Venice Beach: Food Tour with 6 Tastings & Street Art Walk

Summary

Venice beach flavors street art and canal strolls in los angeles

You’ll taste your way through Venice Beach with six different bites—from açai bowls to crispy fish tacos—while your local guide shares stories about street art, Muscle Beach legends, and those quiet canals. Expect sticky fingers, unexpected flavors, and small moments that stick with you long after you’ve left the boardwalk.

What’s the experience like?

“You gotta try this one with the green salsa — trust me,” our guide Marco grinned, already halfway through his own empanada. I didn’t even know there was an Argentinian bakery tucked behind that mural of the octopus on Rose Ave. The air smelled like fried dough and ocean salt, which is a weird combo but honestly kind of works for Venice Beach. We’d only just started the food tour and my hands were already sticky from the açai bowl (Sambazon, apparently — Marco said it’s a local favorite), and I was trying not to drop anything on my shirt. Not much luck there.

The main keyword here is “Venice Beach food tour,” but nobody on the street seemed to care about keywords — just laughter and skateboard wheels rattling past. We wandered down toward the canals next, where everything felt quieter for a second. There’s something about those old bridges and the way people wave from their porches that makes you forget you’re in Los Angeles at all. Marco pointed out where Abbot Kinney’s original plan started — I had no idea this whole area was man-made. Sometimes you catch a whiff of jasmine or someone grilling carne asada nearby, which made me hungry again even though we’d just eaten.

After that it was fish tacos (crispy, flaky, hot sauce that tingled my lips) right off the boardwalk, then churro waffle bites that left cinnamon sugar under my nails for hours. There were street performers everywhere — one guy balancing on a ladder while singing Stevie Wonder covers — and Muscle Beach looked exactly as wild as you’d imagine. Our group kept stopping to snap pictures of graffiti or ask Marco about some weird LA story; he always had one ready. I tried to pronounce “quesabirria” right but totally failed — Marco laughed and said I got points for effort.

I still think about how full I felt walking back along the sand, watching locals play volleyball in hoodies because the breeze had picked up. It wasn’t fancy or perfect, but somehow every bite tasted better because of where we were and who we met along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Venice Beach and food tastings

• Visit Venice canals
• See outdoor weightlifting platform
• Walk along Venice Beach promenade
• Enjoy street performers and shops
• Taste six local food dishes

Top questions

How many tastings are included on this Venice Beach food tour?

The tour includes six food tastings: Sambazon açai bowl, Argentinian empanada, churro waffle bites, a signature secret dish, crispy fish taco, and quesabirria with consomé.

Is this Venice Beach food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on this Venice Beach food tour are wheelchair accessible.

Are dietary requirements accommodated on this food tour?

If you contact them in advance of your tour date, they will do their best to accommodate dietary requirements.

Does the tour include pickup or transportation?

No hotel pickup is included; public transportation options are available nearby.

How much walking is involved during this Venice Beach food tour?

This tour involves a fair amount of walking around Venice Beach; comfortable shoes are recommended.

Can infants join the Venice Beach food tour?

Infants can join; they must sit on an adult’s lap or ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Are pets allowed on this Venice Beach food tasting experience?

No pets are allowed on these food tours.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Venice Beach’s canals and boardwalks with six different tastings—Sambazon açai bowl, Argentinian empanada, churro waffle bites, our signature secret dish (I won’t spoil it), crispy fish taco, plus quesabirria with consomé—all led by a local guide who keeps things lively from start to finish.