Every city usually has their standard cuisine. But not Portland. The Rose City is literally a cornucopia of worldwide flavors. Sure, many of the best restaurants and food carts religiously use local ingredients to make the freshest dishes. But there really is no one type of cuisine or dish that Portland is famous for. We do it all!
After living in Portland for more than 20 years and taking several Portland foodie tours myself, my top recommendation is Side Dish Mafia. It offered the best combination of generous tastings, Portland history, humor, and variety. Lost Plate is the better choice for food-cart lovers, while Portland by Mouth stands out for travelers who want to explore a specific neighborhood. Full descriptions and my experience on the tours are below!
These Portland food tours are best for first-time visitors and repeat travelers who want local context, generous tastings, and a neighborhood experience rather than simply visiting famous restaurants alone.
All of these tours are happy to accommodate for dietary restrictions, as well. Portland is renowned for its wide range of vegetarian, vegan, and glute-free options.
I personally took three of these tours. I selected the remaining two based on their route, format, local focus, dietary accommodations, and value. Book any of these food tours and get ready to explore Portland – one bite at a time.
My top picks
Best overall: Side Dish Mafia
Best for food carts: Lost Plate
Best neighborhood tour: Portland by Mouth
Best for brunch: Portland Brunch Tour
Best for avoiding long walks: Portland Brunch Tour
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Side Dish Mafia
Best for: First-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Portland’s food scene, local history, and downtown landmarks.
Not ideal for: Travelers with mobility limitations or anyone needing a fully vegan, gluten-free, halal, or kosher tour. The booking page states that these diets cannot be fully accommodated and that the route is not wheelchair accessible.
What you taste: Tastings vary, but the tour may include a breakfast sandwich, Portland food-cart dishes, Thai food, chocolate, hand-pulled noodles, a Japanese-inspired sandwich, a frozen treat, and drinks. The portions add up to a generous lunch.
Neighborhood or route: Downtown Portland, beginning near Pioneer Courthouse Square and visiting local restaurants, food carts, and landmarks such as Powell’s Books.
Duration: Approximately 3–4 hours. My tour lasted about 3.5 hours.
Walking or transportation: Walking tour. It is not recommended for travelers with mobility issues.
Alcohol included: The experience described in my article ended at a wine bar, but inclusions can change. Check the current itinerary when booking.
Dietary accommodation: The guide contacts guests about allergies and food aversions, but the tour cannot fully accommodate vegan, gluten-free, halal, or kosher diets.
Approximate price: From about $107 per person, depending on the date selected.
My verdict: This is my best overall Portland food tour for first-time visitors. David combines a large and varied meal with genuinely entertaining Portland stories, so the experience feels like both a food tour and an introduction to the city.
The Side Dish Mafia food tour in Portland, Oregon, offers a unique and immersive culinary exploration that takes participants on a flavor-packed journey through part of the city’s vibrant food scene. David is an incredibly knowledgeable young man who crafts a meticulously curated tour, taking you on a gastronomic journey with his humor, quick wit, and intimate details of the city of Portland.
Not only did we sample some amazing food on this tour, I got an education about the city I lived in for so long. He was chock full of facts about this town I never even knew – I was enthralled the entire 3.5 hours he took us around downtown Portland.
This tour offered a lot of variety, beginning with probably the best breakfast sandwich in all of Portland. Along the way, we stopped and sampled bites from a chocolate shop, a downtown food cart pod, a delicious Thai hangout, and an authentic Hawaiian shave ice spot. Then, the pièce de resistance, the most mouth-watering, fresh-from-the-oven, chocolate chip cookie I had ever had.
The tour concluded at a wine bar housed in an old converted London double-decker bus! All told, going on a Side Dish Mafia food tour provides an unforgettable experience for anyone passionate about food and eager to explore the flavors that make Portland uniquely enticing.
Book David’s Side Dish Mafia food tour here! Prices start at USD 107/person
Lost Plate Food Tours
Best for: Food-cart fans who want a casual, small-group experience away from the most predictable tourist stops.
Not ideal for: Travelers looking for a traditional sit-down restaurant tour or those who are not interested in Portland’s food-cart culture.
What you taste: The Food Carts, Pods, and Patios Tour includes tastings from two popular food-cart pods, a visit to a lesser-known food hall, and a brewery tasting. Lost Plate also offers a separate coffee and doughnut experience.
Neighborhood or route: The exact route varies by tour. The experience featured in this article visits Portland food-cart pods, a hidden food hall, and a local brewery.
