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The 15 best foodie tours in the usa.

Savor fresh seafood, authentic Tex-Mex and more during one of these highly regarded outings.

(Getty Images) |

Consider these gourmand-approved excursions when visiting America's top culinary spots.

Savannah Taste Experience: Savannah, Georgia

Sonoma Food Tour: Sonoma, California

Austin Eats Food Tours: Austin, Texas

Bite San Diego: San Diego

Walk Eat Nashville: Nashville, Tennessee

Taste of Houston Food Tours: Houston

(Jamie Francis | Courtesy of TravelPortland.com)

Forktown Food Tours: Portland, Oregon

Savor Seattle Food Tours: Seattle

Charleston Culinary Tours: Charleston, South Carolina

Gourmet Food and Wine Tours: Napa Valley

Melting Pot Food Tours: Los Angeles

Foods of New York Tours: New York City

Chicago Food Planet: Chicago

Doctor Gumbo Tours: New Orleans

Local Tastes of the City Tours: San Francisco

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Our food tours connect hungry minds and stomachs with Seattle’s best foods and libations. Enjoy hidden gems and surprising discoveries!

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We are Seattle’s go-to food tour company. We are experts at connecting adventuresome guests with Seattle in the most unique, flavorful, and unexpected way.

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Savor Seattle was founded in 2007 as the first food tour company within the Pike Place Market Community. For 13 years, Savor grew to become the premiere culinary walking tour company in Seattle.

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The best memories are created when people engage together in the common language of food. We transform moments of unexpected discovery into life-long joy.

The Savor Story

Savor Seattle was founded in 2007 as the first food tour company within the Pike Place Market Community. For 13 years, Savor grew to become the premiere culinary walking tour company in Seattle. Sadly, in March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the shut-down of tour operations. With the hope that Savor might continue to bring our guests amazing Seattle food experiences, we pivoted to curated food boxes sent to the customer’s home. While our business model evolved, this allowed us to maintain our mission and commitment to the community we love.

Today, Savor Seattle is operated by former tour guides and managers Heather Refvem and Matthew Bentley. With a new and expansive vision, Savor Seattle’s Tour Operations relaunched Spring of 2023. Our 25 years of combined experience in the tourism industry and our dedication as members of the Pike Place Market community has us feeling confident and excited to ask our guests to once again… #followthepinkumbrella

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What is a Food Tour? Plus Practical Tips to Book One

What is a food tour? They’re your ticket to diving deep into the soul of a new place, where its flavors and stories come alive. Think of them as your culinary compass, guiding you through the streets with bites and sips that define the local culture.

Here’s some advice we swear by: schedule a food tour for the first day you’re in town. It’s like meeting a new friend who shows you around, letting you in on all the secret spots while you feast on dishes you wouldn’t have stumbled upon otherwise.

Our foodie travels in Modena , Bologna , and Mazatlán were game-changers, filled with unforgettable tastes like those legendary drunken tacos and the best Parmigiano Reggiano ever.

Food tours aren’t just about eating up local delicacies. They’re a bridge to understanding the place’s heritage and heartbeat, all through the eyes of passionate local guides.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission at no extra cost. Please refer to our  full disclosure  for details.

Thinking of adding a food tour to your tasty itinerary? Stick around. We’re about to unravel the what, how, and why of food tours, plus our tips for picking the perfect one.

Table of Contents

What is a Food Tour?

A food tour is an adventure for your taste buds, guided by a knowledgeable local passionate about their city’s cuisine and traditions. It’s a journey through the heart of a destination, exploring themes like markets, bakeries, or even wine tasting, depending on your interests. Often including tastings of food, wine, or liquor and insights into food production, food tours are a deep dive into local flavors and culinary practices. 

At Tasty Itinerary, we think of it as a “foodie adventure” – a unique opportunity to sample, learn, and fall in love with local eats and drinks you might otherwise miss, all while having fun and trying new things.

A Food Tour Looks Like This

• Meet and Greet : Your guide will welcome you at your meeting point, provide an overview of the tour you’re about to take, and introduce the city’s highlights.
• First Bite : You’ll have your first taste, usually at a local bakery or café, sampling the city’s typical breakfast fare. Unless it’s an afternoon or evening tour.
• Culinary Exploration : Part of a food tour is embarking on a walking tour through the city, stopping at local markets, eateries, and specialty shops to taste a variety of local specialties.
• Diverse Dining : Experiences may include on-the-go street food tastings and-or sit-down meals at restaurants.
• Learn and Taste : The food they introduce all comes with a story—learn about its history, production, and cultural significance.
• Insider Tips : This is one of the most valuable parts of a food tour. Your guide will provide personal recommendations at other must-visit spots to eat, drink, and local gems to explore.

Practical Tips to Book a Food Tour

Now that we know what a food tour is, here are some practical tips to help you book and take a food tour during your next vacation.

During a private food tour in Girona, Spain , hubby got a lesson on how to slice jamón. And I fell in love with one of my favorite pastries to date, the local pastry of Girona called a Xiuxo.

1. Do Your Research

First things first: do some homework. 

• Ask friends or family who’ve visited the destination about their food tour experiences.
• Read reviews on tour companies and individual guides on platforms like Viator , WithLocals , and Devour Tours .
• Join travel Facebook groups for insider recommendations.
• Aim for high-rated tours and rave reviews because these tours are vetted for.

2. Check What’s Included

Not all food tours are created equal. 

• Read the description of the itinerary. See how many stops are planned and what kind of tastings are in store. 
• Are you into paying for the guide and then paying for the food you choose to eat during the tour, or does an all-included fee sound more cost-effective? 
• Sometimes, splurging a bit on a private tour can offer a different perspective, and you can tailor it as you wish.

Foodie Tip: Above all, embracing new flavors and experiences is at the heart of what makes a food tour truly memorable.

3. Find a Tour That Fits Your Budget

Cheese and bread samples with toppings on a food tour in Florence, Italy, at the Mercato Centrale.

Your budget will dictate a lot of your choices. Food tours can range from modest to extravagant, especially in cities like Rome, Paris, or New York, where the cost of living (and dining) is higher. Weigh the experience against the expense to find your sweet spot.

4. Check the Meeting Point and Schedule

We tried Tigella, a typical food from Modena, for the first time during a food tour. We had never heard of it until then.

Logistics matter. Look at where your food journey starts and ends and how it fits your accommodation and transportation plans. Timing is just as crucial; you want a tour that syncs up with your day without making you rush or miss out.

Pro Tip: Book your tour around breakfast or lunchtime, or make it a dinner adventure. That way, it doubles as a meal, filling you up with delicious experiences.

5. Communicate With Your Tour Company and Guide

On a food tour in Bologna, we visited a pasta factory where several ladies made tortellini by hand.

Got questions? Dietary restrictions? Need to cancel or reschedule? Get in touch with your tour provider early on to smooth out any wrinkles before they become crinkles. A little pre-tour communication goes a long way in ensuring your food tour is as seamless as it is scrumptious.

Foodie Tip: We recommend touching base with your guide before you arrive; their insider tips on where to eat and what to see can be as valuable as the tour itself. You can start planning and making reservations.

Where to Book a Food Tour?

We always start our research and book most of the tours on these sites with great success. It’s a great starting point in finding one that fits your needs.

• Get Your Guide

What is a food tour called?

A food tour goes by many names: culinary tour, foodie tour, gourmet tour, but here at Tasty Itinerary, we prefer “foodie adventure.”

How would you describe a food tour?

A food tour is an exciting experience for food enthusiasts, guided by a local expert passionate about showcasing their city’s best culinary offerings and traditions. It’s a chance to immerse oneself in the distinctive flavors of a location, accompanied by a fellow food lover.

It’s common to visit fresh local markets and specialty stores during food tours.

Why do people go on food tours?

People go on food tours to sample and learn about local eats and drinks they might miss if they were exploring on their own. Spending time with a local foodie makes the experience unique, as who better to learn from than someone passionate about local cuisine? Plus, it’s just fun to eat and try new foods!

How does a food tour work?

A food tour typically starts with meeting your guide, who leads you through 5 to 8 culinary stops, offering tastes and sips of the locale’s specialties. These tours can be private or in small groups of 6 to 10 people, lasting about three to four hours to ensure a more personal and manageable experience. The goal is to keep things intimate, making navigating and soaking in every delicious moment easier.

What is included in a food tour?

What you’ll get on a food tour varies with each company or guide. Typically, tours include a mix of guided walks and tastings of local foods and drinks, ensuring you get a hearty experience of the local cuisine. The amount and variety of food depend on the tour and location, but the aim is always to leave you happily satisfied.

Be aware that some tours offer just the guide’s expertise, leading you through the city’s culinary spots, where you pay for what you eat as you go. This approach lets you pick what tempts your taste buds but requires more flexibility and budgeting. Always check the tour details to know exactly what’s included and make the best choice for your appetite and curiosity.

Are food tours worth it?

Yes, we believe food tours are worth it and a great way to learn about a destination through its food, as it is part of its culture. The value you get from what you eat and drink and the bonus of having a great guide to show you around make it an amazing and worthwhile experience.

It was hot in Mazatlan, so I wore a tank top, shorts, and a hat on our food tour.

What do you wear to a food tour?

Unless specified, be comfortable and stay casual. Always wear comfortable shoes as you will walk a lot during the tour when you’re not sitting down to eat.

Do you tip your food tour guide?

Always tip your food tour guide, especially if they’ve done a fantastic job.

BEFORE YOU GO ON YOUR FOODIE ADVENTURE, CHECK OUT THESE RELATED READS:

• Travel and Food Quotes That Speak to a Foodie Traveler’s Soul
• Tips for First-Time Travelers
• Avoidable Travel Mistakes: Travel Smarter
• What to Pack in Your Carry-On Backpack
• Pros and Cons of Airbnb Stays

Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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13 Absolute Best Food Tours In New Orleans

The city of New Orleans can best be described as a food lover's paradise. Its rich and cultured past has paved the way for an eclectic and diverse food scene to rival all others in the country. In the Big Easy, everything is iconic, from fresh seafood out of the Gulf Coast to delicious drinks that fuel the festivities and sweet treats that many tourists travel far and wide to sample. The city's unique blend of cultures gives rise to exclusive dishes, drawing visitors from across the globe to savor unforgettable cuisine and create lasting memories.

