10 Delicious Los Angeles Food Tours With Local Guides (2024)
HUNGRY AND READY TO BOOK AN LA FOOD TOUR? I’ve got you covered!
Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures, and its cuisine reflects that. The city is overflowing with innovative fusion cuisines and exquisite tasting menus. Having lived here for three years, I’ve tried everything from the Santa Monica bacon-wrapped hot dogs to AYCE Korean BBQ to health dishes that basically show up looking like a houseplant.
LA has an insane number of restaurants! You can’t possibly eat your way through all of them. With endless choices, the best way to experience the city’s scene is by going on a food tour. Even then, you’ll only scratch the surface of one neighborhood!
Want to book the best? This is my top pick. Reserve this Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour with only 5 star excellent reviews.
If you want to explore neighborhoods beyond DTLA, here are 10 awesome food tours in Los Angeles. All hosted by local guides, and personally reviewed by us. Let’s dig into these mouthwatering dishes, or skip to the end if you’re craving sweets or get wine tipsy in Malibu.
Quick Picks: Top 3 Los Angeles Food Tours
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour
Best Downtown Tour
Venice Beach Walking Tasting Tour
Best West LA Tour
VW Bus Wine Tour in Malibu
Best Wine Tasting Tour
10 Best Los Angeles Food Tours
From Mexican street tacos to celebrity-chef sushi, fresh fish, and fusion cuisine, LA is quite the international mix.
These tours will take you all around town, from Downtown LA, Venice, Koreatown, West Hollywood, etc. If this is your first time, don’t miss tourist spots like Grand Central Market and the Original Farmer’s Market.
1. Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳LENGTH: 3 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: Downtown LA | ✅ Book it!
Sample of What You’ll Get to Taste:
- French boulangerie
- Succulent Texas-style barbecue
- Artisanal cheeses
- Berlin Currywurst
- Guisados
- Authentic Neapolitan Pizza
- Japanese Gzoya
- Artisan Donuts
Craving a foodie adventure? This 3-hour Downtown LA Walking Food Tour is the best on our list. Why? You’ll taste through six different eateries, bakeries, and ethnic food destinations. But really, it’s because if it’s your first time in the city, you have to put downtown LA on your itinerary.
The tour includes the Grand Central Market, stall after stall of diverse cultures cooking up great eats. Next door, you’ll visit the oldest commercial building, featured in “Bladerunner” – the Bradbury Building, and California’s largest new and used bookstore, the Last Bookstore.
Sink your teeth into smoked meats and gourmet sides from Horse Thief BBQ, colorful and made-to-order donuts from Donut Friend DTLA, and artisanal cheeses from around the world at DTLA Cheese. And those are just a few standout establishments you’ll visit on this tasty excursion.
Lived in LA for 20 years, still learned new things from this tour! There was a nice variety of food, and everything was delicious…would highly recommend!
– Michelle (Read more reviews)
The intimate group size is capped at only 12 guests, and all tastings are included in the ticket price.
2. Venice Beach Walking Tasting Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 3 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: Venice | ✅ Book it!
What You’ll Get to Taste:
- Sambazon açai bowl
- Cali-style cheeseburger
- Crispy fish taco
- Quesabirria with consomé
- Locally-made ice cream
- A delicious Secret Dish
Take a gastronomic adventure on this small-group Venice Beach Food and Walking Tour! Please your tastebuds on beachfront stands in one of the most eclectic neighborhoods.
Stroll through the Venice Canals and feast your eyes (and stomach) on the beautiful architecture and serene waterways that Abbot Kinney created in his visionary “Venice of America” plan.
Then step foot on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, where jacked muscles, a steady stench of weed, and a “Michael Jackson” child impersonator fill your senses. Be amazed at the skilled athletes sweating it out in the sun or doing 360 flips in the Venice Beach Skatepark while you sample dishes that beautifully represent Southern California cuisine.
Think Cali favs like tacos, poke, and crostini tastings paired with local wine from hidden corners that only insiders know about.
Really enjoyed this tour and the food was amazing … I was so full that I didn’t eat the rest of the day!! Denisse was so much fun and informative- very animated and I love that SHE loves Venice Beach!!
