I think Boston is one of the most exciting foodie cities in the U.S.,
so doing a food tour during your visit is honestly such a great idea!
Not only do they offer incredible value and insider info on all the best places to eat, you’ll get to sample some of the best food around the city in a short amount of time. It’s the perfect way to introduce yourself to Bean Town, or dive in a bit deeper for repeat visitors.
This post is all about my picks for the best Boston food tours to add to your itinerary, and I’m here to make it easier for you to choose the best tours for your plans and preferences! So, are you ready? Let’s get started!
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My Top 3 picks for the best Boston food tours are:
1. North End Pizza & History Food Tour (4.5/5⭐️)
2. North End & Public Market Tour (5/5⭐️)
3. Brewery Tour With Lunch or Dinner (5/5⭐️)
What Food Is Boston Most Famous For?
First thing’s first, it’s a good idea to know what food Boston is most famous for before you decide which tour is best for you. And because it’s a city, you could argue that pretty much all cuisine shines here, but there are definitely two types of food that are going to stand out in Boston:
🍝 Italian and 🦞 Seafood!
Between the 1850s and early 1900s, a large population of Italians immigrated to Boston via the Port of Boston, and many of them settled in the North End. Now, the North End is famous for charming and historic streets, and … you guessed it – Italian food! If you love Italian cuisine, this is where you should go (or take your tour!).
And of course, seafood is another star of the Boston food scene simply because of its location on the coast. Menus all across the city will feature fresh seafood from coastal towns like Wellfleet, Chatham, Ipswich, Nantucket and more. In particular, if you see Wellfleet or Chatham oysters, Nantucket scallops or Maine lobster on the menu, you’ll definitely want to consider ordering those!
Best Boston Food Tours To Add To Your Itinerary
Okay, now that you know what types of cuisine Boston is known for, let’s jump into the best food tours! I’ve broken them all down into sections, including the best North End tours, this awesome seafood tour, tours that highlight local beers, this special sweets tour and even food cruises.
Awesome North End Food Tours In Boston
If it’s your first time to Boston, I suggest starting with any tour that features the North End. As mentioned above, this is an iconic neighborhood for Italian cuisine, and while it may seem strange to go all-in on Italian food in Boston, it’s honestly worth it for the history and stories along the way (and, of course, incredible bites!).
1. North End Pizza & History Walking Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 4.5/5⭐️ rating with over 600 reviews!
- Over 2 hours long.
- 3 slices of pizza and 1 cannoli included.
- Bottled water included.
- Stops at iconic historic sites.
“Amazing tour that included some great north end pizza. We also got to skip the line everywhere we went which was nice. The food was great, but equally as fun were the historical sites we visited and the knowledge our guide Scotty shared with us. He was the man. 10/10.”
– JORDAN (more reviews)
If you love pizza, then this North End Pizza & History tour is the perfect one for you! In fact, the reason I love this tour is because it highlights the iconic North End, pizza (which I personally love) and also infuses a bit of history into the experience.
During the tour, you’ll sample some of the best pizza in Boston, stop at some of the most famous historic sites along the Freedom Trail, and also includes a stop for an authentic cannoli.
🍕 Click here to check out the North End Pizza & History Walking Tour!
2. Hidden Gems North End Food Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 4.9/5⭐️ rating with over 60 reviews!
- 2 hours long.
- Includes pizza, fresh bread, meats and cheeses, pastries, and coffee at North End hidden gems!
- Local history and historic site stops.
“The tour was amazing … our guide Tim was full of energy and has so much history about Boston and made the time fly by! We hit some cool hidden spots that we are going back to so we can have a full meal. We loved it. So thankful we went!”
– JOHN MICHAEL (more reviews)
This North End Hidden Gems Tour is perfect for those wanting to explore the North End, love pizza, want to visit hidden gems in the neighborhood, learn some history, and sample some delicious meats and cheeses along the way.
This tour begins along the waterfront (can’t beat that!), and then meanders through the North End to take you to a hidden Italian bakery for some incredible bread, an authentic Italian salumeria, a traditional Italian cafe and even some amazing pizza.
This tour also stops at some of the best historic sites along the way!
🍕Click here to check out this cool Hidden Gems North End Food Tour!
