Why a Walking Food Tour Should Be Your First Stop in Any New City

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Why Start Your Trip with a Walking Food Tour?

One of my favorite things to do when I land in a new city? Book a walking food tour.

Sure, walking tours make sense—fresh air, moving your body, seeing the city at street level. But why a walking food tour? For me, food is the quickest way to understand a place. What people eat, how they eat, and where they eat tells you so much about the culture. And when you combine that with a guide who knows the city inside and out, you get an experience that’s both delicious and insightful.

Here’s why I think walking food tours should be the first thing you do in any new destination.

Get a Taste of the Local Food Scene

Walking food tours are like a crash course in a city’s culinary identity.

You’re with a local guide (hello, insider knowledge!), you’ve got fellow travelers to mingle with if you want, and you get to taste carefully chosen dishes that represent the city’s food culture.

When I was in Paris, I joined a walking food tour in Montmartre. Instead of sticking to the touristy spots, I discovered tucked-away bakeries, cheese shops, and cafés I never would have found on my own. Our guide even sent us personalized restaurant recommendations afterward—everything from casual cafés to fine dining with Eiffel Tower views.

This Montmartre Food Tour was the perfect introduction to Parisian cuisine and so much fun!

Solo Traveler Friendly and Stress-Free

If you’re traveling solo, a food tour is one of the easiest activities to dive into.

You can be as social (or not) as you like. Chat with other travelers, swap recommendations, maybe even make new friends—or simply hang back and enjoy the food without pressure. Unlike other tours, you won’t get paired off or stuck awkwardly. It’s a relaxed, welcoming vibe for everyone.

Explore Unique Food Tour Options

Not every walking food tour looks the same. Some are self-guided, which can be perfect for solo travelers.

In Bologna, I tried a self-guided food tour where you got vouchers for seven restaurants and a map with QR codes that linked to audio guides. I explored the city at my own pace, learned history along the way, and sampled everything from fresh pasta to regional specialties.

If you like structure but also freedom, this type of tour is a brilliant middle ground.

The perfect solo-friendly food tour, this Bologna Self-Guided Food Tour helped me maximize what I ate and what I saw during the one day I spent in Bologna!

A Fun Way to Meet Other Travelers

Food tours are naturally social, and they’re great for meeting people from all over the world.

In Venice, I joined a cicchetti (Venetian tapas) tour. Our guide—who was studying to be a sommelier—taught us about wine pairings as we hopped from one bacaro (wine bar) to the next. By the end, our group of strangers was laughing, clinking glasses, and snapping selfies together.

It’s up to you whether you want to make friends or just enjoy the ride—but it’s nice to have the option.

Venice gets a bit of a bad rap for overpriced food, so this Venice Cicchetti Tour was the perfect way to get off the tourist track and discover hidden spots curated by a local guide.

Go Broad or Dive Into a Niche Food

Walking food tours aren’t one-size-fits-all. You can do broad tours that give you a city-wide overview, or niche tours that focus on one specialty.

For example, I did a gelato tour in Bologna and learned how to spot the best gelato (and avoid the fake stuff). You can also find cheese tours in France, champagne tours in the Champagne region, or crepe tours in Paris.

Starting with a general tour can help you decide what local specialties you want to explore more deeply later in your trip.

A gelato tour? Yes, please! The Bologna Gelato Tour with Bologna Gourmet was one of the more unique food tours I’ve taken and it was a great way to beat the heat on a sunny afternoon in Bologna!

Insider Tips Straight from the Locals

One of the biggest perks of a walking food tour? The guide.

They live there. They eat there. They know the hidden gems you won’t find on Instagram lists. Want the best market? A locals-only café? A food gift shop that isn’t a tourist trap? Ask your guide.

And don’t forget to tip them (if it’s customary in that country). Their knowledge is invaluable and often the highlight of the tour.

Final Thoughts: Why Food Tours Belong at the Start of Your Trip

Walking food tours aren’t just about eating (though that’s a huge bonus). They’re about connecting—with the city, its culture, and sometimes with other travelers.

That’s why I think a walking food tour should be the very first thing you do when you arrive in a new city. You’ll get your bearings, taste the local specialties, meet interesting people, and walk away with insider recommendations to make the rest of your trip even better.

So next time you land in a new destination, don’t head straight for the big attractions—start with a walking food tour, and let the city reveal itself through its flavors.

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