Philadelphia: Food Tour with Cheesesteak & Reading Market

Summary

Cheesesteak tomato pie and soft pretzels on a walking food tour in philly

You’ll walk Philly’s downtown with a local guide, tasting real-deal cheesesteaks and soft pretzels fresh from the oven. Try classic tomato pie and finish with sweet treats at Reading Terminal Market — all while hearing stories only locals know. It’s more than lunch; it feels like being part of the city for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way the city smells near City Hall — a mix of baking bread and something fried, drifting through the air even before we started our Flavors of Philly food tour. Our guide, Mike, had this easy way of weaving stories about Philadelphia’s history with little jokes (some corny, but you could tell he loved his job). He pointed out the statue on top of City Hall and then suddenly we were ducking into a mom-and-pop pizza place for tomato pie. I’d never had it before — it’s served room temp, sauce on top, no cheese. Honestly? Way better than I expected. The crust was chewy in that comforting way. Mike told us how tomato pie is practically its own food group here.

We wandered through narrow streets where people actually say “youse” to each other (I thought that was just in movies), and stopped at this tiny bakery for soft pretzels. They handed them over still warm — not glossy like the ones from stadiums, just lightly salted and softer than I thought possible. There was a moment where everyone went quiet chewing except for one guy who tried to pronounce “water ice” like a local and got roasted by his friend. It felt like being let in on an inside joke.

Of course there was cheesesteak — with whiz if you wanted (I did). The bread made all the difference: crisp outside, pillowy inside. We talked about which spots locals swear by (everyone has an opinion), but honestly after that first bite I wasn’t interested in arguing. Our last stop was Reading Terminal Market, which is loud in a good way — clatter, laughter, smells from every direction. We finished with two desserts; one was sticky-sweet but I can’t remember what it was called because I was distracted by watching an old couple split theirs right next to us.

I left full but also kind of grateful for how unpretentious everything felt — nothing fancy or fussy, just food that means something here. Even now when I smell onions frying or see a pretzel cart somewhere else, I think about that day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Philly food tasting and history tour

• Visit mom-and-pop pizzeria
• Taste classic cheesesteak and cheese whiz fries
• Try tomato pie
• Sample soft pretzels
• Enjoy two desserts at Reading Terminal Market
• Learn Philly food history and quirky stories
• See City Hall architecture up close

Top questions

What foods are included on the Flavors of Philly food tour?

The tour includes cheesesteaks (with cheese whiz fries), tomato pie, soft pretzels, and two desserts at Reading Terminal Market.

Is lunch included on this Philadelphia food tour?

Yes, lunch is included along with snacks and bottled water during the tour.

How long does the Flavors of Philly tour last?

The exact duration isn’t listed but expect enough time for five stops including walking between locations in central Philadelphia.

Are vegetarian options available on this food tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking.

Is this Philadelphia food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Does the tour include Reading Terminal Market?

Yes, two dessert tastings take place inside Reading Terminal Market as part of the experience.

Can children join the Flavors of Philly tour?

The tour is suitable for all ages but not designed for children under 5; children aged 0-2 are free but won’t receive food unless you buy them a ticket.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through central Philadelphia with stops for classic cheesesteak sandwiches (and cheese whiz fries if you’re brave), slices of tomato pie at a local pizzeria, warm soft pretzels straight from a neighborhood bakery, plus two desserts inside Reading Terminal Market — all covered as your lunch along with bottled water and plenty of stories from your local guide.