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Walking or transportation: Primarily a walking tour between food-cart pods and other tasting stops.
Alcohol included: Yes, the tour I joined ended with a brewery tasting. Confirm whether that tasting is included on every departure.
Dietary accommodation: Dietary requests may be accommodated with advance notice, but travelers with allergies or strict dietary requirements should contact the operator before booking.
Approximate price: The food-cart tour starts at approximately $115 per person. The separate Coffee and Donut Tour starts at approximately $69 per person.
My verdict: Choose Lost Plate when food carts are your main reason for visiting Portland. The small-group format, lesser-known stops, and brewery finish made it feel more like exploring with a knowledgeable local than following a standard sightseeing route.
Lost Plate Food Tours provide a distinctive gastronomic adventure that caters to those eager to immerse themselves in the local Portland food culture from a unique, off-the-beaten-path perspective. Michelle Bergery is a Portland resident and when she’s not keeping her finger on the pulse of Portland’s food scene, she is in some other part of the world feeding her foodie passion. She has personally curated a handful of amazing food tours in Portland, and the one I went to was no exception.
The tours are designed to introduce participants to not only the flavors but also the stories behind the dishes and the people who make them. Visitors can expect knowledgeable and passionate guides, locals themselves, who are eager to share insider tips, fun facts, and personal anecdotes, making each tour feel like an intimate outing with friends rather than a generic sightseeing experience.
My guide on this particular tour was Herb. A friendly, talkative chap who did not hesitate to answer everyone’s questions with a crazy amount of knowledge and a dash of humor. Not only did we get to savor the best of two popular food cart pods, but we also got an insider’s look into Portland’s secret food hall (one even neighborhood residents didn’t know about.) We ended the tour with a nice brewery tasting. Food carts AND beer? The best of both worlds.
Book Your Tour with Lost Plate Food Tours here.
Prices start at USD 115/person
Also check out their Coffee & Donut Tour!
Prices start at USD 69/person
Secret Food Tours Portland
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, and friends who want a filling lunch, downtown sightseeing, and a wide variety of international flavors.
Not ideal for: Travelers who prefer a specialized theme such as coffee, chocolate, brunch, or food carts.
What you taste: Tastings may include a Japanese-inspired sandwich with miso, Cajun shrimp and grits, a warm pretzel with dips, seasonal pie, and the tour’s undisclosed “Secret Dish.” Menu items can change.
Neighborhood or route: Downtown Portland, beginning around Pioneer Courthouse Square and continuing through nearby streets and local eateries.
Duration: Approximately 3 – 3.5 hours.
Walking or transportation: Walking tour through downtown Portland.
Alcohol included: Alcohol is not part of the standard experience described, but an optional drinks upgrade is available.
Dietary accommodation: Contact the operator before booking to confirm whether the current menu can accommodate your specific dietary needs.
Approximate price: From approximately $113 per person, depending on the selected date and any drinks upgrade.
My verdict: This is a strong choice for first-time visitors who want a traditional downtown food tour. The broad tasting menu and Portland history provide a useful overview, although travelers seeking a more specialized neighborhood experience may prefer another option.
Secret Food Tours’ Downtown Portland Food Tour is a tasty introduction to the city for anyone who wants a little history served alongside a seriously filling lunch. The tour begins in Pioneer Courthouse Square and winds through downtown, stopping at a collection of local eateries that reflect Portland’s wonderfully unpredictable food scene.
You’ll sample a globe-trotting mix of dishes made with Portland flair. Current tastings may include a crispy Japanese-inspired sandwich seasoned with miso, creamy Southern-style grits with Cajun shrimp, a warm soft pretzel with tangy dips, a seasonal pie, and the mysterious “Secret Dish.” Because knowing exactly what you are getting would apparently ruin the fun.
Along the way, your guide shares stories about Portland’s history, culture, architecture, and rise as one of the country’s best food cities. With only 11 guests allowed per tour, the experience feels more like wandering downtown with a food-obsessed local than following a giant tour group from restaurant to restaurant.
I have not taken this tour personally, but it is one of the best Portland food tours for first-time visitors, couples, or friends who want to explore downtown while enjoying a broad mix of international and locally inspired flavors. There is also an optional drinks upgrade featuring additional local beverages for anyone who believes every good food tour deserves a little liquid accompaniment.
Book the Portland Downtown Food Tour Here!
Prices start at USD 113/person
Portland by Mouth
Best for: Repeat visitors and travelers who want to explore one Portland neighborhood in greater depth instead of staying downtown.
