Philadelphia Italian Market Food Tour: 5 Tastings with Guide

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/15

Duration2h 30m

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Taste generations of Philly’s stories in every bite from 9th Street’s market stalls

Philadelphia's Italian Market Food Tour is a 2.5-hour guided walk through one of the country's oldest outdoor food markets on 9th Street in South Philly, with five tastings that span Italian classics, Mexican street food and Vietnamese sandwiches. Your English-speaking local guide leads a small group or private party through stalls and shops, stopping at named vendors—Sarcone's for tomato pie, a cannoli maker since 1904, Mexican restaurants, a mozzarella stand, Vietnamese banh mi spots, an olive oil tasting room and a cafe for gelato. The tour includes tastings at each stop and time to speak with shopkeepers about their family histories in the neighborhood. You can book as a public group or private tour.

2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Philadelphia's Italian Market

Meet guide in South Philly park
Stroll through market streets
Try tomato pie at Sarcone’s
Sample cannoli from Italian bakery
Enjoy tacos de pollo pibil
Taste mozzarella cheese knots
Visit Vietnamese banh mi restaurants
Taste olive oil and vinegar
Eat fresh tortillas with guacamole
Have espresso and gelato at cafe

The Experience

The tour starts in one of South Philly's public parks, where your guide introduces the day and the neighborhood's story. Then you walk down 9th Street itself—the market has operated as a curbside bazaar since the 1800s, and the stalls, produce stands, butchers and bakeries still line the block. Your guide talks through the market's history and the waves of immigrants who built it: Italian families first, then Mexican and Vietnamese communities adding their own shops and cuisines. You'll stop to speak with some of the shopkeepers themselves, hearing how their families came to the market and what they've built there.

The five tastings anchor the walk. You'll try Sarcone's tomato pie—a Philly take on pizza that's been baked there since 1918—and a cannoli from a maker that's been operating since 1904. A Mexican stop serves spicy pollo pibil tacos or fresh tortilla shells with guacamole. You'll taste mozzarella cheese knots marinated in olive oil, then move to one of the Vietnamese banh mi spots, where the sandwich layers meats, pickled vegetables and sauces on a fresh French baguette. An olive oil and vinegar tasting room offers several varieties from around the world. The tour ends at a cafe with espresso, chocolate truffles and homemade gelato. Each stop is a working vendor, not a museum—you're eating where locals eat.

You can book this as a public walking tour, joining other food travelers, or as a private tour for your group. Both include the same five tastings, the same 2.5-hour route and the same local guide. The market itself is accessible by public transportation, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram, and service animals are allowed.

What’s included

Five tastings across Italian, Mexican and Vietnamese vendors.
a local English-speaking guide leading the walk.
time to speak with shopkeepers and hear their stories.
a stroll through one of the country's oldest outdoor food markets.
access to public art in the backstreets and alleys of South Philly.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by WeVenture

Is this one for you?Book the public tour if you want to meet other food travelers and split the cost; book the private tour if your group wants the guide's full attention and the freedom to linger at any vendor without keeping others waiting.