12 Best New Orleans Food Tours in 2024

New Orleans is famous for many things. Mardi Gras, haunted places, and food, just to name a few. A New Orleans food tour is one of the best ways to get a real taste of the city. Eating your way through the town of New Orleans was definitely one of the major highlights of our trip to NOLA.

We’ve done the dirty work and compiled a list of the best New Orleans food tours. There’s sure to be a great food tour perfect for you! 

Quick Guide: New Orleans Food Tour

Best New Orleans Food Tours

French Quarter New Orleans Food Tours 

1. New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option

⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 3 hours  ⎸ Check Rates and Availability 

New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option is an amazing way to get a real glance at the food culture in the city. 

Awesome tour, so much fun and insight on just some of the amazing food that makes this awesome city one of the best places to eat in the 🌎.

– Alejandro (See More Reviews)

This New Orleans food walking tour of the French Quarter offers historic insights while highlighting some of this area’s most famous and best restaurants. Each stop offers delicious tastings of what New Orleans does best, including gumbo, brisket, and of course, a beignet here and there. 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option 

2. New Orleans Food and History Walking Tour

⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 3 hours  ⎸ Check Rates and Availability 

New Orleans Food and History Walking Tour is led by a local guide. This makes all the difference when learning about the culinary history of the city and the best places to eat! 

Stops along this walking food tour in New Orleans include creole restaurants, markets, and artisanal shops. Each location offers a taste of what this Louisiana city has to offer.

Nate is a true citizen of New Orleans! He shared his passion with us and we loved it. The food was delicious and the history lesson even better.

Kenneth (See More Reviews)

Favorites along the way include gumbo, bananas foster, and a muffuletta sandwich. You might even get to meet a chef or two along the way! 

If you’re hungry for more history after wrapping up this tour, consider experiencing another side of the city on a New Orleans Plantation Tour.

▶️ BOOK New Orleans Food and History Walking Tour

3. New Orleans French Quarter Food Adventure

⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 2 hours and 30 minutes  ⎸ Check Rates and Availability

New Orleans French Quarter Food Adventure is a French Quarter food walking tour that you won’t soon forget. There’s no better way to spend an afternoon than eating and drinking your way through New Orleans. 

This was a highlight of our trip for sure! Simon was so knowledgeable and everything was so interesting. The food of course was delicious and I loved getting a sampling of so many things I wouldn’t have tried!

– Jamie (Read More Reviews)

This walking food tour in New Orleans is focused specifically on the city’s culinary heritage. The stops along the way will vary from decadent to shabby, but each adds a little spice to the concoction that is New Orleans’ food scene. 

The variety of food samples at each stop add up to roughly the size of a typical meal, so arrive hungry and ready to explore! 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans French Quarter Food Adventure

4. New Orleans Cocktail and Food History Tour

⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 4 hours  ⎸ Check Rates and Availability

New Orleans Cocktail and Food History Tour is another amazing New Orleans foodie tour of the French Quarter. If you’re interested in exploring this part of town anyway, why not get a history lesson and some amazing food along the way? 

When it comes to New Orleans food tours, there’s nothing we love more than an expert guide. We love having someone knowledgeable and entertaining probably as much as we love sampling delicious food. You get the best of both worlds with this tour. 

Ben was knowledgeable of the history and offered fascinating stories. The food was delicious and the drinks were tasty. Fun tour!

Shannon (Read More Reviews)

This tour covers six different eateries as you explore the city’s history through the French Quarter. The stops range from cocktail lounges, pre-Civil War bars, creole restaurants, and sandwich shops. There’s something for everyone on this tasty adventure. 

Samples on this tour feature some of the most renowned dishes from New Orleans and are paired beautifully with four full-sized drinks, dispersed throughout the tour, all showcasing the deep culinary history of the city. 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans Cocktail and Food History Tour

5. Small-Group French Quarter Cocktail and Foodie Crawl – New Orleans

⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 3 hours  ⎸ Check Rates and Availability 

Small-Group French Quarter Cocktail and Foodie Crawl – New Orleans is the best New Orleans food tour of the French Quarter for foodies. People who study food and can appreciate variety will really enjoy this tour. 

