We pursue local food and flavors everywhere we travel. Nothing grounds you in a place — its people, its culture, its history — faster than eating the way locals eat. That’s why food tours are non-negotiable for us. In just a few hours, they pack in more context than days of solo wandering ever could.

Why Take a Food Tour?

Over the years we’ve taken food tours in many cities and countries. Local cuisine has its own history and language that speaks through taste and texture, connecting not only to a place’s origins but to its evolution. A good food tour brings that story to life. Our top tip: book a food tour early in your trip. It’s a fantastic way to orient yourself in a new city, learn some local food customs, and kickstart your immersion into the culture.

And it’s not just about the food. Local guides are a wealth of information — pointing out neighborhoods worth a second look, hidden monuments, and things to do that don’t make the guidebooks. History, architecture, and flavor, all in one outing.  Our second tip: if time allows book a second food tour to explore a different neighborhood enhancing your immersion through a different perspective.

Rome: Where One Tour Wasn’t Enough

On our first night in Rome, we booked a food tour through the city center — and it brought the Eternal City to life almost instantly. Famous monuments, the buzzing piazzas of Campo de’ Fiori and Piazza Navona, the Jewish Ghetto and its history, and yes, the unforgettable fried artichokes. It was the perfect introduction, courtesy of Food Tours of Rome.

After that introduction, later we took another tour — this time in Trastevere. Exploring a second neighborhood by food tour revealed just how different Rome’s neighborhoods really are from one another, adding layers of nuance you simply can’t get from one tour alone. 

London: Two Tours, Two Totally Different Cities

Similarly, we had two different food tours in London over the years, and each tour felt like a different city entirely. The East End tour took us through Brick Lane, Spitalfields, and Shoreditch — a melting pot of cultures reflected in the food, from classic fish and chips and bacon sandwiches to multiple Indian curries.

The South Bank tour led us through Borough Market for sausage rolls, cheese tastings, and sticky toffee pudding. Both tours were run by Eating Europe, an excellent company with tours all over Europe.  Same City but the neighborhoods, histories, and flavors couldn’t have been more different.

When we had the opportunity to tour in different neighborhoods, our understanding of the city became all the richer.

Regional Surprises Closer to Home

Food tours aren’t just for exploring new countries — they’re just as revealing within them. So, it’s not just neighborhoods — it’s also different parts of countries. A food tour we took in Seattle was revelatory, not because the food was unfamiliar, but because it was familiar yet remarkably different, shaped by regionality and local ingredients that made it feel brand new.

Find Food Tours in Unexpected Places

Italy, Spain, Greece — these are the cuisines people already picture in their heads. But some of our most memorable food tours have come from cities that don’t scream “foodie destination.” Topping that list: Reykjavík, courtesy of Wake Up Reykjavik. Nobody says “that’s Icelandic cuisine” the way they’d say “that’s Italian cuisine” — there’s no mental image to draw on. We expected fish. We didn’t expect just how central lamb is to the diet, or the subtle outside influences woven throughout the diet. If you’re ever in Reykjavík, even for a single day in port like we were, this tour is worth every minute.

We’ve found the same kind of magic in lesser-known food scenes in Malta, Turkey, and the Netherlands — more on those in their own posts on the blog.

For full posts of Food Tours, click Food & Wine: Food Tours.

A Few Things to Know Before You Book

• Options Galore! Take some time to read about the food tour options in your destination to select the one(s) that suit you best – traditional, upscale, street food, daytime, evening, etc. 
• Mobility concerns? Many food tours involve significant walking — always check before you book.
• Food allergies or dietary restrictions? Most tours can accommodate you if you let them know in advance.

A few links to Tours and Companies we have toured with and would recommend:

• Food Tours of Rome
• Eating Europe
• Wake up Reykjavik
• Savor Seattle
• Amsterdam Food Tours
• Vancouver Foodie Tours
• Streaty
• Delicious Bologna

So many options to fit your tastes.  Now — let’s get out there and eat.