San Francisco is home to so many enchanting neighborhoods that it can be challenging to explore them all. On this small-group walking tour, visit Chinatown and North Beach, two of the city’s most storied districts, in about a half day of sightseeing. Learn about culture and traditions from your local guide, and stop for generous food tastings—from tea and dim sum in Chinatown to fresh cannoli in one of North Beach's oldest bakeries.

Get an insider's perspective on local history and culture from your guide
Explore Chinatown and North Beach, two of the city’s most characterful neighborhoods, on foot
Sample dim sum, moon cakes, cannoli, pizza, and more from neighborhood institutions
Come hungry—expect generous food and drink tastings

What's Included

Local San Francisco Guide
Different types of Dim Sum
Start in Chinatown with moon cakes from one of the neighborhood's oldest bakeries
Enjoy tea tastings in Chinatown
Sit down for a traditional Chinese meal
Chocolate from Z Cioccolato - One the top chocolatiers in the US
Bite into a fresh cannoli from Stella Pastry, which has been making cannoli since 1942
Relax with pizza at Mona Lisa Restaurant
Expect more than 5 generous food and drink tastings along the way
All food, a glass of wine, and non-alcoholic drinks included

Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

400 Grant Ave
400 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
In front of the Chinatown Gate

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Meet your guide and group in Chinatown to start your exploration of some of San Francisco's most dynamic neighborhoods. As you walk through Chinatown, learn about Chinese culture and mysticism as you taste dim sum from one of the oldest bakeries in the area. Stroll past some of the district's interesting sculptures and listen as your guide points out some remarkable architecture.

Next, head for North Beach, to learn about the history and culture of this historically Italian neighborhood. Follow your guide to some of the little-known hidden gems that serve authentic Italian coffee and other treats. Additionally, search out authentic Chinese and Italian crafts and pottery and uncover their hidden secrets only intrepid locals know.

Dragon's Gate (Pass By)

Meet your guide and group at the gated entrance to Chinatown (Bush & Grant Streets) to start your exploration of some of San Francisco's most dynamic neighborhoods. As you walk through Chinatown, you'll learn about Chinese culture and mysticism as you taste dim sum from one of the oldest bakeries in the area. Stroll past some of the district's interesting sculptures and listen as your guide points out some remarkable architecture.

Chinatown (Pass By)

We'll explore Chinatown through a tea tasting and enjoy some local foods

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
ATTENTION: Each Youth or Child registration requires an Adult registration
Proof of vaccination is required on all tours. Masks may be required in some stops.
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

Ours lasted around 4 1/2 hours, so make sure that works with your time frame.

I highly recommend this tour, and if possible Brian as your guide.

Reviews

5.0

362 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 362 reviews

Great Tour

Ebony_J, Mar 2023

I had a really great time on this tour. I got to try a variety of foods that I have never tried before. It was a decent amount of walking to wear comfortable shoes and bring water so that you stay hydrated.

A great introduction to the food and culture of the Chinatown and North Beach neighborhoods

Kathy_P, Mar 2023

Our tour guide, Isabella was terrific! We learned a lot about the history and cultures of the areas we visited. The food was wonderful and plentiful. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting San Francisco.

Fun and yummy

Jennifer_E, Mar 2023

Isabella was a fabulous guide, she made it fun. She is very knowledgeable about the food and the city. Would recommend.

Must do while in San Francisco.

KristinaL_J, Mar 2023

Had an amazing time! Brian was our guide, give this awesome guy a raise. He had so much info to share. We learned so much. Can’t wait to share our info on chop stick edict.

Excellent tour

Steven_T, Mar 2023

Our guide was knowledgeable as well as entertaining! Great group of folks on our tour made it a memorable evening.

Must do in San Francisco

bradkalmans, Mar 2023

This tour exceeded my son and I's expectations. Lauren our tour guide was fantastic. She gave the right amount of history and food stories along the way and it was a great way to see Chinatown and North Beach. Do come hungry because there is a tremendous amount of great food tastings. The tea tasting was certainly one of the highlights (had no idea a tea tasting could be so fun) and then there was great dim sum, sweets, bakery items and pizza. You will not be disappointed if you book this tour.

Great food, great scenery, great tour!

Caryn_S, Mar 2023

Walking around Chinatown and North Beach with Isabella was definitely a highlight of our trip. Her perspective and stories about the area gave amazing insight on the lives and common spots of the locals— and not to mention the food was incredible! She connected with everyone in our small group and by the end we were all well acquainted with each other and enjoyed sharing travel experiences and engaging in other conversations. Isabella was very polite and respectful to the workers of the shops as well as us tourists. She accommodated for any food allergies/dislikings and passed no judgement if we tried something and didn’t finish/like it. Overall it was a wonderful experience! I would recommend it to anyone!

Good Mix

Birtina_c, Mar 2023

Good mix of educational information and local food. Guide was great and informative. The amount of food was filling and a great variety.

Isabella, you are a legend mate!

Trent_D, Mar 2023

Isabella was amazing! We loved our tour and learned so much beyond food! The historical behind the scenes education was incredible and we would highly recommend this tour.

Great tour and guide

Alex_S, Feb 2023

Great tour! Brian was a fantastic tour guide and food was very good! Would recommend 100% to anyone who wants to have a little taste of Chinatown

Walking Food Tour In San Fran

Barbara_R, Feb 2023

It was freezing out yet I stuck out the whole 4 hour tour...that should tell you how fun the tour was. Our guide was funny, passionate and knowledgeable about all the shops and history he shared with the group. I would strongly recommend this tour and I'll do it again when I come back with my husband.

Best bang for your buck. Great history and food.

Mary_L, Feb 2023

This tour was great!! Brian was very knowledgeable. He seemed to know everyone. Fun fun fun. I would definitely recommend this tour. In fact i already have.

Fun tour

Ingrid_W, Feb 2023

we were glad we booked this tour! Cynthia had interesting info and things to see. There were lots of good local dishes and snacks to try! One thing I would suggest is that the tour description provide a list of the main tasting items that are planned, this way people can avoid purchase some of the same items the day before on their own.

Great tour

Elena_T, Jan 2023

Great tour with a great tour guide, Isabella. She had wonderful stories. Food was even better. We were able to see things not usually available because of Chinese new year.

Amazing tour guide. So...

Steve_S, Dec 2022

Amazing tour guide. So fun and really knowledgeable. We loved Brian. Great tour guide!!! Great tour!!

San Francisco Foodie Tour with Cynthia

Deborah_S, Dec 2022

The tea shop tastings were awesome…in fact all of the food was divine! Cynthia was absolutely perfect as a guide, very entertaining and knowledgeable.

Lauren the Storyteller.

Bob_N, Nov 2022

Lauren was a wonderful storyteller and knowledgeable guideline. She kept our tour group moving and made sure none of us got lost. The food was excellent, especially the custard tarts which were divine.

Great time Great food.

Eddie_F, Oct 2022

Isabela did a great job showing us around and sharing her knowledge and personal history with the city and the area.

Awesome!

Davina_H, Oct 2022

This was a wonderful tour filled with interesting facts and tasty food! Our guide, Isabella was awesome!

History & Food

A_M, Oct 2022

We ate and ate and ate for 3.5 hours. We ate more on this food tour than I have on any other that I have taken & I came back to the hotel with snacks. Great history and geography of the city, lots of history, but as a history teacher I loved it.

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