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Boston is great for both history and food. And they enjoy mixing both those things for history and food tours. With so many different things to see in Boston, a food tour will help you see more of the city as well as try a wide variety of local food. Boston is known for many of their cuisines, such as the delicious Italian food in the North End or their lobster rolls. But it can be hard to know where to eat given so many options. That’s where these food tours come in: you can eat like a local in Boston, try a bunch of new places, and see some of Boston along the way.
Iconic Boston Food Tours
Here we will have food tours in Boston that are specific to different neighborhoods as well as specific cuisines.
North End
“Politically Incorrect” North End Tour: For a truly Bostonian experience, you’ll want to take this fun tour. Between history, Italian lunches, and Boston humor, you’ll get the real Boston feel. You will definitely want to come to this tour hungry, as it has five different lunch stops! With some surprises along the way, you’ll get to try ravioli, pizza, subs, and more!
Full Meal in North End: This 3.5-hour food tour will get you through Boston’s North End. Not only will you get to enjoy this wonderful neighborhood, but you’ll also get a full meal out of the tour. From pizza to clam chowder to lobster rolls and then dessert! Come hungry for this hearty meal.
Food Tour Through Freedom Trail & North End: With over 5 stops this food tour takes you through the Freedom Trail and into North End. All the walking will help keep you hungry as you try all the different foods. This fun tour will even take you into Quincy Market and The Boston Public Market! Both of these are very popular foodie places.
Chinatown
Food & Culture through Boston’s Chinatown: Over 3 hours, you’ll get to walk through Chinatown and learn about the Chinese-American culture as well as the delicious food. This tour gives you the diverse sample of small dishes that truly gives you a sense of Chinatown’s unique culture.
Bites of Boston Tour: Explore Chinatown with this delicious tour. You’ll get to experience 6 different eateries in Chinatown ranging from bakeries to Traditional and Modern Chinese food to Taiwanese food. This small group tour is an intimate way to learn more about Chinatown and its locals.
South End
Happy Hour in South End: Exclusively available for weekends (Wednesday-Friday) this happy hour tour takes you through a diverse food and cocktail selection. You’ll get to taste 5 food specialties from 4 different places. One of which includes dessert. Additionally each dish comes specially paired with a cocktail.
Local Gems in South End: Head to South End to learn about many of the local favorites with this food tour. While walking through South End you’ll also get to learn about the history and architecture. With 6 different stops you’ll go to beloved restaurants, bakeries, and markets with the last stop including a cocktail.
Seafood
Seafood Lovers’ Boston Adventure: A local guide will take you through some of the most popular seafood spots in Boston. As a staple in Boston food culture, you’ll get to try lobster rolls, clam chowder, and so much more. Additionally, you’ll get to explore several of Boston’s more historic neighborhoods.
History & Seafood: Walking along the water, you’ll get to taste Boston’s iconic seafood while learning about the American Revolution. You’ll even get to see where the Boston Tea Party took place. There will be lobster rolls, clam chowder, and even stuffed clams! This is definitely a food tour for all seafood and history lovers.
Desserts
Donut Food Tour: One of our favorite things about Boston is the many different donut places you can find. This tour takes you through the most popular. Luckily, there is a lot of walking here because you need that to help walk off some of that sugar. Along the walk, you’ll get to try the popular Apple Cider Donuts and learn all about the long history of Boston and Donuts.
Not interested in paying for a tour? Check out the DIY Boston Donut Tour we made here.
Chocolate Tour: Head to Back Bay for this fun and amazing Chocolate tour! You’ll get to taste lots of delicious chocolate while walking through the beautiful Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. This food tour is about 2 hours long, which includes a great walk between the many delicious and rich chocolate tastings.
North End Pastry Tour: Love Italian food and desserts? Head to this tour in the North End! This one will take you through one of our absolute favorite bakeries in Boston (Bova’s). It is absolutely delicious, and you’ll get to try some really unique and special desserts through this food tour through Boston’s Italian neighborhood.
Food and History Tours
Classic Bites & Boston History: Sample and learn about iconic Boston dishes as you’re treated to the city’s best spots for Lobster Rolls, New England Clam Chowder, Boston Baked Beans 7 Brown Bread and Boston Cream Pie. It is genuinely the most Boston food tour you could want!
Pizza Slices with a Side of History: Tradition, history, and food define the North End, so join this tour to discover the best of this dynamic neighborhood. Additionally, walk off the beaten path to discover some of the best-hidden gems of the area.
FAQS: Food Tours of Boston
How to pick the best food tour?
This is an extremely personal decision! This is because it depends on what you want to eat and where in Boston you want to explore. You’ll need to figure out what kinds of foods, how long you want the tour to be, and where in Boston you want to explore. We’ve done the donut tour, which was so fun but soooo sweet. We have also enjoyed many different tours within the North End. I would recommend trying something that gives you as many different Iconic Boston Foods, especially if it’s your first visit.
What kind of food is worth trying in Boston?
There is so much delicious food in Boston that is worth trying. First and foremost, you need to have a Lobster Roll. You’ll be in New England, so you need lobster. Of course, Italian food is a big deal in Boston, so be sure to head to the North End for some great restaurants. Chinatown also has really delicious options for food. Other Boston foods that are worth trying are clam chowder, baked beans, and Boston cream pie. Additionally, donuts are a big deal in Boston, so you’ll want some for dessert while you’re visiting.
Where do locals eat in Boston?
This is an excellent question. So excellent, in fact, that we have a whole post about it here where I detail all our favorite Boston spots from when we lived in Boston. Here are our absolute must-visit:
- Bova’s – Dessert in North End
- Dirty Water Dough – Pizza in East Boston
- Sonsie – Brunch in Back Bay
- Happy Lamb Hot Pot – Hot Pot in Chinatown
Are food and history tours worth it?
Absolutely! It is such a fun and easy way of seeing Boston, learning more about American history, and trying the local food! Since there are so many restaurants in Boston it can be hard to pick the best restaurants for the best Bostonian food, so the tours really help narrow that down. Plus who doesn’t like combining activities when time is short on a vacation? Here you get the best of both worlds! Food and history!
Final Thoughts About Food Tours in Boston
As you can see, there are so many delicious foods in Boston to try. Boston has its own set of iconic foods, like Boston Baked Beans, Boston cream pie, and lobster rolls. You cannot go wrong with the different delicious foods, especially with the side of American Revolutionary History. It is truly a great way to enjoy Boston and its food.
