food tour kansas city

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Kansas City Food Tour - Secret Food Tours

• Kansas City

See a new perspective on Kansas City through our beloved secret food tours.

Imagine sampling burnt ends and a cheese slipper during the same afternoon. If those two Kansas City foods are new to you, then you definitely need to experience our secret, expertly programmed tour. Join our tour ready to sample this famous city's iconic menu items, and don't be surprised if we sneak you into a popular spot's kitchen. After all, a secret tour of Kansas City's dining scene should make guests feel like insiders.

These are the secret food tours Kansas City visitors adore, so claim your group's preferred reservations while they're still available! We'll tell KC's chefs to prep some extra brisket for you!

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THE BEST Kansas City Food Tours

Kansas city food tours.

• Beer Tastings & Tours
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• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
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1. Flavors of Kansas City: Private Food Tour Extravaganza

• Distillery Tour
• Tom's Town Distillery Tour and Tasting
• KC BBQ Tour
• Kansas City Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tour
• Kansas City Brewery Tour
• Kansas City Walking Tours
• Travel Unrivaled (Award Winning, Worldwide Tour Operator)
• Tour Kansas City
• Taste of Kansas City Food Tours
• Lunch with Locals

Taste of Kansas City Food Tour

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Taste of Kansas City Food Tour/Facebook

If you want to sample several of the Crossroads Arts District’s best eateries with a group of friends, try the Taste of Kansas City Food Tour. Covering about one and a half miles in three hours, the Tour includes stops at upscale restaurants, delicious dives, a wine shop, and an artisan chocolate shop with enough food for lunch (tours are Thursday through Sunday at 11am). Tour guide Rebekah Dykstra not only knows her food, she’ll tell you about downtown KC’s art deco architectural landmarks, KC’s role in prohibition during the gangster era, and what’s on tap for the future. I’ve had a couple visitors tell me this was the most fun they had, leaving full, buzzed from a few cocktails, and thoroughly entertained.

More Recommendations

Sample kansas city's finest, cocktails and culinary culture in kansas city.

Kansas City caters to all sorts of tastes. The city is most famous, of course, for its barbecue, but as the Taste of Kansas City Food Tours prove, there are many other culinary experiences to be had here. The three-hour tours offered by Taste of Kansas City include highlights of guides’ favorite spots for ethnic and craft cocktail. From five-star restaurants to mom-n-pop shops, each tour includes five or six stops, as well as running commentary about the history, culture, architecture and--of course-- food of KC.

Information on this page, including website, location, and opening hours, is subject to have changed since this page was last published. If you would like to report anything that’s inaccurate, let us know at [email protected].

All Access: Kansas City’s Guided Tours

By Katy Schamberger

Architecture, food, historic landmarks, drinks—there’s so much to see in Kansas City that it can be a little overwhelming to decide where to start. Instead of stressing over your itinerary, why not kick back, relax and let a tour guide show you the way? KC offers a growing variety of tours, both on foot and on wheels. And whether you’re an inquisitive foodie or a bonafide history buff, you’ll find something to entertain and inform your inner explorer.

Here are a few of our favorite tours to help you get started:

Double Decker Sights

Keep your eyes peeled while you’re seated up top soaking up the sun in Kansas City and you’ll probably see the cheerful red Kansas City Double Decker Tours bus roll by. The company hosts 90-minute sightseeing tours that are hop-on, hop-off—a flexible format that lets you explore at your own pace. Stops include KC essentials, such as Crown Center , River Market, Boulevard Brewing Company, the National WWI Museum and Memorial , Westport, the Country Club Plaza and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art . Tickets can be purchased day-of, but the company recommends buying advance tickets so you’re ensured a seat. Also give KC Fun Tours a try for a spin around some of the town's most scenic destinations. 

Stroll in Style

Strap on your helmet and prepare to glide by some of KC’s favorite destinations in style. Segway Bike & Stroll hosts tours on Segway electric scooters, bicycles and on foot. Tours are organized by theme and include looks at parks, museums, art, barbecue and more, and are generally held every day of the week. If you’re hesitant about operating a Segway, don’t be. Guides offer brief, one-on-one instruction before the tour begins to ensure everyone is comfortable before departing.

Appetizing Excursions

Are you ready to eat your way through popular KC neighborhoods? Taste of Kansas City Food Tours hosts an appetizing array of tours that include the Crossroads Arts District, Prohibition-style cocktails, brunch, the KC Streetcar and plenty more. While the focus of each is undoubtedly the food and drink, participants will also learn more about the history, culture and entertainment of the area. Then of course there's the KC Barbecue Tours , which allow you to sample KC's signature cuisine. Consider these adventures an immersion for all five senses—and one very happy stomach! 

