When I was travelling in the past, I never really thought about joining a food tour to explore a new city. I always assumed it was too expensive and that I couldn't eat most of the food anyway because I'm a vegetarian. But on my most recent trip to the United States and Canada, I discovered that there are indeed some great American food tours that cater both for special dietary needs and allow money-conscious travellers to stay on budget. Here are my three favourite North American cities to discover through food and film…
1. New York City, USA
New York City is the setting for Julie & Julia (2009). This "foodie film" tells the true story of the aspiring writer Julie Powell (Amy Adams). In 2002, long before the age of influencers, New York resident Julie decided to start her own blog. On this blog, Julie wanted to write about her one-year challenge to re-cook all recipes in a cookbook released by her cooking idol Julia Child (Meryl Streep) in the 1960s.
Scene from New York City set "Julie & Julia". © Sony Pictures
Inspired by this film, you can go on your own little foodie adventure in New York City. With so many immigrant influences from all corners of the world, you will always find new things to try to enjoy in the cosmopolitan New York.
For travellers on a budget, Free Tours by Foot offers a range of really cool "free food tours" in New York City. That being said, "free" refers to the fact that you do not pay an upfront fee for the tour (which for most food tours is usually 45 US Dollars and more). Instead, you only pay for the samples you actually want to eat (usually about 2 US Dollars per sample) as well as a tip for your guide at the end.
Me and my veggie dog
Plus, the areas that they go to are usually less known, more residential neighbourhoods. So even if you have been to New York a few times before, you can be sure to see some new sides of the city!
On my most recent visit in May 2017, I tried the East Village Food Tour and the Williamsburg Food Tour.
Williamsburg, by the way, is very well-known for its Jewish influence on food because of its large, mostly ultra-orthodox Jewish population. As such, Williamsburg is also the setting of Netflix drama Unorthodox (2020).
New York City Hot Dogs
New York City Pizza
Food Tour in New York's East Village
An Italian treat for dessert in New York City
A (cheese)cake lover's heaven in New York City!
My verdict:
New York is such a huge city that it can get overwhelming and also pretty time-consuming to find all the good eating places yourself. In my experience, it's best to just join a tour that will lead you straight to the best places of a specific area.
With a guide by your side, you will also learn a lot more about the historical and culinary influences of a specific neighbourhood than you would if you just wander around by yourself.
The Food Tours by Free Tours on Foot are scheduled regularly. However, they are also very popular. Thus, I recommend you book your tour at least a week in advance. You don't have to pay for signing up, but you do have to fill in a form on their website in order to secure your spot on the tour.
Ready to sample New York City?
Book your budget-friendly New York City Food Tour with Free Tours by Foot
Me and my New York cheesecake!
2. Cincinnati, USA
The city of Cincinnati in the U.S. State Ohio was the main setting and filming location for George Clooney's political drama The Ides of March (2011). There is one scene, in which the young intern Molly (Evan Rachel Wood) meets Stephen (Ryan Gosling) in an all-American diner. I'm not a 100% sure, but it might well be a restaurant of the "Skyline" chain.
Bar Scene from the film "The Ides of March". © Sony Pictures Entertainment
This chain is famous for the so-called Cincinnati Chili. A lot less spicy than it sounds, this chili is made of a special kind of meat- or tofu based sauce for pasta with a secret chocolate ingredient. On top of that sauce, there is lots and lots of cheese! Perfect for a cheese lover like me!
If the chocolate in the chili is not enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, how about the Sweet Stroll Food Tour? On this tour offered by Cincinnati Food Tours you will be filled with 7 sweet treats while tour guide Barb fills you in on the exciting history of Cincinnati's most up-and-coming neighbourhood "Over-the-Rhine".
Read more in my post Sweet Stroll Food Tour in Cincinnati
Donuts deluxe in Cincinnati
Exploring "Over-the-Rhine"
My verdict:
The Sweet Stroll Tour costs 45 US Dollars per person. However, I thought that spending this money was really worth it because without a guide, I would have never found all those sweet little gems in just 2.5 hours.
Plus, I would have certainly not learnt that much about the intriguing history of the "Over-the-Rhine" neighbourhood, mainly shaped by German immigrants.
Early booking is recommend as the Cincinnati Food Tours are quite popular, too.
Ready to sample Cincinnati?
Book your tour with Cincinnati Food Tours
A real "Cincinnati Chili" with an extra serving of cheese
"Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" (2004) moment when driving around in Cincinnati! 😀
3. Vancouver, Canada
Although set in Seattle, both Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) and Fifty Shades Darker (2017) were largely filmed in Vancouver's historic Gastown district.
So by joining a food tour in West Canada's coolest city, you can combine both sampling yummy Canadian food and seeing some filming locations of the famous movie.
This restaurant in Gastown was used as a filming location in "Fifty Shades of Grey"
Vancouver's famous "steam clock" can be found just opposite the restaurant
In many ways, the Canadian food is similar to that in the US. However, there are also some very distinctive Canadian dishes, such as the "Poutine" (French Fries with a special kind of gravy sauce and vegetables).
You can try the Poutine and other Canadian delicacies on the Gastronomic Gastown Tour offered by Vancouver Foodie Tours.
Aside from Gastown, Vancouver is equally famous for its large outdoor market Granville Market, which you can explore on the Granville Market Tour.
For those that want to try even fancier food, check out the Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour. And for the most authentic Vancouver food, try some world-class street food on the World's Best Food Truck Tour.
Read more in my post Vancouver Foodie Tour ( +Fifty Shades of Grey Film Locations)
My verdict:
I really enjoyed the fact that we sat down at every restaurant we visited. Since the tour took place from 3 pm in the afternoon, it was really quiet in most places, so we had enough time to enjoy our food and learn more about the Vancouver's intriguing history with our guide.
The samples were really filling, so I had my lunch and dinner sorted in one afternoon. Finally, don't be alarmed by the price. CAN Dollars is less when converted into US Dollars or Euros, so 79.99 CAN Dollars (the standard price for the tour with non-alcoholic drinks) and 99.99 CAN Dollars (with alcoholic drinks) are about 53 or 67 Euros respectively.
This tour is also very popular, so make sure you book in advance! At least a week is recommend.
Ready to sample Vancouver?
Book your tour at Vancouver Foodie Tours
Me and my Canadian "Poutine"
Unless otherwise credited, all photos by © Sonja Irani | filmfantravel.com
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