Why I Always Recommend Food Tours When Traveling
When people ask me what’s the best way to truly get to know a city, my answer is always the same: through your stomach.
Food isn’t just fuel—it’s storytelling. It’s tradition. It’s a window into a destination’s soul. Whether you’re slurping fresh pasta in a tucked-away Roman trattoria or nibbling cheese in a centuries-old Parisian market, breaking bread with locals is one of the most intimate and memorable ways to experience a new place.
That’s why I almost always recommend booking a food tour or cooking class, especially with a trusted partner like Eating Europe who has tours in 9 countries and 18 cities (and growing!).
Here's why food tours are my go-to travel tip:
1. They’re the Best First-Day Orientation
If it’s your first time in a city (or your fifth), a food tour is the ultimate way to settle in. You get the lay of the land, taste regional specialties, and learn where the locals actually eat, not just what shows up on Google Maps.
Even better? These tours often fill you up and fill you in on the city’s history, culture, and quirks. It’s the most delicious sightseeing you’ll ever do.
2. You Meet the People Behind the Food
One of the biggest joys of travel is connection and food has a magical way of bringing people together. On a great tour, you’ll meet bakers, cheesemongers, wine makers, market stall owners, and family-run trattoria chefs who are passionate about what they do. These are the unsung heroes, the heartbeat of the city.
3. It Solves the 'Where Should We Eat?' Problem
Sometimes, especially in Europe, navigating restaurant reservations can be tricky. Food tours are a clever workaround. You’ll sample a range of the best bites, feel completely satisfied, and still have time for a sunset stroll or gelato nightcap if it’s your second serving.
4. You Discover Places That Aren’t Googleable
That’s one of the reasons I consistently recommend Eating Europe. Their tours spotlight hidden gems and family-run businesses that often don’t have a digital footprint. You won’t find these places on TikTok or TripAdvisor and that’s the point.
In Rome or Florence, you might sip wine through ancient buchette del vino (tiny wine windows). In Paris, you could be exploring Le Marais while tasting flaky pastries and learning about Jewish culinary heritage. In Tuscany, you may be dining in a wine cave beneath a medieval town. These aren’t cookie-cutter experiences. They’re curated, local, and unforgettable.
5. They Fit Seamlessly into Itineraries Across Europe
Eating Europe now operates in 9 countries and nearly 18 cities from Amsterdam to Lisbon, Bologna to Prague with more cities launching soon. That makes them a no-brainer for travelers hopping from country to country. I often design itineraries where a food tour is the very first stop, setting the tone for the rest of the trip.
As a luxury travel advisor (and a self-proclaimed food-forward traveler), I’m always seeking out authentic, meaningful experiences for my clients. Food tours check all the boxes: delicious, local, cultural, and connective. And when they’re done as thoughtfully as Eating Europe does them, they become a highlight of the entire trip.
So if you’re heading abroad, don’t just eat your way through the city experience it, one bite at a time. I promise, it’ll taste better that way.
