Food Tours in San Francisco

Discover the cultural and historical highlights of San Francisco and its flamboyant neighborhoods. Wander through the city’s Mission District and enjoy its unique foods on a San Francisco food tour.

Browse the Farmers Market in the old Ferry Building for a real taste of San Francisco and hear the fascinating stories of the former Alcatraz prison. Go and discover why the North Beach area became known as “Little Italy.”

Here's all you need to know about food tours, some of the most delightful gastronomic experiences in San Francisco.

What are the best food tours in San Francisco?

San Francisco walking tour with secret food tours

The Mission District is known as the hub of San Francisco’s Latino culture and traditionally the home to Italian, Irish and German immigrants. On this small-group walking food tour of the quarter, you will discover how they, and others, have molded the district.

Taste local specialties, such as San Francisco’s popular clam chowder, the Mission-style burritos, delicious Italian sandwiches, and a “secret” dish. Also share an insider’s account of the District’s history and its flourishing culinary culture.

Meet your guide and your small group of people (12 and less) at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in Mission Street. Start your food tour with a San Francisco classic, the Mission burrito, which will inspire your appetite for the rest of the tour.

As you chow on your burrito, you can listen to the stories and traditions behind the meal. You will have other stops along the way, which may be at a well-known bakery, a popular ice cream café, a traditional clam chowder eatery, or an Italian deli.

You can skip the food queue and wait for each dish, and learn about the District’s fascinating historical and architectural heritage while enjoying bites. Your food walking tour of the Mission finishes in the early afternoon at Dolores Park on the corner of 20th and Church Street.

San Francisco: Ferry Building food tour and Alcatraz

Explore two of San Francisco's main attractions during this full-day food tour of the Ferry Building and Farmers' Market and historic Alcatraz island. Sample the foods from popular local purveyors and spend your afternoon exploring notorious Alcatraz.

You will meet your expert guide in front of the main entrance of the Ferry Building, underneath the clock tower. The building with its 75-meter clock tower was erected in the late 19th century, and renovated in 2003.

The concourse accommodates artisans and farmers selling their products, and for a real taste of San Francisco, this is where you get it. At the Embarcadero Farmer's Market, a food industry professional will guide you on a 90-minute journey of the market’s local, artisan cuisine and food purveyors.

You can taste artisan chocolates, fresh-baked bread, delicious cheeses and much more. Following your food tour, you will get directions to Pier 33, then wander down the Embarcadero to board the ferry to Alcatraz Island.

From the ferry, enjoy the sights of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge and the city's skyline. Alcatraz is a former federal prison which operated as such from 1934 to 1963, and it's now a national park.

You can pick up your self-guided audio tour and start exploring. Hear commentary from former prison warders and inmates and learn about famous inmates like Al Capone and others.

You can spend as long as you like taking in Alcatraz, then depart on the ferry for the ride back to the city. All participants over 18 must show a photo I.D.

North Beach food and history walking tour

Go on a 2-hour small group North Beach food and history walking tour in San Francisco and enjoy savoring the quarter’s local treats. At the same time, learn about this vibrant neighborhood’s interesting history and how its culinary delights are prepared.

Meet your guide just outside of Zoetrope Café at the Columbus Tower (Sentinel Building). You will learn about the historical and current events that contributed to shaping the North Beach District.

Admire the exquisite murals created by the Italian painter Luigi Brusatori at the Saint Francis of Assisi Church, a place of beauty with striking murals and stained-glass windows. Walk along Columbus Avenue past restaurants and cafés and be treated to a home-made biscotti or cookie with coffee at Stella Pastry.

Then wander to Washington Square to further explore Little Italy. Your guide will consider the pizza and beverage options for the next food portion of the tour, while you’re hearing stories about Saints Peter and Paul Church.

The church has been the home and cultural center for the city’s Italian-American community for over 100 years. Afterwards, walk towards Jack Kerouac Alley and admire the wall murals of the alleyway connecting Chinatown with North Beach. End your tour with a beer or cocktail at one of the many watering holes.

Are there any combos available with food tours in San Francisco?

Private wine food pairing experience from San Francisco

Enjoy private food and wine tours in San Francisco in a rustic winery or a wine cellar in a famous/hidden rural district of the Napa or Sonoma wine country. At the same time, admire the lovely views of rolling hills, vineyards and beautiful wineries of the region.

San Francisco urban trail hike and 5-course chef’s local food lunch

Embark on one of the best hiking tours in San Francisco and traverse through the beautiful Land’s End Park. You will stop for five gourmet lunch courses, including wine, and enjoy spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Wander through the "ritziest" San Francisco’s neighborhood and enjoy a world-class meal on the beach.

Where will I go and what will I see on food tours in San Francisco?

The San Francisco Ferry Building

This is a terminal for ferries traveling across the San Francisco Bay, a food hall and office building. The building was designed in the Beaux-Arts style, and completed in 1898. At the time, it had been the largest project undertaken in the city. The full length of the building on both fronts is based on an arched arcade.

Since the 1950s, it has been adapted to office use. After 2002, the ground floor marketplace was created and the second and third floors adapted for office and Port Commission purposes.

North Beach District

North Beach lies in the northeast of San Francisco and is known as San Francisco's "Little Italy," having historically been home to a large number of Italian-Americans.

It is bordered by the former Barbary Coast (now Jackson Square), the Financial District, Chinatown, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill and Fisherman's Wharf. There are still many Italian restaurants, but many other ethnic groups have also settled in the district.

How much do SF food tours cost?

The San Francisco walking and food tour costs US$90 per person and the Ferry Building and Alcatraz Island food tour US$180 per person. Your latter package includes the Alcatraz Island round trip ferry ticket (US$41).

The North Beach history walking and food tour costs about US$80 per person and includes various snacks and drinks.

What do they include?

The San Francisco food tour with secret food includes a guided food tour, starters and main (secret) dish at different eatery stops. On the Ferry Building and Alcatraz tour you will enjoy all food tastings, a 90-minute guided food tour of the market, and a self-guided audio walking tour of the old Alcatraz prison.

The North Beach (Little Italy) excursion includes a guided tour, Biscotti or cookie, coffee or espresso, pizza and a drink or cocktail, and photo stops.

Where does it start?

The food tours in San Francisco start from different meeting points in downtown San Francisco, such as the Mission Cultural Center (tasting tour with secret food), the Ferry Building (for the Ferry Building/Alcatraz tour), and the Columbus Tower (for the North Beach tour).

How long do they last?

The normal duration of the food walking tours in San Francisco is 3 hours.

When is the best time to go on a food tour in San Francisco?

The best time to visit for a food tour in San Francisco is from September to November. The fall has some of the city's warmest temperatures, and you’ll find fewer visitors than in summer.

What are the other gastronomic experiences in San Francisco?

• Dinners in San Francisco
• Beer tastings in San Francisco
• Cheese tastings in San Francisco
• Cooking classes in San Francisco

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your food tour in San Francisco in advance.
• Alcatraz is steep and hilly, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen for food walking tours.