You wipe the corners of your mouth after devouring the best seafood cioppino of your life, perfectly paired with a crisp Albarino, naturally. As you step out into the sun, the tang of tomatoes and the freshest catch from the bay still linger on your palate. Your local SF guide leads you down a cobblestone alley towards your next bite—is that freshly fried cannoli you smell?
Welcome to your San Francisco food tour. But this isn’t just a regular ol’ stand-on-the-sidewalk-for-a-tiny-toothpick-bite tour. This is the best food tour in SF. A food tour built for foodies like you.
San Francisco is a foodie’s paradise, a blend of cultures and flavors to satisfy the most adventurous palates. Whether you’re an SF local or a visitor, San Francisco food tours offer an immersive culinary experience, guiding you through the city’s iconic neighborhoods. From mouthwatering dim sum to pizza cooked in the oldest oven on the West Coast, these food tours in San Francisco will help you discover the city’s hidden gems.
Below is a curated list of the best food tours in San Francisco for foodies, with highlights of the mouthwatering dishes you’ll taste along the way.
San Francisco Food Tours for Foodies
San Francisco food tours are guided experiences that combine the city’s rich history and dynamic food scene into one unforgettable event. These tours often feature multiple tastings, from neighborhood favorites to culinary hot spots, ensuring that you sample a wide array of local flavors. Whether you’re on a Chinatown food tour or a Mission District food tour, you’ll gain insight into each neighborhood’s unique culture while eating (and drinking) the best the city has to offer.
fresh cannoli served during North Beach food tour
North Beach Food Tour — Best For Italian Food Lovers
Explore San Francisco’s Little Italy and indulge in authentic Italian
North Beach is a historic area known for its Italian-American community and bustling eateries. And one of the best ways to experience it is with a North Beach Food Tour. Avital Food & Drink Experiences offers some of the best San Francisco food tours, and this North Beach walking food tour is no exception. Enjoy 4-courses – two appetizers, one entree, and one dessert – with a sprinkling of culinary history and stories in between. Your local guide will lead you through the former Barbary Coast – known as the most notorious neighborhood in America during the Gold Rush – with delicious Italian-inspired dishes and drinks along the way.
Example Tastings
- Famous tomato-based seafood cioppino, invented in SF by Italian fishermen
- Wood-fired spinach parmesan pizza from the oldest pizza oven on the West Coast
- Crisp croquettes in trendy alleyway cocktail den featured in New York Times
- Hand-filled cannoli at historic Italian bookshop turned cafe
- Hearty and cheesy gnocchi alla gorgonzola – a local’s favorite
- Made from scratch gelato from local SF purveyors
- Modern-day pisco punch cocktail
- The Kipling Button Punch cocktail was invented in North Beach
- A glass of private-label Syrah
eggplant parmesan served during North Beach food tour
Best North Beach Food Tour Info
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- Tour: North Beach Food Tour – Avital Food & Drink Experiences
- Price: $115 per person
- Number of Tastings: 4
- Number of Drinks: 3 (alcoholic or N/A alternatives)
- Length: 3 hours
dumplings to go during Chinatown food tour SF
Chinatown Food Tour — Best Dim Sum
Dive into the flavors of the world’s oldest Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America and a must-visit for any food lover. This San Francisco Chinatown food tour from Airbnb host Josh combines traditional Chinese dishes with stops at hidden gems, providing a deep dive into both the food and culture of this iconic neighborhood. You’ll taste authentic Cantonese, Mandarin, and Szechuan cuisine from five Chinese-owned and operated restaurants, food establishments, and bakeries.
Example Tastings
- Steamed dumplings from a local favorite
- Freshly made bao buns filled with pork or vegetables
- Hand-pulled noodles, a staple of Chinese cuisine
- Authentic Peking duck from a renowned restaurant
- Delicious bubble tea with unique flavors
- Traditional mooncakes, especially if you’re visiting during the festival season
Best Chinatown Food Tour Info
- Tour: Chinatown Food Tour – Airbnb
- Price: $89 per person
- Number of Tastings: 5+
- Number of Drinks: 0
- Length: 3 hours
tour guests holding cups of gelato during San Francisco food tour
North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour — Best of Both Worlds
Dive into the flavors of the world’s oldest Chinatown
Explore North Beach and Chinatown to experience the best of both worlds. This fusion tour from Secret Food Tours combines the rich Italian heritage of North Beach with the vibrant flavors of Chinatown, offering an unforgettable food journey through two of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods. It’s great for foodies who just can’t decide if they’re in the mood for Italian or Chinese food!
