7 Best Nashville Food Tours to Try in 2024

While you’re planning your fun-filled itinerary to experience the sights and sounds of Music City, be sure to make time for the tastes! You may not know, but Nashville has a stock of competitive and dynamic food scenes. With food halls, restaurants, dining al fresco, and distilleries, Nashville is a mouthwatering destination. 

If you’re like me and always want to try all the best restaurants, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. That’s where food tours come in handy! A food tour in Nashville can show you all the top spots and some hidden gems. 

Here, we’ll help you find the best Nashville food tours according to your budget, taste, and travel itinerary. So, let’s dive in!

Overview: Nashville Food Tours

Nashville at a Glance

Here is a bite-sized overview of everything you need to know about Nashville, Tennessee!

• When to Go: The best time to visit Nashville is during the Spring (March-May) and Fall (September – November). 
• How to Get Around: The best way to travel around is by car.  You can also use public transport, taxi, and an airport shuttle. Ride-hailing apps, such as Lyft and Uber, also operate in Nashville.
• Top Things to Do: Country Music Hall of Fame, Glen Campbell Museum, Ryman Auditorium, Downtown Nashville, Tennessee State Capitol, and party bike tours are the top things not to be missed in Nashville. 
• Where to Stay: Comfort Inn Downtown Nashville, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Sentral Sobro, and Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center are the best hotels to stay in Nashville.

7 Best Food Tours in Nashville

Check out these 7 best food tours in Nashville to make your trip a culinary adventure!

Nashville Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tours

Photo: Secret Food Tours

• Duration: 3 hr 30 minutes
• Includes: Handcrafted crust burger, breakfast taco, hot chicken, Tennessee whiskey glazed donuts, gourmet cookie.
• Cost: $99 per adult
• Departure Points: 1) 311 Gallatin Ave 2) 10th Ave S, Nashville, TN
• End Point: 113 S 11th St, Nashville, TN

This small-group walking food tour, organized by Secret Food Tours, is the best option for exploring the Nashville food scene in East Nashville or 12 South neighborhoods.

On the East Nashville food tour, you’ll try classic Southern dishes like catfish tacos, pulled pork, and whiskey-glazed donuts. You can enjoy these delicious treats while visiting historic areas. 

The South12 food tour will take you to restored buildings, trendy coffee shops, and restaurants. The tour includes visiting Dolly Parton’s studio and office and eating famous breakfast dishes and Southern foods at top Nashville restaurants. 

Both tours include a special “Secret Dish.” For conscious travelers, vegan options are also available. Moreover, the tour guide will tell tourists facts and stories about Nashville’s food culture.  

Walking Food and Drink Tour of Downtown Nashville

Photo: A Little Local Flavor

• Duration: 3 hr
• Includes: Lunch, Alcoholic beverages, and all taxes and fees
• Cost: $179 per adult
• Departure Points: 1) 100 1st Ave S. 2) 555 Church St, Nashville, TN
• End Point: 219 Rep. John Lewis Way N, Nashville, TN

If you want to try top Downtown Nashville restaurants in one go, join this walking and eating tour by A Little Local Flavor. This 3-hour tour includes visits to popular spots like the Country Music Hall of Fame, Broadway, Printers Alley, and the Ryman Auditorium. 

You can try barbecue, Nashville hot chicken, and other Southern favorites at four downtown restaurants. You’ll also meet food experts and chefs at stops. Moreover, the tour provides three alcoholic beverages, two craft cocktails, and one local beer.   

Between the bites, your friendly guide will share fascinating stories about Nashville’s history and culture. You’ll learn why Nashville is known as “Music City” and who named it “Athens of the South.” This 2-mile walking tour ends at Standard Proof Whiskey Co.

Nashville Delicious Donut Adventure By Underground Donut Tour

Photo: Underground Donut Tour

• Duration: 2 hrs 
• Includes: Breakfast (Donuts)
• Cost: $70 per adult
• Departure Point: 506 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN
• End Point: 5036 Broadway, Nashville, TN

For those with a sweet tooth, I highly recommend this two-hour donut adventure in Nashville by Underground Donut Tour. The tour begins with breakfast at Parlor Doughnuts in the Sobro neighborhood. 

Then, you’ll walk up Broadway, with several delicious donut stops along the way. Rise Biscuits Donuts & Righteous Chicken, Donut Distillery, and D’Andrews Bakery & Cafe are the tasting stops on this tour.

Between these sweet treats, you’ll pass by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Bridgestone Arena. The tour ends at the Assembly Food Hall, where you can enjoy more delicious donuts with food and drinks.  

With a maximum of 20 travelers, this donut tour is perfect for friends, families, and solo tourists. Remember that you have to walk over a mile, so wear comfy shoes and light clothing. Book your spot here!

