Last Updated on January 5, 2020 by Candy Wafford

A food tour is one of my favorite tours to take. You’ll get to try local food, see the sights, and learn about the city all in one tour! It’s also a great way to find restaurants that you may want to return to.

1) Which Food Tour to Book?

Many tour operators will offer multiple tours in a city. Think about which area of town most interests you. Would you prefer a tour of the area you are staying in? Or should you use a food tour as a way to become acquainted with another area of town?

This is the approach I took when booking a food tour in Montreal. I was staying in Old Town and knew I would have plenty of opportunities to try the food there. So I booked a tour in the Mile End neighborhood as a way to spend some time in another area of Montreal.

2) Go at the Beginning of Your Trip

I like taking a food tour at the start of my trip so I can get a professional tour of the food scene. By exploring restaurants and foods upfront you can decide what you want to get more of during your vacation. Is your trip just a few days? Food tours are great for shorter trips too!

3) Come With an Open Mind

The best thing about a food tour is getting to try new foods! Come with an open mind to get the most out of your tour. There are a handful of things I simply won’t try but for the most part, when I go on a food tour I decide to try everything offered on the tour.

Make sure to indicate any food allergies or preferences when booking your tour. My daughter is a vegetarian and we’ve taken several food tours together. The restaurants always had a vegetarian option available for her. Remind your guide of any allergies and preferences at the start of the tour.

If there is the option to get interactive, do it! I had the chance to help cook a pizza in Naples and it was one of my favorite experiences on the trip.

4) Bring Some Water

Some tours may provide you with a bottle of water. But I suggest bringing your own water to ensure you have a beverage on hand. Usually, you will be trying a variety of foods on a food tour and it’s nice to have a palate cleanser.

5) Wear Comfortable Shoes

You will be doing some walking on a food tour. Most tour companies organize the tour in a specific area of a city or in one neighborhood so you probably won’t be walking miles and miles. But you can expect to easily log a mile or so and don’t want sore feet to get in the way of enjoying all the delicious food that will be offered.

If mobility is an issue for you, check the food company’s website to see if they indicate the walking distance. If not, shoot them a quick email to make sure that your accessibility needs will be met.

6) Bring Some Local Currency

There have been times on a food tour when I’ve wanted to grab something extra for the road. Having a few dollars of the local currency, preferably in small bills, means you can buy that extra macaron without holding up the rest of the tour group.

Tipping your guide is customary on most tours, and guides always appreciate cash.

7) Dress for the Weather

A big portion of food tours occurs outside. From walking to and from restaurants to enjoying food from street vendors, expect to be in the elements during your tour. Dress appropriately for the temperature, and also bring an umbrella if there is a chance of rain. A hat is a nice option to shield you from the sun as well as protect you from rain. I also find that wearing a light jacket or sweater is a nice way to transition from the weather to the often cooler temperatures inside a restaurant.

8) Pay Attention to the Tour Guide

As I’ve mentioned before, one of the reasons that I love food tours so much is that you usually get a history and culture tour, with food!

Your guide is an expert in the area you are touring and will share their knowledge with you about the history of the area, information about the food you will be trying, and other cool information. Very often this information will be shared on the street where the guide will be competing with traffic and other pedestrians. Be polite, and save personal conversations for after the tour. Also, you will have plenty of time to chat with one another as you walk between stops.

9) Be Respectful of Others Time

Arrive at the meeting location at least ten minutes before the tour is scheduled to begin. This will give your guide ample time to do a roll call, collect any unpaid fees, and ensure the tour begins on time.

There is a schedule your guide will need to adhere to during the tour. Be respectful of this and realize that there are some stops you may want to spend more time at. I find that about halfway through the tour, the group has gotten comfortable with one another and conversations tend to last longer. And this is one of the things I love about taking a food tour.

But your guide will be doing their best to make all of the stops and finish the tour on time. So during the tour, make sure that you are done eating and ready to go when the guide is. At sit down stops, I find the guide will usually let participants know when they need to leave so you can finish your food and drink.

10) Go Back to the Food Stops

If you loved the pizza on the tour or saw something on the menu at one of the tour’s stops that you would like to try, go back after the tour. This is a win-win for you and the food vendors.

Regardless of which tour you choose, a food tour is a great way to see a city and fill your belly at the same time! Have you taken a food tour?

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