History On Foot

Kansas City is home to world-renowned architecture and fascinating history—and during Historic Kansas City’s walking tours , you’ll get to experience both. Several tours give participants a closer look at some of the KC’s most beloved landmarks and neighborhoods. Get an up-close view of the KC's Art Deco City Hall and county courthouse before checking out the stately mansions along Gladstone and Benton Boulevards in the historic Northeast, among many other notable stops on the 60-90-minute excursions.

While not on foot, the Gangster Tour takes you back in time to organized crime's heyday in Kansas City as you investigate popular hangouts and crime scenes, including Union Station and more.

Behind the Scenes Views

Before you raise a glass and enjoy some of Kansas City’s favorite beverages, why not get a closer look at how they’re made? Several hometown facilities offer tours that typically conclude with a of tasting.

The always-popular Boulevard Brewing Company tours are available in several varieties, including free, 60-minute public treks through the production facility, a two-hour Smokestack experience and tasting and private tours—oh, and samples are included with each. And when you’re done, keep the fun flowing in the Boulevard Beer Hall, complete with exhibits, an expanded shop and, upstairs, 24 beers on tap plus food.

Coffee lovers: Don’t leave Kansas City without stopping by The Roasterie , the best way to get an up-close look at the air-roasted coffee company’s cupping, roasting and blending processes. Complimentary tours are held seven days a week and include coffee samples.

Kansas City’s distillery scene thrived until the ravages of Prohibition. Now? It’s experiencing a delicious comeback. Tom’s Town Distilling Co . , Downtown Kansas City’s first legal distillery since Prohibition, offers one-hour tours that include an in-depth look at the distillation process and history of the company’s namesake: Boss Tom Pendergast.

J. Rieger & Company , founded in 1887 in the West Bottoms, was a casualty of Prohibition—but the iconic whiskey brand lives again, thanks to co-founders Ryan Maybee and Andy Rieger. Now, the spirits flow from a distillery in the East Bottoms, which offers tours on select Saturdays. Plan to spend around two hours in the distillery learning about the history and legacy of J. Rieger & Co., as well as the distilling process—and, of course, sampling whiskey.

Memorable Murals and Sculptures in Kansas City

In Kansas City, public art is in plain view, no matter where you're standing. Discover some of the most iconic murals and sculptures in the City of Fountains. 

Kansas City Film Self-Guided Tour

Kansas City’s film scene is more than a burgeoning industry attracting more attention by the day—it’s one of the city’s oldest and most culturally significant pastimes. And now, you can experience that rich history yourself thanks to our self-guided tour. No matter your familiarity with the city,...

Best Food & Drink in Kansas City

Fresh, innovative and above all delicious, Kansas City's culinary scene is booming. Discover some of the most popular drinking and dining of the year.

Making the Most of your Event Along the KC Streetcar Line

Free to ride and connecting some of the city’s most vibrant districts, the streetcar transforms ordinary events and helps shape memorable experiences.

KC BBQ Tour

Savor Kansas City’s Finest BBQ Delights: Enjoy Mouthwatering Flavors without the Wait, even if You’re a Picky Eater!

KC BBQ Tour – Starts at $125 pp

Delight in a flavorful journey and savor Kansas City’s finest BBQ delights on a tour that promises mouthwatering flavors without the wait, even if you’re a picky eater. Dive into a world of smoky, savory delights as you sample signature dishes from top BBQ joints, carefully selected to please even the most discerning taste buds. With our expert guides leading the way, you’ll skip the lines and go straight to indulging in a feast of delicious BBQ creations. Whether you’re a BBQ aficionado or someone who’s particular about their food, this tour is designed to cater to your taste preferences and ensure a memorable dining experience. Get ready to satisfy your cravings and explore the heart and soul of Kansas City’s renowned BBQ scene in a way that is sure to delight your palate, no matter your culinary inclinations.

• A variety of cuts of meat throughout the stops
• A minimum of one side at each location
• A diverse arrangement of bbq styles and rubs
• VIP seating and service (Skip the long lines)
• Pre-arranged dining experience
• Insider history of each iconic bbq joint

tOur Details

✔️ Indulge in Kansas City’s finest BBQ delights stress-free

✔️ Skip the lines and dive straight into a feast of BBQ creations

  ✔️ Expert guides to make your experience seamless

✔️ Journey through the heart and soul of KC’s BBQ scene

✔️ Memorable dining experience guaranteed

✔️ Enjoy a half-day of exploration, discovery, and delightful BBQ

Price Includes

• 3 stops with VIP Access 
• Samples at each stop
• Safe & fun tour guide

What to Bring

• Gratuity for guide (Optional)

Meeting Point

• Made in KC – 325 E. 31st St., Kansas City, MO 64108

Here IS What Our Customers Say

Five-star reviews, free t-shirt.

