From Philly Food to Local Brews

Philly Food and Beer Tour

Your food and beer tour of Philadelphia starts in the center of it all — at the city’s iconic City Hall. From here, you’ll experience the variety and history of Philadelphia’s epic food and beverage offerings, from must-eat classics to trendy favorites and from dive bars to local haunts. You’re sure to get your fill of delicious bites, fascinating tidbits, and local brews with a local guide by your side.

We start at one of the most popular destinations for Philadelphia locals and visitors alike – Reading Terminal Market. Led by your guide, you will eat your way through one of America’s oldest and largest daily indoor markets. Tap into the diverse cultural influence on Philly’s food scene by sampling a Pennsylvania German handmade soft pretzel, Southern-inspired mac-n-cheese, Jewish-style pastrami on rye, or an Italian cannoli. Whatever food your guide features, you’ll definitely get the local flavor.

Of course, no Philadelphia food tour is complete without the Big One — the Philly cheesesteak. A local favorite that has inspired countless imitators around the world, we promise you there is no substitute for the real thing. In the Market, on the street, or at a local shop, your guide will treat you to their own neighborhood favorite.

Once you’ve had your fill of Philadelphia classics, make your way through the heart of the city and discover the innovative side of the Philly food scene. A stop into a local coffee shop that prides itself on fair trade and environmental sustainability will show off Philly’s social consciousness. Please your palate at a neighborhood eatery known for applying old-World recipes to innovative lick-the-bowl-clean hummus and pita plates. If you’re looking to try something out-of-the-box, your guide may introduce you to an epic and shockingly delicious vegan shake. This stop on the tour just be the pick-me-up you need to continue your foodie journey.

Follow your guide a few more blocks towards some of the newer foodie hotspots of the city. Here, you’ll taste delicious food featuring locally-sourced ingredients. A stop at a Sansom Street pizza parlor will give you the opportunity to try a slice of home-grown mushroom pie straight from nearby Kennett Square, the “Mushroom Capital of the World”. Enjoy a cone of vanilla or chocolate ice cream from a Pennsylvania dairy farm right down the road. Or, if you are brave, you can conquer some scrapple, a staple of Amish cuisine that is best enjoyed without knowing what’s in it.

You’ll then head back toward City Hall, where you’ll begin the beer part of your tour. You may continue on with the same guide or you may get a new guide – either way, you’ll be sure to keep having a fantastic time! By this time of day, many a Philly locals will be beelining for the closest happy hour, and we’ll do exactly the same!

Your guide will choose from some of the most unique, typical, and popular drinking establishments in the city. We have the option to visit the oldest continuously operating bar in Philadelphia (dating back to 1860), a classic dive bar, an Irish pub with local flair, a modern beer café, and many other neighborhood bars and pubs. At each location, we’ll talk about the history of these bars, why they are so popular, and why locals crave a unique and authentic setting to enjoy food and drinks with friends, family, and co-workers.

One drink at each bar is included with the tour, as well as a pub or street snack — the perfect accompaniment for your Philadelphia beer. And the bars we visit all have one thing in common: a taste for Philadelphia’s local craft beers and breweries! You’ll quickly find out why Philadelphia is one of America’s best beer cities, and learn the names and tastes of places such as Philadelphia Brewing Co., Victory, Yards, Troegs, Flying Fish, Sly Fox, Dogfish Head, Nodding Head, and Dock Street Brewing Co.

After happy hour, end your Philadelphia bar tour at the tour’s final pub. From there you’re able to continue on your own Philly beer journey, grab some dinner at one of Philadelphia’s many great restaurants nearby (but we can’t imagine that you’ll be hungry!), or head straight back to your new favorite Philadelphia pub.