Atlanta food scene heats up with chili cookoffs and Diwali dinners

The metro Atlanta dining scene has entered its busiest stretch of the year.

Restaurants and event venues across the region have announced a slate of November activities ranging from competitive chili cookoffs to immersive holiday dining experiences.

The schedule reflects a mix of traditional Thanksgiving preparations and cultural festivals, with venues in Cobb County, Buckhead, and downtown Atlanta all participating.

In Marietta, the North Pole theme takes over Amore e Amore, transforming the space with Christmas trees and ornaments.

Families can attend the "Dinner with Santa & Mrs. Claus" event on Friday, November 27, from 5 to 8 p.m.

That same weekend, the Blind Elf pop-up bar opens at its location, serving holiday-themed drinks and snacks in a decked-out setting.

The wine industry is also active, with multiple tastings scheduled for the month.

The Blind Tasting Wine Down event invites guests to identify wines from a flight of six varieties at the Keller Open Road Putt Putt in Atlanta.

This event is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Toast to Thanksgiving Wine Tasting offers a curated selection of five wines paired with light bites, including medium-rare steaks, at the Eagle Creek Winery.

That tasting is set for Thursday, November 5, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Cultural celebrations are prominent in the lineup, with several venues hosting Diwali events throughout the month and into early December 2026, as the date falls in the latter half of the month. Wait, the source date is Nov 3, 2026. Let's check the dates in the source. The source lists events for Nov 2026. One event is Nov 21. One is Nov 27. One is Nov 8. One is Nov 5. One is Nov 21 (Chomp & Stomp). One is Nov 7 (Diwali Supper Club? No, that's 11/7? Let's check the source text carefully. The source text is garbled in places. "03:7 773 .31 511$" looks like 11/7 at 7:30. "11 5101" looks like 11/10. "11 00801" looks like 11/8. Let's stick to the clear dates. Nov 5, Nov 7, Nov 8, Nov 21, Nov 27. The text says "This November". I will refer to the month of November 2026.)