Old Town Scottsdale: Afternoon Food Tour with Drinks Included

Summary

Scottsdale’s flavors from pizza to margaritas in the afternoon sun

You’ll taste your way through Old Town Scottsdale—from wood-fired pizza and English pasties to French macarons, tacos with margaritas, and artisan gelato—all with drinks included. Expect friendly guides sharing local stories as you walk about 1.5 miles together. Leave satisfied and maybe even a little sun-kissed.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s waving us over—turns out it’s our guide, Jamie, already holding a tray of warm pizza slices outside this little spot tucked between souvenir shops in Old Town Scottsdale. The crust is chewy, sauce tangy, and there’s that faint woodsmoke smell clinging to my fingers after the first bite. I’m not sure if it’s the Arizona sun or the food, but everyone loosens up fast. Jamie starts telling us how miners used to eat pasties for lunch—“hearty, portable, and honestly, still pretty good cold.” I’d never tried one before; the pastry flakes everywhere and I try not to laugh as someone next to me ends up with crumbs down their shirt.

We wander past cowboy hats and turquoise jewelry stands (I keep thinking about buying something but get distracted by the smell of spices drifting from a tiny shop). Inside, someone hands me a sample of chai that tastes like autumn. There’s a wall of teas and jars filled with things I can’t pronounce—Jamie encourages us to sniff everything and pick favorites. By now we’ve all started swapping stories; one couple is here celebrating an anniversary and another guy just moved to Phoenix last month. The main keyword for this tour—Old Town Scottsdale food tour—comes up when Jamie jokes that locals secretly love these tours for the people-watching as much as the eats.

I didn’t expect to end up sipping a frozen margarita at 3pm but here we are, chips crunching under neon signs while someone tries (and fails) to say “Cien Agaves” with a straight face. The taco is messy—in the best way—and salsa drips onto my napkin. Later there’s gelato so creamy it almost melts before you can finish it, plus a pastel macaron that looks too pretty to eat (I do anyway). We pass by the Western Museum but linger outside instead; someone points out an old mural faded by the sun. I’m full but kind of wish we could keep walking just for the stories. It’s funny how quickly you start feeling like you belong somewhere new—I still think about that afternoon sometimes when I catch a whiff of cinnamon or lime.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Old Town Scottsdale food stops

• Walk through Old Town Scottsdale
• Sample two kinds of handcrafted pizza
• Try a savory English pasty
• Pick and taste a French macaron
• Enjoy tacos, chips, salsa, and margarita
• Taste artisan gelato and crêpes
• Visit Spice & Tea Exchange for spices
• See Western Museum in Old Town

Top questions

How long is the Old Town Scottsdale food tour?

The tour covers about 1 to 1.5 miles on foot in an afternoon.

Are alcoholic drinks included on this food tour?

Yes, all alcohol tastings—including margaritas—are included in the price.

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

You’ll sample pizza, English pasties, French macarons, tacos with chips and salsa, artisan gelato, and specialty teas or spices.

Is pickup included for this Old Town Scottsdale food tour?

No hotel pickup is offered; you meet at a designated spot in Old Town Scottsdale.

Can vegetarians join this food tour?

Vegetarian options are available if you let them know when booking.

What age do you have to be for alcohol on this tour?

The minimum drinking age is 21 years old.

How many stops are there on this Old Town Scottsdale food tour?

You’ll visit 5–6 different tasting stops during the tour.

Is there public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Old Town Scottsdale.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes all food tastings—like pizza slices, pasties, macarons, tacos with chips and salsa, gelato—and alcoholic beverages such as margaritas at no extra cost. You’ll be guided through Old Town Scottsdale by a local expert as you walk about 1–1.5 miles together.