Recently viewed Group tours with great food experiences 2026/2027
TL; DR
Love your food as much as we do? Take an inside look at the best food-focused tour companies for 2026/27, from affordable city walks to ultra-luxury private journeys.
Flash Pack leads for solo travelers and food-lovers aged 30-49 or 45-59. Its immersive, culinary experiences (think cave dining, Vespa tours, Michelin dining and chef-led classes) are a highlight of its bestselling small-group adventures.
Quick Take: Best food-focused tour companies (2026/7)
| Category | Flash Pack | Taste & Tour | The International Kitchen | Secret Food Tours | Oceania Cruises | Culinary Backstreets | Eating Europe | Artisans of Leisure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Solo foodies aged 30-49 or 45-59 who want boutique comfort + immersive foodie moments | Fun-loving walking city tours w/ food & drink themes | Hands-on cooking holidays | Secret local dishes, insider-y feel | Global cruises with foodie highlights | Artisan-led, cultural deep dives (on walk tours or multiday trips) | Hidden neighborhood food tours, inc. at sunset and twilight | Private, ultra-luxury culinary experiences |
| Destinations | Worldwide: Asia, Europe, Americas, Middle East | Belfast & Edinburgh | Europe, Americas, SE Asia | Global: Asia, Europe, Australia, USA | Worldwide | Major foodie cities in Europe, Asia, Americas | Europe (esp. Italy & Spain) | Worldwide |
| Signature Experiences | 22-course Michelin tasting in Colombia; Vespa street food tour in Vietnam; sumo wrestler lunch in Japan; Cappadocia lavender-field wine pairing; Bedouin lunch in Jordan | Brunch tour; whiskey walks; wine wanders; original Belfast food tour with markets and local makers | Pasta-making in Tuscan villages; château French classics; Thai village cooking in Chiang Mai; chef/nonnas/home-cook classes | Secret “mystery dish”; Texan BBQ; Melbourne cafés; Reykjavik Nordic cuisine | Culinary Discovery Tours; chef’s villa visits; mixology classes; wine-pairing menus; on-board classes | Pizza pilgrimage with NY maestro; old Tokyo foodways; Transylvanian slow food + wine | Tigella in Bologna; jamón & cheese in medieval taverns; Greek donuts in Athens | Palace lunches in India; truffle hunting; private Michelin dining; exclusive wine/art tours |
| Group Size | Max 16 (avg 10) | ~12 on public tours | Max 12–14 | Most max 12 | ~656 passengers | Walks: 2–7; Multiday: 6–12 | Usually max 12 | Private groups or individuals |
| Led By | Expert local guides | Local guides | Culinary tour directors + local chefs | Local guides | Crew + chefs & mixologists | Local artisans, culinary experts + guides | Local guides | Private guides + drivers |
| Reviews | “Unforgettable” meals, “exceptional” local food, great cultural immersion, strong social element (Trustpilot) | Fun, knowledgeable guides, good value (Tripadvisor) | “Tasty, filling” meals, authentic classes, highly hands-on (Tripadvisor) | Generous food stops, “fascinating” stories, friendly guides (Tripadvisor) | Praised for speciality restaurants, elegant dining, strong solo community events (Cruise Critic) | “Amazing” hidden neighborhood food; highly knowledgeable guides (Tripadvisor) | “Personable, passionate” guides; great wine pairings; loved for sunset timing (Tripadvisor) | “Special treatment,” bespoke menus, meticulous detail; top-tier guides (Virtuoso) |
| Typical Cost* | Avg $3,849 per weeklong adventure | $79-$92 for 3–4 hrs | E.g. 6-day Puglia from ~$5,992 | From $96 for ~3 hrs | E.g. 7-day Athens–Venice from $1,725 | Walks from $114; multiday trips from $3,741 | Example: Seville from $97 (3 hrs) | Pricing on request; Morocco from ~$7,910 pp |
Flash Pack - Best for Immersive Foodie Experiences
Best for: Solo foodies of a similar age who love boutique comfort and authentic local flavor.
Who is Flash Pack best for? Solo travelers aged 30-49 or 45-59 with an interest in local, unique and immersive foodie experiences, designed as part of wider small-group adventure tours.
Where does Flash Pack run food tours? All over the world, from crab fishing in Borneo to winter wonderland picnics in Estonia, cave dining in Argentina, a chef-led culinary workshop in Portugal and beyond.
What are the best food experiences on Flash Pack tours? Highlights include a 22-course taster menu with a Michelin chef in Colombia; a street food tour on Vespas in Ho Chi Minh; sharing lunch with a sumo wrestler in Japan; wine pairings in a Cappadocian lavender field at sunset; lunch with a Bedouin family in Jordan; and so much more.
How big are Flash Pack tours? Max 16 solo travelers per group, average 10 people. Emphasis on strong group dynamic and friendships between like-minded guests of a similar age and life stage.
Who leads the tours? Expert local guides known as Pack Leaders, who help to curate original and spectacular itineraries, including immersive foodie experiences (such as chef-led workshops, alfresco feasts, luxury dining and more).