Example Tastings
- Flight of coffees from local roasters
- Pizza from a restaurant with 45+ years of North Beach history
- Rich Italian gelato or sorbet
- Stuffed dumplings from neighborhood dim sum
- Secret dish
Best North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour Info
- Tour: North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour – Secret Food Tours
- Price: $89 per person
- Number of Tastings: 4
- Number of Drinks: 1 (plus optional alcohol upgrade)
- Length: 3 hours
tacos served during mission district food tour in San Francisco
Mission District Food Tour – Best for Latin Flavors
A vibrant exploration of Latin American flavors in the Mission District
Known for its colorful murals and vibrant Latin American community, the Mission is a must-visit neighborhood in San Francisco. To experience the best food the barrio has to offer, we’ll visit our friends over at Avital once again for their Mission District food tour. Like all of Avital’s tours, this culinary experience focuses on quality over quantity, with each curated dish served seated at a reserved table. You’ll enjoy appetizers, an entree, dessert, and drinks at a different restaurant. This tour celebrates the Latin American community’s influence on San Francisco’s food scene, so along with the tastings, you’ll hear the stories behind each dish and learn about the murals that bring the neighborhood to life.
sausage and egg muffin served on Mission district food tour
Example Tastings
- Classic Mission-style burrito, generously filled
- Crispy fried clam roll from popular SF brewery
- Dry-spiced fried chicken ko’ko wings with lemon fina’denne’ from SF’s only Guamanian restaurant
- Seasonal sweet potato quesadilla from plant-based Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant
- Cheese and sausage muffin with an oozing soft boil egg from James Beard-nominated chef
- Salted caramel ice cream, named one of the top 5 desserts in American
- Light and refreshing mezcal margarita
- Golden State Mighty Dry cider
vegan quesadilla tasting during the Mission district food tour
Best Mission District Food Tour Info
- Tour: Mission District Food Tour – Avital Food & Drink Experiences
- Price: $115 per person
- Number of Tastings: 4
- Number of Drinks: 3 (alcoholic or N/A alternatives)
- Length: 3 hours
vendor preparing churros for Ferry Building food tour
Ferry Building & Farmers Market Food Tour – Best Artisan Eats
Indulge in fresh, seasonal bites at the iconic Ferry Building.
Experience the best of local produce and artisanal foods at the iconic Ferry Building. The Ferry Building food tour San Francisco by Edible Excursions is a must for those who love local ingredients and artisanal treats. This tour takes you through the vibrant farmers market and introduces you to some of the best vendors and tastemakers in the city. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Northern California’s rich agricultural offerings by indulging in fresh produce and artisanal products that highlight the region’s bounty.
Example Tastings
- Freshly baked artisan bread from Acme Bread Company
- Locally-made, award-winning cheese tastings at Epicurean Trade
- Ube churros and chicken tortas – a crowd favorite!
- Handmade chocolate confections from Recchiuti
- French macarons from Miette, named one of the top ten pastry shops in the world by Conde Nast
Best Ferry Building Food Tour Info
- Tour: Ferry Building & Farmers Market Food Tour – Edible Excursions
- Price: $90 per person
- Number of Tastings: 5+
- Number of Drinks: 0
- Length: 1.5 hours
ramen prepared for Japantown food tour
Japantown Food Tour – Best Under-The-Radar Tour
Discover traditional and modern Japanese cuisine in Japantown
Japantown is an often-overlooked gem in San Francisco, but this neighborhood offers a rich mix of traditional Japanese fare and modern fusion cuisine. In other words, a foodies’ paradise! The Japantown food tour San Francisco from Edible Excursions will open your eyes (and your stomach!) to an incredible neighborhood that many locals have yet to discover! This tour highlights both traditional and modern takes on Japanese cuisine, from casual eateries to more refined establishments, offering a comprehensive view of Japantown’s food scene.
