Walking Up an Appetite with Culinary Tours | Listen

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Take a trip through local food history with these five culinary tours

You can learn a lot about a person based on their favorite food. Maybe they’re reserved, or quirky, or adventurous; maybe their cooking habits were passed down from their parents or grandparents. Naturally, the same can be said for places and communities, and in the spirit of hands-on learning, what better way to experience the history and culture of a city than through its food? We’ve compiled a list of top-notch food tours from five of the South’s culinary hotspots.

Beltline Food, Street Art, and History Tour

Atlanta

For a look into the artistic side of Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood, take a guided tour through the Beltline. Whether it’s sidewalk murals or a fresh cocktail offering, this three-and-a-half-hour food tour introduces visitors to the neighborhood’s hidden gems, satisfying both their hunger and their inner historian. Tour highlights include an overview of Krog Street Market, the first food hall in Atlanta; a stroll along the Beltline’s eclectic walking trails and street art galleries; and stops at up to six separate eateries.

Undiscovered Charleston with Forrest Parker

Charleston

Join 2016 South Carolina Chef Ambassador Forrest Parker on a half-day guided experience, beginning with a 90-minute walking tour of Charleston’s culinary history and its multicultural roots. Vibrantly entertaining, the tour leads guests through the heart of downtown Charleston, spotlighting classic restaurants and landmarks as well as lesser-known locales. After the tour comes lunch and wine pairing, where Parker treats guests to a Lowcountry culinary lesson featuring three of his own recipes—which guests can even take home.

Food Tour of Downtown Houston (Astroville)

Houston

From Southern classics to bold fusion cuisine, Houston has enough options to leave any food lover satisfied. This three-hour walking tour highlights the diverse, eclectic flavors of downtown Houston, as reflected by the community and its rich culture. The tour begins in Market Square Park and travels between iconic downtown landmarks, including the Downtown Tunnel System. Guests will get a taste of eight to nine different dishes from three different establishments.

East Nashville Food Tour (Walk Eat Nashville)

Nashville

Considered by some to be the culinary heart of the city, East Nashville is populated with up-and-coming restaurants with an incredible diversity of flavor profiles. Over the course of this three-hour guided tour, guests travel through the neighborhoods of Historic East Edgefield and Five Points and get the insider scoop on the city’s art and music scenes. But this tour is especially unique in that its tasting menu rotates. Although it always features a mixture of savory and sweet options among its five stops, the list of local establishments is variable, making this tour enjoyable for locals and visitors alike. The tour company visits other Nashville neighborhoods, too, including downtown.

Doctor Gumbo Tours

New Orleans

This program offers not one but three different options for exploring the French Quarter’s iconic food culture. Choose the Food History Tour for up to five stops at a wide array of Cajun and Creole establishments, hot sauce emporiums, and confectionaries, or consider the Cocktail History Tour for three to four stops at renowned venues like Peychaud’s and the Bourbon “O” Bar. For especially dedicated foodies, Doctor Gumbo also offers a combination tour, with six stops, around nine courses, and four cocktails at various restaurants and bars over the course of four hours. History and culture enthusiasts are certain to enjoy any of these tour options, as all three revolve around rich local lore.