What do reviews say about Flash Pack? Solo travelers describe “unforgettable” meals, “exceptional” local food, and a great combination of foodie experiences that connect people, and tap into the culture and character of a particular destination. (Trustpilot, Nov 2025).
How much does it cost? Trips cost an average of around $3,849 per person (as of Nov 2025*), for adventures lasting one week or longer. This includes accommodation in boutique hotels, all activities, expert local guides, private transfers and a fantastic range of meals/ premium foodie experiences.
Taste & Tour - Best for Fun Food & Booze Walks
Best for: Fun-loving eaters, drinkers and city enthusiasts who enjoy walking.
Who is Taste & Tour best for? Anyone looking for a lively city walk around Belfast or Edinburgh, with a focus on local flavors/makers and stops including quirky cafes, bars, historic distilleries and more.
Where does Taste & Tour run food tours? UK: Belfast and Edinburgh.
What are the best food experiences on Taste & Tour tours? Experiences range from a three-hour Belfast brunch tour to whiskey walks, wine wanders and the original Belfast food tour (including traditional bars, markets and a chance to meet local producers).
How big are Taste & Tour tours? Typically, 12 or fewer people on public tours (private bookings also available).
Who leads the tours? Led by passionate local guides.
What do reviews say about Taste & Tour? Participants praise fun, knowledgeable guides, the off-the-beaten-track feel of tours, and value for money (Tripadvisor, Nov 2025).
How much does it cost? Prices in the $79-$92 range for a 3-4 hour tour (as of Nov 2025)*.
The International Kitchen - Best for Cooking Holidays
Best for: Enthusiastic cooks of all ages with a passion for local culture, gastronomy and bespoke culinary journeys.
Who is The International Kitchen best for? Those looking to share fun and intimate cooking experiences. There are around 3-4 practical classes in a typical week-long trip, plus activities such as cultural tours, farm visits, cocktail tastings and excellent food and drink.
Where does The International Kitchen run food tours? Europe, the Americas and Southeast Asia.
What are the best food experiences on The International Kitchen tours? The expertly curated cooking classes. Options include pasta-making in a medieval Tuscan village, classic French dishes in a historic château, Thai village cooking in Chiang Mai and more; led by a mix of professional chefs, “nonnas” and local caterers.
How big are The International Kitchen tours? Max 12-14 people.
Who leads the tours? A team of dedicated culinary tour directors.
What do reviews say about The International Kitchen? Guests enjoy “tasty, filling” meals, authentic and welcoming feel of chef-led classes, and the hands-on nature of cooking demos (Tripadvisor, Nov 2025).
How much does it cost? Price varies depending on region, season and double/single hotel occupancy. For example, a six-day trip to Puglia costs from around $5,992 per person (as of Nov 2025)*, including premium accommodation, classes, excursions, tours, transfers and a fantastic range of food and drink.
Secret Food Tours - Best for Special Secret Dishes
Best for: Those wanting an affordable snapshot of the best, most delicious local food a city has to offer.
Who is Secret Food Tours best for? People of all ages who enjoy small-group city tours led by local foodie guides. Each tour is unique: learn about the best secret bites loved by local residents, with drink upgrades available and a special “secret dish” revealed on each new outing.
Where does it run food tours? Worldwide, from major food cities in Asia, Europe and Australia to the Americas (the USA has a particularly wide range of city options).
What are the best food experiences on Secret Food Tours? From Texan BBQs in Downtown Austin to Melbourne’s thriving cafe culture and the innovative Nordic cuisine of Reykjavík, choose from a huge variety of popular tours, with an emphasis on each city’s history, food culture and how locals buy food.
How big are Secret Food Tours? Most trips are 12 people max, but it depends on the city and tour timing.
Who leads the tours? Experienced local foodie guides.
What do reviews say about Secret Food Tours? Guests appreciate generous food stops, “fascinating” neighborhood titbits and friendly, informative guides (Tripadvisor, Nov 2025).
How much does it cost? From around $96 per person for a 3-hour tour (as of Nov 2025)*.
Oceania Cruises - Best for Culinary Cruising
Best for: Cruise lovers (including solo passengers) who enjoy great food and camaraderie while sailing.
Who is Oceania Cruises best for? Its smaller ships provide a great experience for solo travelers with an appetite for regional cuisine. Passengers flying solo have access to solo staterooms, as well as special dining/drinks events designed to introduce them to other solo cruisers. Mixology, cooking classes, local foodie expeditions and fine dining are also a highlight.
Where does Oceania Cruises run tours? Worldwide: Europe, The Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania (the region).
What are the best food experiences on Oceania Cruises tours? Culinary Discovery Tours, including shore excursions to traditional markets, tropical island plantations or a Venetian chef’s villa. Exotic, trend-led cocktails also feature (e.g. flavored smoke bubbles), along with wine pairing menus. Meanwhile, Oceania’s Culinary Center runs a series of on-board cooking classes, with themes such as Ancient Cuisines, and The Sicilian Kitchen.
How big are Oceania Cruises tours? 656 passengers on Oceania’s smaller fleet of ships.
Who leads the tours? A friendly crew, including high-profile chefs and mixologists.