Not ideal for: Visitors who want a citywide overview or prefer a tour focused entirely on one food category.
What you taste: Tastings vary by route. On my Buckman neighborhood tour, we sampled Thai chicken wings, Russian dumplings, a delicious banh mi sandwich, food-cart dishes, restaurant dishes, and a cocktail flight.
Neighborhood or route: Tour options currently focus on Kerns, Buckman, or the brunch scene along Mississippi Avenue.
Duration: Confirm the duration of the specific neighborhood tour when booking because it can vary by route.
Walking or transportation: Walking tour through the selected neighborhood.
Alcohol included: It depends on the tour. My Buckman experience ended with a cocktail flight, but travelers should check the current inclusions for their chosen route.
Dietary accommodation: Contact the tour company in advance about allergies or dietary restrictions because available substitutions may differ among the neighborhood routes.
Approximate price: Tours start at approximately $109 per person.
My verdict: Portland by Mouth is my pick for travelers who want to understand the character of a specific Portland neighborhood. I especially liked the combination of restaurants, food carts, international dishes, and stories about the people behind the food.
Imagine strolling through the vibrant streets of Portland with an expert guide leading the way to an unforgettable tasting adventure. These tours are a food lover’s dream, offering a range of experiences that cater to every palate. With currently three tours to choose from, one explores the vibrant Kerns neighborhood, another the bustling Buckman neighborhood, and the other a fantastic journey through the brunch scene on Mississippi Ave.
Need a place to stay in Portland? Here are My Top Picks of Portland’s Best Hotels.
What truly sets Portland by Mouth Food Tours apart is the emphasis on the story behind the plate. It’s not just about tasting incredible food (which, trust me, you will), but also a nice history about the neighborhoods that are home to these incredible eateries. You’ll meet passionate chefs, learn about the city’s sustainable eating practices, and maybe even pick up a few culinary secrets along the way.
Want breakfast instead? Book their great range of food tours here! Prices start 109 USD
Around Portland Tours Chocolate and Coffee Walking Tour
Best for: Coffee drinkers, chocolate lovers, couples, and visitors who want a shorter and more specialized Portland food tour.
Not ideal for: Travelers looking for a full lunch or a broad survey of Portland’s savory food scene.
What you taste: Several coffee and chocolate samples from downtown roasters, chocolatiers, and specialty businesses. The exact tastings may vary.
Neighborhood or route: Downtown Portland, with stops at well-known businesses and lesser-known coffee and chocolate specialists.
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours.
Walking or transportation: Walking tour covering approximately two miles. The route is mostly flat.
Alcohol included: No alcohol is mentioned as part of the standard experience.
Dietary accommodation: Contact the operator in advance about dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-related substitutions. Chocolate tastings may present limitations for certain allergies.
Approximate price: From approximately $69 per person.
My verdict: This is the best-value option for travelers who want a focused experience rather than a full meal. It is also the easiest tour to fit into a busy Portland itinerary, although it will not replace lunch or dinner.
Portland takes both coffee and chocolate very seriously, and Around Portland Tours combines the two into one deliciously caffeinated afternoon. The Chocolate and Coffee Walking Tour explores downtown Portland while introducing you to some of the city’s best-known sweet spots and a few lesser-known finds.
During the approximately two-and-a-half-hour tour, you’ll walk about two miles through downtown and stop for several chocolate and coffee tastings. The route is mostly flat, leaving you free to concentrate on the important things—namely, deciding whether coffee beans and cacao beans should count as essential food groups.
Along the way, your guide explains how chocolate and coffee are produced, what separates an average product from an excellent one, and why Portland has become such a welcoming home for independent roasters and artisan chocolatiers. You’ll hear about the people behind the businesses while sampling enough treats to satisfy your sweet tooth without completely ruining dinner.
Around Portland Tours keeps its groups small, which creates a more personal experience and gives you plenty of opportunities to ask questions. I have not taken this tour personally, but is an especially good choice for couples, groups of friends, and visitors who want something more specialized than a traditional Portland food tour.
Book the Chocolate and Coffee tour here!
Prices start at USD 69/person
With small group sizes for a more personalized experience, and a knowledgeable, friendly guide leading the way, all of these Portland, Oregon food tours go beyond the average food crawl. They invite you to engage with the city’s food culture on a deeper level.
For most first-time visitors, I would book Side Dish Mafia. It delivered the strongest combination of food variety, local stories, and memorable stops. Food-cart fans should choose Lost Plate instead.
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