Scottsdale Old Town Food Tour: 6 Tastings & Hidden Gems

Taste your way through Scottsdale's food history, one neighborhood at a time.

A food tour through Downtown Scottsdale with a live guide covering six tastings at locally owned restaurants, each tied to the city's transformation from citrus groves to a dining destination. The route moves through Old Town's galleries, historic sites and mid-century landmarks, ending at the Bronze Horse fountain. Walking is substantial. Comfortable shoes matter.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Scottsdale Old Town and Food Tastings

• Meet and learn Scottsdale history
• Dine at oldest Mexican restaurant
• Discover Western history stories
• Visit oldest Catholic church
• Walk through arts and galleries
• Enjoy traditional malt drink
• Taste specialty Luau Pork at tiki bar
• End at Bronze Horse fountain

The experience

The tour starts at a meeting point in Downtown Scottsdale where your guide explains what the city was before it became a city: how citrus groves gave way to luxury resorts and fine dining. From there you walk through Old Town, stopping at the oldest Mexican restaurant in town, run by a founding family of Scottsdale. The route takes you past galleries and statues, through the story of the oldest Catholic church and who built it, and into the neighborhoods that shaped the region's character.

Six tastings anchor the afternoon: a Cheese Crisp with Roasted Green Chili, Three Sisters Garden Salad, Crispy Chimichangas, and the restaurant's Signature Secret Dish at the Mexican spot; an Old-Fashioned Chocolate Malt Shake at an authentic mid-century Malt Shop; and Hawaiian Luau Pork Sliders at a tiki bar styled straight from the islands. Each dish connects to Scottsdale's food culture and the Southwest's culinary roots. The guide walks you through why these places matter to the city and what made them landmarks.

The tour covers about three and a half hours of walking through Downtown Scottsdale, moving at a pace that lets you eat, listen and absorb the stories. It ends at the Bronze Horse fountain, a memorial to the Arabian show and race horses that have long been part of Scottsdale's identity. The itinerary and menu can shift based on restaurant availability or weather, so contact the operator ahead if you have dietary needs. They'll work to accommodate them.

What’s included

• Six food tastings at locally owned restaurants including a Cheese Crisp with Roasted Green Chili, Three Sisters Garden Salad, Crispy Chimichangas, the restaurant's Signature Secret Dish, an Old-Fashioned Chocolate Malt Shake, and Hawaiian Luau Pork Sliders.
• a live English-speaking guide leading you through Old Town's galleries, historic sites and mid-century landmarks.
• stories of Scottsdale's transformation from citrus groves to a fine dining destination.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small Group Tour in ScottsdaleGuide in English · 11:00 and 17:00Small group food tour: Pick this option to join our Secret Food Tour Scottsdale with a group of no more than 12 people.

Scottsdale Food Tour, PrivateGuide in English · 11:30 and 17:30Private tour upgrade: Pick this option to move up to a private food tour of Scottsdale that is reserved only for you and your group.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00, 11:30, 17:00 and 17:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Secret Food Tours

Is this one for you?Go private to set your own pace and skip the small talk, or join a small group to hear locals' perspectives on the same six tastings and landmarks.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How much walking is involved in the Scottsdale Old Town Food Tour?

The tour involves a fair amount of walking through Downtown Scottsdale over three and a half hours, so comfortable shoes are essential. The route moves between locally owned restaurants, galleries, historic sites and mid-century landmarks across Old Town.

What are the six food tastings included in this tour?

The six tastings are a Cheese Crisp with Roasted Green Chili, Three Sisters Garden Salad, Crispy Chimichangas, the restaurant's Signature Secret Dish, an Old-Fashioned Chocolate Malt Shake, and Hawaiian Luau Pork Sliders at a tiki bar.

Can I book this tour privately or does it run as a group?

You can choose between a Private Scottsdale Food Tour or a Scottsdale Small Group Tour at checkout: both follow the same route and tastings, so pick based on whether you want the guide and stops to yourself or to share the experience with other travelers.

What is the Bronze Horse fountain at the end of the tour?

The Bronze Horse fountain is the ending location and stands as a memorial to the long-standing tradition of Arabian show and race horses that have called Scottsdale home, tying the city's cultural identity to its equestrian heritage.

Do I need to arrange transportation to the meeting point?

Public transportation options are available nearby the meeting location in Downtown Scottsdale, so you can reach the starting point without a car if you prefer.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Contact the operator in advance of the tour to let them know about any dietary requirements, and they will work to cater for them at the restaurants on the route.