San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building tastings, 90 minutes

Ninety minutes, six stops, one building: chocolate, cheese, bread and the vendors behind them

A 90-minute guided food tour of San Francisco's Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, where you taste handmade chocolates, French macarons, Vietnamese spring rolls, award-winning cheeses and artisanal breads from the vendors that supply over 300 of the city's best restaurants. Your guide is a food industry professional who knows the building's history and the stories behind each maker. Tours run daily. The farmers market operates Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, so tours on other days spend more time inside the building's shops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ferry Building and food tasting

• Visit historic Ferry Building
• Learn building's waterfront history
• Sample chocolates and macarons
• Taste Vietnamese spring rolls
• Try Mt. Tam cheese and Acme Bread
• Visit additional artisanal food stops

The experience

The Ferry Building, a transportation hub since 1898, sits at the center of San Francisco's artisanal food scene. On this tour you move through its shops and stalls with a knowledgeable guide, stopping to taste from the makers whose work defines the city's food culture. You'll sample handmade chocolate confections from Recchiuti and French macarons from Miette, which Condé Nast Traveller named one of the top ten pastry shops in the world. Out the Door, an offshoot of the high-end Slanted Door, serves its legendary Vietnamese spring rolls. Cowgirl Creamery's award-winning Mt. Tam cheese pairs with sweet and sour loaves from Berkeley's Acme Bread. Depending on the day and availability, stops may also include Delica, a Japanese delicatessen inspired by Chez Panisse, Humphry Slocombe, or Frog Hollow Farm's organic fruit stand.

The tour is built for people who want to taste without spending a full day walking. The Ferry Building's layout keeps everything close together, and your guide handles the navigation and the context. You're not hunting for addresses or deciding what to order. If the farmers market is running (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays), you'll see the seasonal produce and vendors that locals rely on. On other days, the tour spends more time inside the building's permanent shops. All tastings are included, and the guide can arrange for dietary needs if you note them at booking.

The building itself has a story: the 1898 Beaux-Arts structure has survived earthquakes and the rise of the Bay Bridge, and it remains the place where the city's chefs source their ingredients. Your guide shares that history as you move through the stalls, so you're not just tasting. You're learning why these makers matter to San Francisco's food world.

What’s included

• Personal guide who is a food industry professional.
• all food tastings from the Ferry Building vendors.
• access to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (or extended time inside the building on other days).
• tour of the Ferry Building's history and architecture.

Options for this experience

2 options

DepartureGuide in English or French · 10:00

With Alcohol Add-OnGuide in English · 10:00Guests aged 21 and over can add an alcohol option that includes 2-3 alcoholic drinks.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Edible Excursions

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to taste the makers that supply San Francisco's top restaurants without spending hours walking across the city. The compact Ferry Building layout and the guide's knowledge mean you're learning the story behind each vendor, not just collecting samples. If you prefer a self-guided wander or want to explore neighborhoods beyond the waterfront, a different food tour may suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly do I taste on this Ferry Building food tour?

You sample handmade chocolates from Recchiuti, French macarons from Miette, Vietnamese spring rolls from Out the Door, Mt. Tam cheese from Cowgirl Creamery, and artisanal breads from Acme Bread. Additional stops may include items from Delica, Humphry Slocombe or Frog Hollow Farm, depending on availability and the day of your tour.

Does the Ferry Building tour include the farmers market?

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and tours on those days include time at the market to see the seasonal produce and vendors. On other days, the tour spends more time inside the Ferry Building's permanent shops and vendors.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

The tour is designed for people with limited mobility or who prefer not to walk extensively. The Ferry Building's shops and stalls are close together, so you're moving through a compact space rather than covering long distances across the city. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?

Advise any specific dietary requirements in the special requirements box at checkout, and the operator will arrange for alternatives or adjustments to the tastings where possible.

When should I book this tour to avoid cancellation?

Minimum passenger numbers apply, and the tour may be cancelled after confirmation if those numbers aren't met. Book as early as possible to ensure your departure runs, and you'll receive an alternative tour date or full refund if cancellation occurs.