3. Food, Freedom Trail & North End Walking Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 5/5⭐️ rating, with over 800 reviews!
- 5-hour long in-depth tour.
- Samples of pizza, bread, meats, cheese and pastries along the way.
- Deeper dive into historic stops along the Freedom Trail.
- Site seeing at the Public Gardens, too!
“The tour felt like we were just eating our way through Boston with a friend. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is visiting for the first time or if you’re in the mood to be shown some amazing eats. 10/10 experience.”
– JOHN (more reviews)
Another incredible food and history tour combined, this Food, Freedom Trail & North End Tour experience takes you to some of the best food spots in the North End, as well as a deeper dive into historic sites throughout the city. If you also wanted to visit the Freedom Trail during your visit to Boston, this is an awesome tour to consider!
🍞Click here to check out this fun Food, Freedom Trail & North End Walking Tour!
4. North End & Seafood Tasting Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 4.6/5⭐️ rating, with over 50 reviews!
- 3 hours long.
- Variety of foods, including Italian dishes and seafood.
- Historic stops along the way.
“This tour was great. The food was super fabulous and a great array of different types of food that reflect the city were offered – not to mention plenty of it! Anyhow, our guide was very knowledgeable and so with our delicious meals, we also got some history too. I highly recommend this tour. Definitely worth it.”
– More reviews here
Combining the best hidden gems in the North End with delicious seafood, this North End & Seafood Tour offers the best of both culinary worlds in Boston!
This tour also offers the most food and diverse selection of most other tours on this list, and includes sampling pizza, a unique Italian sandwich, cannoli, roasted nuts, pasta, craft beer and a special seafood treat! You’ll definitely leave this tour sufficiently stuffed.
🦞 Click here to check out this exciting Seafood & Secret North End Food Tour!
5. North End Public Market Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 5/5⭐️ rating, with over 100 reviews!
- 3 hour long.
- Unique opportunity to visit the best vendors at Boston’s exciting public markets, one of which is the oldest outdoor market in the country!
- Lots of food samples on this tour, including chowder at the Union Oyster House.
- Historic stops along the way.
“Our tour guide, Audrey, was fantastic! This was one of our favorite tours. Loved all the food we got to eat and all the history behind the North End including the stories behind the local restaurants. We highly recommend this tour. A must do if you are visiting Boston!”
– Taren (more reviews)
This Public Market Tour is perfect for those wanting to taste their way through the North End, and also get the inside scoop on the best vendors at the Boston Public Market (and Haymarket Market on Fridays and Saturdays!).
During this tour, you’ll sample most of the North End Italian cuisine at the Public Markets, which is a unique and fun twist on exploring the North End. The culinary expert guide will also show you the best vendors to sample all kinds of others foods and treats. You’ll also swing by the oldest, continuously-operating restaurant in the country for an awesome cup of chowder, and stop at a few historic sites along the way.
🥣 Click here to check out this fun North End Public Market Tour!
Best Cooking Class In Boston
6. Italian Cooking Class With Wine & Tiramisu!
Tour Highlights:
- 4.5/5⭐️ rating, with over 40 reviews!
- 3-hour long class.
- Learn how to make authentic pasta from scratch, including ravioli and tortellini.
- Wine, snacks and appetizers included.
- Main entree included (often chicken marsala).
“Fun times had by everyone! Great to do for any occasion. The food was amazing and the staff was attentive and interactive!”
– Jennifer (more reviews here)
Okay, so I know that a cooking class isn’t exactly a tour, but this one is just too much fun to not mention! And since it focuses on Italian cuisine and led by a chef, it’s a wonderful experience to consider in Boston.
During this class, you’ll be preparing an entire Italian meal, including how to make different pastas from scratch. And the best part? Wine is included! I mean, it’s not really an authentic Italian cooking experience unless there’s wine, right? 🙂
Once you’ve done all the cooking, you’ll sit down to enjoy this incredible meal with new friends you’ve made during the class.
🍝🍷Click here to check out this very fun Italian Cooking Class With Wine!
The Best Seafood Tour In Boston
7. Seafood Tasting Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 5/5⭐️ rating!
- 2.5 hours long.
- Delicious lobster roll, clam chowder included, and more depending on what’s fresh that day!