While supplies last. Limited quantity in Mahomes Red.

Where We Go

Barley Bus Fleet

Our diverse fleet of buses, including a charming Vintage VW bus that’s a true throwback, offers a variety of options for different group sizes and seating preferences. For larger gatherings, we seamlessly coordinate with our partners to ensure everyone is comfortably accommodated.

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Taste of Kansas City Food Tour

By: Author Anna-Marie

Posted on Published: May 15, 2018  - Last updated: August 12, 2019

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I was recently in Kansas City, Missouri for the first time to attend a blogging conference. While the information I gathered from the event was great, I played hooky the  last day to join a 3-hour Taste of Kansas City Food Tour. I personally think food tours are one of the best ways to really get your hands dirty with the ins and outs of a city. Especially when your hands are dirty with BBQ chicken and sausage lamb rolls.

The Kansas City Food Tour meets at Red Dragon House in the Historic Garment District. If you arrive early enough you can relax and enjoy a tokkuri of Sake, or a refreshing Mai Tai.

Once our tour guide showed up, we all gathered around a table in the restaurant and were immediately served Crab Rangoons, Egg Rolls, Kung  Pao Chicken and Sesame Chicken. And I will warn you as I warned from the very beginning, pace your food intake because the servings are not tiny. I found it incredibly difficult to restrain myself at every place we visited simply because I knew I had to save room for all the stops. My favorite at Red Dragon House was the crab rangoon.

As we enjoyed the food at each stop, we learned about the history of the city, from the reign and influence of mob boss Tom Pendergast to the abundance of brothels for those passing through the city on their way to find gold in California, to the sequence of an entire system of underground tunnels used to smuggle alcohol during the days of Prohibition.

There are a few varieties of the Kansas City Food Tour offered- the daytime tours include transportation on the free streetcar that runs through the city, or you can opt for the tour I did called the Lip Smacking Foodie Tour , which was offered by bus. A mini bus. With only five of us on my tour, we had plenty of room to spread out in the bus/van.

The second stop was to an Australian bakery called Banksia Bakehouse .  Banksia (named after a fruit tree in the land down under) was started by three friends from Australia who wanted to infuse their native cuisine with the food of Kansas City. We indulged in a plate of pie and sausage rolls, from Smoked Veggies to Pork and Fennel to Australian Lamb, each roll was better than the last.

We were also given slices of Lamington, an Australian sponge cake dipped in chocolate syrup, layered in raspberry jam, and coated with coconut. Super moist and creamy, Lamington is not for the sweet faint of heart.

Next we took a quick drive past the Kansas City Public Library, painted to look like books on a shelf. The books that are featured on the building were voted on by residents of the city and include classics like Charlotte’s Web and To Kill a Mockingbird.

We made our way up to the River Market District to the City Market, a collection of shops, restaurants and Farmer stalls just south of the Missouri River. The group had an opportunity to visit the Planters Seed and Spice Company , an indoor market with an array of food products, spices, teas, coffees, soup mixes, candies, nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits, vinegars and a large variety of garden gifts.

I picked up this adorable kitten creamer for only $10! As part of the Kansas City Food Tour, we were also generously gifted with a large bag of Planters Original Barbeque Spice and Sugar Rub to take home with us.

Next up we ventured into the Crossroads neighborhood of the city, an area known for its many art galleries and colorful decor. While many of the storefronts seem to be empty, this district hosts almost 10,000 visitors every month during First Fridays where the showrooms open their doors, food trucks line the streets and Kansas Citians gather in droves to celebrate art and drink. We went into a pizza spot called Papa Keno’s Pizzeria   and we all split a giant BBQ Chicken pie.

The decor was also nicely tied into the First Friday event with original artwork lining the walls. This is also the most convenient location on the tour to grab a draft of a local brew, another “food” Kansas City is known for.

It is important to note that the tour does not stop at any of the renowned BBQ spots, BBQ being the other major “food group” the city is super famous for. The reason was explained by our tour guide that there are simply so many opinions as to who serves the best barbeque that not one spot can be pinpointed down on the tour. I felt like I had already had enough BBQ during my stay that I was actually grateful to be trying new foods.

