Cincinnati Historic Centre Food Tour: 6 Authentic Dishes
Six bites of Cincinnati: Goetta sandwich, Taconey, cake truffle, waffle, ice cream, and a secret dish
A 3-hour food tour through Cincinnati's historic district with a live English-speaking guide, stopping at six different spots to taste iconic local dishes including a warm Goetta sandwich, the legendary Taconey, handmade cake truffles, a golden Liège waffle, and Graeter's ice cream. The guide shares the stories and history that shaped Cincinnati's food traditions, and the tour ends with an exclusive Secret Dish revealed only during the walk. Small group or private option available.
Step-by-step itinerary
Cincinnati historic district food tour
- Visit Findlay Market
- Explore Over-the-Rhine neighborhood
- Stop at Washington Park
- Pass by Cincinnati Music Hall
- Pass by Central Parkway
- Visit The Banks area
- Pass by Great American Ball Park
- Pass by National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
- Pass by John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge
- Taste 6+ authentic Cincinnati dishes
The experience
The tour starts in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati's German cultural neighborhood, where 19th-century buildings line streets now filled with craft breweries and gastropubs. Your guide leads you through this historic district, stopping at six different food stops over the three hours. At each one, you taste something that locals have been eating for generations: starting with the Goetta, egg, and cheese sandwich, a Queen City breakfast staple, then moving through the Taconey, handmade cake truffles, a golden Liège waffle, and creamy Graeter's ice cream, Cincinnati's most famous scoop. The guide shares why these dishes matter to the city and what makes them part of Cincinnati's identity.
You'll pass landmarks like Findlay Market, Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market, and walk along Central Parkway, which follows the route of the old Miami & Erie Canal. Washington Park, a 6-acre green space in Over-the-Rhine, anchors the neighborhood. The tour also takes in views of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, which when it opened in 1866 was the longest suspension bridge in the world. The route is walkable but involves a fair amount of movement, so comfortable shoes matter.
The tour finishes with the Secret Dish, something revealed only to people on the walk itself. A live guide in English leads the whole experience, and the menu can shift based on what's available that day and weather conditions. If you have dietary needs, contact the operator in advance and they'll work to accommodate them.
What’s included
- Iconic Cincinnati Taconey.
- handmade gourmet cake truffle.
- golden Liège waffle.
- legendary Graeter's ice cream.
- classic Goetta, egg and cheese sandwich.
- exclusive Secret Dish revealed during the tour.
- live guide in English sharing stories and history of Cincinnati's food scene.
Options for this experience
2 optionsInformation
Lasts 3h, runs every day, 17 start times, from US$ 79.99 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Secret Food Tours
Is this one for you?Choose the small group option if you enjoy meeting other food travelers. Book the private upgrade if you want the route and tastings just for your group. Either way, the three-hour walk through Over-the-Rhine means you'll cover the neighborhood's landmarks (Findlay Market, Washington Park, the Roebling Bridge), while eating, so the food and the place become one story instead of two separate things.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What exactly is a Goetta and why is it such a big deal in Cincinnati?
Goetta is a Cincinnati breakfast staple. A warm sandwich made with Goetta (a German-style meat product), egg, and cheese. It's iconic to the Queen City and part of the food traditions your guide will explain during the tour.
How much walking is involved in this food tour?
The tour involves a fair amount of walking over the three hours as you move between six different food stops through Over-the-Rhine and the historic district. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
What is the Secret Dish and when do I find out what it is?
The Secret Dish is an exclusive item revealed only during the tour itself. The operator keeps it a surprise until you reach the final stop.
Can I do this tour if I have dietary restrictions?
Yes. Contact the operator in advance to let them know about any dietary requirements, and they'll work to cater for them during the tour.
Does the tour include transportation to and from my hotel?
Pick-up and drop-off are not included in the tour price. Public transportation options are available nearby the starting point.
What's the difference between the small group and private tour options?
The small group tour runs on a set schedule with other travelers. The private tour upgrade is just for your group. Both follow the same route and include all six tastings plus the Secret Dish.
Cincinnati Historic Centre Food Tour: 6 Authentic Dishes
3h · EN
from US$ 79.99 per person