The three hour-walking food tour in New Orleans offers tourists an educational walkthrough of the city’s historic and thriving food scene. They throw in a couple of classic New Orleans cocktails too. 

Phenomenal 3+ hour tour. Jack was very knowledgeable of the French Quarter history and the different varieties of food the Quarter has to offer. The food and drinks were wonderful and we tried food that we had never tried before.

– Christine (Read More Reviews)

The tour includes seven food tastings, with each location, dish, and drink being representative of a different flavor, style, or moment in New Orleans’ history, all of which your guide will fill you in on as you devour your samples. 

▶️ BOOK Small-Group French Quarter Cocktail and Foodie Crawl – New Orleans

6. New Orleans: Afternoon Food History Walking Tour 

⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 3 hours ⎸ Check Rates and Availability 

New Orleans: Afternoon Food History Walking Tour is a low-key French Quarter food tour. It’s a fun way to explore the area and taste the classic dishes of the city. 

The tour typically includes nine food tastings, ranging from cajun-style gumbo to creole pralines. One of the most unique stops along this tour is at a hot sauce bar. You can check out and sample their extensive variety of sauces. 

We loved this tour! It was a fun and interactive introduction to NOLA’s cuisine and our guide, Mike, shared so much history with us along the way… more than any of us could possibly remember!

– Verified Traveler (Read More Reviews)

Tourists will also learn about the seafood industry in Louisiana before devouring a catfish po boy. Other sample highlights include New Orleans’ own Muffuletta, boudin balls, and of course, red beans and rice.  

This is one of the most far-reaching New Orleans food tours when it comes to a variety of dishes. You will get to try each of the city’s classics on this tour. 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans: Afternoon Food History Walking Tour 

Lower Garden District – New Orleans Food Tour 

7. Lower Garden District Food Tour – New Orleans

⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 3 hours ⎸ Check Rates and Availability 

Lower Garden District Food Tour – New Orleans is one of the best food tours in New Orleans’ historic Garden District. This tour explores a variety of international restaurants and notable homes located in the city’s Magazine Street neighborhood. 

On this tour, guests will get a taste of local Mexican food, Korean BBQ dishes, artisanal sandwiches, and even a heavenly donut. The eateries on this tour are a mix of sit-down and sidewalk settings. 

Lisa was a great guide. Very attentive, knowledgeable and fun. Food was excellent and we enjoyed learning about the neighborhood.

– Brooke (Read More Reviews)

Your local guide will offer up foodie insights beyond the restaurants you visit on the tour, so you’ll leave with restaurant recommendations for the remainder of your visit. 

▶️ BOOK Lower Garden District Food Tour – New Orleans

8. New Orleans’ Lower Garden Food Tour  

⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 3 hours ⎸ Check Rates and Availability 

The Garden District is known for being an amazing shopping destination, but it’s more than that. Its picturesque tree-lined streets and impressive mansions are a sight to behold. Tourists who jump aboard the New Orleans’ Lower Garden Food Tour will enjoy those sights as well as a smattering of delectable food. 

We love this New Orleans Garden District food tour because it doesn’t only showcase the delicious food but the people behind it. 

What a fun experience! Tasty cuisine on a regular budget. Grace was a great guide and also shared a little history of the Garden District along with some amazing little eateries. Definitely a must do!

-Verified Traveler (Read More Reviews)

At each of the five stops along this tour, chefs or food vendors will visit with the tour group and give some insight into their food and restaurant experience. This is a great way to get a real insider’s look at what goes into making a culinary experience in New Orleans. 