– Theresa (Read more reviews)
3. West Hollywood Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 3 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: West Hollywood | ✅ Book it!
What You’ll Get to Taste:
- Award-winning Taqueria
- Delectable Pastries
- LA’s Oldest Thai Restaurant
- New York-style Pizza
- Ramen & Pork Buns
- Traditional Jewish Baked Goods
Roaming through one of the trendiest locales in the city, this West Hollywood Food Tour has curated a culinary adventure to five different off-the-beaten-path eateries.
Eat delicious treats from specialty stores and traditional ethnic eateries you won’t find in tourist brochures. Savor dishes from mouth-watering tacos to pizza with a Cali twist.
The tour begins with two tastings inside The Original Farmer’s Market. You’ll also check out famous landmarks like The Grove, CBS Television City, and the Fairfax District neighborhood.
This was an amazing tour…. WE HAD MORE THEN ENOUGH TO FOOD!!! Every stop, the food was delicious!!!
– Griselda (Read more reviews)
With a small group size of a maximum of 12 guests, skip the lines and taste the best Thai, Italian, crepes, pizza, tacos, and sweet treats in WeHo!
4. Exploring America’s Culinary Frontier LA Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 5.5 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: Downtown LA | ✅ Book it!
What You’ll Get to Taste:
- Tea Ceremony
- Innovative Tacos
- Bahn Mi
- Taquitos
- Sushi
- Artisanal Mochi
Say hello to 10 – 12 eating stops on this ultimate 5 hour tour through downtown Los Angeles! This is perfect for those who want to taste authentic foods, hear the stories behind local businesses, and stretch their legs on a walking tour.
Start the day in Chinatown to participate in a tea ceremony. After sampling a few treats, go from Asian to Mexican to Little Toyo for a sushi and mochi tasting.
Check out the architecture of Broadway Street and fall in love with a tasty banquet of bites in LA’s oldest food market, Grand Central Market.
This was one of the best food tour experiences we’ve ever had…You will get your steps in on this tour. We walked approximately 4 miles, so wear comfortable shoes & save your appetite! You will eat…A LOT!
– Bianca (Read more reviews)
The price of the Culinary Backstreets tour includes all the food you’ll eat, so over a dozen different delights.
5. East LA Latin Flavors Walking Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 3.5 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: East LA | ✅ Book it!
What You’ll Get to Taste:
- Tortilla Factory
- Hand-made Tamales
- LA’s First Birrieria
- Pupuseria
- Tres Leche Cake
- Iced Mexican Chocolate
Envelop yourself in the largest Hispanic community in the United States and discover the Latin flavors of East Los Angeles on this Food Tour.
Tour Boyle Heights, where you’ll learn about time-honored traditions and secret family recipes. Enjoy a feast of eight tastings of Latin family food and eat endless tortillas and guac at a tortilla factory. From the finest tres leches cake to juicy pupusa, you’ll try a medley of fresh, traditional plates that originated south of the border.
This 3.5-hour tour concludes back at the original starting point and includes a METRO Tap card.
6. Old Pasadena Food Tasting Walking Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 3.5 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: Pasadena | ✅ Book it!
What You’ll Get to Taste:
- Ethnic Eateries
- Specialty Olive Oil Shop
- Artisan Chocolates
- Specialty Bakery
- Handmade Soap
Learn about this suburb on this Old Pasadena Tour!
You’ll be taken by an expert guide who knows the ins and outs of every restaurant and hidden gems in the LA area. Sample culinary delights from around the globe, including fine chocolates, exquisite olive oil, and exotic global cuisine delicacies.
During the tour, chill in charming cafes and fusion restaurants and smell the fragrant aroma of a handmade soap kitchen.
With more than 10 tastings, you definitely will not need lunch (or dinner) afterward.
7. Original Farmers Market Food & History Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 2.5 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: Downtown LA | ✅ Book it!
What You’ll Get to Taste:
- Donuts
- Gourmet Grocery
- Handmade Candy
- Fresh Produce Stand
- LA’s First Pizzeria
- Artisan Ice Cream
Step into the heart of the City of Angels with this Original Farmers Market Food & History Tour. This guided experience is packed with stories, emotions, and, of course, amazing food.
