Asheville, North Carolina, is known for its vibrant food scene, with a rich tapestry of farm-to-table restaurants, artisanal markets, local breweries, and quirky food trucks. But if you want to truly immerse yourself in the flavors of this Appalachian gem, embarking on a food tour is an unforgettable way to experience Asheville’s culinary landscape. Whether you’re a lover of Southern comfort food, a fan of craft beer, or intrigued by foraging for wild ingredients, Asheville has something unique to offer.
In this blog, we’ll dive into some of the best food tour companies in Asheville, including those that take you off the beaten path with foraging excursions to find wild edibles.
1. Asheville Food Tours
Overview: As one of the most well-known food tour companies in Asheville, Asheville Food Tours offers a variety of excursions that give visitors a taste of the city’s best offerings. Their walking tours are an excellent way to explore Asheville’s diverse neighborhoods while sampling food from local chefs and artisans.
Tour Highlights:
- Downtown Asheville Tour: Each tour will visit up to seven handpicked downtown restaurants and food shops, offering a wide variety of food tastings from artful ethnic appetizers washed down with a splash of pinot to hand crafted sizzling delights.
- Food Fan Tour: Experience downtown Asheville’s food scene with the #1 local food writer and online food personality, Stu Helm, aka “The Food Fan” as your guide.
- The Brunch Tour: The perfect way to spend Saturday in Asheville! The brunch tour is a great way to start the day! Experience delicious foods, enjoy brunch cocktails, and survey the unique architecture that make downtown Asheville spectacular.
Food Focus: Southern-inspired dishes, local ingredients, craft beverages, and a perfect mix of comfort food and more sophisticated culinary delights.
2. The Culinary Tours of Asheville
Overview: The Culinary Tours of Asheville by Explore Asheville is a roundup of tours offering several themed tours that cater to different interests. These tours will introduce you to the best eateries and breweries in Asheville and also the rich cultural and historical context for the dishes you’ll be tasting.
Tour Highlights:
- Tastes of Downtown Asheville: A walking tour that showcases the food scene in downtown Asheville, including tastings at some of the most beloved restaurants.
- Cocktail Tour: For those who enjoy a drink with their meal (and maybe a fun theme), these tours offer a perfect blend of spirits and food pairings. It explores the craft cocktail scene in Asheville, providing a deeper dive into local bars and distilleries.
Food Focus: A mix of Southern, Appalachian, and contemporary fusion dishes. Expect elevated comfort food, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients and innovative recipes.
3. Forage and Feast
Overview: Foraging offers an exciting way to connect with nature while uncovering some of the wild, edible ingredients that the Appalachian region has to offer. No Taste Like Home offers several foraging tours: Forage and Feast specializes in combining the art of foraging with cooking. It’s a dream for anyone who wants to explore the natural bounty of the land and then cook a delicious meal with the finds.
Tour Highlights:
- Wild Edible Foraging Tours: These hands-on excursions take participants on a walk through Asheville’s forests, fields, and parks to search for wild herbs, mushrooms, berries, and other edibles. Guides will teach you how to identify safe plants and their uses in the kitchen.
- Wild Foraging Tours: Led by expert foragers, these tours teach you how to find wild edibles that thrive in the Appalachian region, from fiddlehead ferns to pawpaw fruit.
- Forage to Table Dinner: After your foraging tour, Forage and Feast hosts intimate dinners where you’ll work with a professional chef to turn your wild finds into a gourmet meal.
- Wild Edible Workshops: After your foraging expedition, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in workshops where you’ll learn how to prepare the wild edibles you’ve gathered, transforming them into delicious dishes.
Food Focus: Wild edibles such as mushrooms, wild greens, and fruits that have been used for centuries by native Appalachian peoples. The tours emphasize a sustainable approach to foraging and cooking with wild ingredients.
4. Blue Ridge Food Tours
Overview: This food tour company is dedicated to offering immersive experiences for food lovers in the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Asheville. Their tours focus on the intersection of food, agriculture, and local businesses, and they work closely with local farmers, artisans, and chefs to create unique experiences. Click here to see offerings.
Tour Highlights:
- Fabulous Foodie Tours: This is a food extravaganza! You’ll visit 4-5 restaurants, visit for 30-45 minutes and experience a wide array of menu options.
- Sugar High Tour: Desserts your thing? Well, Sweetie, this one’s for you. Again, visit 4-5 sweet shops for 30-45 minutes and prepare to delight your senses!
Food Focus: Local area restaurants and shops!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re into foraging for wild ingredients, indulging in craft beers, or exploring Southern comfort foods, Asheville offers a variety of food tours that celebrate the city’s culinary diversity and natural beauty. From foraging expeditions to craft food pairings, these tours let you experience Asheville’s unique flavors, culture, and history in the most immersive ways.
If you’re planning a trip to Asheville, don’t miss the chance to embark on a food tour. Each bite, sip, and step will give you a deeper appreciation for the region’s rich culinary heritage and the people who make it all possible.