LA: Food + History + Design Tour

What makes the LA: Food + History + Design tour different from other LA food tours? There are no cupcakes or amuse bouches – we give you "real" food that's authentic to Los Angeles and California, and tell you real history.

Food: We start with a true LA dish – the French Dip sandwich – at Philippe's (which invented it way back in 1908). From there we'll take you to one of the best spots on Olvera Street – the spiritual home of the Mexican community in LA – for some great street tacos. The tour finishes at Grand Central Market, one of the top food destinations in the U.S., for dessert.

History: Los Angeles has a fascinating story too. Many of its oldest buildings, from when the tiny pueblo was infamous for being the most lawless and violent town in the Wild West, are still standing and you’ll even go inside one them on this tour. Thought LA was just movie stars, beaches and Beverly Hills? Think again, we have a rich history going back to 1781.

Design: DTLA has some iconic and beautiful buildings – Union Station, City Hall and the Bradbury Building to name just three. On this tour you’ll experience and learn about them, as well as viewing some great public murals. For over a hundred years Los Angeles has been a design and art capital and you’ll see exactly why.

Join us on our LA food tour and TRULY experience the best of Los Angeles.

Our tours can sell out. If you can't make a booking email us at [email protected], telling us when you want to do the tour and how many guests are in your party, and if we can squeeze you in we’ll let you know.

*Walking Distance: 2 miles.

*Tour starts 12 midday Sunday, side entrance to Union Station, Alameda Street entrance (photo of meeting point).

*Tour finishes 3 pm, Pershing Square.

*There are 3-4 food tastings included, each for about 30 minutes, for the equivalent of a normal 3 course meal.

*There’s a big range of food options and all types of diet can be accommodated (vegan, gluten-free etc). Please email us if you have any dietary restrictions.

*We donate $1 for every guest to Climate Cents, a climate change organization.

This tour is in English. If your English isn’t fluent this may not be the best option for you. We do not offer this tour in any other language at this time.

Drinks are not included.

This is a walking tour and we move at a reasonable pace. If you have mobility issues please book a private tour.

We never cancel tours in advance due to the weather conditions.

Aim to get to the meeting point 10-15 minutes early. If you’re late you may miss the tour.

Contactless payment for gratuities available, please allow 15-20%.

Not many people know that the French have had a significant impact on Los Angeles, dating back to when immigrants first moved to the area in the 1850’s to make wine. We’ll take a look at their continuing influence.

Following on from that, what is the French Dip Sandwich? It was created in L.A. over a hundred years ago, but where and why? You’ll learn the history of this authentic local dish on this tour (it’s not actually French!).

California was part of Mexico for several decades and, since joining the U.S. in 1848, many Central Americans have moved here. Consequently we have some of the best Central American food in the world. Olvera Street has some of most authentic and tastiest tacos in LA.

Who doesn’t like ice-cream? When it’s unique flavors, that are hand-made on the premises, it’s even better. So are homemade pies. Or how about authentic Salvadorian pupusas, for something more savory?

*We do not accept incentives from any restaurant in order to take you there. All locations that we visit on this LA food tour are chosen to fit the experience, not get us a commission.*

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