Delve deep into history while munching on nine tastings at top-rated merchants and local markets. And no visit to the Original Farmers Market is complete without a visit to LA’s first pizzeria.
But the icing on the cake is the artisan ice cream to end the tour.
8. Santa Monica Artisan Donut Food Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 2 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: Santa Monica | ✅ Book it!
Journey through the best donut shops in town on this sunny Santa Monica Donut Tour! Bask in the warm sun and SoCal vibes as you bite into mouth-watering concoctions of America’s favorite pastry.
Being the sugar fiend I am, I joined this tour with a fantastic tour guide, Libby, who taught me so much about Santa Monica even though I had lived on the West Side for years. Info like beach volleyball was invented here, or Popeye the Sailor was said to be inspired here.
So, you start at Randy’s Donuts, a California landmark renowned for its giant donut sign. The next stop takes you to Sidecar Doughnuts, where bold flavors of artisanal donuts match the creative Cali flair.
Twist! The tour winds up at another sweet escape at Papi Churros & Tacos, where you’ll taste classic California-style churros. And, weirdly enough, they also serve ramen.
Finally, burn off that sugar with a stroll to the famous Santa Monica Pier through the Third Street Promenade to end the tour with the carnival favorite, funnel cake.
9. VW Bus Wine Tour in Malibu
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 3 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: Malibu | ✅ Book it!
“Wine-d” through the canyons and vineyards of Malibu in a vintage VW? Sign us up for this California dream Private VW Bus Wine Tour please!
Accommodating up to 6 people, your tour will stop at local vineyards to taste Malibu’s wineries while soaking in the beauty of the stunning overlooks and canyon views.
Along with wine and snacks, this private tour promises to be more personalized, perfect for those looking to explore Malibu in style.
The wine tasting afterwards was a great end to a lovely afternoon with a very friendly and accommodating guide. Very glad we did it.
– Marcia (Read more reviews)
10. Small-Group Malibu Wine Hike
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ LENGTH: 2-3 Hours | 📍 LOCATION: Malibu | ✅ Book it!
Rehydrate with some wine while trekking through the beauty of Malibu on this small-group Malibu Wine Hike. Here, you will become one with the Malibu hills on a 2 mile loop on a private vineyard.
Throughout the hike, you will encounter the property’s organic garden and cave paintings from the Chumash people. All ages are welcome on this easy-to-moderate hike.
Upon completion of the hike, enjoy a complimentary 375 ML bottle of wine to-go.
We enjoyed the tour and the hike! Mitchell was an excellent tour guide! We got friendly and great service since the beginning! Enjoyed being in the grounds and the view of it!
– Scott (Read more reviews)
FAQs about Food Tours in Los Angeles
The cost of food tours in Los Angeles can vary depending on the company and the type of tour. However, most range from $50 – $150 per person. Some may also include additional drinks, tips, or transportation fees.
Tipping a tour guide is similar to tipping in a restaurant. A common rule of thumb is to tip 15 to 20 percent of the total cost. However, you may consider more if they went above and beyond.
LA is home to many notable celebrity hotspots. Some popular celebrity restaurants include Catch LA, Nobu Malibu, Craig’s, The Ivy, and Spago. For a more laid-back dining experience, celebrities are often spotted at In-N-Out Burger.
Los Angeles is where food connoisseurs can explore a variety of cuisines from around the world. Although it’s hard to pick just one, if there’s one dish synonymous with LA, it’s the Mexican-inspired street tacos found around every corner.
Final Thoughts: Foodie Tours in Los Angeles
A food tour is the perfect way to explore the eclectic and delicious cuisine of Los Angeles. From taco trucks to gourmet restaurants, whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, it’s an excellent way to discover hidden gems and fall in love with LA’s culinary scene all over again.
In case you’ve just scrolled to the end:
- Best Downtown LA Tour: Book here
- West LA Tour: Book this Venice one
- East LA Tour: Book this Pasadena one
- Dessert Tour: Book this donut tour
- Wine Tasting Tour: Book this private VW Malibu tour
Tell your taste buds you’re welcome from us in advance.
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