When visiting a new city, it's often wise to let a tour guide tote you around to the most serene, signature spots on your checklist. When New Orleans is the destination, tourists should never leave before booking a food tour to open their eyes to tastes outside the tourist district. We all know to indulge in cajun gumbo and beignets. However, lesser-known New Orleans classics like hearty red beans and rice and yakamein soup are often overlooked by travelers. A food-focused tour ensures a taste of the renowned favorites of the city, while unveiling hidden gems beyond the staples of The French Quarter, where authentic Cajun and Creole flavors come to life. Using personal experience and research methods, this list sums up the best food tours to make your New Orleans vacation unconventional and, therefore, spectacular.

Doctor Gumbo

Ever been on a boring tour? Doctor Gumbo Tours  implore guests to forget their preconceived notions about standard tours, with bored, blasé tour guides reading off lists and going through the motions. Doctor Gumbo boasts "a cure for the common tour" with food-focused walking tours that are designed to be both fun and informative. Meet new friends and explore the ins and outs of the most vibrant city in America. Whether you choose the food history tour or strictly cocktails while you walk along the streets of New Orleans' revered French Quarter, you're in for an experience that will have you swooning over the Big Easy.

Doctor Gumbo's food history tour allows visitors to dine in five iconic New Orleans locations, including some centuries-old establishments that are household names in the city. You'll discover dishes like seafood-rich gumbo, savory boudin balls, and the best muffuletta in Nola . Enjoy your leisurely stroll through the city streets, enjoying jazz performances and exploring various restaurants. There are plenty of opportunities for candy shop stops and hot sauce store tours so that you can pick up some classic New Orleans souvenirs along the way.

Sidewalk Food Tours

Food is the name of the game for Sidewalk Tours . The company specializes in a variety of food-themed tours to accommodate all visitors. Learn about the neighborhoods of The French Quarter and the Lower Garden District while you sample the flavors that put the city on the map as a culinary hotspot. Sidewalk tour guides are friendly and laidback, so instead of feeling like a structured tour with a strict itinerary, this experience is more like a casual stroll through a beautiful city that leaves guests with a full belly and fond memories to last a lifetime.

Choose whether you'd like to explore The French Quarter or the less famous but equally impressive Lower Garden District with Sidewalk tours. For The Quarter tour, choose five locations, including Leah's Pralines — arguably the best place for iconic sweets in New Orleans — and Felix's Oyster Bar, where you can sample freshly shucked oysters fresh from the Mississippi River. Opt for the Garden District tour to explore locations such as the famous sandwich shop Turkey and the Wolf and Juan's Flying Burrito, the world's first Creole taqueria. Sidewalk Tours also offers private and corporate tours.

Let a bona fide local tote you around the Garden District with Bon Moment tours. Whether you'd like a guided bar crawl or a tour that will satiate your appetite, Bon Moment is an ideal choice for a small group looking for an intimate, in-depth New Orleans culinary experience. This tour focuses heavily on small businesses, meaning you might sacrifice stops at some famous chains. Still, in exchange, you'll be supporting the local economy of the city you've been longing to visit.

Bon Moment's tour guide will educate you on the history of the neighborhoods that you're touring before and after you indulge in some iconic NOLA food and beverages. Take the company's Bywater food and drink tour to do New Orleans like a local. Drink in a dive bar and grab po '  boys at the corner deli while you admire street art and listen to live music in this up-and-coming part of town. Bon Moment also offers tours of The Garden District and a nightlife tour on Frenchman Street, where you can party like the locals do.

Guided Underground Donut and Beignet Tour

Those who are unfamiliar with the city may not think of donuts and sweet treats when they think about the culinary scene of New Orleans (usually fishy food and booze are what come to mind). But locals know all too well the addictive nature of New Orleans-style beignets and other soft and sugary NOLA treats. On the  Guided Underground  donut and beignet tour, you'll get to indulge in a different way than everyone else partying in the French Quarter on Fat Tuesday. Guided Underground's tour takes visitors through the neighborhoods of Magazine Street — an area to explore that tourists don't often add to their itinerary. Yet for New Orleans locals, Magazine is the go-to spot for culinary delights, refreshing drinks, lively parties, and an all-encompassing good time.

On the tour, you'll visit four pastry shops, enjoying the best beignets the city has to offer with a cup of chicory-laced café au lait in hand. You'll try the classics as well as seasonal donuts loaded with local ingredients unique to the city. The tour promises to finish with a fun surprise, so book this distinguished food tour on your next New Orleans excursion to enjoy something off the beaten path.

New Orleans Secrets

So you've tried gumbo, beignets, and rum-rich hurricanes — now what? There's a lot more to the New Orleans foodie scene than just the classics that we can all name off the top of our heads. New Orleans Secrets aims to shed some light on the lesser-known delights that the city has to offer and leave the gumbo to the novices. The company's Magazine Street Foodie Tour  includes six stops with seven menu items to enjoy. The experience is anything but a tasting tour and more like a full day of indulgence. You can certainly check this eclectic meal off as one of the best you'll ever have in New Orleans and beyond.

The New Orleans Secrets foodie tour leaves guests in suspense by staying true to its name and keeping the restaurants a surprise until the tour begins. So for an adventurous foodie who loves to throw all caution to the wind and embrace a mouth-watering, savory meal in any and all forms, this tour is a must-experience. Guests will stroll for a half mile down Magazine Street, enjoying the sights, sounds, and — most importantly — flavors of the city.

Destination Kitchen

Considered one of the best in the Crescent City, Destination Kitchen offers tours to suit any group. Whether you're on a cocktail-laden girl's trip or a family-friendly vacation, a culinary tour by Destination Kitchen will please everyone in your group by showcasing the best of the best in New Orleans cuisine. Amble through The French Quarter during Destination Kitchen's walking food tour, perfect for first-time visitors. On this tour, you can sample gumbo and other iconic dishes, as well as "make groceries" (otherwise known as "shop for tasty treats" in New Orleans language). This tour includes a stop at the city's famous French Market, where you can choose any seafood meal you can fathom and grab a cold beverage to ease the sticky Louisiana heat.

For a more intimate and unconventional experience, opt for Destination Kitchen's walking tour and cooking class. At nearly six hours, this tour turns the culinary world of New Orleans into a fun day of gastronomic bliss. Visit the most famous eateries in the city and learn about their impact on New Orleans culture, all while sampling beloved dishes. Then, enjoy an entertaining and informative cooking demonstration at the New Orleans Cooking School, complete with a full lunch.

Taste of Nawlins

Let Taste of Nawlins  take you on an educational epicurean excursion through the French Quarter. Don't let the quirky phonetic spelling in this tour's name fool you — the company promises to take you and your guests on a dignified journey through the famed culinary landscape of New Orleans as it was meant to be experienced. You'll learn the history of iconic dishes like jambalaya and gumbo , as well as the story behind the historical buildings that line the streets of The Quarter. On this tour, you'll meet the locals who keep New Orleans's food scene alive and thriving, providing a hearty dose of sweet Southern culture to accompany the savory meals you'll enjoy.

If you're after a tour that offers a little something beyond the classics, take the Taste of Nawlins breakfast tour. On this excursion, you'll start your day with a full New Orleans-style breakfast in a popular restaurant on Decatur Street before you head out for an early morning educational adventure. You'll learn about food, architecture, and the French history that made this Gulf Coast cuisine among the most revered in the country.

The Premier New Orleans Food Tour

Lead by two New Orleans locals with a fiery passion for The Big Easy's eclectic charm, the Premier New Orleans food tour is sure to impress even the pickiest of palettes. Naif and Sandy — two lifelong Louisiana residents — will be your knowledgeable and quirky guides on the culinary circuit. Both Naif and Sandy are former educators and cooking aficionados, making them the perfect guides for those who want to learn about New Orleans food history with delightful Southern friendliness.

The Premier New Orleans French Quarter tasting tour leads guests along the historical streets to taste the best po' boys in New Orleans — stuffed with meat or seafood and dressed to the nines — all while learning the myriad differences between Cajun and Creole cuisine. Tour five different locations in the French Quarter at a leisurely pace while your guide answers any questions you may have about the food or historical sites that you'll visit. The Premier New Orleans Food Tour offers tours for small and large groups, as well as private tours.

Intrepid Urban Adventures

Intrepid Urban Adventures  employs a network of tour guides all over the world to host food-centric and other themed excursions in cities spanning every continent. In New Orleans, Intrepid Urban Adventures hosts a small tour that brings out the foodie in every Big Easy visitor. Meet your tour guide at Jackson Square, and then stop at four mouth-watering stops in the French Quarter. On this tour, the more famous eateries are cast aside in favor of New Orleans's hidden gem establishments. Enjoy dishes from restaurants that tourists otherwise would overlook if not for a knowledgeable, local guide to show them how to eat like a resident in The Quarter.

Intrepid Urban Adventures tour guides are full of energy and dedication to their city, and their passion is reflected in their tour. You'll learn historical facts about the French Quarter that many locals aren't even aware of. Even if you've lived in NOLA all your life, this tour makes for a worthwhile adventure for anyone who wants to learn about the famous heart of New Orleans while enjoying some unconventional eats.

Tastebud Food Tours

Whether you're on the hunt for a taste of the best seafood in the city, a strong and refreshing cocktail, or the most iconic flavors of Cajun and Creole cuisine, Tastebud Tours has you covered. The company offers seven distinct food tour options, as well as options for private tours and large group tours. Learn to craft three famous New Orleans cocktails and discover the history behind them with Tastebud Tour's cocktail class. Or, tour the famous foods of the French Quarter and enjoy a boozy bourbon brunch followed by a bourbon-focused cocktail class.

We recommend a seafood-centric tour that showcases the best fish dishes in the city. Visit the Court of Two Sisters, famous for its enticing brunch offerings and lively jazz accompaniment. You'll stop at Cornet Restaurant, home of the largest balcony in The Quarter, perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras and treating yourself to some fresh and steamy crawfish étouffée. Next, you'll visit New Orleans Creole Cookery, a NOLA staple offering chargrilled oysters and shrimp remoulade. These restaurants are steeped in history and contribute to the diverse culture that makes New Orleans such an enticing spot for travelers.

