Quick Details
About Us:
We believe the best way to discover a community is through its food, and we introduce guests to local family-owned restaurants, sharing both their delicious offerings and unique stories.
By showcasing hidden gems and sharing the stories behind the food, we give visitors an authentic taste of Carlsbad, making our tours an immersive journey into the local community.
Carlsbad Meeting Location:
Your tour guide will greet you at the northwest corner of State & Grand in front of the fountain.
Parking is available at the Carlsbad Village Train Station 2775 State Street and street parking.
You’ll return to the starting point after your tour ends.
Adult
Ages 18-61
$ 78
Senior
Ages 62+
$ 74
Adolescent
Ages 11-17
$ 49
Child
Ages 5-10
$ 28
Young Child
Ages 4 & Under
Free
Carlsbad Food Tours Overview:
- The Carlsbad food tours offer an immersive experience, capturing the essence of the city’s vibrant culinary scene, local history, culture, and art.
- We will introduce you to family-owned restaurants and local cuisine, blending food tasting with cultural storytelling.
- By showcasing hidden gems and sharing the stories behind the food, we give visitors an authentic taste of Carlsbad, making our tours an immersive journey into the local community.
- As you indulge in six delectable bites of savory dishes, wine, beer, and desserts from unique local restaurants, you’ll also learn fascinating tidbits about Carlsbad’s heritage.
Highlights on our Food Tour:
- Savory Dishes: Taste a variety of local specialties, each bite offering a unique flavor that represents the culinary diversity of Carlsbad.
- Wine and Beer: Enjoy expertly paired wine and beer selections that complement each dish, enhancing your tasting experience.
- Desserts: Satisfy your sweet tooth with delicious desserts that highlight the creativity of local pastry chefs.
- Local History and Culture: Gain insights into Carlsbad’s rich history and cultural heritage as you stroll through the city, guided by knowledgeable locals.
- Art and Architecture: Appreciate the local art scene and architectural beauty that add to the charm of Carlsbad.
Tasting Locations in Carlsbad:
- Cicciotti’s Trattoria Italiana & Seafood
- Village Kabob
- Froglanders Crepes & Yogurt
- Witch Creek Winery
- Señor Grubby’s
- Strawberry Shack
- The Goods Donuts
- GelatoLove Carlsbad
- Choice Juicery
- Pizza Port
- Pure Project
Experience:
- Interactive: Engage with chefs and restaurant owners who share their passion for food and stories behind their creations.
- Scenic Walks: Enjoy leisurely walks through picturesque streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.
- Social: Meet fellow food enthusiasts and make new friends while sharing a common love for good food and drink.
CARLSBAD TOUR DETAILS:
Walk, talk and taste your way through Carlsbad with delicious local specialties from our favorite, bakeries, restaurants and iconic eateries. This interactive tour includes multiple stops that reflect our regional flavors of our historic village.
SAVE TIME & EXPERIENCE MORE
With so much to see and do in Carlsbad, you’ll find there’s simply not enough time to do it all. Our food tours let you experience the best of our local cuisine in just a few short hours.
EAT LIKE A LOCAL IN CARLSBAD
From Italian pasta to Mexican tacos, this 3-hour Carlsbad food tour immerses you in the history and culture and reveals how our unique cuisine has evolved over the years.
SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE
In contrast to other tours in town, we keep our food tours to 20 guests or less (most range between 4-8 guests). This means a more relaxed and casual experience, with more access to your guide and our friendly vendors.
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
We accommodate most dietary restrictions including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, lactose-intolerance, pescatarian, sugar-free, peanut allergies & more.
FOOD TASTINGS
Come hungry, your food tastings will be equivalent to either lunch or dinner.
GET ORIENTED IN CARLSBAD
Our knowledgeable, local guides will help you navigate the city, answer your questions and offer personalized recommendations for after your tour – giving you the best possible start to your visit.
WEATHER
Carlsbad, California has a desirable climate with over 260 sunny days per year.
PACING OF THE TOUR
The tour will be done at a relaxed comfortable rate, stopping frequently at sit down locations for 15-20 minutes.
EXPLORING THE WORLD
Our food tour experiences are great activities that families of every age can enjoy together.
TYPES OF FOOD TASTINGS
Our tours have a variety of food tastings ranging from savory dishes to desserts, something for everyone.
TOUR AVAILABLITY
Tours are offered daily at 11:30am. We also offer private tours, customizable to your group needs.
UNFORGETABLE HOSTS
Experience the best of SoCal hospitality with our Carlsbad team of passionate, knowledgeable tour guides. With hundreds of 5-star reviews you can be confident you aren’t wasting your valuable time on bad experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
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EASY – Walking tours are designed for a leisurely pace but may include uneven sidewalks, some stairs and a combination of walking and standing for up to two hours.
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On our food tours you’ll discover our unique Carlsbad cuisine, sampling delicious specialties from local eateries, bakeries, restaurants, and culinary landmarks. Our menu shifts depending on seasonal availability. Each tour has 2-3 savory tastings, 1-2 wine or beer and 1-2 desserts.
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We do our best to accommodate the special dietary needs of our guests, however we can’t guarantee all stops will be able to do so. When you book a food tour, let us know about any dietary needs/preferences (e.g. allergies, vegetarian, kosher, gluten-free) and your guide will help identify items you might want to avoid.
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Our food tastings and portions are generous and roughly equal to a good-sized lunch. We recommend coming on the tour with an appetite as most guests leave comfortably full.
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We present tours rain or shine, bring your umbrella or jacket with hood.
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Our tours cover approximately one mile of walking, and we move at a relaxed and leisurely pace. On our food tours, you’ll have regular opportunities to sit down during tastings.
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Our professional guides are skilled public speakers and work hard to make sure everyone can hear during the tour. If you are hard of hearing, please let your guide know and we’ll ensure you get a front-row seat.
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For Downtown Tours:
There is free street parking spaces throughout the village. There is also parking at the Carlsbad Village Train Station at 2775 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008, located next to the meeting location. -
We offer both a flexible date change service at no additional cost and a fully refundable cancellation policy for our Taste of Carlsbad Food Tour.
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Our #1 priority at Carlsbad Food Tours is giving great tours. If you don’t have a great experience, let us know and we promise to make it right with a full refund or voucher for a future visit.
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There are restrooms available along the tour route.
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Yes, we only offer tours in English currently. Please email or call us if you would like to plan for your own interpreter to join the tour.
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If you feel your tour guide has provided a great experience, gratuities are encouraged— and welcomed—at the end of your tour. We believe that recognizing excellent service is a personal matter, though 15-20% of your booking fee is a good rule of thumb. Gratuities for your guide are always appreciated, but never expected.
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Advanced purchase is strongly recommended, as tours often sell out well in advance. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book well in advance.