Nashville, also known as Music City, is a top destination in the U.S., widely regarded as the birthplace of country and bluegrass music. But it’s not just country music Nashville is known for! There are a wide variety of food tours in Nashville, so you can take the guessing out of your culinary exploration. From BBQ to hot chicken to desserts, Nashville has you covered. After all, nothing is better than dinner and a show, right?

Here are some of the popular Nashville food tours so you can experience the best this honky-tonk city has to offer.

Best Nashville Food Tour [Top Pick]

Taste of Nashville Food & Sightseeing Tour

5/5 stars (1000+ reviews) | Tour Duration: 3 Hours | BOOK NOW

The Taste of Nashville Food & Sightseeing Tour is highly rated and for good reason! Board a comfortable bus with a passionate tour guide ready to show you all the Nashville highlights.

As you zip around bustling downtown Nashville, you’ll be introduced to the best of BBQ, hot chicken, cocktails, and more! In between stops you’ll see iconic Nashville landmarks and learn more about the city’s vibrant history and culture. Finish up the tour with a decadent dessert, and make sure to ask your guide for suggestions on where to explore next!

What a perfect combination of good local food, tasty drinks, and fun facts about Nashville. Sam was a great guide! We enjoyed our tour and highly recommend for anyone wanting a taste of what Nashville has to offer.

Vicki (More Reviews)

The tour serves classic Nashville cocktails, but non-alcoholic options are available for visitors under 21, so even teenagers can participate!

Highlights Of Taste of Nashville Food & Sightseeing Tour::

• A local tour guide who can provide tips and suggestions about Nashville and how best to enjoy it
• Relaxing mode of transport via a private van
• Delicious food samples of southern classics like Nashville hot chicken and BBQ 
• Local favorite Bushwacker cocktail and dessert 
• Learn about famous Nashville landmarks and neighborhoods

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Popular Nashville Food Tours

Downtown Nashville Food Tour

5/5 stars (700+ reviews) | Tour Duration: 3 Hours | BOOK NOW

See Nashville up close on this 3-hour walking food tour! Owned by locals, you get to taste only the best Nashville has to offer! Your friendly and informative tour guide will take you around to the best lunch eateries in Nashville.

Expect classics like house-butchered BBQ, hot chicken, locally brewed beer, and more! This Nashville food tour focuses on homemade local treasures and restaurants, contributing back to the community.

This was a wonderful introduction to Seattle’s history and the importance of the small business community. Our tour guide, Lucky, did a fantastic job of showing us the area and giving us great information about the market. We would definitely recommend anyone visiting Seattle for the first time take this tour.

Linda (More Reviews)

Along the way, you’ll also get to see famous Nashville sights like the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Printers Alley, among others. Leave with all the inside info on the must-dos in Nashville and a full stomach of course!

Highlights Of Downtown Nashville Food Tour:

• Lunch and two drinks 
• Dive into the local food scene with a knowledgeable guide
• See some Nashville landmarks like the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Ryman Auditorium.
• Learn historical facts and points of interest about Nashville

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Nashville Walking Food Tour

5/5 stars (500+ reviews) | Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours | BOOK NOW

Can you imagine what expertly crafted southern cuisine tastes like? You won’t have to imagine anymore after you hop on this Nashville walking food tour!

Nashville’s thriving food scene attracts internationally recognized chefs, and their gourmet food creations are well within reach in this downtown food crawl!

Your tour guide will lead you through the historic east Edgefield neighborhood, where you’ll bite into made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits, pulled pork sandwiches, and other southern delicacies. Vegetarian options are available but make sure to inform them beforehand.

All the food was excellent! The size of the samples were unexpected; no one was expecting the large portions we received. Everyone was stuffed by the end of the tour.

Marlisa (More Reviews)

While you soak up the city’s cuisine, you also get to discover all the ins and out of Nashville’s bustling downtown!

Each tour even includes a surprise “secret dish,” to keep you on your toes!

Highlights Of The Nashville Walking Food Tour:

• 12 guest max, making for a more intimate environment
• Five delicious food samples including one mystery dish
• Soak up the city as you pass by local venues, restaurants, and other shops
• Established operator with a presence in other cities

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Private Food Tours In Nashville

Nashville Private Walking Food Tour

5/5 stars | Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours | BOOK NOW

Find out why 12-South district has earned the nickname “foodie neighborhood” from Nashville locals on this private walking food tour!

This Nashville food tour provides a wide range of Nashville classics to sample. You’ll get to experience savory delicacies like Nashville hot chicken and smoked turkey. Your sweet tooth won’t be starved on this tour either! And where else could you experience something as quirky as a “Yelp dog with chow chow?”

We had a great time with him discovering Nashville food and beverages. The food was really good. We were able to try a variety of food and drinks. All was great! Totally recommend!!

Holly (More Reviews)

A private guide means plenty of personalized tips and insights. You’ll be sure to leave without a single unanswered question.