- Expert tips on where to eat during the rest of your trip.
- Historical stops along the way.
“Great time! Our guide Lucy was very knowledgeable, friendly, and personable. We learned a lot about Boston and the history of the restaurants we visited. The food was fantastic … “
– See more reviews)
If you’re just here for the seafood, this is the best option! This tour perfectly combines a bit of Boston’s history with a visit to some of the best seafood restaurants in the city, as well as a stroll through Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.
You’ll definitely be munching on a delicious lobster roll and cup of New England clam chowder during this tour, as well as sampling lots of other fresh seafood during each stop (possibilities include local oysters, clams and scallops!).
🦪🦞Click here to check out this awesome Seafood Tasting Tour in Boston!
Scenic Food Cruises In Boston
One of the best way to enjoy Boston is by heading out on the water – it is a coastal city, after all. And taking a food cruise is an awesome way to sample the local cuisine while also enjoying views of the city’s skyline. Here are my picks for the best scenic food cruises in Boston!
8. Spirit Of Boston Lunch Cruise
Tour Highlights:
- 4.4/5⭐️ rating, with over 80 reviews!
- 2-hours long.
- All you can eat buffet.
- DJ entertainment.
- Incredible outdoor deck for the best views of Boston!
- Dietary restrictions can be specified.
“The staff was amazing! The food was delicious, and the music was great!!! It was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to do it again!”
– MARIALI (see more reviews)
For a memorable lunch experience, the Spirit of Boston Lunch Cruise is an awesome choice! You’ll cruise along the harbor for 2 hours with an unlimited buffet and DJ entertainment while you enjoy amazing views of the city’s skyline.
The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, and the upper deck is the perfect place for your post-lunch relaxation out on the water.
🛳Click here to check out this scenic Spirit Of Boston Lunch Cruise!
9. Boston Harbor Gourmet Brunch Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 4.5/5⭐️ rating!
- 2 hours long.
- An unlimited brunch buffet serving quiche, bacon, fresh fruit, and lots more.
- Cruise along the harbor in a 1920s style yacht.
- Additional drinks like mimosas can be purchased for an additional fee.
“The food was delicious! The boat experience while learning the state’s history was just amazing!!”
– BIANCA (see more reviews)
Looking for more of a brunch experience? Then this Scenic Brunch Cruise is perfect for you! Enjoy the same incredible views of Boston’s skyline from the water while you cruise around and enjoy a delicious brunch.
🛳Click here to check out this scenic Boston Harbor Gourmet Brunch Tour!
The Most Exciting South End Food Tour
10. Eclectic Sweet & Savory South End Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 5/5⭐️ rating, with over 50 reviews!
- 3-3.5 hours long.
- Lots of food samples from various cuisines (as well as tips from your expert guide!).
- History and architecture facts along the way.
“Katie was a dynamite guide who made history interesting and tasting new foods adventurous. Thoroughly enjoyed!”
– BETH (read more reviews)
Okay, so I know I’ve talked a lot about the North End, but the South is also not to be missed during your trip to Boston. A melting pot of cuisine, this neighborhood is exciting to visit, and this Sweet & Savory food tour will take you to all the best places – probably spots you wouldn’t have discovered on your own.
You’ll try things like Venezuelan appetizers, and also mix in a few sweet treats along the way!
🧁Click here to check out cool Sweet & Savory South End Tour!
The Sweetest Food Tour In Boston
11. Underground Donut Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 5/5⭐️ rating, with over 250 reviews!
- 2 hours long.
- Samples of donuts from the best spots in the city.
- North End stroll and some history included!
- A visit to the Boston Public Market for cider and donuts.
- Coffee and/or tea included.
“This was probably the best decision we made for our Anniversary trip to Boston. I wanted something unique but yummy for our trip … Our guide made the tour fun and ight …Kudos to you for creating such a unique experience!”
– DEVAN (see more reviews)
This Underground Donut Tour is perfect for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth while in Boston while also getting the inside scoop on where the absolute best donuts are!
You’ll visit one of the oldest bakeries in the North End, and get a little history during your walk there. You’ll also get to walk through the Public Market for expert tips on the best vendors to visit, as well as get a donut sample from a booth you may have missed if you were on your own.
