Sustenance shouldn’t ever be dull or perfunctory, especially not in San Francisco. Join one of these delightful food tours for the best eats around the Bay.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Dungeness crab and Pacific oysters, Napa Valley wines, Mission-style burritos, and Irish coffees topped with whipped cream are just some of the highlights for any Frisco foodie adventure. And the well developed Chinese and Italian districts lend extra color and flavor to this city’s diverse range of restaurants, cafes and bars. These top seven food tours seek out the best tastes San Francisco has to offer, while also giving you a unique guided tour of certain neighborhoods along the way.
San Francisco Mission District Food and Culture Tour
The Mission District started life as a Spanish Catholic religious outpost in the 18th century and contains the oldest buildings in San Francisco. The neighborhood’s Latino culture is visible throughout, from its murals to its family-run restaurants. This tour, running from Thu-Sat each week, explores the best dishes from eateries that casual visitors are likely to miss. Nopal tacos, pan dulce and pupusas (similar to the arepa) are likely tastings. Please note that for this tour, food tastings are purchased separately, so budget around $20 extra per person. From $39 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour
The green, white and red of the Italian flag marks streetlamps and local businesses throughout the region known as Little Italy and the wider North Beach neighborhood. That means one thing: excellent Italian cuisine can’t be far away. Follow your guide to taste olive oil, coffee, fresh bread and pizza, getting a glimpse behind the scenes at how the top quality is assured. All tastings are included in the price. Tours are available daily. From $74 per person.
San Francisco Chinatown Culinary Walking Tour
It’s believed to be among the largest Chinatowns anywhere in the world, packed with unique restaurants, scent-filled food markets and bubble tea purveyors, and all inflected by the cultures of East Asia. This three-hour walking tour is the best way to unlock the rich blend of cultures within, visiting a music center to see traditional Chinese instruments, a Buddhist temple and, most importantly, stopping to taste authentic cuisine, such as dim sum and Chinse teas, along the way. From $74 per person.
(Photo: Viator.com)
Food Walking Tour of San Francisco’s Chinatown & North Beach
Often, walking tours focus only on exploring a single locale, but with San Francisco’s Chinatown and North Beach’s Little Italy located right next to one another, there’s no good reason not to include both on a culinary tour itinerary. This contrast in cultures means you can try Chinese tea and Italian coffee, dim sum and pizza, all included in the price of this three-hour tour. Expect to learn plenty about both cultures along the way. Tours are usually available daily. From $79 per person.
Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Food Tour
Frisco’s stunning Ferry Building is, these days, home to one of America’s finest farmers’ markets, where vendors sell fresh produce from local farms, along with prepared artisanal foods. It’s the ideal place to take a 90-minute guided tour, tasting a range of cheeses, chocolates, baked goods and seasonal fruits along the way. Your guide will also give you more insight into the history of this local landmark. All tastings are included. This tour runs on Tue and Sat at 10am only. From $87 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Mission District Walking Food Tour
The Mission District is one of Frisco’s most creative neighborhoods. With its Latin roots and colorful main drag (Mission St), it is also the birthplace of the Mission-style burrito, which emanated from family-run taquerias in the area. Try tacos from one such joint, along with the Chinese, Italian and French-inspired foods that are testament to the area’s modern diversity. This walking tour is also a great opportunity to see the area’s beautiful murals. Food tastings are included in the price. Tours run on Fri and Sun only. From $89 per person.
Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco
The other great joy of visiting San Francisco as a lover of all things oenological is the proximity to the finest wine producing region in North America. Both Napa and Sonoma valleys can be visited on a day tour from Frisco. This example is an eight-hour excursion that stops at three different wineries, where you’ll get to see the wine being made. Tasting sessions of the final product at each of the wineries is included in the price. From $160 per person.