7 Best Foodie Tours in Seattle – By a Hungry Local
Looking for the best food tours in Seattle?
You’ve come to the right place
Having lived in Seattle and Washington for over 12 years, I am very familiar with the city’s food scene — and if you’re wondering whether a Seattle food tour is worth taking, the short answer is yes!
There is so much to taste like donuts, seafood, chocolates, comfort foods, and street foods and these are 7 of the best guided food tours to eat your way through the Emerald City.
If you don’t have time to read the whole article, my top food tour pick in Seattle is:
Chef Guided Food Tour
Let a food professional guide your tastebuds through Pike Place Market. I love having an actual chef talk me through the flavors I’m experiencing!
BEST FOOD TOURS IN SEATTLE
1. Underground Donut Tour
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 2 hrs ⚠️Likely to Sell Out!
Book the Underground Donut Tour Here >>
Why Choose This Tour? I had so much fun this tour as we walked from bakery to bakery tasting a variety of locally made donuts (my kryptonite!). We learned about the history of some of the landmarks we passed, and even as a local I learned something new!
The Underground Donut Tour includes:
- 5 donut tastings
- Free espresso drink
- Donut swag
- Max. group size 15ppl
- Food vendors could include: Top Pot Doughnuts, Dahlia Bakery, Oh! Mochi, Daily Dozen Donuts
What Past Foodies Have Said: “Nice, delicious donut variety and walking distance. Scott was great: had an excellent balance of history and comedy as he kept us moving through the tour…learned so much along the way. Really felt like being shown around town by a friend.” – Christine (read more reviews)
🍩 Check out my comprehensive review for the Underground Donut Tour
2. Chef Guided Food Tour with Eat Seattle
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 2 hrs ⚠️Likely to Sell Out!
Book the Chef Guided Food Tour Here >>
Why Choose This Tour? I was impressed that this tour was established by a culinary expert trained at Cordon Bleu Paris and guided by local chefs. It was a foodie’s dream to not only get to taste incredible food, but also gain access to some exclusive “insider knowledge” about what we were devouring.
It’s also cool that $1 from my ticket went to helping to keeping the market alive by directly supporting Pike Place Market.
The Chef Guided Food Tour includes:
- 9 different Pike Place Market food vendor samples (every guide has their own food route, so it will be a surprise which ones you hit)
- Max. group size 10ppl
- Food vendors could include: Ellenos, Simply the Best, Pike Place Chowder, MarketSpice, Truffle Queen, Frank’s Quality Produce, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Chukar Cherries, Indi Chocolate
- 10% discount to Pike Place Market vendors to continue eating after the tour
What Past Foodies Have Said: “Sylas was wonderful, knowledgeable, and had great info about local history as well as cuisine! Food was delicious and samples were a meal!” – Stanton (read more reviews)
3. Street Food Tour of South Lake Union with Eat Seattle
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 2 hrs
Book the Street Food Tour of South Lake Union Here >>
Why Choose This Tour? As South Lake Union has expanded into Amazon and Google campuses, so has the surrounding vibrant street food scene to satiate lunch breaks. We indulged in 6 tantalizing tastings from Korean-Hawaiian fusion to Mediterranean appetizers and our tour guide told interesting stories behind each local business along the way.
We ended at the Amazon Spheres, very artsy architectural structure.
The Street Food Tour of South Lake Union includes:
- 6 food tastings from South Lake Union/Belltown vendors
- Max. group size 5ppl
- Food vendors could include: Rubinstein, Marination, Rachel’s Ginger Beer, Mamnoon Street, Ma’ono Fried Chicken, Lady Yum
What Past Foodies Have Said: “The food was amazing. My favorite place was the Marination, because the flavors were incredibly unique. The commentary on the tour was amazing and helped showcase the Seattle culture.” – Valerie (read more reviews)
4. Seattle Chocolate Tour with Sum Good Tours
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 2.5 hrs
Book the Seattle Chocolate Tour Here >>
Why Choose This Tour? Attention Chocoholics! You’re gonna go coo-coo for cocoa stuff on this guided tour! We were taken to 8 different chocolatey locations and sampled 12 different cocoa flavored samples like a chocolate corn drink or a chocolate coconut cream pie.