Nola Detours

Nola Detours  boasts off-the-beaten-path sightseeing — a tempting option for travelers who want to experience a city in all its glory. The company hosts backstage music tours, sight-seeing drives, haunted tours, and, most importantly, culinary excursions. Embark on a cocktail tour as you take in the view of the centuries-old city from the rooftop bar of the esteemed Royal Orleans Hotel — an experience that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on every newcomer to New Orleans.

Choose Nola Detours' street food tour, where you'll be led to low-key spots that are usually only frequented by locals. Here, you can get the real Nawlins treatment. Experience some of the most authentic cuisine in the city, including a stop where guests can try alligator meat — a Louisiana delicacy . The tour is led by a former New Orleans restaurant owner, so you know you're getting first-hand knowledge and experience on the bayou fare that makes New Orleans a coveted culinary haven. As you scour the streets in anticipation of the next delicious treat, you'll visit the famous St. Louis Cathedral and other historical sites to check off your travel itinerary.

WeVenture Taste of Gumbo

If there's one dish in New Orleans that deserves a tour solely in its honor, it's gumbo. WeVenture  offers tours in top urban destinations around the country, including a New Orleans culinary tour with a heavy focus on the rich, savory, and controversial dish native to the distinctive city. No two gumbos are alike, which is why on this tour, visitors experience several variations of the acclaimed dish. Experience fresh seafood and veggies melded together thanks to an expertly prepared roux accompanied by a hearty scoop of rice, making it filling enough to grant it dinner status. You can then decide for yourself if you're team tomato in gumbo or prefer to pass on the tart flavor, and whether you prefer a light or dark roux .

On The Taste of Gumbo Tour, you'll meet your guide in Jackson Square and stroll through the French Quarter sampling various gumbos, each with a distinct style and made with different meats and seafood. Discover each immigrant culture's contributions to the gumbo recipe that we know and love today, and learn about all of the different styles of the dish throughout history. New Orleans's storied past is reflected in this iconic dish, so let WeVenture be your gourmet gumbo guru on this French Quarter quest.

New Orleans School of Cooking

Our list concludes with an unconventional and compelling tour experience. Learn to cook Louisiana's renowned dishes under the tutelage of skilled chefs. Fueled by a passion for the Cresent City and a love for the bounty of the Gulf Coast, the chefs of the New Orleans School of Cooking  delight in educating and entertaining tourists. You'll be given a brief history of the city as well as a list of fun facts and tidbits about the food before you witness it come to life before your eyes.

New Orleans School of Cooking offers cooking demonstrations where guests can witness first-hand the skill and expertise required for crafting NOLA's favorite dishes. For a more hands-on experience, guests can opt for a cooking demonstration and class. Here, you'll get to prepare from scratch a New Orleans staple meal with a highly skilled chef by your side to guide you through the fun and informative journey. After the class, sit down and enjoy a family-style meal over chatter about the New Orleans experience. This culinary adventure is bound to leave a lasting impression. Now that you've obtained the skill necessary to cook top-tier Louisiana fare, you can prepare the perfect meals for Mardi Gras back home to impress friends at a NOLA-themed party.

THE 5 BEST Nashville Food Tours

Nashville food tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Literary, Art & Music Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville

2. Nashville Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

3. Walking Food & Drink Tour of Downtown Nashville

4. Nashville Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour

5. Germantown Neighborhood Food & Sightseeing Walking Tour

6. Nashville Craft Cocktails & Fine Dining Walking Tour

7. Private Small Group Nashville Food & Sightseeing Tour

8. Private Half-Day History and Food Tour of Nashville

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Our Favorite Places to Eat, Sleep, and Explore in Houston

America’s fourth-largest city is the country’s culinary frontier.

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Though Houston is America’s fourth-largest city, it’s long been overlooked as a dining destination. Sure, it’s a little hot and humid. And yes, locals often say, “Houston is an hour from Houston” because the city’s so big. But if you can get past all of that, you’ll discover a fun-loving, cosmopolitan destination with 22 art museums, seven major-league sports teams, and NASA at the Johnson Space Center. That’s not to mention the world’s largest rodeo and livestock show.

Since the ‘70s, Houston has undergone a significant population boom and cultural renaissance, thanks largely to several waves of new immigrants, notably many refugees. By some measures, it’s America’s most ethnically diverse city, where one in four residents is foreign-born. Nowhere is this more apparent than in its culinary landscape, which ranges from contemporary barbecue and Tex-Mex to Indian, Nigerian, and Viet-Cajun, a hybrid cuisine that evolved right here on Houston soil. 

All of this to say: You’ll never be bored in Houston if you know where to look and taste. To prepare for your next trip to Space City, here are the essential hotels, restaurants, and attractions to consider.

Where to stay

First-time visitors should set up a home base “inside the loop,” which is Houstonian for the area inside of Interstate 610. This includes central neighborhoods like the up-and-coming Heights area, upscale River Oaks, and Montrose — the city’s historic hub of counterculture that borders its world-renowned, walkable Museum District. For a funky yet sophisticated Texas experience, the iconic, centrally located Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District beckons with poolside cocktails, all-day fine dining at Monarch restaurant, and rejuvenating treatments at the on-site ZaSpa. Among the boutique property’s 315 rooms, there are seven distinct suites, including the two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath Tycoon Suite with a balcony hot tub and the 1,000-square-foot Houston We Have a Problem Suite, which leans into the Space City theme with moon-inspired couches and an astronaut statue. 

Houston also boasts standout locations for hotel groups like the 29-story, 1,000-room Marriott Marquis Houston , featuring an iconic Texas-shaped lazy river on the roof. The recently renovated Four Seasons Hotel Houston is another one to consider, located near the George R. Brown Convention Center and equipped with a speakeasy bar and restaurant by chef Richard Sandoval. Attached to Memorial City Mall, the affordable Westin Houston has a photo-worthy, 18th-floor infinity pool.

For a bit of history in Montrose, consider La Colombe d’Or , which is set across three distinct buildings. The hotel is based out of a 1920s mansion that once belonged to oil tycoon John Mecom Sr., but the current owners have added rooms in a modern high-rise and a collection of bungalows. The intimate, 32-room property notably touts an impressive, museum-quality collection of 425 pieces of art and sculpture, including a Picasso lithograph and a Man Ray’s artist proof. 

Finally, for a splurgy taste of old Houston — vibe-wise, think Wes Anderson’s Rushmore , filmed at his local high school alma mater — look no further than the elegant, 250-room Post Oak Hotel in Uptown. Here, at the most expensive hotel in Houston, you’re greeted by a canopy of old oak trees, Frank Stella artwork in the lobby, and a Rolls Royce dealership in the same building.

Where to eat

Houston is worth traveling to for the food alone. For a sense of place, start with thoughtful, regionally inspired restaurants like chef Aaron Bludorn’s eponymous Bludorn , where New American and French techniques meet Gulf Coast ingredients in dishes like lobster chicken pot pie and jollof-style crab rice. Another take on the global Gulf Coast ethos can be found at Manitoba-born chef Ryan Lachai’s Riel , known for kimchi carbonara and house tater tots topped with caviar. For a more classic take on Gulf Coast seafood, head to Brennan’s of Houston , the Texas-Creole sister to New Orleans’ Commander’s Palace, open since 1967. 

Tastes in Space City are increasingly eclectic, and many of the city’s most essential “relaxed fine dining” restaurants defy strict categorization. In East Downtown (or EaDo), Nancy’s Hustle spotlights its namesake Nancy Cakes — fluffy corn cakes served with cultured butter and trout roe. In Montrose, Justin Yu’s Theodore Rex dishes out culture-crossing sour pork sausage with chorizo spices and lime leaf, and Good Night Hospitality’s March features a rotating tasting menu focused on different regions of the Mediterranean with wines by master sommelier June Rodil, who also curates the list at the broadly European-minded Rosie Cannonball next door. 

One might argue that the true soul of Houston food is Mexican — both the Velveeta-laden Tex-Mex kind as well as dozens of traditional regional varieties, from Oaxaqueña to Hidalguense. The standard bearer for the former is the original Ninfa’s on Navigation , opened in 1973 and credited with the introduction of fajitas, or tacos al carbon. For something more south-of-the-border, look to the Tatemó , serving a new-school tasting menu centered entirely on nixtamalized corn, or chef Hugo Ortega’s Xochi , turning out Oaxacan staples like mole flights and tlayudas. On the fusion front, there’s Jūn , the gorgeous Mexico-meets-Southeast Asia restaurant in the Heights, overseen by Top Chef: Houston finalist Evelyn Garcia. 

Though Austin might claim the title of Texas’ barbecue capital, there’s plenty of top-tier pit smoking happening in Houston. Find noteworthy renditions of brisket at Hill Country purist Truth BBQ and modern Feges BBQ — as well as at the Asian-inflected Blood Bros. BBQ , where it’s also chopped and served in fried rice. Beyond barbecue, kolaches are another pan-Texan delicacy of old European origin. Sweet and savory doughy pastries typically eaten for breakfast, the best can be found at several locations of the homegrown Kolache Shoppe and at East Downtown’s all-day bakery and café Koffeteria . (They also serve a Hot Cheeto croissant). 

In recent years, many waves of immigrants have left their imprint on the Houston food scene. For example, the West African segment is flourishing with major players like second-generation Nigerian-American Ope Amosu’s ChòpnBlọk , specializing in traditional platters of smoky jollof jambalaya with proteins and plantains. Meanwhile, the city’s best sushi can be found at Kata Robata and the 16-course Omakase Neo HTX . And on the South Asian front, there’s Anita Jaisinghani’s modern-meets-traditional Pondicheri , dosa-slinging mainstay Shri Balaji Bhavan , and Goan-inspired natural wine bar da Gama Canteen . Perhaps best known is Himalaya Restaurant , an Indian-Pakistani spot in the Mahatma Gandhi District with a showstopping house chicken marinated in Indian spices and fried crispy, Southern-style. 

