50 food tours worth traveling for
One of the best ways to explore the United States is through its eclectic and diverse food scene, and there are plenty of tours to help you discover this country's standout dishes. From belly-busting barbecue tours to fine-dining odysseys, we've picked 50 of the best.
Florida: Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour, Miami Culinary Tours
For hearty Cuban cooking in downtown Miami, book onto the Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour. You'll sip Cuban cocktails at the Ball & Chain bar and lounge (a mainstay of the city's live music scene since the 1930s) and feast on fried plantains, guava pastelitos and a traditional Cuban sandwich. At each venue, you'll be greeted by enthusiastic chefs keen to share stories about the dishes they serve. The tour also includes a visit to a Cuban cigar factory.
Georgia: Modern Southern Food and History Tour, Atlanta Food Tours
Inman Park is one of Atlanta's trendiest neighborhoods, a leafy suburb known for its hipster hangouts and creative food scene. This afternoon tour samples the best the area has to offer, like the industrial-chic Krog Street Market (pictured). The steaming Szechuan dumplings from Gu's Dumplings are one of the best bites.
Illinois: Iconic Foods of Chicago Tour, Chicago Food Planet
Chicago is synonymous with deep dish pizza but there's a lot more to enjoy in the city. For a broader taste of the Windy City, opt for Chicago Food Planet's "Iconic Foods" tour. You might taste an Italian beef sandwich at local institution Al's Beef or a Chicago-style hot dog from Portillo’s. Of course, you'll also get a bubbling slice of pizza from a beloved pizzeria such as Lou Malnati's.
Iowa: Iowa Tenderloin Trail
The Iowa Pork Producers Association has put together the Iowa Tenderloin Trail, which highlights the best places in the state that make Iowa's most famous dish: the pork tenderloin sandwich. Think quality pork cuts covered with crispy breadcrumbs, barely contained by the bun. You'll have to go this tour alone but you can download a "Tenderloin Trail Passport" and get it stamped as you try each of the 14 sandwiches en route.
Minnesota: St Paul Skyway Food Tour, Taste Twin Cities
This tour makes the most of St Paul's Skyway system (suspended covered bridges connecting the city's tower blocks). You'll feast on local delights such as chocolate truffles, crispy sambusas and craft beer as you pass between the soaring passageways. A highlight along the way is Sawatdee (meal pictured), which is tipped as the first Thai restaurant in the state – the spring rolls are unforgettable.
Missouri: KC Barbecue Tour, Barley Bus
One for meat lovers, this tour is all about barbecue and beer. Traveling by bus, you'll spend the day driving across Kansas City, sampling the best spots for smoked meat. Stops may include Gates Bar-B-Q, with its belly-busting sandwiches, and legendary joint Arthur Bryant's Barbeque, with its secret spicy sauce recipe.
Nebraska: Mother Road Market Tour,
'Get your licks on Route 66' is the strapline of this fun foodie tour company. The best tour focuses on the Mother Road Market, which is tipped by the tour group as the best food hall in America. Decide for yourself as you wander with a guide and feast on tempting options such as chicken wings, Indian-inspired mac and cheese and small-batch ice cream.
Texas: Up in Smoke: Texas BBQ Tour, Food Chick Tours
There's no better state for a barbecue tour and this is a pilgrimage to the best spots for ribs, brisket and juicy steaks in San Antonio. The tour lasts for four hours and carnivores will stop off at beloved joints like Smoke Shack BBQ, which serves barbecued meat with a whole lot of Southern hospitality.
One of the best ways to explore the United States is through its eclectic and diverse food scene, and there are plenty of tours to help you discover this country's standout dishes. From belly-busting barbecue tours to fine-dining odysseys, we've picked 50 of the best.
Florida: Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour, Miami Culinary Tours
For hearty Cuban cooking in downtown Miami, book onto the Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour. You'll sip Cuban cocktails at the Ball & Chain bar and lounge (a mainstay of the city's live music scene since the 1930s) and feast on fried plantains, guava pastelitos and a traditional Cuban sandwich. At each venue, you'll be greeted by enthusiastic chefs keen to share stories about the dishes they serve. The tour also includes a visit to a Cuban cigar factory.
Georgia: Modern Southern Food and History Tour, Atlanta Food Tours
Inman Park is one of Atlanta's trendiest neighborhoods, a leafy suburb known for its hipster hangouts and creative food scene. This afternoon tour samples the best the area has to offer, like the industrial-chic Krog Street Market (pictured). The steaming Szechuan dumplings from Gu's Dumplings are one of the best bites.
Illinois: Iconic Foods of Chicago Tour, Chicago Food Planet
Chicago is synonymous with deep dish pizza but there's a lot more to enjoy in the city. For a broader taste of the Windy City, opt for Chicago Food Planet's "Iconic Foods" tour. You might taste an Italian beef sandwich at local institution Al's Beef or a Chicago-style hot dog from Portillo’s. Of course, you'll also get a bubbling slice of pizza from a beloved pizzeria such as Lou Malnati's.
Iowa: Iowa Tenderloin Trail
The Iowa Pork Producers Association has put together the Iowa Tenderloin Trail, which highlights the best places in the state that make Iowa's most famous dish: the pork tenderloin sandwich. Think quality pork cuts covered with crispy breadcrumbs, barely contained by the bun. You'll have to go this tour alone but you can download a "Tenderloin Trail Passport" and get it stamped as you try each of the 14 sandwiches en route.
Minnesota: St Paul Skyway Food Tour, Taste Twin Cities
This tour makes the most of St Paul's Skyway system (suspended covered bridges connecting the city's tower blocks). You'll feast on local delights such as chocolate truffles, crispy sambusas and craft beer as you pass between the soaring passageways. A highlight along the way is Sawatdee (meal pictured), which is tipped as the first Thai restaurant in the state – the spring rolls are unforgettable.
Missouri: KC Barbecue Tour, Barley Bus
One for meat lovers, this tour is all about barbecue and beer. Traveling by bus, you'll spend the day driving across Kansas City, sampling the best spots for smoked meat. Stops may include Gates Bar-B-Q, with its belly-busting sandwiches, and legendary joint Arthur Bryant's Barbeque, with its secret spicy sauce recipe.
Nebraska: Mother Road Market Tour,
'Get your licks on Route 66' is the strapline of this fun foodie tour company. The best tour focuses on the Mother Road Market, which is tipped by the tour group as the best food hall in America. Decide for yourself as you wander with a guide and feast on tempting options such as chicken wings, Indian-inspired mac and cheese and small-batch ice cream.
Texas: Up in Smoke: Texas BBQ Tour, Food Chick Tours
There's no better state for a barbecue tour and this is a pilgrimage to the best spots for ribs, brisket and juicy steaks in San Antonio. The tour lasts for four hours and carnivores will stop off at beloved joints like Smoke Shack BBQ, which serves barbecued meat with a whole lot of Southern hospitality.
