Ultimate Guide to

Food Tours

Whether you’re looking for corporate food tours or a food tour for 2, this ultimate guide answers all your questions with resources, links, and more. 

What are Food Tours? 

Food tours are guided experiences that allow participants to explore and enjoy the culinary offerings of a specific region or city. These tours typically involve visiting various restaurants, cafes, food stalls, markets, and other food-related establishments to sample a variety of local dishes, snacks, and drinks. The goal of a food tour is to provide participants with an immersive and educational gastronomic experience, allowing them to discover the flavors, ingredients, and cultural aspects of the local cuisine.

Avital’s Food Tours are prix fixe, progressive meals with appetizers, entree, dessert, and drinks, each served seated at a different restaurant. Our tours focus on quality over quantity. But we promise, you won’t leave hungry!

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Food Tours by Location

Food Tours Near Me

Who Books Food Tours?

Food tours attract a diverse range of participants who are eager to explore and savor local culinary delights. Here’s who typically books these experiences:

  • Travelers: Visitors looking to discover the authentic flavors of a new destination.
  • Locals: Residents seeking to explore their own city’s food scene and hidden gems.
  • Corporate Groups: Companies organizing team-building activities and unique outings.
  • DMCs: Destination Management Companies planning comprehensive itineraries for their clients.
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What Food Tour is Right for You?

Not all food tours are created equally. Use this checklist to help you consider all variables and options while booking your next food tour.

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Budget

Consider your budget carefully to ensure that the cost of the food tour aligns with your financial plan for the event.

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Group Size

Understand the capacity of the food tour to ensure it comfortably accommodates your group size.

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Private vs. Public

Determine whether you'd like to join others on a public tour or arrange a private tour just for you and your group.

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Timing & Length

Ensure that the food tour can run on the day and time you'd like. You'll also need to consider if you'd like a shorter tour or a whole day experience.

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Neighborhood

The cuisine and culture of your tour will vary depending on the neighborhood. Make sure you have an understanding of the location to ensure it aligns with your tour expectations.

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Quality of Restaurants

Research the tour company's reputation for both the quality of its food and the excellence of its service to ensure you'll be visiting awesome restaurants.

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Number of Restaurants

Is quality or quantity more important for your food tour? Visiting many restaurants can give you a great sense of the neighborhood, while visiting only a few can give you a deeper understanding of the people, places, and cuisine.

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Size of Tastings

Some tours include 10+ small tastings while others include 3+ larger tastings. Determine the amount of food you and vibe you're after before booking.

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Sit Down or Standing

Maybe you want to taste lots of things and don't mind taking bites while standing? Or perhaps you'd like a more refined, seated experience? Look for a tour company that aligns with your vision.

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Tastings & Drinks Included

All-inclusive or a la carte, there are options for everyone. Determine what works best for you and your group before booking.

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Dietary Restrictions

Ensure the tour company suits your preferences and inquire about their ability to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences among your guests. Psst! Avital accommodates all dietary restrictions!

How to Find a Food Tour

Here are a few of our favorite ways to find food tours if you’re more of the DIY-type. But of course, you can also start your booking with Avital, and we’ll do all the heavy lifting to find the perfect food tour for you.

Food Tour Platforms and Agencies

The simplest way to find a food tour is through dedicated platforms that specialize in travel experiences. These platforms offer extensive listings of food tours in various destinations, complete with reviews, ratings, and detailed descriptions. Use them to discover the tour, but then search for the company’s website and book direct.

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Convention and Visitors Bureaus

Local convention and visitors bureaus are fantastic resources for discovering authentic and top-rated food tours in specific cities. They often curate lists of the best experiences.

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Blog Round Ups

Discover curated lists and recommendations in blog roundups for food tours, offering insights and suggestions for various preferences and occasions.

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Publications

Major publications often feature articles about must-try food tours around the world. Look for recommendations in esteemed outlets. These sources can provide in-depth insights and highlight trending tours.

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Travel Guides

Travel guides are an excellent source for finding curated and trusted food tours. These guides offer detailed information and personal recommendations.

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Review Websites

Before booking a tour, it’s always a good idea to check reviews on popular review websites. These platforms provide user-generated feedback that can help you make an informed decision. Reading about other travelers’ experiences can give you a good sense of what to expect.

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How to Book a Food Tour

Booking a public food tour is usually very simple and can be done in just a few minutes. Booking a private food tour typically requires some back-and-forth with the tour company to clarify details, finalize the menu, and more. So the booking process may look a little different depending on your tour, but will essentially follow these steps:

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1. Research Using Resources Outlined Above

Browse platforms, press, blogs, and more to discover different food tours in your destination.

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2. Book Directly with Company

Instead of booking via a 3rd party, we always recommend booking directly with the company. Not only will you get better service, but the company won’t have to pay exorbitant commissions so they can deliver a better product. A win-win!

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3. Submit Any Dietary Restrictions & Details

If you’re booking with a reliable tour company, they should ask for any dietary restrictions either during booking or post booking. This is also where you’ll solidify any details with the company if you’re booking a private tour.

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4. Eat & Enjoy 

Once you’re booked, you can show up to eat, drink, and enjoy! Booking with a tour company allows for a full-service, turnkey experience. You can just show up to eat and enjoy while the company handles all of the details.

If you book with Avital we’ll find you the perfect food tour, whether you’re booking a date night for two or large group tour.

Food Tour Companies

Food tour companies curate culinary experiences that let participants explore a destination’s flavors and stories. They partner with local eateries and markets to create itineraries showcasing the best regional cuisine. Tour guides provide insights into the history, culture, and preparation of the sampled dishes. There are many highly regarded food tour companies, including Avital Food & Drink Experiences. However, there are some issues and limitations to be aware of with other, cheaper food tour companies like Secret Food Tours:

  • Unprofessional or unreliable service
  • Low quality and cheaper food tours (less than $100 per person)
  • Tastings cut into quarters, eating with a toothpick standing on the sidewalk
  • Unable to accept dietary restrictions
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But We’re Here To Help

Avital Builds Food Tours for Foodies

Avital is dedicated to providing top-tier culinary tours by addressing common issues found in the industry. Here’s how ew ensure an exceptional experience:

  • Professional and Reliable Service: Ensuring consistency and dependability in all tours.
  • Well-Trained Hosts: Employing knowledgeable and passionate guides.
  • Seated Experience: All tastings are served seated at reserved tables, just for Avital guests.
  • High-Quality Tastings: Partnering with award-winning restaurants and offering substantial portions.
  • Dietary Accommodation: Accepting and planning for dietary restrictions to cater to all guests.

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Food Tours FAQs

Food Tour Resources