Our second to last stop is actually not a normal place our particular tour visits, but if there is time you can request a stop here. Artist Alley , a literal street art museum. For those of you familiar with the city, you can find the alley located between 17th and 18th Streets near Locust and Cherry Streets. It was started in 2014 with a local freelance artist named Jason Harrington who received permission to paint part of the exterior wall of the Slap-n-Tickle Gallery. Since that time, other building owners in both the alley and the neighborhood have given permission to local artists to paint their art on the wall lending to perhaps the most colorful alley in the United States.

As our time was winding down, the last stop of the tour was at a local candy/confection shop called Bizz & Wizzy Confections , across from the old TWA Airlines Headquarters building. Though TWA has long moved out of the space, it is interesting to see the 22-ft skyliner rocket still atop the building. The rocket was designed by Kansas City home grown hero – Walt Disney. It was modeled after the spaceship that sits in California’s Tommorowland in Disneyland.

Anyway, back to the sweets. We enjoyed chocolate dipped Oreo cookies while learning the history of the shop.

I ended up grabbing a box of caramel candies to take back to Florida with me – my favorite flavor being the BBQ Caramel. How can one come to Kansas City and not take home a box of barbeque caramels? I could be home and relive my Kansas City Food Tour with my family.

So now that I have told you everything you will eat, see, and learn about on the tour, are you ready to enjoy it for yourself?  Visit Taste of Kansas City Food Tours for more information on this tour or to learn about any of their other events. I wish to add that I was not   compensated on this tour for a post. I was not sure if I was going to be able to sneak away from the conference so I wasn’t able to commit until the day before. I just want to clarify that I was not paid or asked to say nice things about them!!

For more reading, check out these tours in these other foodie towns:

Wednesday 16th of May 2018

Kansas City really surprised me as I wasn't sure how interesting the city was. But it was a wonderful place!

Helen Corbin

That was so well done and the pictures are great. You definitely made me want to visit Kansas City. Of course, it would be great to do the food tour as well. Fantastic job!!!!!!!!!!

Random Felines

Tuesday 15th of May 2018

Sounds like fun.....and very delicious

It was so delicious and nice to see a different taste of the city!

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens

That sounds like so much fun! The creamer is adorable

I haven't used it yet as I am afraid I will be clumsy and break it!!

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Private Group Food Tours

Who should consider private group tours, private group tours with taste of kansas city food tours are a perfect event for:.

• Team Building Functions
• Corporate Events
• Large Friend & Family Outings
• New Employee or Intern Socials
• Singles & Networking Groups
• Birthday Celebrations
• Weekday/end Group Activity
• Culinary & Cooking Groups
• Bachelor & Bachelorette Wedding Parties
• Bridal or Baby Showers
• Grade/High School & College Field Trips
• Wedding Anniversary

Private Group Food Tour Information

• Minimum Participants: All Tours ran on Friday or Saturday must have 12-14 guests: Monday - Wednesday 10 -14 people.
• Weekday private tours are generally easier to book than weekend tours.
• At this time TOKC is unable to accommodate diestary restrictions with the EXCEPTION of vegetarian.
• TOKC is NOT a transportation company and does not bill by the hour; as such, we are unable to pick guests up at their homes, place of business and/or hotel.  All tours and prices are set for specific times and locations.  It is the guests responsibility to make transportation arrangements to centrally located meeting destination. (We have at times made prior arrangements with guests to be picked up at hotel if close to downtown area.  If you are a group with limited transportation options, please reach out in advance and we will most likely be able to work something out.)
• TOKC currently operates with a 14 passenger bus; anything above and beyond 14 guests will be responsibility of customer to make additional transportation arrangements.

• Private group tour tickets that are run the same as our public tours will be charged the same cost. Prices will vary with custom tours. A tour guide gratuity fee of 18% will be included in your total cost and provided directly to your tour guide(s). No refunds are given for no-shows or cancellations.
• Private Group Tour tickets that are sold less than 15 days from agreed tour date require full payment to hold a specific date, tour route and time.
• Private Group Tour tickets that are sold more than 15 days from agreed tour date require a $250 non-refundable deposit per 10 persons paid via credit card to hold an agreed upon date, time slot(s), and tour guide(s).
• Final headcount and remaining balance (non-refundable) paid via credit card are due 10 business days prior to the event. NO EXCEPTIONS
• If final payment is not made within 10 days PRIOR to the scheduled tour; tour will be cancelled and security deposit will not be refunded.
• Once purchased, all tickets and payments are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled.
• Private Group Tours may be able to accommodate parties above and beyond the 14 minimum, however, additional transportation will be required at the cost of the guest.

Option to customize length, start times, and tour distance covered.

Private and exclusive experience limited to your party only

Easily accommodate small and large groups

Customize tour locations and ability to add drink options

Ready to Plan Your Next Event?

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