Be sure to leave a full day just to make a small dent in the city’s diverse Asiatown. Highlights include two cavernous Chinese-Vietnamese dim sum buffets, Kim Son and Ocean Palace , spice specialist Mala Sichuan Bistro , Cantonese eatery Mein , vegan banh mi sandwich shop Duy Sandwiches , Korean barbecue newcomer Hongdae 33 , and Viet-Cajun pioneers Cajun Kitchen and Crawfish & Noodles — tossing mudbugs in garlic butter as well as in citrus and Southeast Asian herbs like lemongrass and basil. And if you should find yourself on the west side of town, in the suburb of Katy, check out rising stars like Malaysian restaurant Phat Eatery and Money Cat , a Japanese small plate concept that integrates Houston’s multicultural flavors. 

Things to do

Make the most of your time in Houston by planning a visit during the city’s annual rodeo season, a 20-day affair typically taking place at the NRG Stadium in late February and early March. The largest of its kind in the world, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo includes a tournament-style competition in eight events like bareback riding, steer wrestling, and tie-down roping — plus an 80-ride mega carnival, food vendors, and an A-list music lineup that has featured performances from the likes of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Selena, KISS, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, and of course Houston’s own Beyoncé. 

Houston also quietly boasts a portfolio of fine arts destinations, from the century-old Houston Symphony to the highly competitive Houston Ballet , named one of the country’s finest by The New York Times . But the city’s crown jewel is its Museum District, which includes The Museum of Fine Art and the always-free Menil Collection — a Renzo Piano-designed museum with works from Max Ernst, Andy Warhol, and Cy Twombly. On Menil’s 30-acre arts campus, you’ll also find the Rothko Chapel , a standalone, non-denominational house of worship and meditation built by Mark Rothko in 1971. 

Beyond entertainment, Houston’s green artery is the 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park , offering hikes and runs along numerous trails encircling 10 miles of waterway — which can also be explored by kayak or pontoon boat. Wortham Grove is the most photogenic corner of the park, adorned with a dandelion-shaped fountain and benches. To toss a frisbee or catch a game of volleyball, head to the open fields of Eleanor Tinsley Park, which hosts major music events like the Free Press Summer Festival. 

For an easy day trip, head 40 miles north of downtown to the city of Conroe, built on a 22,000-acre lake popular for swimming, fishing, and water sports. To the southeast, the Kemah Boardwalk overlooks Galveston Bay with a small theme park and a 50,000-gallon aquarium. In recent years, the area has attracted quality eats including Th Prsrv , a Thai-meets-Native American restaurant focused on pre-colonial foodways, and Pier 6 , a refined waterfront seafood joint run by a second-generation oysterman. Just a bit further is the beach city of Galveston, featuring a well-preserved historic downtown with old estates like the 1895 Moody Mansion . On the island’s west end, the 2,000-acre, camping-friendly Galveston Island State Park spreads out across swamps, coastal prairies, and dunes typical of the Gulf Coast.

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Food Tours & Vacations

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Uncover a world of authentic, mouth-watering food.

Food not only brings people together, it anchors you in the present moment. That’s why years after a trip, you can still remember the taste of fresh, juicy olives in Greece , or the fragrant smell of pho simmering on the stove in Vietnam . By pairing the classic grassroots Intrepid travel style with a focus on food, you’ll get under the skin of the world's most exciting food cultures. It might be spoiling your tastebuds with flavor-filled curries in  Sri Lanka , mastering the art of making soba noodles in  Japan  or sharing a meal with Buddhist monks in  South Korea .

Created with the culinarily curious in mind, these are real, local experiences with a foodie twist: one part culture, one part adventure and three parts delicious. From bite-sized trips to gastronomic odysseys, we’ll get you munching, crunching, sipping and slurping just like the locals. Hungry? Join us!

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Why choose intrepid.

Real, authentic experiences

We love the highlights, but for us the real magic is found off the tourist trails. Our trips combine iconic sites with hidden gems that you’ll only discover with Intrepid. We’re talking mornings exploring the Taj Mahal, followed by a Mughlai cooking class with a passionate home cook.

Local expertise

Whether you’re perusing markets, hunting down the best street food bites or learning how to cook centuries-old family recipes at a homestay, there’s no better way to get the inside scoop on a destination – and its culinary traditions – than with an expert local leader by your side.

Small groups

Big coaches and flag-toting tour guides don’t cut it for us. With a maximum group size of 12, our groups blend in with the locals and have plenty of opportunities to interact with chefs, street food vendors and group leaders. It also means you can really connect with your fellow foodies.

Must-try dishes around the world

Peru – ceviche

Ceviche is the unofficial national dish of Peru. It's made by marinating cubes of raw fish and seafood in lime juice, onions, salt and aji amarillo chilli peppers, and is served cold with sweet potato chunks, plantain chips and corn on the cob.

Spain – paella

This saffron-flavored rice dish originated in Valencia hundreds of years ago when hungry servants would combine rice with leftovers from Moorish kings' lavish banquets. The dish varies across the regions, but the mixed version with chorizo, mussels and prawns is the most popular internationally.

India – thali

Struggling to choose just one curry? Fear not. A thali comprises several eye-popping dishes served on a large plate. The dishes typically include grains, lentils, vegetables or meat curries, chutney, raita, pickles and pappadum – creating the perfect balance of sweet, salty, bitter, sour, astringent and spicy flavors.

Balkans – cured meats and cheeses

When traveling through the Balkans, treat your tastebuds to delicious charcuterie boards loaded with traditionally preserved meats, cheeses, vegetables and bread. Some of the most popular Balkan meats to try include cevapi (homemade grilled sausage), njeguši (dry-cured ham) and pljeskavica (Balkan burger).

Israel & Palestinian Territories – falafel

Considered to be Israel’s national dish, these balls of deliciousness (made with ground chickpeas, herbs and spices) are a must-try plant-based dish. They’re usually served on a platter or in a warm pita pocket filled with pickled vegetables, crunchy cabbage salad and generous lashings of creamy tahini sauce.

Thailand – khao soi

There’s a whole world of Thai noodle dishes to discover beyond the obvious (and delicious!) pad thai. Khao soi is a chicken and coconut noodle soup from northern Thailand. It’s packed with vibrant aromatics and is served with crispy fried noodles, shallots and fresh lime wedges on top.

Food tour highlights

Asia’s answer to Seoul food

Hit South Korea to wash down crunchy Korean Fried Chicken (aka KFC) with a glass of soju, share a traditional plant-based meal with Buddhist monks at your monastery stay, and get the inside sip on Busan’s bustling craft beer scene at a brewery.

Find out more

Pilgrimage through the Portuguese plate

Head to Iberia to cook up a Galician feast using Vigo’s finest seafood, sip world-class wines in the spectacular Douro Valley wine region, sip Ginjinha while snacking on petiscos, and discover Portugal’s best-kept foodie secret – the Alentejo countryside.

Temples to tempura, shrines to sashimi

Journey to Japan to discover the country's most delicious foodie hotspots. Feel like a real Iron Chef during an ‘Art of Sushi’ masterclass, experience the seasonal flavors of obanzai ryori at a cooking class, and enjoy the simple and delicious flavors of monastic cuisine in Koya-san.

Master Morocco’s medina flavors

Make your way to Morocco and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a family in Chefchaouen, share a Berber meal at a desert camp in the Sahara, watch ras el hanout being freshly ground in a Marrakech spice souk, and eat mechoui (slow-roasted lamb) cooked in an earth oven.

Enjoy mouthwatering Mexican food

Get a true taste of Mexico in some of the country’s most famous culinary regions. Enjoy a tasty taco feast in Mexico City, visit a traditional mezcaleria to learn about this famous Oaxacan tipple, feast on fresh seafood at a cooking class in Huatulco and maybe sample the surprisingly delicious delicacy of chapulines (grasshoppers).

Savor vibrant Vietnamese flavors

Chop, slice and slurp your way through Vietnam on a culinary quest from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Cook up regional dishes like cao lau noodles in Hoi An, tour Hue on a motorbike followed by a plant-based lunch at a pagoda, and feast on southern Vietnamese specialties at a Mekong Delta homestay.

Introducing vegan food tours

Tour reviews

Food tour faqs, what food can i expect.

Expect to eat the local way. We don't call these trips ‘food adventures’ for nothing. Forget Michelin stars and 20-course degustations – our local leaders will help you get behind the scenes of local food culture, track down the freshest street food, discover the most authentic local restaurants and reveal the traditions and techniques that make these destinations so deliciously mouth-watering. From lining up with locals for fresh tortillas in a Mexican market to hopping between Logrono’s thriving tapas bars, they’ll show you local food from the perspective of those who eat it every day.

How does a Food Adventure differ to a regular Intrepid trip?

All of our food trips have been designed with one thing in mind – experiencing the best local food on the planet. But we all know that there’s much more to food than just eating it – so whether it’s browsing markets for fresh produce, sizzling up a storm in a cooking class or meeting a local street-food legend, we’ve stuffed your plate to the brim. And once you’ve devoured all the local food you can handle, we’ve made sure our Food Adventures are rolled up into a burrito with the lot so you won’t miss out on the iconic sights and authentic cultural experiences that are found on all our Intrepid trips.

Is there any freedom & flexibility in the itineraries?

Like all Intrepid itineraries, we’ve made sure our food trips provide free time between activities, allowing you to digest a destination either with your group or on your own. You might spend the morning exploring a buzzing local market with your guide and cooking a delicious local dish with your group before heading off on your own to wander the marbled halls of a museum or cycling through ancient alleys.

We’ve also left plenty of mealtimes free of organized activities, which gives you the flexibility to ‘get your gourmet on’ at a fine dining restaurant or simply seek out your own ‘real food’ adventure. Needless to say, your leader will be there every step of the way with suggestions and recommendations.

What transport is used?

Sometimes, the best way to eat like a local is to travel like one too. That could mean jumping on a boat to discover the flavors of the Mekong Delta, riding the Tokyo subway to a sake bar or rattling along in a rickshaw in pursuit of Agra’s finest chaats. We love to use local transport because it gives us a chance to experience everyday local life from a new perspective.

