10 Delicious Foodie Walking Tours Slideshow

Near North Food Tour: Chicago, Ill.

Sure, Chicago is known for its deep-dish style pizza, but steer clear of conventional eats in the Windy City and get to know the eateries privy to locals on the Near North Food Tour instead. Focused on breaking away from oft-frequented downtown restaurants, the tour explores the Gold Coast, Old Town, and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. Taste authentic Polish and European pastries at Delightful Pastries, sample delicatessen delicacies at the Ashkenaz Deli, and stop at Chicago's oldest chocolate confectioner and fudge shop, The Fudge Pot. In addition to the tastings, walking through these notable neighborhoods will teach you a thing or two about Chicago's rich foodie town history. 

French Quarter Culinary History and Tasting Tour: New Orleans, La.

This three-hour tour promises mouth-watering morsels to visitors and locals seeking to take a bite out of New Orleans. On the French Quarter Culinary History and Tasting Tour, learn to appreciate the differences between Creole and Cajun, and recognize the variety of ethnic contributions to the Southern city's food scene. You'll pass iconic French Quarter landmarks like St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square while munching on muffulettas and red beans and rice. Stop at Antoine's and Tujague's, two of the city's oldest eating establishments, before sampling authentic turtle soup and seafood gumbo. With tours capped at 16 people, make sure to buy your tickets in advance — this excursion is not one to be missed.

 

New York Street Food Walking Tour: New York, N.Y.

New York City street food is undergoing a transformation. No longer do steel metal carts rule the corners selling cheap, salted pretzels and even saltier hot dogs. With the food truck revolution, there's a new culinary convenience that rules the roost, offering everything from spicy shrimp tacos to gourmet shaved ice. Get to know the new kids on the block on the New York Street Food Walking Tour. Held on Friday afternoons from Memorial Day to Labor Day, this tour introduces you to some of the top street food vendors in midtown, including current and past Vendy Award Winners. Menu options change each tour, so you never know what you'll get your hands on — but you can bet it'll be delicious. 

Old Pasadena Food Tasting Walking Tour: Pasadena, Calif.

Historic Old Pasadena is a food-lover's paradise, so it's only fitting that visitors are able to get more than just a whiff of traditional town eats. Sign yourself up for the Old Pasadena Food Tasting Walking Tour to try ethnic dishes and sweet treats as you stroll through town. Sample olive oils from California, authentic Mexican tortas, and tasty Asian fusion flavors. After you get your fix, mosey through colorful alleys and secret throughways that turned this former orange grove town into a food-obsessive's dream.

LA Latin Spice Tour: East Los Angeles, Calif.

When it comes to food, LA has mastered Beverly Hills brunches and lavish late night dinners. But on the east side, off-the-beaten track eateries are dishing up scrumptious Latin American plates that honor age-old family recipes and offer you a much needed zing from all those egg-whites and organic juices. If you find yourself looking to get a taste of authentic Los Angeles culture, hop aboard the Metro Gold Line with the LA Latin Spice Tour. Sample the salsas, tamales, and pupusas that have enough spice to kick it up a culinary notch on your trip. You'll never want to eat another lo-cal meal again.

Epicurean Excursion: Portland, Ore.

At three and a half hours and just under one and a half miles, the Epicurean Excursion is meant for the dedicated gastronome ready to tackle Portland's culinary landscape. Get your fill with Bosnian pitas, world-famous artisan doughnuts, and handmade falafel topped with tahini sauce. Sip on a selection of local ales after going behind the scenes at the brewery, and later enjoy a variety of all-fruit sorbets and freshly made hazelnut and amaretto gelato. And if that's not enough to whet your appetite, swoon over freshly caught salmon and local cheeses produced by the gourmand city itself. 

Little Havana Food and Culture Walking Tour: Miami, Fla.

In Calle Ocho, as the locals call it, Cuban culture reigns supreme. And on the Little Havana Food and Culture Walking Tour, get a taste of the food that makes Miami dwellers work up a sweat. You'll experience traditional Cuban cuisine at family-owned restaurants serving up only the best of what's fresh and in season before chowing down on the tastiest Café Cubano in town. This tour offers all the best local flavor that's fit to be eaten.  

Culinary Walking Tour: Old Port, Maine

Once home to fish houses, canneries, and textile miles, Old Port has emerged from its industrial past to flourish with coffee houses, bakeries, and award-winning restaurants galore. Learn about its transformation on the Culinary Walking Tour, where you'll get to sample the all freshest foods Old Port has to offer. From Maine-smoked seafood to local wild blueberry preserves spread on scones, Old Port promises plenty of opportunities to entice your taste buds and teach you about what makes these local products so uniquely delicious. Make sure to spring for a piece of original whoopee pie while aboard the tour.

BBQ & Brew Tour: Austin, Tex.

Two of our favorite things in the summer are barbeques and beer — so we're all in for a tour that takes a luxury motor coach around Austin to taste the best of both Texas staples. Held only on August 12th and 13th, the BBQ & Brew Tour is serves up big eats at Southside Market, Smitty's BBQ, and Snow — voted the state's number one barbeque by Texas Monthly. Stay thirsty for beers at the Spoetzl Brewery, home to Shiner Bock, and save room for dessert at Pies Galore. After two days of finger-lickin' Texas barbeque and you'll be signing yourself up for a spot on next year's tour.

North Beach/Little Italy Walking Tour: San Francisco, Calif.

Ever wanted to see how Italian coffee is roasted? Or watch bread bake in ovens older than your grandmother? What about learn how chocolates are made? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the North Beach/Little Italy Walking Food Tour is for you. Enjoy Italian cappuccinos, pastries, olive oils, fresh breads, and specialty meats along the neighborhood's streets, meet family bakers invested in bringing fresh loaves to the masses, and get a taste of Italy right in the heart of San Francisco.