Our guide told backstories of these confectionaries along the way!
The Seattle Chocolate Tour includes:
- 12 chocolate samplings
- Max. group size 12ppl
- Chocolate vendors could include: Fran’s Chocolates, Cupcake Royale, The Confectional, Indi Chocolate, Truffle Queen, Maiz, Dahlia Bakery, Serious Pie
What Past Foodies Have Said: “Will is a superb guide, and this tour is much more than chocolate…it is about the special small shops and artisans making amazing food in Seattle. He knows so much about food, about the latest research into everything food lovers want to understand” – Spha (read more reviews)
5. Seattle Coffee Tour with Intrepid Urban Adventures
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 2 hrs
Book the Seattle Coffee Tour Here >>
Why Choose This Tour? If there’s one food Seattle is known for, it’s coffee! I am both a coffee addict and snob. It was great walking around Capitol Hill and learning (almost) everything about this caffeinated drink. We tried a range of styles from single-origin coffee to mushroom coffee (not my fav, but very interesting taste).
Of course the Seattle coffee tour ended at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, as you would expect lol! (Please note, the Roastery is now permanently closed)
The Seattle Coffee Tour includes:
- 3 styles of coffee tastings
- Max. group size 12ppl
- Coffee vendors could include: Wunderground Coffee, Victrola Coffee Roasters, Ghost Note Coffee, Little Oddfellows
What Past Foodies Have Said: “What a fantastic and informative experience! I learned so much about coffee and had some great samples..” – Kara (read more reviews)
6. Happy Hour Tour (21+) with Sum Good Tours
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 2.5 hrs
Book the Happy Hour Food Tour Here >>
Why Choose This Tour? I think we drank an equivalent of 3 cocktails as we happy hour’d our way from restaurant to restaurant around Pike Place Market. Besides amazing drinks, there was even delicious food pairings to go with them.
It wasn’t all fun and games though. We got a lesson on the historical importance of alcohol in Seattle too (who knew?!).
The Happy Hour Tour includes:
- 4 wine, beer, and cocktail tastings (non-alcoholic drinks available upon request)
- 4 food pairings with drinks
- Max. group size 12ppl
- Happy Hour vendors could include: Rachel’s Ginger Beer, The Truffle Queen, El Baracho
- Discounts at tour partners so Happy Hour can continue on your own
What Past Foodies Have Said: “We had an awesome time with Will!!! His knowledge of Seattle and the market is impressive. We got to taste and sample at several restaurants. The portions were impressive. Would highly recommend this tour!!” – Ann (read more reviews)
7. Gourmet Comfort Food Restaurant Tour with Sum Good Tours
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⏳Tour Length: 2.5 hrs
Book the Gourmet Comfort Food Restaurant Tour Here >>
Why Choose This Tour? We tried a myriad of different classic comfort food favorites with a Pacific Northwest twist. There was gourmet pizza, messy barbecue, and good ol’ fried chicken. Our tour guide was fun and informative tell us all about the influences on the local culinary scene.
The Gourmet Comfort Food Restaurant Tour includes:
- 6 comfort food restaurants (every tour switches up the stops)
- Max. group size 10ppl
- Food vendors could include: Bottega Italiana, Turkish Delight, Etta’s Big Mountain BBQ, Cupcake Royale, Serious Pie
What Past Foodies Have Said: “My family always loves a good food tour and this one was great. Our guide Will was amazing, he had great knowledge about both Seattle and it’s food scene. He took us to a diverse selection of restaurants and food stops that highlighted the food possibilities available in the area.” – Brett (read more reviews)
Know Before You Go on a Food Tour in Seattle
Seattle food tours are a fun way of sampling all the flavors in the city led by local experts who know the vendors personally and will share their knowledge of Seattle history along the way.
What to Wear on a Seattle Walking Food Tour
These will all be walking food tours, so make sure you can stay on your feet for about a mile or so over a period of 2 hours. Most of it will be flat, but there will probably be a steep hill or two. Wear comfortable shoes!
In the Pacific Northwest, rain is a part of life, so tours will operate in all weathers. But don’t let bad weather dampen your tour experience. Keep an eye on the weather and dress appropriately. I always suggest wearing layers to adapt to changing conditions.