What is the accommodation like?

Whether you’re spending the night in an ancient fortress or in the home of a local family, most of our trips include a memorable overnight stay that is designed to make your trip extra memorable. When we do choose to use hotels, all of our accommodation options are in our Original style, which means a mix of 2-3 star establishments that are safe, clean and comfortable.

How do Intrepid's Food Adventures benefit local communities?

We help support local economies by purchasing snacks and meals from street-side vendors, dining in local restaurants, eating seasonal produce from the destination, and using local guides throughout our itineraries. Many of our trips incorporate visits to community projects, and we choose locally-owned accommodation wherever possible. We are committed to a style of travel that is culturally, environmentally and socially responsible.

Why does every Food Adventure include a plant-based meal?

Plant-based foods generally have a much lower carbon footprint than animal-based foods, and incorporating more plant-based eating into our diet is a major opportunity to mitigate and adapt to climate change. As Intrepid continues to innovate in ways that promote and support sustainability, including a delicious meal that showcases local fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds is just one way that we are investing in the health of our planet.

What about vegan travelers?

We do our best to accommodate dietary requirements (including vegan diets) on all of our trips, and all our Real Food Adventures will include at least one plant-based meal. If you want a more tailored experience, that's where our Tailor-Made team can step in. We can use our 30 years of experience and regional specialists to help you create your perfect vegan food adventure.

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Enjoy Your Favorite Foodie Cities With These 10 Food Tours

Get a true taste of the city with fun and expert guidance.

Veronica Stoddart,

Calling all foodies: Are you one of the growing numbers of travelers who plan their trips around culinary experiences ? If so, consider taking a walking food tour with a knowledgeable guide. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy the cuisine of a city .

Here are great culinary tours to consider across the U.S. Bon appétit!

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1. NYC Food Tour: Chinatown and Little Italy

Enjoy specialties such as pizza , dim sum and cannoli while you explore two of New York’s historic neighborhoods: Chinatown and Little Italy. Join a historian guide on Viator’s New York food tour (viator.com) as you stroll through the winding backstreets of these iconic areas. Listen to stories about the history, food customs and traditions as you sample representative dishes. The tour focuses on family-owned eateries for a genuine experience.

Length: 2 hours

Cost: from $79

More tours:  New York Chinatown & Little Italy Food Tour (secretfoodtours.com; $79); Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest Walking Food Tour (ahoynewyorkfoodtours.com; $105)​

2. New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter

Enjoy some of the most famous and popular food venues in the storied French Quarter — from Cajun eateries to the gourmet food stalls of the French Market — on this tour with Destination Kitchen (destination-kitchen.com). The itinerary features six to seven tastings of iconic dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, muffaletta, pralines, alligator bites and char-grilled oysters. Learn about the history and culture of the Big Easy as you explore its colorful oldest neighborhood, dating to 1718.

Length: 3 hours

Cost: $76-$86

More tours: New Orleans Food and History Walking Tour (viator.com; $75); French Quarter Food Tour (sidewalkfoodtours.com; $89)

3. Chinatown Food Tour, San Francisco

What’s more representative of San Francisco’s food scene than its Chinatown, the oldest in the country? Sidewalk Food Tours of San Francisco (sidewalkfoodtours.com) helps you explore the unique culture and cuisine that define Hong Kong and mainland China, transplanted to the City by the Bay. On this walking tour, taste authentic Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan dishes from five restaurants and bakeries.

Tuck into buttery buns filled with barbecue -flavored cha siu pork, handmade noodles and dumplings, pillowy dim sum, Hong Kong–style egg tarts and other specialties as you discover the history of their respective eateries. The tour includes stops at the city’s oldest Buddhist temple, a Chinese market and the legendary Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.

More tours: San Francisco Chinatown Food Walking Tour (sffoodtour.com; $74); “I Can’t Believe I Ate My Way through Chinatown” Tour (wokwiz.com; $95)

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4. Chicago Favorites Walking & Food Tour

Food and architecture go together like bacon and eggs on the Bobby’s Bike Hike–organized tour (bobbysbikehike.com) featuring Chicago’s most famous dishes and must-see landmarks. Learn about the Windy City’s architectural and culinary history while feasting on classics such as deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwich, Chicago-style hot dog (hold the ketchup) and brownie (invented at the storied Palmer House Hotel). During the tour you’ll get a street-level view of Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue, i.e., “the Magnificent Mile,” the Chicago Riverwalk and more.

Length: 2.5-3 hours

Cost: from $70

More tours: Taste of Chicago Food Tour (tastebudtours.com; $59.50); Iconic Foods of Chicago Food Tour (chicagofoodtours.com; $75)

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5. Food Tour of Downtown Houston

Head underground into the extensive downtown tunnel system to sample some of Houston’s  favorite foods. This Astroville tour (astrovilletours.com) takes you to three restaurants both below and above ground to try the city’s diverse options, including Mexican, Asian and Italian American cuisine. Start at Market Square Park in the historic district, where you’ll learn about Houston’s history and noteworthy architecture. Then check out the tallest building in Texas, JP Morgan Chase Tower, and the state’s largest theater district as you munch your way along.

Length: 2.5-3 hours

More tours: Houston Bites & Sites Food Tour (bestbiteshouston.com; $65); Downtown Houston Food Tour (viator.com, $76)

6. Beyond the Italian Market, Philadelphia

Who better to guide you on a culinary tour of Philadelphia than a local food writer? Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé, who founded Tiny Table Tours (tinytabletours.com), leads you on an eating adventure in South Philly, a neighborhood of immigrant communities whose diverse food cultures produce a tantalizing array of delicious dishes in a relatively small area. Inspired by the afternoons she spent introducing friends and visitors to her favorite neighborhood, the itinerary features bá​nh mi from a family-owned Vietnamese eatery, tacos at a Mexican restaurant, an exploration of the Italian Market, a stop at a Jewish food store and something sweet from a 100-year-old bakery.

Length: 3 hours

Cost: $95

More tours: Flavors of Philly (phillysfoodtour.com; $49); Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tasting Tour (streatsofphillyfoodtours.com; $85)

7. Las Vegas Food Tour

Las Vegas may be known for gambling and shows, but the entertainment capital of the world is also a temple to gastronomic excess and a wealth of restaurants from celebrity chefs — from José Andrés to Jean-Georges Vongerichten. On this Secret Food Tours–led itinerary (secretfoodtours.com) along the Las Vegas Strip , you’ll try signature dishes served at some big-name eateries. Start at one of Gordon Ramsay’s six outlets for his elevated take on traditional pub fare. Indulge in a scoop of Giada De Laurentiis’ handmade gelato or boozy sorbet. Savor gourmet pizza crafted by celebrity wellness doctor Andrew Weil. End with a delish secret dish at a hidden gem. You’ll take away insights into the culture and history of this extravagant city.

Length: 3-3.5 hours

Cost: $129 

More tours: Savors of the Strip (lipsmackingfoodietours.com; $199); Secrets of the Strip Foodie Tour (tastebuzzvegas.com; $149)

8. Undiscovered Charleston: Walking and Tasting Tour, Charleston, South Carolina

Don your apron for this interactive experience with the only certified chef-tour guide in the city, Forrest Parker, organized by Undiscovered Charleston (undiscoveredcharleston.com). Learn about the culinary influences that shaped Charleston into a food destination during a walking tour of its historic district. You’ll visit well-known landmarks as well as lesser-known sites. The tour concludes at a cozy bistro where Parker demonstrates how to prepare three Lowcountry classics. Then feast on those dishes at lunch with wine (or Charleston sweet tea). As a lasting memento of this foodie foray, you'll receive copies of Parker’s original recipes.

Length: 4 hours

Cost: $200

More tours: Downtown Charleston Culinary Tour (charlestonculinarytours.com; $95); Savor the Flavors of Charleston Tour (bulldogtours.com; $95)

9. Downtown L.A. Food Tour, Los Angeles

Who says nobody walks in downtown L.A. ? Lace up your walking shoes for this guided tour with Sidewalk Food Tours of Los Angeles (sidewalkfoodtours.com) as you hear stories of early settlers, Hollywood’s heyday and the transformation of the city’s evolving food scene. Savor the flavors from six bakeries, eateries and specialty food stores favored by locals. They may include the following: Pitchoun Bakery, an authentic French boulangerie; DTLA Cheese Superette for artisanal cheeses; Shiku, a mom-and-pop Korean restaurant; Guisados, a straightforward taco spot; Maccheroni Republic, an Italian trattoria with handmade pastas; and Donut Friend for artisan donuts. You’ll also stroll through the historic Grand Central Market, sampling from its best-known vendors. With your newfound knowledge, you’ll leave feeling like a true Angeleno.

More tours: Downtown LA Food Tour (sixtaste.com; $85); Secret Food Tour: Los Angeles (secretfoodtours.com; $79)

10. Little Havana Food and Walking Tour, Miami

What could be more emblematic of Miami’s cornucopia of cuisines than Little Havana, the capital of Cuban food culture? Experience the sights, sounds and tastes on this Viator tour (viator.com) of family-owned Cuban restaurants, whose recipes have been handed down through the generations. Sample a full lunch worth of specialties such as guava pastries, empanadas, croquetas, guava pastelitos, chicken-stuffed plantain cups, guarapo juice and flan ice cream, accompanied by a mojito cocktail. Learn about the neighborhood’s history and culture, too, by meeting Cuban artists in their studios, watching skilled cigar rollers at Havana Classic Cigars and listening to traditional Cuban music. You’ll leave full — and with a spring in your step.

Length: 2.5 hours

Cost: from $69

More tours: Little Havana Food & Cultural Tour (miamiculinarytours.com; $69); Miami Little Havana Food & Culture Walking Tour (bobbysbikehike.com; $65)

​Award-winning travel writer Veronica Stoddart is the former travel editor of  USA Today . She has written for dozens of travel publications and websites.​​​

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USA TODAY 10Best

These amazing chef-led food tours will have you coming back for seconds

January 29, 2024 // By Jacky Runice

By Jacky Runice Travel Journalist January 29, 2024

More than 10 years later, I still fondly recall one of the best travel experiences of my life: a food tour that wended its way through Kraków and charming towns tucked in the Tatra Mountains of Poland.

