If you’re visiting Porto for the first time, you’ve probably asked yourself: Is taking a food tour really worth it? With so many restaurants, cafés and wine bars to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Should you explore on your own, or book a local food tour?
We’ll admit it: we’re a little biased. After all, we’ve been sharing Porto through food since 2013 as the city’s longest-running food tour company. But after welcoming tens of thousands of curious travellers over the years, we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a food tour truly memorable. So, if you’re still on the fence, here are…
10 reasons why taking a food tour in Porto might just become the highlight of your trip
1. Meet Wonderful Local Tour Guides
Taste Porto’s guides are passionate locals who make it easy for anyone to fall in love with Porto. These folks are the real deal, true Porto enthusiasts who can make even the most skeptical palate fall head over heels in love with this city. They’re not just your average guides. They know all the places that don’t show up on Google Maps and can offer insights that are not available in any guidebook. Believe us, they’ll make you feel right at home!
2. Meet the Local Businesses That Make Porto Special
By joining a Taste Porto Food Tour, you will also get the chance to support small local businesses and meet the people who run them: our wonderful partners. These small businesses are the backbone of our community, and we take immense pride in introducing you to their edible wonders.
3. Eat your way through Porto
On a Porto Food Tour, you will explore the city’s food scene and culture in a way that is not possible on your own. You will learn about Porto’s culture and history in the most fun way: while eating and drinking. You’ll indulge in the city’s traditional food and drink while gaining insights that no guidebook can provide.
4. Visit the Bolhão Market
You can adventure yourself and explore the market on your own, but if you want to dive deeper into the Bolhão market, find out more about its History and the vendors, get your ticket and we will give you a true local perspective on our Downtown & Bolhão Market Food Tour.
5. Find travelers like you
Food has a way of bringing people together, and that’s precisely what we aim to do at Taste Porto. Our tours provide the perfect opportunity to meet new like-minded people and bond over a mutual love of food and travel. You’ll forge new friendships, swap travel stories, and build lasting memories over shared plates and glasses. It’s the beauty of breaking bread together, a universal language that unites us all.
6. Discover a side of Porto that most travelers rarely see
We proudly admit that none of our tours serve the extremely known dishes such as the pastel de nata, or even the (in)famous tripe stew. We find that our guests can discover those items on their own or with a good recommendation from us. So we focus on lesser-known items, the food that we eat more daily.
We also recognize that every traveler is unique, with distinct interests and preferences. That’s why we offer tailor-made food tours in Porto that cater to your specific needs. Whether you desire a private tour or a personalized itinerary, we’ve got you covered. Our mission is to ensure that your Taste Porto experience is as delightful and unforgettable as your taste buds could ever imagine.
7. Support our community
But there’s more to our tours than just the food. At Taste Porto, we believe in giving back to our community. With every ticket purchase, you’re making a difference. Your contribution includes a donation to a local NGO dedicated to supporting Porto’s homeless community. Travel is a force for good and should not be used otherwise.
8. Taste the real Porto
From being the company that hosted the immortal Anthony Bourdain in Porto to the one that launched, in the middle of a pandemic, a self-guided food tour of Porto… Taste Porto continues to focus on providing authentic cultural experiences while making a positive impact on our community.
9. Renowned Taste Porto Food Tour
Don’t just take our word for it! Taste Porto has been featured in some of the world’s most renowned publications, including Lonely Planet, The Guardian, The New York Times, and Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown. We’re consistently voted as the top pick for Porto Food Tours, so you know you’re in good hands. More importantly, we’ve had the privilege of sharing Porto with tens of thousands of guests who continue to recommend us to friends and family.
10. Celebrate with us on a Taste Porto Food Tour
Whether it’s your first visit to Porto or your fifth, a food tour is one of the best ways to understand the city’s culture, history and people. We can’t wait to share our passion for Porto’s cuisine, culture, and community with you. See you at the table!
With love,
Your Foodie Friends in Porto