What do reviews say about Oceania Cruises? Passengers are drawn to on-board restaurant venues with particular specialities, e.g. pan-Asian cuisine, as well as options for “elegant” buffet dining. Solo traveler meetups are planned around culinary experiences e.g. welcome cocktails (Cruise Critic, Nov 2025).
How much does it cost? Prices vary depending on destinations, special offers and suite categories. As an example, a seven-day cruise from Athens to Venice on special offer costs around $1,725 per guest (as of Nov 2025)*.
Culinary Backstreets - Best for Artisan Masters & Makers
Best for: Those seeking a deep understanding of the social and cultural fabric of worldwide city neighborhoods, based on the people who make food there.
Who is Culinary Backstreets best for? Solo travelers and families (kids are welcome on the walking tours) who’ll enjoy a cultural deep dive into the human history behind the food of a particular city neighborhood. The company runs both half-day walking tours and multiday trips, with both showcasing “unsung heroes” – the local producers, artisans and craftspeople – who contribute to the rhythm of a city’s foodways.
Where does Culinary Backstreets run food tours? Foodie cities of note across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
What are the best food experiences on Culinary Backstreets tours? Standout tours include a pizza pilgrimage to Naples led by NY pizza maestro Scott Wiener (with workshops and behind-scene farm visits), a taste of old Tokyo (feat. unagi from a specialist, retro coffee houses, master cake makers and more) and an introduction to slow food restaurants and Romanian winemaking in Transylvania.
How big are Culinary Backstreets tours? Culinary walking tours have between two and seven guests; multiday trips have between six and 12 guests.
Who leads the tours? A crew of professional guides, culinary masters and other local artisans.
What do reviews say about Culinary Backstreets? Guests rate “amazing” food in hidden/off-radar neighborhoods that would be hard to find otherwise. “Knowledgeable, professional” guides also receive high praise (Tripadvisor, Nov 2025).
How much does it cost? Culinary walking tours start from around $114 per adult for a +5 hour itinerary, multiday trips start from around $3,741 for a six-day holiday including hotels, and all experiences, activities and events (as of Nov 2025)*.
Eating Europe - Best for Sunset & Twilight Tours
Best for: Curious travelers seeking non-touristy food experiences in undiscovered city neighborhoods.
Who is Eating Europe best for? Anyone who fancies an insider look at the local food scene behind some of Europe’s best-loved cities, with 3-4 hour tours (around half of which involves walking) featuring multiple food stops, local beer, wine and an opportunity to meet neighborhood chefs/ gelato makers/ cafe owners.
Where does Eating Europe run food tours? Major cities across Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain.
What are the best food experiences on Eating Europe tours? Try traditional tigella with prosciutto in Bologna, feast on jamón ibérico and cheese in an ancient Andalusian tavern, or legendary Greek donuts and fortune-telling in Athens – and much more.
How big are Eating Europe tours? Usually a maximum of 12 people, solo travelers welcome.
Who leads the tours? Local tour guides with a passion for sharing the food, people and places in their own neighborhoods.
What do reviews say about Eating Europe? “Personable, passionate” guides win lots of plaudits, along with great food, wine pairings and the “magic hour” timing of tours set around sunset (Tripadvisor, Nov 2025).
How much does it cost? Depends on location and time of year: as an example, Eating Seville starts from $97 for a 3-hour tour, including all tapas and drinks (as of Nov 2025)*. Some tours have the option to upgrade to a more luxurious drinks package.
Artisans of Leisure - Best for Luxury & Exclusive-Access Dining
Best for: Those accustomed to high levels of luxury, personalized service, as seen in private culinary tours around the world that can be adapted to preference and taste.
Who is Artisans of Leisure best for? This is the luxury operator, meaning you’ll have money to spare for bespoke culinary trips – with private access to the world’s best hotels, Michelin restaurants, chef’s tables and private dining clubs.
Where does Artisans of Leisure run food tours? Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the South Pacific.
What are the best food experiences on Artisans of Leisure tours? They could include anything from lunch in an 18th-century palace in Udaipur to hunting for truffles in the forests of Piedmont, exclusive wine tastings combined with art viewings or architectural tours; or private dining with dignitaries at a Middle Eastern camel beauty pageant (yes, really).
How big are Artisans of Leisure tours? They are designed for private groups or individuals.
Who leads the tours? Teams include your own private guide and driver, plus recommendations/exclusive access from AOL travel specialists.
What do reviews say about Artisans of Leisure? Customers enjoy “top notch restaurant suggestions and reservations” and the “special treatment” they receive as a part of the AOL experience. Reviews highlight attention to detail, with touches such as a specially created menu, and guides/drivers who are “all the top of their game” (Virtuoso, Nov 2025).
How much does it cost? Pricing on request. As a rough idea, a 2023 article in Conde Nast Traveler states that the company’s bespoke Morocco tours start from $7,910 per person, including hotels, guides and drivers.
*According to information from the company website, as of November 2025.
Price/experience/inclusion details are for informational purposes only and based on publicly available sources (websites and customer reviews). Prices and inclusions may change over time.
Images: Flash Pack