🍩Click here to check out this sweet Underground Donut Tour!
Coolest Drink Tours In Boston
It’s hard to not talk about food tours in Boston without sharing the options for awesome beer tours! Boston has a long history with beers and taverns (I mean, does the Cheers bar ring a bell!?). Here are my picks for the best beer/tavern tours in Boston!
12. Boston Brewery Tour With Lunch Or Dinner
Tour Highlights:
- 5/5⭐️ rating, with over 250 reviews!
- 5-hour, in-depth tour!
- Round-trip transportation around the city included.
- Awesome pub-style lunch or dinner included (depending on the time you book).
- Expert-led tastings, so you drink only the best and coolest brews at each stop.
- Behind-the-scenes looks at some of the breweries to learn about the process.
“Amazing!! Our tour guide Liam was fantastic. Had us laughing from start to finish and kept the whole group upbeat. The tour itself was great and such good value for money. Would definitely recommend for all beer enthusiasts. It was well structured and very interesting. A must do while in Boston!”
– KATIE (see more reviews)
For beer enthusiasts, this Boston Brewery Tour is an incredible experience and value. Not only do they do all the driving to some of the best breweries in the city, your expert guide will share the history of each stop, and guide you through all the exciting brews they’ve concocted.
This tour includes tastings of some awesome ciders, too!
🍺Click here to check out this very cool Boston Brewery Tour!
13. Ye Olde Tavern Tour
Tour Highlights:
- 5/5⭐️ rating, with over 100 reviews!
- 2 hours long.
- Walk along the Freedom Trail and visit some of the most historic taverns to sample beers.
- Maximum of 12 people per group.
We had so much fun learning about the freedom trail while hanging out in a few of America’s oldest pubs. Brooke was an amazing guide with loads of history to share with us. She kept us all interested and entertained.
“Great time, Brooke was our tour guide (also the owner of the company) and she was upset passionate, energetic and engaging! Great history alongside great drinks and a great time! 10/10 would recommend!”
– MATT (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
This Ye Olde Tavern Tour is the perfect choice for those who love great beer and history! The tour walks along part of the Freedom Trail and offers fun history narration, and also stops at some of the country’s oldest taverns, where you’ll get to sample their brews.
Basically, think of it as the coolest pub crawl where you’ll learn a lot, too!
🍺Click here to check out the Ye Olde Tavern Tour!
Are Boston Food Tours Worth It?
Absolutely! In fact, depending on how long you’re in Boston, it may even be worth it to do 2 tours. A North End tour combined with something different like a scenic food cruise tour, or the fun cooking class would be an amazing way to really get a feel for the culinary scene.
Tips For Your Boston Food Tour!
- Wear comfy shoes! Sneakers will be ideal. Boston is a pretty casual city anyway, and most tours on this list head over to the North End, where there are historic (meaning, uneven!) cobblestone and brick sidewalks. Sturdy and comfy shoes are a must.
- Come hungry! I know it seems this goes without saying, but most food tours will equal an entire meal. Be sure to read the description to find out how much food you’ll be eating, and come hungry enough for it!
- Bring a reusable water bottle if your tour doesn’t provide drinks or bottled water. Some do, but it’s best to check and come prepared.
- Don’t hesitate to ask questions on your tour! The guides are local experts, and they love sharing their knowledge on the food scene in Boston. Don’t hesitate to raise your hand and get all your questions answered. I also highly suggest asking where to eat during the rest of your trip because they’ll have awesome off-the-beaten-path recommendations!
You may also enjoy these posts:
- Awesome Day Trips & Road Trips From Boston
- Awesome Boston Hotels Near the Aquarium
- Best New England Gifts & Souvenirs To Look For On Your Trip
- The Perfect 7 Day New England Road Trip
- Fun Things To Do In Boston In The Fall
- Driving Boston To New York City: Best Stops & Routes To Take
That’s A Wrap On The Best Boston Food Tours!
And there you have it – all my picks for the absolute best Boston food tours to consider adding to your itinerary. With so many incredible options, it may seem hard to even choose what I’ve narrowed down on this list. But just know that whichever you choose is going to provide a memorable (and delicious!) experience.
