Just a few miles east of San Francisco lies what many call the birthplace of California cuisine: Berkeley. On this 3-hour gourmet food tour, your expert guide will take you behind the scenes of the North Shattuck district, known locally as the Gourmet Ghetto. At several acclaimed local food spots – including the very first Peet's Coffee & Tea – enjoy tastings of gourmet cheeses, chocolates, gelato, pizza, sandwiches, wine and more. You'll chat with owners and chefs about the city's culinary history and culture, and discover their commitment to sustainability and local, organic food and farming.
Highlights
- 3-hour food tour of Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto district
- Visit several acclaimed eateries and chat with the chefs and owners
- Enjoy samples of gourmet cheeses, chocolates, cupcakes, gelato, sandwiches, pizza, wine and more
- Sip coffee at the original Peet’s Coffee & Tea location
- Learn about the San Francisco East Bay’s culinary history and culture from your knowledgeable guide
- All food tastings included
Recent Photos of this Tour
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Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food Tour
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Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Wine tasting at Vintage BerkeleyPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Pizza at CheeseboardPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Pasture-fed and raised meat. We learned a lot of interesting tidbits about meat, and this seems like a great place to ...Photo by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...SandwichPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Sandwiches at the Local Butcher, where we learned all about their meats and butchering processes.Photo by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Gregoire's famous potato puffsPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...GregoirePhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Soop soupPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Soup at SoopPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Alegio Chocolate, where we heard the interesting story behind Claudio Corallo Chocolate. The owner was very passionate ...Photo by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Love at First Bite cupcakeryPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...CupcakesPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Red velvet!Photo by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Our guide, Carrie, at the cupcake shop.Photo by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Pastrami on rye at Saul's - so, so good.Photo by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Saul's DeliPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...The groupPhoto by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Best of Berkeley Gourmet Food ...Saul's Deli makes their own soda, and it's very light and delicious.Photo by: Laura All OverUSA, 05 2013 -
Useful Information
Sample Tempting Treats from Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto
Your tour departs from Shattuck Avenue in downtown Berkeley at your selected departure time. Conveniently located near the BART train station, Berkeley – considered by many as the birthplace of California cuisine – is easily accessible from San Francisco.
On your 3-hour food tour, you’ll explore Berkeley’s North Shattuck district, known locally as the Gourmet Ghetto. This neighborhood is home to long-established culinary icons including Chez Panisse and The Cheeseboard Collective, as well as emerging edible enterprises such as The Local Butcher Shop.
Your expert guide has tons of background knowledge and experience in the Bay Area culinary world, so you’ll enjoy informative and entertaining commentary about this East Bay city’s renowned food history and culture as you visit local hotspots.
Indulge in homemade cupcakes at Love at First Bite Cupcakery & Bakery, beautiful gourmet chocolates at Alegio Chocolates, crispy potato puffs at Gregoire’s and pizza at The Cheeseboard Pizzeria. Sip tea at Imperial Tea Court, munch on meaty sandwiches at The Local Butcher Shop, and slurp homemade soups at SOOP in Epicurious Garden.
Wash your food tastings down with a wine tasting at Vintage and some coffee at the original Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a West Coast coffee institution.
You’ll meet and chat with owners, chefs and purveyors about this food-focused neighborhood and the city’s commitment to seasonal, organic, locally grown food and sustainable business practices. Your delicious gastronomic experience ends back at your original departure point.
Please note: Places visited and tastings are subject to change depending upon availability.
Recent Reviews of this Tour
Reviewed by Laura All Over, USA, April 2013
This Berkeley food tour was outstanding! We visited nine locations around the Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood, and the samples at each spot were tasty and quite varied. The group was small, so it was easy to hear our guide (Carrie, who was fantastic!) as she explained the story behind the restaurants, shops, and dishes. Each person we met at the stops was very passionate about what they do, and shared very interesting stories. I feel like a learned a lot on this tour, and as a San Francisco resident I look forward to returning to many of these places that I never would have found on my own.
Reviewed by Anonymous, April 2013
The Berkeley food tour was fabulous and our foodie guide was excellent!
We made nine stops during the 3 1/2 hr tour and each was quite different from the others. From Saul's homemade pastrami and homemade rye bread to the delicious cupcakes at Love's First Bite, to the chocolate sampling and in depth discussion at Alegio, on to Soop, Gregoire's potato puffs, The Local Butcher, The Cheeseboard, Peet's and Vintage Berkeley for some wine sipping. A delightful tour with yummy treats and samplings that would appeal to everyone!
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