New Orleans: French Quarter Food Walking Tour & Tastings

Summary

French Quarter flavors, stories, and laughter on foot

You’ll walk lively streets with a local guide, tasting gumbo simmered to perfection, messy seafood po-boys, buttery pralines, and more on this French Quarter food tour. Expect stories behind every bite and tips on where locals actually eat. By the end you’ll feel like you’ve eaten your way into New Orleans’ history — maybe even laugh at yourself for trying alligator sausage.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll never forget the moment our guide, Denise, handed me my first bite of alligator sausage — I hesitated, not gonna lie. She just grinned and said, “Trust me.” The French Quarter was already buzzing at 11am, music leaking out from somewhere (always is here), and the air smelled like bread and something sweet. I’d booked this New Orleans food tour half-expecting to just eat a lot, but it turned out to be a weirdly personal history lesson too.

We wandered through narrow streets where Denise pointed out old restaurant signs and told us which ones her grandma still swears by. At one stop, we tried gumbo that tasted like it had been simmering for days — deep and smoky, with rice that stuck together just right. Someone in our group asked about the difference between Creole and Cajun cooking; Denise explained it with a story about her uncle’s jambalaya mishaps. I laughed so hard I almost dropped my po-boy (seafood, messy as promised). The main keyword here really is “food tour New Orleans French Quarter,” but honestly it felt more like hanging out with someone who knows every back alley and secret menu in town.

I didn’t expect to like pralines — too sweet for me usually — but these were buttery and crumbly in a way that made me want another. We passed by Café du Monde (didn’t stop this time), but you could smell the coffee from half a block away. There was this moment when Denise showed us how locals eat muffuletta (with way more olive salad than tourists ever use), and I realized how much little details matter here. The weather kept shifting between sticky and breezy; I think that’s just New Orleans being itself.

By the end of the three hours, we’d eaten enough for a full lunch without even noticing how much ground we’d covered. My feet were tired but happy. I still think about that oyster — char-grilled, smoky-salty — whenever someone asks what surprised me most about this day trip in the French Quarter. If you’re into food tours or just want to see New Orleans through someone else’s eyes (and taste buds), this is probably your thing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — French Quarter food walking tour

• Meet guide in French Quarter
• Walk lively French Quarter streets
• Visit world-class restaurants and kitchens
• Sample traditional New Orleans foods
• Try classic gumbo and seafood
• Taste boudin beignets and other nibbles
• Option to purchase New Orleans cocktails
• Conclude tour in French Quarter

Top questions

How long is the New Orleans French Quarter food tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Are food tastings included in the price?

Yes, all tastings are included during the tour.

Is there an option for small groups?

You can upgrade to a small-group tour with no more than 13 guests.

What kind of foods will I try on this food tour?

You may sample gumbo, po-boys (seafood or short rib), alligator sausage, muffuletta, jambalaya, char-grilled oysters, pralines, and boudin beignets.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible and public transport is nearby.

Where does the food walking tour start?

You meet your guide in the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans.

Can children join the food walking tour?

Yes, minors can attend with a parent or guardian present; infants can ride in strollers or sit on an adult’s lap.

Are drinks included on this French Quarter food tour?

Cocktails such as Pimms Cup are available for purchase but not included in the price.

Can I customize which restaurants we visit?

You can let your guide know your interests or ask for recommendations during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through New Orleans’ French Quarter with stops at several restaurants for included tastings—think classic gumbo, po-boys, muffuletta sandwiches, char-grilled oysters, pralines—and plenty of stories from your local guide along the way. You can choose a small-group option if you want fewer people around while you eat your way through town.