In between field trips to places like the 14th century Wawel Royal Castle and Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory , our small group learned how to make a proper pierogi and plump golumpki under the guidance of Polish chef Marek Widomski. We indulged in morning snorts of homemade cherry vodka before taking lessons in cooking potato pancakes and just-caught trout.

Beyond the historic architecture, open-air markets, and mountainous countryside, the Krakow to Zakopane food tour offered me an almost spiritual reconnection to my beloved late mother and aunt — one hunk of oscypek (smoked sheep’s cheese) at a time.

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Whether you're exploring your cultural heritage or fascinated by the other cultures' culinary traditions, these six travel companies are serving up chef-led food tours that will have you coming back for seconds.

A recipe for adventure with Poland Culinary Vacations

Poland Culinary Vacations offers a robust menu of food tours for every kind of foodie. On the Poland Christmas Market Tour , you'll cook and bake with two professional chefs — one of whom is a Polish artisan cheese expert — while also exploring the country's legendary holiday markets. The Culinary Tour of Greater Poland and Poznan will have you preparing roast duck with red cabbage and dumplings, as well as making stops at the Croissant Museum and the Emperor's Castle in Poznan.

In Polish Cooking with Chef Anna Hurning in Szczecin in Western Pomerania, Hurning teaches guests how to make traditional Polish dishes, including paczki, a Lent delight.

Mexican Culinary Traditions with Austin chef Iliana de la Vega

James Beard Award-winning chef Iliana de la Vega of Austin and her daughter, Isabel Torrealba — a food writer and Mexican cultural anthropologist — take you on immersive vacations focused on Mexico's food culture and history. Their travel company, Mexican Culinary Traditions , offers food tours for those who appreciate arts and crafts and luxe lodging.

Oaxaca City: Ancient Traditions Alive is the pair’s most popular tour, as guests explore the deep roots of this complex cuisine amid vividly colored colonial buildings, lively markets, and indigenous arts and textiles.

You may also want to dig into the cuisine of Mexico City; Morelia, Michoacán; or Mérida, the capital of Yucatán — all of which are food tours that Mexican Culinary Traditions offers.

Cooking and food tours with Philadelphia chef Aliza Green

Aliza Green is a Philadelphia-based chef and author (“The Bean Bible” and “The Butcher’s Apprentice,” to name two titles) who whisks foodies to all corners of the culinary planet. Food tours include explorations of places like France's Bordeaux and Basque Country and Bilbao, Spain, as well as Greece, Morocco, and Italy.

Her Portuguese Delights tour introduces food enthusiasts to the culture and cuisine of the Iberian Peninsula. A pioneering female chef, Green takes you to centuries-old bakeries to try pastel de nata and introduces you to the Douro Valley wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll even attend a cooking class in the ancestral home of one of Portugal’s oldest families.

Along the way, you’ll hear traditional Fado music, traverse winding streets to visit Gothic churches, and get to know Lisbon’s neighborhoods, including the medieval district of Alfama. Have the exclamation, "Legal!" — pronounced lay-gow — in your back pocket, which means “cool.”

Bog & Thunder's food tours through Ireland

Bog & Thunder ’s food tours aim to prove why Ireland should be the next hot food destination. The company is led by award-winning chef, cookbook author, and restaurateur Max Sussman and writer and environmentalist Kate McCabe. Deeply committed to ecotourism, Bog & Thunder’s trips are ideal for the environmentally conscious food enthusiast who likes wandering off the beaten path.

In 2023, chef Natasha Pickowicz co-led a “More Than Cork” food tour, which included culinary activities like foraging for seaweed, fileting and smoking wild fish, and dining al fresco at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Legendary Irish chef Darina Allen also joined the group for dinner on the last evening of the tour.

Consider booking a Bog and Thunder tour led by chef Nick Curtola, who helms the kitchen at one of Brooklyn’s most popular restaurants and wine bars, The Four Horsemen . The tour was designed in collaboration with The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, a five-star property marking its 200th anniversary in 2024. It pairs a luxury hotel experience with the best food that Ireland’s capital city has to offer. You'll also get behind-the-scenes access to local chefs and writers and take day trips to the surrounding countryside.

Black Tomato's Tasting Notes

For immersive, luxurious culinary journeys, take a gander at Black Tomato’s Tasting Notes , co-created and designed with Michelin-starred chefs and personalities granting access to their kitchens and processes. You'll visit emerging gourmand destinations that inspired the chefs and the places where they source product. You'll also taste sample their most creative meals.

Each itinerary is designed and piloted by chefs. Take a food tour through Peru’s Sacred Valley with Virgilio Martinez, whose Central restaurant in Lima is ranked the fifth best restaurant in the world. This tour may include piranha fishing in the Amazon and dining in the rainforest. Or peek behind the closed doors of Basque Country’s secret culinary social club, Txokos, with chef Dani Lopez. You can also sample dishes from the 24 gastronomic regions of Slovenia with the country's father of modern fine dining, Janez Bratovz, while truffle hunting and cheese making along the way.

Central Holidays' Umbria food tour with Chef Lorenzo Polegri

Central Holidays has a roster of wine and food tours. Whether Spain, Italy, or Croatia, you’ll be busy during cooking classes with acclaimed chefs.

For an extra special experience, consider reserving your spot on the Live and Eat Like a Local in Umbria with Chef Lorenzo food tour, where you’ll learn the secrets of Italian cookery in Umbria's Orvieto region. You'll go truffle hunting and pick fresh ingredients at farmer’s markets, as well as attend butchery workshops and cooking classes led by farmer and chef Lorenzo Polegri of Casale Polegri in the Umbrian countryside.

Other experiences on this tour include sampling artisanal cheeses at a goat farm and stopping at a family olive oil mill that has been producing the luscious liquid for more than a century from trees that are thousands of years old. You'll also visit 13th century Montegiove Castle and storybook Medieval towns surrounded by vineyards. It’s a pretty dreamy getaway for Italian food and culture fans.

About Jacky Runice

Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"

Read more about Jacky Runice here.

Connect with Jacky via: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

Cool Hunting®

Product of the Pepper: Inside Cholula’s Chapala Factory

The flavors of traditional Mexico translated for an international audience

Set on the northwestern bend of Lake Chapala , in the town the lake is aptly named after, is Cholula Hot Sauce ‘s only production facility, SANE—a place they’ve inhabited for more than three generations. Their sauces aren’t the hottest, per the Scoville scale, but they boast the prideful and ritualistic flavors of Mexico ‘s matriarchy (in fact, the woman adorning their bottles is an abuelita in the founding family, known fondly as La Chila). The bottling and selling of this sauce is the translation of generational, rooted-in-heritage methods, many of which were passed down from La Chila.

The sauce is named after the 2,500-year-old city in the southeastern state of Puebla. As the Americas’ oldest still-inhabited city, it is regarded as a root for Mexican tradition and culture, including artisanal work and craftsmanship—which is still represented in the iconic Mexican Beachwood caps. Akin sauces to Cholula’s are still made universally in Mexico. Familial traditions render a lot of commercial sauces unmarketable in the country, hence why Cholula has such a prominence in the United States and Canada. But, Cholula regards theirs as best. Their recipe has never changed, despite numerous portfolio expansions. The original sauce tastes nearly identical to how it did generations ago.

Cholula’s original sauce is made from the Árbol and Pequin peppers—both of which grow at approximately 1,500 to 1,700 feet above sea level in various pockets of the Mexican countryside. The combination gives the sauce its vibrant red color, rich fiery flavor and balanced consistency.

“The name of the Árbol pepper means it’s taller than other plants. It’s this one because there’s something special about the smell and color,” Plant Manager Miguel Padilla says. “The pepper comes from Jalisco , in the southern part of the state. The process of harvesting is generational; It’s about heritage, and it is not an industrial harvest—everything is done by hand. For the sauce, small fields mean better peppers. It’s important too, all of their water is drawn from wells that they have in their fields.” Ensuring this means that harmful metals and materials never reach the pepper.

Here in Chapala, they produce millions of bottles each month. But the process of getting from seed to sauce takes many months (from planting to packaging, it takes seven). The seed is planted; the plant grows; the harvest occurs; the pepper is transported to Chapala; the pepper is dried (a process that is done under the sun in about three days), and then it is turned into Cholula.

At what is now the end of the harvest season, peppers are dropped off daily. In one room, situated up a set of stairs from the factory floor, peppers are washed in boiling hot water and transferred from one giant bin to another.

The air in the room is thick and uninhabitable for anyone not outfitted with proper gear—those visiting are shielded by surgical masks, but those working wear the FDA-approved equivalent of a HAZMAT suit. Using stainless steel tools, the peppers are scooped from one worker to another. From this perched position, peppers are ground into paste and dumped into vessels. Then, they’re blended and spiced and combined with an all-natural elixir—comprised mostly of vinegar and dehydrated carrot powder—prior to bottling.

“90% of the recipe is about the pepper,” a biochemist with the brand explains. The recipes are formulated to remain as true to the unique flavors of the pepper as they are designed to taste universally good and appropriately spicy. With 80% of the brand’s production devoted to the original flavor—consumers’ second favorite flavor, Chipotle trails by a great distance—there’s proof that tradition can be sustained with careful (and good-hearted) preservation.

Images by Evan Malachosky

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Some Like It Caliente

A first-person take on what makes tucson's mexican food so hot, a tasty sampling of “america's best mexican food” in tucson, arizona, by edie jarolim.

I know I’m not alone in craving  Mexican food  at all hours of the day. Happily, I live in a city with a huge concentration of excellent, authentic restaurants to satisfy these cravings—and I have a flexible work schedule. Many variables go into the complex algorithm that determines my dining choice for any given meal, but among the most important are my circadian—and social—rhythms. 