Some of the memorable stops along this tour include the world’s first Creole Taqueria as well as splashes of Korean, Vietnamese, and Mexican food too! And you can top it all off with a meal-sized version of America’s best donut! Don’t miss out on this tasty time on the town! 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans’ Lower Garden Food Tour

9. New Orleans: Garden District Food and History Tour

⭐ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 3 hours  ⎸ Check Rates and Availability

New Orleans: Garden District Food and History Tour is the perfect tour choice for foodies who are interested in exploring cajun and creole flavors that only NOLA can offer. 

Tour participants will sample popular and surprising cajun and creole cuisine at multiple eateries. While also learning about the heritage of creole and cajun cultures and how they have shaped the food scene in New Orleans. A Creole Queen river cruise is another fun way to sample the culture.

This was a great tour! Lots of great information Michelle was a great guide for the virgin traveler in NO!! Great tips and history! We loved her so much we passed her card on.

– Verified Traveler (Read More Reviews)

While moving from location to location, guests will also get the chance to visit and learn about Lafayette Cemetery (check out a New Orleans cemetery tour for a more in-depth experience), the greater Garden District, and Magazine Street.

Stops at local shops and an art gallery are also included on the tour. Best of all, it wraps up in classic New Orleans style with a delectable filled beignet. 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans: Garden District Food and History Tour

Donut & Beignet New Orleans Food Tours 

10. New Orleans: Guided Underground Donut & Beignet Walking Tour

⭐ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 2 hours  ⎸ Check Rates and Availability 

In our family’s opinion, donuts don’t get enough credit. New Orleans: Guided Underground Donut & Beignet Walking Tour gives donuts their day in the sun. So, if you’re looking for New Orleans tours to show you the highlights of the city and just happen to have a sweet tooth as well, this tour is for you. 

The local guide will lead the group down Magazine Street in the Garden District to the best of the best when it comes to donuts, beignets, and coffee in New Orleans, all the while offering entertaining insights into the city’s history and culinary scene. 

It’s a lovely walking tour that introduces you to the garden district and passes by a bunch of quaint shops and restaurants that we were able to pop in and out of on the way back. Our guide had tons of energy and NOLA “fun facts” that kept up entertained and made for a great 1st impression to our vacation.

– Verified Traveler (Read More Reviews)

Highlighted stops along this tour include PJ’s Coffee, known for its light and airy beignets. If you haven’t tried the beignets before, you are in for a treat. We couldn’t get enough of these delicious treats during our last visit to New Orleans.

District Donuts is another favorite, where the donuts are massive and boast unconventional flavor pairings. Come hungry and brave! 

Definitely not as sophisticated as other culinary tours in New Orleans, this walk about town is simple and sweet. We think it’s one of the most fun things to do in New Orleans with kids.

▶️ BOOK New Orleans: Guided Underground Donut & Beignet Walking Tour

Brunch New Orleans Food Tours 

11. New Orleans: Cocktails & Brunch Crawl in the French Quarter

⭐ Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 2 hours  ⎸ Check Rates and Availability

New Orleans: Cocktails & Brunch Crawl in the French Quarter is a great tour for those who aren’t interested in parading in and out of restaurants all afternoon. Unlike most of the tours on our list, this Brunch Crawl offers all of the New Orleans’ culinary highlights from the same eatery. 

We weren’t sure what to expect, but kind of thought we’d stroll, eat and drink a bit here, stroll some more, eat and drink a bit there, etc. Instead, we did all the eating in the beginning, then when we walked it was to gain history on foods/restaurants, etc. Our guide was very knowledgeable and attentive, and clearly knew his stuff!

– Verified Traveler (Read More Reviews)

After munching on a creole and cajun brunch sampler and sipping on a Hurricane cocktail, you’ll be set for a memorable and informative walk through the French Quarter. Your local guide won’t only share the city’s history but will also point out architectural and art influences throughout the area. 

Sightseeing highlights include the Mississippi River Levee and Jackson Square, from which you can see Saint Louis Cathedral. 

