Founded by longtime San Franciscan Tom, Local Tastes of the City Tours is powered by a close-knit crew of native guides who live, eat, and breathe the neighborhoods they share. Each walking tour blends generous tastings with the s...
Founded by longtime San Franciscan Tom, Local Tastes of the City Tours is powered by a close-knit crew of native guides who live, eat, and breathe the neighborhoods they share. Each walking tour blends generous tastings with the s...
This food tour strikes an impressive balance between culinary adventure and local history lesson. Guides like Brian, Andre, Ryan, Scott, and Isabella consistently earn praise for their deep knowledge of San Francisco's Chinatown and North Beach neighborhoods, with many reviewers surprised by how much they learned about the city's cultural heritage. The tours follow a leisurely walking pace that's accessible for most fitness levels while packing in generous food portions at varied stops. Expect everything from authentic dim sum to gelato to those memorable North Beach cannolis, plus hands-on experiences like fortune cookie demonstrations and tea tastings. What really elevates this experience is the guides' ability to connect with groups. Reviewers repeatedly mention how guides remembered everyone's names, mixed historical facts with personal stories, and created a fun, engaging atmosphere that turned strangers into friends by tour's end. The four-hour format is substantial, and you'll definitely want to skip dinner afterward given the generous portions. Several reviewers call this a "must-do" San Francisco experience, and the locally-run operation seems to bring an authentic perspective that larger tour companies might miss.
This tour was educationally Fantastic. It emphasizes the cultural and historical aspects of not only Chinatown, but of the Italian North Beach section of San Francisco. Scott, our Tour Guide, was excellent and receptive to questions while being quite informative in a wealth of knowledge. In the 70s, I lived in North Beach for two years. I learned more about North Beach in Chinatown in the four hour walking tour then I did residing there. It’s a leisurely walking pace with very little physical demand. And the locales where we stopped to eat were delicious and varied. Highly recommended without exception. Warren Hagan MD.
Warren Hagan
September 10, 2025
This tour was educationally Fantastic. It emphasizes the cultural and historical aspects of not only Chinatown, but of the Italian North Beach section of San Francisco. Scott, our Tour Guide, was excellent and receptive to questions while being quite informative in a wealth of knowledge. In the 70s, I lived in North Beach for two years. I learned more about North Beach in Chinatown in the four hour walking tour then I did residing there. It’s a leisurely walking pace with very little physical demand. And the locales where we stopped to eat were delicious and varied. Highly recommended without exception. Warren Hagan MD.
Warren Hagan
September 10, 2025