Highlights Of Nashville Private Walking Food Tour:

• Six food samples around Nashville, including one mystery pallet cleanser
• Stoll by some of Nashville’s historical landmarks
• Classic southern dessert 
• Private attention from an informative tour guide 

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Small Group Nashville Food & Sightseeing Tour 

5/5 stars | Tour Duration: 3 Hours | BOOK NOW

Hop on board with the Small Group Nashville Food & Sightseeing Tour if you want to embark on a culinary adventure zipping around the city that is a true foodies heaven!

After being conveniently picked up at your hotel, you’ll bus around the city, taking in all the most iconic landmarks and sights. Your enthusiastic guide will fill you in on important historical facts as well as tips to make the most of the rest of your visit. You and your party are more than welcome to BYOB and enjoy your beverages while taking in the sights.

Our guide was engaging with our entire group and brought us to some really tasty eateries while also giving us a bit of Nashville history. I would definitely recommend the driving tour as you get to see more of the surrounding area. The food selection highlighted the local cuisine and the portions were more than an enough to feel satisfied at the end.

Jen (More Reviews)

During the tour, you’ll taste gourmet southern cuisine and desserts from Nashville’s best eateries. You won’t want to miss out on the unique opportunity to meet some of the culinary experts behind these delicious dishes face-to-face!

Highlights Of Small Group Nashville Food and Sightseeing Tour:

• Accommodation for up to 14 people
• Enough tasty samples to add up to a meal
• Convenient private van
• BYOB on the ride, as well as stops at local bars
• Guided commentary and insight from a local tour guide in between stops
• Opportunities to meet the professional chefs behind your delicious food samples

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Specialty Nashville Food Tours And Experiences

Downtown Nashville Donut Tour

5/5 stars | Tour Duration: 2 Hours | BOOK NOW

If you’re a dessert person, This Downtown Nashville Donut Tour will be an experience you’ll never forget!

This sweet Nashville food tour kicks off at Parlor Donuts, a local favorite! Over the course of the next 2 hours, you’ll cruise around to five of the best donut delicacies you’ll ever taste! In between stops, you’ll even get insights into how to navigate Nashville, making this tour perfect for first-time visitors!

Do-nut miss this tour with Jason and Tracey! They are so friendly, and knowledgable about Nashville. We enjoyed all the do-nuts, met new people and learned so much!! This tour is one that is tasty, friendly, fun and educational!!

Sherri (More Reviews)

Although this tour’s menu is very dessert-forward, savory options and drinks are available as well! If you’re looking to see the city from a more unique perspective and try something fun, the donut tour has everything you’ll need.

Highlights Of Downtown Nashville Donut Tour:

• Hunt down five of the best donut places in town
• Savory options are available as well
• Learn about historic Nashville landmarks 
• Wheelchair and stroller accessible 
• Special effort to give first-time visitors pointers on how to navigate Nashville

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General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise

4.5/5 stars | Tour Duration: 4 Hours | BOOK NOW

Whoever tells you Nashville food tours are landlocked is misinformed! Get ready to see Music City from a truly unique perspective on General Jackson’s Showboat!

General Jackson’s Showboat is one of the country’s largest paddle-wheel boats! You can choose between lunch or dinner, making it flexible to fit into your itinerary. But book early as these get sold out regularly.

Relax as you glide along the beautiful Cumberland River. Live entertainment and stunning views of the city’s skyline will make this night one to remember. This is one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy good food while taking in the sights of Nashville all at the same time.

The food was great! The entertainment was excellent! Very entertaining. The captain was so nice, he talked to everyone shortly after we boarded. The drinks were so good. The servers were amazing, fast and friendly! Definitely recommend this is you go to Nashville! Was more than I expected!

Kerrie (More Reviews)

This tour is accessible to all, with vegetarian and gluten-free options readily available if you need them. Hotel transportation is included and is wheelchair and stroller accessible. The very accommodating staff strive to create a positive experience for everyone.

Highlights Of General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise:

• Transportation to and from your hotel
• Lunch and dinner timings
• Live entertainment with music and performances
• Vegetarian and gluten-free options
• Beautiful sights of the city’s skyline 

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Goo Goo Chocolate Experience 

5/5 stars | Tour Duration: 1 Hours | BOOK NOW

If you want something really interactive, this is for you!

The Goo Goo Cluster is an innovative and irresistible Nashville original! The classic dessert features a delicious combination of nuts, caramel, and nougat in a milk chocolate coating. At the Goo Goo Chocolate Experience, you can get hands on with all that goodness.

Once you’ve made it to Goo Goo Chocolate Co. in downtown Nashville, a local instructor will walk you through the history of this popular treat and guide you through the process of inventing your own Goo Goo cluster creation! Along the way, you’ll be able to sample tons of varieties of Goo Goo clusters so you know just what you’ll want in your final invention.

It was a very well organized candy making experience! I loved customizing my GooGoo with different fillings, and there were extra gifts included that I didn’t expect. It was a great value and a lot of fun!

EC (More Reviews)

Once you’ve chosen from the vast amount of available ingredients, your instructor will guide you through the process of creating your own Premium Goo Goo! By the end of the night, you’ll be using the chocolate machine like a real pro.

