp – Fresh seafood and oysters
- Honeysuckle Gelato – Artisan gelato
- Spiller Park Coffee – Specialty coffee and pastries
- H&F Burger – Gourmet burgers
- Fred’s Meat & Bread – Sandwiches and charcuterie
- King of Pops – Atlanta’s famous gourmet popsicles
Anchor Restaurants (separate from food hall):
- Superica – Tex-Mex
- Minero – Modern Mexican with house-made tortillas
- Ton Ton – Ramen
- Bar Mercado – Spanish tapas
Krog Street Market Food Hall
Smaller but mighty, with 10-15 carefully curated vendors:
- Superica – Tex-Mex from renowned chef Ford Fry (yes, same as PCM!)
- Yalla – Mediterranean street food
- Hop’s Chicken – Nashville hot chicken (also at PCM!)
- The Spotted Trotter – Charcuterie and sandwiches
- Gu’s Dumplings – Authentic Chinese dumplings
- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – Artisan ice cream
- Little Tart Bakeshop – French-inspired pastries and coffee
- Varuni Napoli – Neapolitan pizza
- Hop City – Craft beer bar with 60+ taps
Sit-Down Restaurants:
- The Luminary – Farm-to-table restaurant and bar
- The Cockentrice – Upscale New American
- Ticonderoga Club – Craft cocktail bar
The focus here is quality over quantity, with each vendor bringing something special to the table.
Shopping & Retail
Ponce City Market
Extensive shopping with 50+ stores including:
- West Elm – Modern furniture and home décor
- Anthropologie – Women’s clothing and lifestyle
- J.Crew – Classic American clothing
- Madewell – Denim and casual wear
- Williams Sonoma – Kitchen and cookware
- Warby Parker – Eyewear
- Citizen Supply – Atlanta-made goods and gifts
- Local boutiques and specialty shops
You could do serious shopping here!
Krog Street Market
Limited but curated shopping with 8-10 boutiques:
- Staplehouse – Market and provisions
- Citizen Supply – Menswear and lifestyle goods
- Shakes & Co. – Vintage clothing and accessories
- Stitch – Sewing studio and fabric shop
- Local artisan shops
Perfect for browsing, but not a shopping destination.
Atmosphere & Vibe
Ponce City Market
Vibe: Polished, bustling, Instagram-worthy
Ponce City Market feels like a destination attraction. The space is beautifully designed with exposed brick, soaring ceilings, and modern industrial aesthetics. It’s always busy—especially on weekends—with tourists and locals alike. It can feel crowded during peak times, but the energy is exciting.
Great for: Date nights, family outings, tourist experiences, shopping trips
Krog Street Market
Vibe: Intimate, neighborhood-focused, relaxed
Krog Street Market feels like a local hangout. It’s less polished and more authentic, with a warehouse feel and neighborhood regulars. The smaller size creates a cozy atmosphere, though it can still get busy during meal times. The outdoor patio offers great people-watching and is dog-friendly!
Great for: Casual meals, BeltLine stops, local experiences, quick bites, meeting friends
Entertainment & Activities
Ponce City Market
- Skyline Park – Rooftop amusement area with mini golf, carnival games, and bars (separate admission $10-15)
- 9 Mile Station – Rooftop bar with stunning Atlanta skyline views
- Frequent events and pop-ups
- Live music occasionally
- Direct BeltLine access for walking/biking
Krog Street Market
- Direct BeltLine access
- Krog Street Tunnel – Famous graffiti art tunnel nearby
- Occasional live music and events
- Dog-friendly outdoor patio
- More low-key, neighborhood entertainment
Best Times to Visit
Ponce City Market
- Least crowded: Weekday mornings (9-11 AM) or late afternoons (3-5 PM)
- Most crowded: Weekend afternoons (12-4 PM)
- Best for rooftop: Sunset (arrive around 6 PM for best views)
Krog Street Market
- Least crowded: Weekday mid-afternoons (2-4 PM)
- Most crowded: Weekend brunch (10 AM-1 PM) and dinner (6-8 PM)
- Best for BeltLine walk: Saturday or Sunday morning
Price Comparison
Both markets offer similar price ranges for food:
- Quick bites: $8-15 per person
- Full meals: $15-25 per person
- Sit-down restaurants: $25-40 per person
Ponce City Market has more opportunities to spend money (shopping, rooftop activities), while Krog Street Market is more focused on food and drink.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Ponce City Market If:
- You want a full afternoon/evening experience
- You’re interested in shopping
- You want rooftop views and activities
- You’re visiting with a large group (more space and options)
- You want the “Instagram moment”
- You’re a first-time Atlanta visitor
- You need easy parking access
Choose Krog Street Market If:
- You prefer intimate, neighborhood spots
- You’re primarily focused on quality food
- You want a quick BeltLine stop
- You prefer less crowded environments
- You’re looking for an authentic local experience
- You’re exploring Inman Park or Little Five Points
- You’re meeting friends for casual drinks or brunch
The Perfect Plan: Visit Both!
Here’s the ideal itinerary to experience both markets in one day:
Morning/Lunch at Krog Street Market
- 10:00 AM – Coffee and pastry at Little Tart Bakeshop
- 10:30 AM – Browse the boutiques
- 11:30 AM – Early lunch (beat the crowds!)
- 12:30 PM – Walk the BeltLine to Ponce City Market (10-15 minutes)
Afternoon/Evening at Ponce City Market
- 1:00 PM – Explore the shops
- 3:00 PM – Snack or dessert from food hall
- 4:00 PM – Head to rooftop for activities
- 6:00 PM – Watch sunset from 9 Mile Station
- 7:00 PM – Dinner at one of the anchor restaurants
Insider Tips
For Ponce City Market:
- Visit on weekday mornings or late afternoons to avoid peak crowds
- Parking fills up quickly on weekends—arrive early or use rideshare
- The rooftop is best at sunset (book mini-golf in advance during peak times)
- Explore beyond the food hall—there are hidden gems in the retail corridors
- Grab King of Pops for the walk back on the BeltLine
For Krog Street Market:
- Weekend brunch gets busy—arrive before 11 AM or after 2 PM
- The outdoor patio is dog-friendly
- Little Tart Bakeshop sells out of popular items by mid-afternoon
- Hop City’s happy hour (3-6 PM weekdays) has great beer deals
- Park on nearby residential streets if the lot is full
Nearby Attractions
Both markets are excellent starting points for exploring Atlanta:
- Atlanta BeltLine – Walk or bike the 22-mile trail
- Inman Park – Beautiful historic neighborhood
- Little Five Points – Eclectic shopping district
- Piedmont Park – Large urban park accessible via BeltLine
- Virginia Highland – Charming neighborhood with restaurants and shops
- Ponce de Leon Avenue – Historic corridor with attractions
The Bottom Line
Both Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market are must-visit Atlanta destinations, but they offer different experiences:
Ponce City Market is the grand destination—bigger, busier, and more diverse. It’s perfect for first-time visitors, families, and anyone who wants to spend hours exploring food, shopping, and entertainment all in one place.
Krog Street Market is the neighborhood favorite—intimate, authentic, and food-focused. It’s ideal for locals, foodies, and anyone seeking a more relaxed, quality-over-quantity experience.
Our recommendation? Visit both! They’re connected by the BeltLine, showcase different sides of Atlanta’s vibrant food scene, and together represent what makes this city’s culinary landscape so exciting.
No matter which you choose (or if you visit both!), you’re in for an amazing Atlanta food experience!
Ready to explore more of Atlanta? Check out our guides to Virginia Highland vs Inman Park, Buckhead, Midtown, and Little Five Points!