Private: Nashville 12South Walking Food Tour W/Secret Food Tours

Photo: Secret Food Tours

• Duration: 3 hrs 
• Includes: Breakfast tacos, southern hot pork, grits casserole, gourmet cookies
• Cost: $335 per adult
• Departure Point: 2229 10th Ave S, Nashville, TN
• End Point: Same as the departure point

Secret Food Tours offers a private walking food tour in 12South, one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Nashville, TN. This 3-hour tour starts with a tasty breakfast taco at a popular local restaurant. Then, along the way, you’ll enjoy Southern hot pork, grits casserole, gourmet cookies, club sandwiches, and fried pickles at popular Nashville restaurants.

As you stroll through the neighborhood streets, you can see stylish restaurants, coffee shops, and beautifully restored buildings. At the end of the tour, travelers will be treated to the Secret Dish. 

The tour accommodates a maximum of 12 travelers, perfect for small groups and families. Book this food tour to enjoy the best bites of 12South!

General Jackson Showboat Lunch /Dinner Cruise in Nashville

Photo: Gray Line Tours

• Duration: 4 hrs
• Includes: Lunch or dinner cruise, hotel pickup/dropoff, live entertainment on board
• Cost: $113 per adult

Sweet, spicy, and savory Southern flavors await you aboard the General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville. This largest paddlewheel riverboat takes guests down the Cumberland River in Nashville. You can choose the mid-day cruise, which departs at 12 pm, or a dinner cruise, which boards at 7 pm. One of the best features I love about this riverboat tour is the convenience of hotel pickup and dropoff.

During this 4-hour cruise, you’ll see the Nashville skyline, enjoy live entertainment (music, dance, and comedy), and have a delicious lunch or dinner in the Victorian Theater. The dinner show gives a Las Vegas-style vibe with a live orchestra, talented dancers, and elaborate costumes.

So, whether you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary or just want to enjoy sightseeing combined with Southern food, this showboat cruise must be on your Nashville itinerary.

Nashville Craft Cocktails & Fine Dining Walking Tour

Photo: A Little Local Flavor

• Duration: 3 hrs
• Includes: Alcoholic beverages and snacks
• Cost: $199 per adult
• Departure Point: 231 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN
• End Point: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Bankers Alley Hotel 222 3rd Ave N, Nashville

This walking tour by A Little Local Flavor offers a luxury experience for both cocktail lovers and foodies. This 3-hour tour includes four handcrafted cocktails paired with delicious bites at Nashville’s top restaurants. As you walk from the restaurant to the restaurant, you’ll discover new drinks and stories behind each drink.

The tour begins at the historic Hermitage Hotel with a refreshing glass of brandy milk. Then, you’ll walk from restaurant to restaurant, sipping a smoked old-fashioned cocktail at Deacon’s New South and seasonally rotating craft cocktail at Ellington’s Restaurant. The tour concludes at 21c Museum Hotel with an art tour and a surprise cocktail.

This classy Nashville drinking and dining tour is perfect for a date night, a memorable evening with your friends, or celebrating a special occasion.

Germantown Neighborhood Food & Sightseeing Walking Tour

Photo: Dabble Studio

• Duration: 3 hrs
• Includes: Food tastings, alcoholic beverages and lunch
• Cost: $86 per adult
• Departure Point: 600 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN
• End Point: 330 Harrison St., Nashville, TN

Last but certainly not least! For those who want to explore Nashville’s historic Germantown, this food and sightseeing walking tour by Dabble Studio is highly recommended. This 3-hour walking tour begins at Bicentennial Mall. 

Along the way, you’ll walk through historic streets adorned with beautiful Victorian houses turned into trendy restaurants and shops. Your friendly guide will lead you to notable sights like Sulphur Dell Park, French Lick Creek, and Walk of Counties. 

The popular stop is the Farmer’s Market, where you can sample delicious specialty foods and learn about Nashville’s rich culinary culture. This small-group food tour also includes tasting craft beer, locally produced wine, BBQ, and handmade chocolates. Note that the tour requires a minimum of 2 guests per booking!

The Bottom Line

A food tour is a great activity during your time in Nashville. Whether you prefer small-group tours or private experiences, there are plenty of options. These tours will allow you to experience the food scenes in different Nashville neighborhoods, like East Nashville, 12 South, Germantown, and, of course, downtown Nashville. 

Whether you want to try Southern food, Nashville hot chicken, handcrafted cocktails, alcoholic beverages, or donuts, you can choose a tour according to your taste. Moreover, these walking tours include both food and sightseeing, so it’s a win-win situation.

So, whatever brings you to Music City, don’t leave without checking out these top-rated Nashville food tours.