Highlights Of Goo Goo Chocolate Experience:

• Private instructor to guide you through the whole process
• Discover the history of the iconic Goo Goo Cluster
• Chocolate tasting flight
• Plenty of ingredients to create your own Premium Goo Goo
• Chocolate machine experience 
• A take-home apron 

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District Food Tours In Nashville

Germantown Sightseeing And Food Tour In Nashville

4.5/5 stars | Tour Duration: 3 Hours | BOOK NOW

If you’re a history buff, you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to experience Germantown, Nashville’s most historic neighborhood.

This Nashville food tour kicks off at Bicentennial Mall. Your friendly guide will lead you on a quaint stroll to all the important landmarks around Germantown. You’ll get to sample the best food in Nashville while your guide shares stories about the city’s history and culinary culture. Food samples include handmade chocolates, local wines, BBQ, and more!

The walk through bicentennial park and the carillon was beautiful and the history shared was very interesting. Kristi was very personable and shared lots of fun stories. The food and beverage was great as well and we had a wonderful experience.

Carol (More Reviews)

If you’re looking for a relaxed way to enjoy Nashville, this private Germantown tour will be just what you need.

Highlights Of Germantown Sightseeing and Food Tour:

• 12 guest limit allows more one-on-one interaction 
• A helpful and informative tour guide
• Easy route throughout Nashville’s most quaint areas
• Tasting flight of local beer or wine
• Between 4-6 food samples along with information about the techniques used to perfect the recipes

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12South District Nashville Food Tour

4.5/5 stars | Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours | BOOK NOW

12South District has become a cultural hot spot in Nashville! With so much going on, it can be hard not to get overwhelmed. Going with a guided tour is a great pick, and this 12South District Nashville Food Tour will have you covered.

You’ll start off your tour with a specialty latte to give you a pick-me-up before heading out on the town! Your local guide will steer you to all eight of the tour’s unforgettable culinary experiences. You can look forward to fusion dishes, flights of fries, bacon squared, and a special mystery dish at your last stop!

Sean was a great tour guide, mixing history with tasty stops. We left full of Nashville’s best eats!

Carol (More Reviews)

Along the way, there will be no shortage of sights to see. From stunning architecture to rare musical memorabilia, the last thing you’ll be in 12South District is bored!

Highlights Of 12South District Nashville Food Tour:

• Seven food and drink samples, including one mystery dish at the end of the tour
• Sweet and savory dishes that will leave you satisfied
• Dive into one of the hippest districts in Nashville with an enthusiastic guide

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What To Expect On Nashville Food Tours 

There are tons of famous foods that attract people to Nashville. Music City is the birthplace of classics like hot chicken and Goo Goo clusters and is a hub for top-tier southern cuisine. 

With so many delicious foods pulling you in different directions, it can be hard to know where to start! Making the choice to go with a food tour can help you make sure you get to experience all the highlights! Here are a few things to expect if you decide to book a Nashville food tour!  

Transport Options

First off, you have plenty of options when it comes to ways to explore the food scene. From walking tours to bus tours and even cruises, the Nashville food tour experience has lots of options that make it very accessible! 

Many tours are wheelchair and stroller accessible so that you can bring everyone in your group along with you! Depending on your requirements and physical level, choose one that best fits your needs.

Variety Of Food

There are also lots of options to fit your snacking preferences. Whether you’re interested in classic southern BBQ, Nashville’s famous hot chicken, or desserts, you’ll be able to find something that will excite you!  

Apart from just tasting the delicious treats, one of the best things about food tours is that you get to learn about the dish as well. Find out how the dish relates to the city, or what inspired the chef; maybe the history of the restaurant. It turns from just “eating” to a cultural experience that will certainly make it more memorable.

Some Nashville food tours even offer behind-the-scenes options where you can meet chefs, get hands-on instruction, or see unique and exclusive sights. 

Explore The City’s Highlights And Hidden Gems

Nashville food tours have a lot to offer first-time visitors! Most tours will share some basic history of the city, and you’ll most likely get to see some beautiful landmarks and memorials. 

Tour guides will be more than able to give you great tips on where to visit next, and how to best experience the city. Take advantage of this and bug them for their personal recommendations after the tour! 

Getting that first introduction from a local expert will help you feel more comfortable in the city and know your options! It is also why it is good to do this at the start of your trip, so you have time to check out the different places.

But most importantly, it’s a really fun experience and you get to meet other foodies who might even become travel or fooding buddies.

FAQ About Nashville Food Scene

Are Nashville food tours worth it?

While food is a big component of food tours, that is not the only highlight. Most Nashville food tours also include history and culture of the city. Some of also dive into the origins of the food scene and how certain dishes or restaurants came about. A food tour is a great way to explore the city, with knowledgeable guides and delicious tastings, as well as meet other travelers!

Does Nashville have a good food scene?

Yes, Nashville has a vibrant and diverse food scene with a wide range of culinary offerings, including Southern comfort food, hot chicken, barbecue, and innovative fusion dishes as well as farm-to-table dining options.

What is a must have food in Nashville?

This title has to go to the Hot Chicken. Known for its spicy and flavorful kick, it’s essentially delish fried chicken that is marinated in a blend of spices. They are typically served with bread, pickles, and often a side of coleslaw. Most of the Nashville food tours will likely include a