Scottsdale Old Town Food Tour: 6 Tastings & Hidden Gems

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/17

Duration3h 30m

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

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.

3h 30m

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants 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.