Example Tastings
- Bento box of savory salads from a locally-owned Japanese market
- Onigiri (rice balls) from a family-run tea shop
- Takoyaki, an iconic Japanese street food
- Steaming, savory ramen with rich broth and fresh toppings
- Matcha soft serve boba sundae
Best Japantown Food Tour Info
- Tour: Japantown Food Tour – Edible Excursions
- Price: $130 per person
- Number of Tastings: 5
- Number of Drinks: 0
- Length: 3 hours
woodfired pizza topped with spinach served during North Beach food tour
Tipsy Original Tour – Best All-Inclusive Tour
The ultimate multi-neighborhood tour featuring craft cocktails, bites, and storytelling
First time in San Francisco and want to see, do, and eat it ALL?! The best way to sample dishes from various neighborhoods is with a multi-neighborhood food tour. And our favorite is SF Native Tours’ Tipsy Original Tour. Not only does this tour visit four SF neighborhoods (FiDi, Jackson Square, North Beach, and Chinatown) with tasty bites throughout, but this Tipsy tour includes 4 alcoholic drinks. Great for foodies who not only want to eat great food but also drink great beverages.
Example Tastings
- 4 alcoholic beverages, like craft beers and cocktails
- SF’s favorite pizza
- Authentic Italian pastries
- Traditional Italian sandwich
- Dim sum
- Chocolate, famous fudge, sea salt taffy, and other small snacks
wood fired pizza for multi-neighborhood food tour in San Francisco
Best Multi-Neighborhood Food Tour Info
- Tour: Tipsy Original Tour – SF Native Tours
- Price: $129 per person
- Number of Tastings: 12+
- Number of Drinks: 4
- Length: 4.5 hours
Self-Guided Food Tours San Francisco
More of a DIY-type of foodie? I totally get that! Create your own culinary adventure in San Francisco with a self-guided tour. A self-guided experience is great for those who prefer to select exactly where they want to go and/or explore at their own pace. It’s also a fantastic way to explore some lesser-known SF neighborhoods. Plus, it keeps costs down. Here are a few self-guided food tours to get you started:
Self-Guided Chinatown Food Tour
Explore one of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods with this self-guided Chinatown food tour. Savor authentic dim sum and traditional teas and explore hidden alleyways that transport you to another world.
Self-Guided Inner Richmond Food Tour
A multicultural culinary journey through the Inner Richmond with this self-guided Inner Richmond food tour. Sample everything from Vietnamese pho to Russian pastries, and experience a diverse range of global flavors in this vibrant neighborhood.
Self-Guided Gay Bar Food Tour
Learn about the LGBTQ+ history of San Francisco’s Castro district with this unique self-guided gay bar food tour. Visit iconic gay bars and indulge in tasty bites while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere and community stories.
Self-Guided Pacific Heights Food Tour
Explore historic Pacific Heights with this self-guided Pacific Heights food tour. Sample upscale bites from trendy cafes and local eateries while taking in the stunning architecture and panoramic city views.
Self-Guided Inner Sunset Sweet Tooth Desserts Tour
Satisfy your sweet cravings with the self-guided Inner Sunset desserts tour. This tour leads you through hidden gems, offering everything from decadent cakes to artisan ice cream, perfect for dessert lovers looking for a sugar rush.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Food Tour
- Come Hungry: Although many tours offer tiny nibbles and leave guests hungry for more (literally and figuratively), the food tours on this list are curated to ensure you will leave full and happy.
- Dietary Reminders: If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure your guide is aware. Not all restrictions can be accommodated, but great food tour companies will do their best to make sure you feel cared for.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: The majority of the tours on this list are walking food tours, so expect to walk 1-2 miles. Wear sneakers or comfy sandals so you can focus on what’s important – the food!
- Ask Your Guide for Local Recommendations: Good food tour guides are your new best friend. Ask them for their favorite spots and other hidden gems not featured on the tour.
- Give Feedback: Nothing is more useful to food tour operators than great feedback, especially coming from seasoned foodies. If you didn’t think the wine paired well with the dish, tell them! Great feedback makes for even better experiences.
Final Thoughts on San Francisco Food Tours for Foodies
Whether you’re craving dim sum in Chinatown, Italian pastries in North Beach, or tacos in the Mission, there’s no shortage of delicious options on these San Francisco food tours. Whether you’re an SF native or a tourist in town for the weekend, there is a delicious culinary experience for every foodie. If you take one of these tours, let us know! We’d love to know what you thought.
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