Just a few miles east of San Francisco lies what many call the birthplace of California cuisine: Berkeley. On this 3-hour gourmet food tour, your expert guide will take you behind the scenes of the North Shattuck district, known locally as the Gourmet Ghetto. At several acclaimed local food spots – including the very first Peet's Coffee & Tea – enjoy tastings of gourmet cheeses, chocolates, gelato, pizza, sandwiches, wine and more. You'll chat with owners and chefs about the city's culinary history and culture, and discover their commitment to sustainability and local, organic food and farming.
Your tour departs from Shattuck Avenue in downtown Berkeley at your selected departure time. Conveniently located near the BART train station, Berkeley – considered by many as the birthplace of California cuisine – is easily accessible from San Francisco.
On your 3-hour food tour, you’ll explore Berkeley’s North Shattuck district, known locally as the Gourmet Ghetto. This neighborhood is home to long-established culinary icons including Chez Panisse and The Cheeseboard Collective, as well as emerging edible enterprises such as The Local Butcher Shop.
Your expert guide has tons of background knowledge and experience in the Bay Area culinary world, so you’ll enjoy informative and entertaining commentary about this East Bay city’s renowned food history and culture as you visit local hotspots.
Indulge in homemade cupcakes at Love at First Bite Cupcakery & Bakery, beautiful gourmet chocolates at Alegio Chocolates, crispy potato puffs at Gregoire’s and pizza at The Cheeseboard Pizzeria. Sip tea at Imperial Tea Court, munch on meaty sandwiches at The Local Butcher Shop, and slurp homemade soups at SOOP in Epicurious Garden.
Wash your food tastings down with a wine tasting at Vintage and some coffee at the original Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a West Coast coffee institution.
You’ll meet and chat with owners, chefs and purveyors about this food-focused neighborhood and the city’s commitment to seasonal, organic, locally grown food and sustainable business practices. Your delicious gastronomic experience ends back at your original departure point.
Please note: Places visited and tastings are subject to change depending upon availability.
Fab tour, tried lots of excellent food and plenty of it , well worth the time and tour quite was sooo good, very interesting thanks_br/_ Would highly recommend
Review by: June N, June 2015
Tour guide was knowledgable of the area and restaurants beyond just the tour. Best walking tour We have taken. Come hungry. Kentucky if food to eat. I highly recommend taking this tour
Review by: Jane S, January 2014
Our tour guide was great and the food was excellent. We also enjoyed learning about tea and the wine tasting.
Review by: Laura All Over, April 2013
This Berkeley food tour was outstanding! We visited nine locations around the Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood, and the samples at each spot were tasty and quite varied. The group was small, so it was easy to hear our guide (Carrie, who was fantastic!) as she explained the story behind the restaurants, shops, and dishes. Each person we met at the stops was very passionate about what they do, and shared very interesting stories. I feel like a learned a lot on this tour, and as a San Francisco resident I look forward to returning to many of these places that I never would have found on my own.
Review by: , April 2013
The Berkeley food tour was fabulous and our foodie guide was excellent!
We made nine stops during the 3 1/2 hr tour and each was quite different from the others. From Saul's homemade pastrami and homemade rye bread to the delicious cupcakes at Love's First Bite, to the chocolate sampling and in depth discussion at Alegio, on to Soop, Gregoire's potato puffs, The Local Butcher, The Cheeseboard, Peet's and Vintage Berkeley for some wine sipping. A delightful tour with yummy treats and samplings that would appeal to everyone!
Review by: Anonymous, April 2013
The Berkeley food tour was fabulous and our foodie guide was excellent! We made nine stops during the 3 1/2 hr tour and each was quite different from the others. From Saul's homemade pastrami and homemade rye bread to the delicious cupcakes at Love's First Bite, to the chocolate sampling and in depth discussion at Alegio, on to Soop, Gregoire's potato puffs, The Local Butcher, The Cheeseboard, Peet's and Vintage Berkeley for some wine sipping. A delightful tour with yummy treats and samplings that would appeal to everyone!
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