What to expect on a Food Tour in Seattle
You’ll meet your tour guide and small group at a clear, pre-designated address. They are always super knowledgeable professionals who know a great deal on Seattle’s history and secrets. I always recommend asking them to point you in the direction of local recommendations.
Your culinary journey ushers you from one delightful food stop to another. Your guide will reveal the unique qualities that make each sampling extraordinary and assist you in fully savoring and appreciating every bite. Perhaps you’ll even be introduced to the cuisine artists.
At times, you may have to wait outside the shop while your guide gathers your food samples, sparing you from navigating through bustling crowds indoors.
Let your tour operator know prior to the tour if you have any dietary restrictions. Some accommodations can usually be made, especially for vegetarians.
Specific food tour stops are never guaranteed as life happens and substitutions sometimes need to be made. If you don’t hit a particular restaurant you were hoping form, try not to be too disappointed and enjoy the adventure of the unknown!
Because you’ll be sampling so many different foods, you usually end up eating about a light meal’s worth. You’ll undoubtedly feel full and satisfied afterwards.
My Top 3 Favorite Stops on a Seattle Foodie Tour
There’s so many good restaurants on a Seattle walking food tour that it can be difficult to choose my favorite stops. Plus, not every tour can hit them all.
But, if I had to choose just 3 stops, these would be it:
- Pike Place Chowder – I’m not the biggest seafood fan, but oh my! Their clam chowder is my par for all other clam chowders. I have not found one I like better!
- Dahlia Bakery – a Tom Douglas bakery, there is just superb quality in these pastries. I could eat their beignets and jam all day!
- Rachel’s Ginger Beer – I love all their different flavors of ginger beer and the array of colors they come in. And when some booze is added, I am one happy girl!
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: Pike Place culinary tour by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef.
- Tours run 2-2.5 hours and cost roughly $50-$120 per person.
- Group sizes are small, typically 5-15 people.
- Book in advance. Weekend tours sell out fast.
- Most tours equal a light meal in total food volume.
- Dietary restrictions can often be accommodating if you notify your operator before the tour.
FAQs
Is a Seattle food tour worth it?
Yes, a Seattle food tour is worth it if you love trying new foods and want a professional guide to curate a variety of eats you wouldn’t necessarily discover on your own, while also sharing insider knowledge about the city. If you’re a DIY traveler, you can def save money by splitting dishes at Pike Place vendors between yourselves. But even if you’re a Seattlite, like me, I’d still recommend taking a tour to enjoy your own backyard.
What are Seattle food tours like for dietary restrictions?
Most Seattle food tour operators can accommodate dietary restrictions, particularly for vegetarians, if you notify them in advance. Let your operator know before the tour so they can plan substitutions where possible. Keep in mind that specific stops are never 100% guaranteed, so an operator can’t always promise a specific dish, but they’ll do their best to make sure you’re well fed and happy.
How far do you walk on a Seattle food tour?
Most Seattle food tours cover no more than a mile over the course of 2 hours. The terrain is mostly flat, but expect a steep hill or two, especially around Pike Place Market and Capitol Hill. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes and you’ll be completely fine. Tours run rain or shine (this is Seattle, after all!), so dress in layers and bring a light rain jacket just in case.
What are the most unique food tours in Seattle?
I would say the he most unique food tours in Seattle include the donut crawl, the coffee tour, and the cocktail happy hour tour. These are narrowly themed and goes deeper into one food category than a general food tour.
Looking to Eat Your Way Through Pike Place Market?
Check Out More Market Food Tours Here!
Epilogue: Best Food Tour in Seattle
Whether you’ve never left home or traveled the world, you’ll have fun on a guided tour, tasting the best food in Seattle where innovative flavors and diverse cuisines thrive!
Food tours in Seattle take you from bustling Pike Place Market to hidden gems tucked away in charming neighborhoods, offering a delightful exploration of the city’s gastronomic treasures. As you meander through the streets, guided by passionate expert guides, you’ll encounter a tantalizing array of delectable bites and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Seattle’s food culture.
Book your Seattle food tour today!