▶️ BOOK New Orleans: Cocktails & Brunch Crawl in the French Quarter

12. Boozie Brunch Crawl: French Quarter in New Orleans

⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars ⎸ 🕑 Tour Length: 2 hours  ⎸ Check Rates and Availability 

Similar to the Cocktails & Brunch Crawl, the Boozie Brunch Crawl: French Quarter in New Orleans tour offers all of its food samples and alcoholic beverages from the same location.

The food includes four dishes highlighting the best of New Orleans’ street food, and they don’t disappoint. But, if you’re looking to sample from a variety of restaurants, this may not be the best tour for you. 

This was an excellent tour. John was AMAZING!! My group had so much fun and learned lots of fun facts. While you stay mostly around Jackson Square and all the food is from Bons, you get to try lots of different things and the drinks are delicious!

– Kendra (Read More Reviews)

After sampling the food and drinks, the guide will lead the group on an entertaining and informative tour of the French Quarter, highlighting the history and architecture of the neighborhood. 

▶️ BOOK Boozie Brunch Crawl: French Quarter in New Orleans

Must-Try Food in New Orleans

Crawfish 

A springtime favorite in New Orleans, boiled crawfish can be found at countless eateries throughout the city. One of the most popular crawfish dishes is the Étouffée. It’s a seafood-filled gravy typically served over rice. 

PoBoys 

The PoBoy, in its many variations, is New Orleans’ most famous sandwich. It’s typically served on a loaf of French bread filled with the likes of seafood, meatballs, or any other sort of protein. It’s commonly dressed with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Usually pretty big, this is the perfect type of sandwich to share. 

Seasonal Gulf Coast Seafood 

Louisiana is the second largest seafood supplier in the United States. Different types of seafood are more plentiful during different seasons throughout the year. 

Oysters are available year-round in New Orleans but are best from October through April. Crawfish is typically good through the first half of the year and then for the last couple of months. As for the crab, it’s in great supply year-round, save for January. 

Pralines 

Who doesn’t love sugar? Pralines are New Orleans’ spin on fudge with pecans. They are a sweet treat that everyone is sure to enjoy! 

Seafood Gumbo 

Depending on who you ask, gumbo is said to have either French or West African roots. No matter where it originated, New Orleans has made seafood gumbo its own signature dish.  

The thick stew made from celery, peppers, onions, chicken, sausage, and seafood is a hearty dish, typically served over rice. 

Beignets 

Beignets are a French-inspired spin on donuts or fritters. They are a fried square pastry with a light interior, typically sprinkled with powdered sugar on the top. Premium beignets can be stuffed with jellies and sauces for added flavor. They will make your taste buds sing.

Jambalaya 

Historically, Jambalaya was a dish consisting of rice and pork or rice and seafood, depending on whether it’s cajun or creole influenced, as both take a spin on this dish.

Jambalaya found through New Orleans today usually includes chicken, pork, or pork sausage with an added kick of rabbit or alligator alongside fresh seafood from the Gulf. 

FAQ: New Orleans Food Tour 

What is The Best Food to Get in New Orleans? 

New Orleans is most known for dishes like jambalaya and the best beignets, but there is so much more to be tasted and enjoyed in this city! Po-boys, turtle soup, Étouffée, and king cakes are just a few of the additional foods that make New Orleans so flavorful! 

What is the Best New Orleans Food Tour? 

The New Orleans’ Lower Garden Food Tour was our choice for the best food tour in the city. We love the portion of the tour that highlights such beautiful and storied spots through the Garden District. 

But most of all, it’s the opportunity to hear directly from the food vendors while sampling their dishes that makes this tour so memorable and fun.

Conclusion: New Orleans Food Tour

You would be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable way to see the sights and learn the history of New Orleans than through a food tour. Except for maybe an airboat tour, but that wouldn’t be as tasty!

Savor all the crawfish, gumbo, PoBoys, and beignets you can get your hands on! We had such a fun time eating our way through the city of New Orleans in September.

No matter which tour you choose, we hope that you have a tasty journey in The Big Easy.