I’m a morning person, for example. That means I’m most productive in the early hours; it does not mean that I want to chat with you at 7 a.m. So I’m a regular at the drive-through window of Mexican restaurant El Saguarito, in lower midtown, where I invariably order a breakfast burrito of nopalitos Colorado with eggs, which comes with beans and chips. When I get home and unwrap the tight paper, I spend a moment inhaling the warm, rich aroma of the piquant Colorado sauce—the color comes from red chiles, not tomatoes—before taking the first savory bite.

El Saguarito’s food is made without lard, and nopalitos (strips of tender young pads of prickly pear cactus) are loaded with antioxidants, so I’m convinced that this is a healthy way to start the day…if, that is, I can resist the traditional Mexican tortilla chips, made on the premises.   

By lunchtime, I’m generally ready for human contact—and culinary adventure. One of my freelance clients has offices in the  historic city center , and what better excuse than a business lunch to check out the new restaurants cropping up in Tucson’s rapidly revitalizing downtown? Among the recent arrivals is  Penca , an industrial chic storefront that showcases the cuisine and sophisticated design of Mexico City. I’ve only dined at this restaurant once, but many future visits are guaranteed by the freshness of my salad, a mélange of greens with roasted corn, jicama, avocado, beets, queso fresco and chicharrones (upscale pork rinds); and the samplings I had of my companion’s moist fish tacos and calabicitas (sautéed squash, perfectly cooked, not mushy). I don’t generally drink at midday—unless the client insists, in which case it would be rude to refuse—but Penca has a large, sleek bar and I’ve heard they make a mean Cuba Libre. 

With the work day behind me, the casual cafés and restaurants of the south side beckon.  El Merendero  is my default pick for dinner with good friends who like to kick back with a frosty margarita or Negra Modelo and down home Sonoran food. You might think that after sharing appetizers like toritos (zesty Caribe chiles stuffed with shrimp and wrapped in bacon) and downing a combination plate of carne desebrada (shredded beef), I might be too full for dessert, but you would be wrong. The churros are served warm from the fryer, rolled in coarse cinnamon sugar and—surprise!—have gooey caramel centers. I have been known to pick up friends from the airport, some 10 minutes away, and drive them straight here for these sweet treats, no matter what the time of day. Yes, I’m willing to tweak my Mexican food algorithm, they’re that good.

And don't leave town before sampling America's Best Mexican Food in these Tucson-style comfort restaurants.

Edie Jarolim

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Hokkaido Food Guide — 9 Must-Eats on Your Next Japan Itinerary

This is not a drill, I repeat, this is not a drill — Japan’s borders are fully reopened and direct flights to Hokkaido begin in Nov 2022! Find out how you can rack up travel savings on that epic year end trip to Hokkaido at the end of the article 😋

Japanese food is one of my guilty (read: guilt-free) pleasures. I don’t typically consider myself a foodie, but I’m a huge sucker for food in Japan — it’s fresh, high quality and always comes with excellent service.

Hokkaido is a top producer of several of Japan’s foods like wheat, potatoes, milk, soba and seafood. So there’s no surprise that it’s a go-to destination in Japan for foodies!

Our last trip to Hokkaido was back in 2018, and you can bet we’ve been dying to head back for more local cuisine.

I hope you’re hungry — this Hokkaido food guide features nine must-eats on your next trip to Japan’s northernmost island!

*Psst: Stay tuned to the end for deals to help save for your next Japan trip before the year ends!

1) Kaisendon (rice bowl)

Kaisendon is a Japanese favourite — rice topped with raw seafood. Or as I like to call it, happiness you can buy.

This dish is an undisputed must-eat in Hokkaido, as the seafood here is some of Japan’s finest! Ikura (salmon roe) and uni (sea urchin) are especially popular, though we like to go straight for a mixed kaisendon which has a little bit of everything like prawns and scallops.

This stall in Otaru’s Sankaku Market accepts card payment — ¥2,200 for a small kaisendon.

Many Japanese restaurants offer kaisendon , but local markets are where you can find some of the freshest seafood — it’s where they’re sold after all. Popular markets in Hokkaido include Sapporo Central Wholesale Market , Hakodate Morning Market and Otaru Sankaku Market .

*Pro-tip: Planning to explore multiple cities around Hokkaido? Get the Hokkaido Rail Pass via Klook and enjoy up to S$50 off when you use your Citi Credit Card!

As Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido is significantly colder than the rest of the country. Which explains why ramen is so popular among locals — nothing like a steaming bowl of noodles to stay toasty on a chilly day.

Hokkaido has three main types of ramen , nicknamed the “Big Three”. The most well-known is Sapporo ramen (above), a rich miso -based broth served with Hokkaido butter and corn.

Then there’s Asahikawa ramen — an oily, soy sauce broth paired with thick noodles. Lastly, Hakodate ramen . This broth is lighter and slightly unassuming, featuring a clear shio (salt) broth.

Here’s where you can tick off each city’s specialty ramen : Sapporo’s Ramen Alley (which features 17 ramen shops), Asahikawa’s Ramen Village , and Hakodate’s Ramen Horan . You also won’t have any trouble finding ramen restaurants along every street!

3) Hokkaido Crab

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. And when in Hokkaido, savour delicious Hokkaido crab.

Fresh crab is a Hokkaido specialty, where the waters are cooler and perfect for snagging a variety of species — king crab, snow crab and the more common hairy crab.

In Sapporo, you could splurge on all-you-can-eat crab at restaurants like Ebikani Gassen (from ¥5,500/pax).

Alternatively, opt for specialty restaurants that offer various dishes featuring Hokkaido crab like we did! At Kani Honke , specials include Hokkaido crab hot pot (from ¥6,500/pax) and sashimi (from ¥3,000).

*Pro-tip: Earn miles while tucking into Hokkaido cuisine! With the Citi PremierMiles Card, earn two Citi Miles with every S$1 overseas spend. Apply now and get up to 30,000 bonus Citi Miles as you spend.

4) Hokkaido Soft Serve Ice Cream

Ever wondered why Hokkaido ice cream is more expensive compared to other parts of Japan?

The milk’s high quality is said to be from ideal farming conditions — with cool climate, fresh air and bountiful grazing fields for the dairy cows to roam. And as they say, the happier the cows, the better the milk produced.

In Sapporo, we loved the soft serve at K.L.I.M Cafe (above), which just opened in 2021! We had milk soft serve with dango (¥1,100) and their signature black sesame and coconut soft serve with pearls (¥900).

Photo credit: @hokkaidolove.asia via Instagram

The OG soft serve might be vanilla, but there are other interesting flavours for the more adventurous.

For example, refreshing lavender soft serve at Japan’s largest lavender farm, Farm Tomita ! Or Furano’s famous melon soft serve, best tried at Popura Farm or Tomita Melon House .

Hoping to visit Tomita? Book a day trip via Klook and you’ll be on your way to trying the refreshing lavender soft serve! Psst. Save 20% on Klook experiences when you pay using Citi Credit Cards.

5) Sapporo Soup Curry

Chicken and pork katsu soup curry at Soup Curry Garaku , one of Sapporo’s most popular restaurants for the dish!

Originating from Sapporo, soup curry is another Hokkaido favourite. There’s no flour in it, so it’s a lot lighter than the tonkatsu (pork cutlet) curry we’re more familiar with.

Sapporo soup curry is served with large chunks of veggies like carrots, potatoes and okra as well as meat — cooked till tender. Different restaurants have their own recipes, so the meat used varies from chicken to seafood!

Unlike regular Japanese curry where the curry is poured over rice, the rice and curry are served separately instead. You’re meant to dip the rice in the curry before each bite. For authentic soup curry, head to Sapporo Rakkyo , Sapporo Suage or Soup Curry Garaku .

6) Jingisukan (grilled mutton) 

Jingisukan , or Genghis Khan, is a grilled mutton dish served with soy or sake -based sauce. You’re probably wondering why there’s a dish in Hokkaido named after the famous Mongolian ruler — there are several theories behind it.

One theory points to an increase in sheep meat production in the 1900s. Supposedly, the name came about because the dome-shaped grill used to cook the meat resembles a warrior’s hat.

Regardless of where the name came from, just enjoy the meat often paired with veggies such as bean sprouts and sliced onions!

Popular jingisukan restaurants in Sapporo include Sapporo Beer Garden  (serving all-you-can-eat jingisukan for ¥3,400/pax) and Matsuo Jingisukan Sapporo .

We tried it at a popular jingisukan restaurant in Asahikawa — Mutton BBQ Daikokuya Restaurant. The meat surprisingly wasn’t gamey, and we enjoyed the tenderloin (¥950/portion) so much we ended up ordering more! For dessert, we had sheep pudding which was creamy and paired perfectly with caramel sauce.

7) Oysters 

After trying fresh oysters for the first time in Sydney , I’ve been hooked. So imagine my excitement when I found out about Gotsubo Oyster Bar — the go-to spot in Sapporo for plump, affordable oysters.

Located in a quiet side alley along the nightlife district of Susukino, Gotsubo Oyster Bar is a small eatery with around a dozen indoor seats and one outdoor table.

It costs just ~¥150 per oyster (minimum of five), which were seriously plump and fresh. We ordered six and the chef threw in two more for free! There’s also baked scallops (¥490 for one) and soy sauce baked giant surf clams (¥690), which were literally palm-sized — we checked.

Do note that each diner has to order at least one drink. No complaints here as the drinks were great! We tried the umeshu (plum liquor, ¥500) and yuzu tap beer (¥800).

8) Ishikari Nabe

Photo credit: Kindaitei

Here’s another Hokkaido specialty to keep you warm — ishikari nabe , a miso-based hot pot cooked with salmon or trout (depending on season), plus vegetables. This dish originates from Ishikari City and was popular among local fishermen.

The best place to try this dish is Kindaitei , a family-run restaurant in Ishikari that created ishikari nabe in 1880! The restaurant is located in the original building when they opened, so dining there is like stepping into the past.

Food here is served by courses (from ¥3,000/pax) —  ishikari nabe with several dishes including ikura and grilled salmon.

Don’t forget to use your Citi PremierMiles Card to earn two miles with every S$1 overseas spend. The best part? Your Citi Miles never expire!

9) Zangi  (fried chicken)

Photo credit: Kushiro Tourism

Zangi is Hokkaido’s version of karaage , first made in Kushiro City . Traditionally, it’s not boneless and is eaten with Worcester sauce.

Based on appearances, you wouldn’t be able to differentiate zangi from karaage . The difference is in the taste! Zangi is first marinated in soy sauce and ginger before being coated and fried, while kaarage isn’t.

These days, you can find zangi in restaurants and izakayas all over Hokkaido. But if you want to taste it in the original restaurant that created zangi , head to Torimatsu in Kushiro!

Cheatsheet to deals for your next Hokkaido Trip

Dining in Hokkaido can be a bit of a splurge so here are more deals to share. With limited redemptions available, you wouldn’t want to miss out on these offers so you can save on the essentials and spend more on another plate of joy! 😉

1) Accommodation: Get 25% off hotels worldwide on Agoda with Citi Mastercard® Credit Cards.

2) Trip Activities: Enjoy 20% off on experiences when you book via Klook with the promo code < VTLEXPCITI > — specially for Citi Credit Cardmembers.

3) Flights: Direct flights from Singapore to Hokkaido are available from 2 Nov! Get up to S$100 off when you make flight bookings on Trip.com with your Citi Credit Card.

There are even MORE Citi Credit Cards Travel deals available that you can discover here !

Don’t have a Citi PremierMiles Card? Apply now and get up to 30,000 bonus Citi Miles* when you spend.

*T&Cs apply. Welcome offer is valid till 31 Jan 2023. Applicable for new Citi Credit Cardmembers only.

For more inspiration to planning your Hokkaido trip, check out these guides and itineraries:

– 8-Day Hokkaido Itinerary — Spring Road Trip Under S$1k – Hokkaido Budget Guide: 11 Tips to Save on Transport, Accommodation, Food and Activities

Featured image credit: @pocha_pocha109 via Instagram

Any other Hokkaido food spots to add to this guide? Let us know in the comments!

This post was brought to you by  Citi Credit Cards .

For more travel inspiration, follow us on  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  YouTube , and  Telegram !

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CNY Pizza Tour, stop #16: This suburban spot might be CNY’s biggest pizzeria

• Updated: Apr. 23, 2024, 10:30 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 23, 2024, 10:00 a.m.

Jon Sturgis, the floor manager at The Wildcat in Camillus, delivers our tomato and basil pizza. The Wildcat is the 16th stop on our CNY Pizza Tour. (Charlie Miller | [email protected]) (Charlie Miller | [email protected])

• Charlie Miller | [email protected]

(It’s a debate every Central New Yorker has had at some point: Who’s got the best pizza? This year, we’ll do our best to find out. I’m on a quest to find the best pizza shops in the Syracuse area. Throughout 2024, I’ll visit 50-plus pizzerias. At each, I’ll sample their most popular pizza, or whatever they recommend. As I go, I’ll score each one, and tell readers a little bit about the shop itself.)

More from the CNY PIzza Tour

• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #15: At Pies Guys, order this rogue chef’s off-the-menu pizza
• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #14: Is there a nicer guy in the pizza business than Robbie T?
• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #13: What the heck is a Bang Bang chicken pizza? That’s Amore
• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #12: At Angotti’s, sometimes the best pizza is the most simple of all
• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #11: Why Syracuse’s most famous pizzeria probably caused your Freshman 15

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Eat & Drink Your Way Through Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

"Are you ready for it?"

♪ It’s me, hi. I’m the problem, it’s me. ♪

From Taylor Swift: (Bloody) Mary's Song (Oh My My My)

Taylor has said she wrote this song about a "couple that lived next door" who'd known each other as kids, and gotten together and married when they were older. Among all the celebrity drama, our girl liked that she could just look next door to see a "perfect example of forever." We'll cheers to that!

Get the Bloody Mary recipe .

From Fearless: White (Horse) Russian

♪ I was a dreamer before you went and let me down, Now it's too late for you and your white horse, To come around ♪

If you can relate, may we suggest a White Russian to take the edge off? The White Russian is a twist on the Black Russian (it becomes white with added cream) and seems to have been invented some time in the 1960s. It basically tastes like a chocolate milkshake , but with alcohol. What could be better for a bruised heart than that?

Get the White Russian recipe .

From Red: Everything (Bagel Seasoning) Has Changed

When Taylor met someone (Conor Kennedy, if rumors and lyrics referencing "green eyes and freckles" are to be believed), her whole world changed—much like how we felt when we discovered everything bagel seasoning. Truly, this stuff goes on EVERYTHING, from our everything bagel-crusted salmon to our everything bagel focaccia —we're in love!

Get the Everything Bagel Seasoning recipe .

From Speak Now: If This Was A Movie

♪ You'd be back by now. ♪

...And there'd be popcorn. Best part about making it at home? You can avoid overly greasy hands AND add all the toppings you want—try nutritional yeast, Old Bay, or cinnamon sugar !

Get the Stovetop Popcorn recipe .

From 1989: Shake It Off

♪ I go on too many (bacon-wrapped) dates But I can't make 'em stay At least that's what people say, mm-mm ♪

If you've never tried dates before, let this bacon-wrapped party appetizer be your introduction. Filled with tangy goat cheese , wrapped in crisp bacon , and brushed with a sweet and spicy maple syrup glaze, these dates have the perfect balance (and you can never eat too many, so make extra!).

Get the Bacon-Wrapped Dates recipe .

From Reputation: "Que-"so It Goes

♪ Honestly baby ♪, this party dip did a number on us. It comes together in under 30 minutes, is perfectly smooth and cheesy, and is practically a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve this along with our favorite salsa and tortilla chips for the perfect satisfying app.

Get the Queso recipe .

From Lover: You "Peppero-"Need To Calm Down

And this party dip is just the thing to help! It's super-low stress to make and is perfect for sharing with friends. Look, we'll take a slice of pizza any day, but when we're looking for a hot and cheesy dip, this is the next best thing to the classic pie.

Get the Pepperoni Pizza Dip recipe .

From Folklore: Illicit "Éclairs"

Here's the real thing about illicit affairs éclairs—they're SO good, but are actually really difficult to make! Skip that "godforsaken mess" and make this eclair cake instead.

Get the Éclair Cake recipe .

From Evermore: Coney Island

Found yourself "sitting on a bench in Coney Island, wondering 'where did [your] baby go?'" Tough times, but at least you got to experience the "fast times, the bright lights, the merry-go"... and hopefully some corn dogs . These mini ones will never let you down.

Get the Mini Corn Dogs recipe .

From Midnights: You're On Your Own, (Sour Patch) Kid

♪ And you always have been. ♪

First they're sour, then they're sweet—sound familiar? Taylor knows what we're talking about, and so will all your friends when you serve up these adorable Jell-O shots .

Get the Sour Patch Kid Jell-O Shots recipe .

From Taylor Swift: Picture To "No-Churn Ice Cream"

You could serve up something hot and spicy to represent this country banger off of Taylor's first album... or you could make a no-churn ice cream instead, like our mudslide ice cream (pictured), our strawberry shortcake vegan ice cream , our banana pudding ice cream ... Forget about ♪ wasted time ♪ , these recipes are almost completely hands-off!

From Fearless: The Way "Olive" You

Fresh tortellini and green olives make these the hearty bite-size appetizer of our ( wildest) dreams. Feel free to swap in and out your favorite ingredients (or have guests build their own from a topping bar!).

Get the Antipasto Bites recipe .

From Speak Now: Enchanted To "Meatball" You

Part cheese dip , part meatballs , this skillet dip is miniaturized for maximum shareability. Top the whole skillet with a generous sprinkling of thinly sliced scallions, and you’ve got one colorful party on a chip.

Get the Cheesy Mini Meatball Skillet Dip recipe .

From Red: Be-"Gin" Again

The addition of a blueberry syrup turns a classic gin and tonic into a perfect summer drink , making it fruity, a little sweeter, and a beautiful shade of purple. It’s a fun party drink that mixes up quick with very little effort.

Get the Blueberry Gin & Tonic recipe .

From 1989: "Mildest" Dreams

While you may be tempted to grab a jar from the store , trust us—making it homemade is not only worthwhile in the flavor department, but also couldn’t be easier to create and customize to your tastes. No matter what salsa camp you fall into—chunky vs. smooth, spicy vs. mild—we’ve got all the top tips here to make simple, fresh salsa right at home, just how you like it.

Get the Homemade Salsa recipe .

From Reputation: Getaway Car-bs

If you're a fan of garlic knots , this recipe is basically the bite-sized app version, covered in gooey cheese, garlic butter, and fresh herbs. The best part? They only take a little over half an hour to come together, meaning they're the perfect appetizer to bring to any Taylor Swift-themed party (even last-minute ones!).

Get the Parmesan Bread Bites recipe .

From Lover: Cruel Summer

♪ And I screamed for whatever it's worth "I love you"—ain't that the worst thing you ever heard? He looks up grinning like a devil-ed egg ... ♪

While deviled eggs are fairly simple to make, there are a few ways you can go wrong when making this staple party appetizer . If you’re looking for a foolproof method to hard boiling and filling yours, our best recipe should be your new go-to.

Get the Deviled Eggs recipe .

From Folklore: The 1

For this cake, we traced our number on the back of an empty cereal box to used it as a stencil—trust us, it's very doable! Use this method (or a number-shaped cake pan , no shade) to write out the number one (or go big and do 1989). As long as you top it with a fun assortment of candies and/or fruits, it'll look adorable no matter what.

Get the Number Cake recipe .

From Evermore: Gold Rush (Cocktail)

Fans of the whiskey sour to the front, please! The Gold Rush cocktail is the whiskey drink you’re already in love with, but with honey instead of simple syrup . Try this with hot honey instead if you’re a spicy cocktail person, and want to give it a bit of a ♪ rose blush ♪ .

Get the Gold Rush Cocktail recipe .

From Midnights: Anti-Hero

♪ Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby And I'm a monster (cookie) on the hill ♪

The origin of the name "monster" cookies isn't clear, but it may refer to the fact that they're like Frankenstein's monster—made up of a combination of the parts of many other cookies . We love 'em because you can really throw anything into the dough.

Get the Monster Cookies recipe .

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