Boston: Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market

Boston’s North End and Public Market are renowned for their rich culinary heritage, and this 3-hour guided food tour offers a delicious way to explore the city’s flavors. Visitors can expect to savor a range of local specialties, from chowder and cannoli to the iconic Boston lobster roll, while also learning about the city’s history as they stroll along the Freedom Trail. With over 8 food tastings at 6 small businesses loved by locals, this tour is a must-do for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Boston. Get ready to indulge in the city’s vibrant food scene and uncover the stories behind the flavors that make this destination so unique.

Key Points

• Guided 3-hour food tour exploring Boston’s North End and Public Market, showcasing the city’s culinary heritage and local small businesses.
• Opportunity to sample iconic Boston dishes like chowder, baked beans, lobster rolls, and cannoli.
• Tour visits historic sites like the Freedom Trail and Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously running restaurant in the city.
• Free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the tour, making it a flexible option for visitors.
• Tour is a must-do activity for those looking to enjoy Boston’s vibrant food scene.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

This 3-hour guided food tour of Boston’s North End and Public Market is a must-do activity for visitors looking to explore the city’s culinary scene.

The tour is likely to sell out, so booking in advance is recommended. Guests can take advantage of the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the tour.

The tour highlights include 8+ food tastings, enough for a full lunch, at 6 small businesses loved by locals. Participants will sample the foods that have shaped Boston’s history, from sweet and savory classics like chowder and cannoli to a visit to the city’s oldest continuously running restaurant.

With a local English-speaking guide, guests can expect an expertly guided walking tour in a small group of 12 or fewer.

Tour Highlights

The tour’s highlights include sampling 8+ food tastings, enough for a full lunch, at 6 small businesses beloved by locals. Participants will get to savor the foods that have shaped Boston’s history, from sweet and savory classics like chowder and cannoli to a visit to the city’s oldest continuously running restaurant.

Guests will start at the Boston Public Market, where they’ll try apple cider donuts and a 17th-century snack. Next, they’ll walk the historic Freedom Trail, learning about Boston’s past.

The tour also includes a taste of clam chowder, baked beans, and oysters at Union Oyster House, plus a lobster roll at a family-run eatery in the North End. The experience finishes with a cannoli at a famous North End pastry shop.

Itinerary

The tour begins at the Boston Public Market, where guests will sample apple cider donuts and a 17th-century snack. Next, the group will walk the historic Freedom Trail, learning about Boston’s rich history along the way. At the Union Oyster House, they’ll enjoy clam chowder, baked beans, and fresh oysters. A visit to a family-run eatery in the North End allows them to savor a classic lobster roll. The tour then takes them to a neighborhood coffee joint, where they’ll get a taste of Boston’s Italian past. Finally, the group will end their culinary adventure with a cannoli from a famous North End pastry shop.

Stop	Food Tasting
Boston Public Market	Apple cider donuts, 17th-century snack
Freedom Trail	Historical information
Union Oyster House	Clam chowder, baked beans, oysters
North End Eatery	Lobster roll

Foods and Tastings

Throughout the tour, guests can expect to enjoy over 8 distinctive food tastings, enough to constitute a full lunch. These tastings will showcase the diverse culinary traditions that have shaped Boston’s history, from classic New England staples to beloved Italian specialties.

Highlights include:

• Sampling buttery, sugar-dusted apple cider donuts and a 17th-century colonial snack at the Boston Public Market
• Savoring clam chowder, baked beans, and fresh oysters at the historic Union Oyster House
• Indulging in a classic Boston lobster roll at a family-run eatery in the North End
• Finishing with a decadent cannoli from a famous North End pastry shop

These diverse tastings provide a delectable introduction to Boston’s vibrant food culture and rich culinary heritage.

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Historic Locations

Along the guided tour, visitors explore Boston’s historic landmarks, seeing the city’s rich past.

The 3-hour journey takes guests through the iconic Freedom Trail, where they’ll learn about Boston’s pivotal role in the American Revolution.

At the Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously running restaurant in the city, they’ll savor local delicacies like chowder and oysters while gaining insights into Boston’s culinary heritage.

The tour also stops at the North End, a neighborhood steeped in Italian influence, allowing participants to discover the stories behind the area’s renowned coffee shops and pastry shops.

Local Small Businesses

Along With exploring Boston’s historic landmarks, the tour highlights the vibrant small businesses that have shaped the city’s culinary landscape. Visitors get to taste the authentic flavors and stories behind local favorites, from a family-run eatery serving up classic New England lobster rolls to a renowned North End pastry shop renowned for its mouthwatering cannoli.

The tour showcases the diversity of Boston’s food scene, including:

• A 17th-century snack from the Boston Public Market
• Clam chowder, baked beans, and oysters at the historic Union Oyster House
• A taste of Boston’s Italian heritage at a neighborhood coffee joint
• A cannoli from a famous North End pastry shop

These small businesses not only offer delicious treats but also provide a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of Boston.

Dietary Restrictions

While the tour offers a delightful culinary journey, it’s important to note that the experience may not be suitable for those with certain dietary restrictions. The tour operators advise that the tour is not recommended for vegans, vegetarians, dairy-free, or gluten-free guests.

Dietary Restriction	Recommendation
Vegan	Not Recommended
Vegetarian	Not Recommended
Dairy-Free	Not Recommended
Gluten-Free	Not Recommended

Guests with dietary restrictions should contact the tour operator prior to booking to ensure the tour can accommodate their needs. The tour focuses on Boston’s classic culinary staples, which may not align with certain dietary preferences.

Practical Information

The tour starts at the Boston Public Market, where guests can enjoy apple cider donuts and a 17th-century snack before embarking on the 3-hour guided journey.

The tour covers about 1.5 miles at a moderate pace, so guests should wear comfortable shoes.

The experience isn’t recommended for those with dietary restrictions, as the tour focuses on classic Boston fare like chowder, baked beans, and cannoli. However, the tour operator is happy to accommodate guests with advance notice.

Key practical details:

• Tour duration: 3 hours
• Walking distance: 1.5 miles
• Group size: Maximum 12 guests
• Cancellation policy: Free up to 24 hours in advance

Recap

This guided tour of Boston’s North End and Public Market is a delightful way to experience the city’s rich culinary heritage.

Visitors can savor a variety of local specialties, from chowder to cannoli, while learning about Boston’s history along the Freedom Trail.

The tour offers a convenient and comprehensive introduction to the flavors that have shaped this vibrant city.

You can check availability for your dates here: