Chances are, when you head to a place like Miami Beach, you’ll be surprised to see the number of perfectly chiseled bodies, glistening in the sun, being put through their paces through calisthenics and running. That can be a hard thing to witness for us mere mortals with human bodies. But let’s get one thing straight, you’re on holiday, and that means allowing the locals to sweat it out while you indulge in the delights of what Miami has to offer. And what better way to do that than to take a food tour through the great city of Miami?
Specialized food tours of Miami and Miami Beach are numerous, some offering a broad overview of the culinary delights of the city, while others delve into the additions brought here by certain diasporas. There are food tours that combine an appreciation of culture, Art Deco, the Cuban influence and much more. Because there is such an array of tours available to you, choosing the right one can be tricky, which is why we’ve condensed the list down to seven of the best Miami food tours, based on multiple factors like the number of food tastings, value for money, quality of the itinerary and the reviews of previous guests.
South Beach Multicultural Food Tasting Tour
FROM: $57/per person
South Beach Miami is where it’s all at, it’s the glamorous, Art Deco-inspired, fun loving party central of the Miami scene. As one of the main tourism destinations in Miami, food tours here are especially popular as they can make the most of the melting pot of cultures on show. This three-hour food tasting tour of South Beach is in many ways a tour of global influences in the US with Cuban, Jewish, Italian and Peruvian dishes to be tasted around Ocean Drive and Espanola Way. In addition to the gastronomic exploration, you’ll learn all about the Art Deco architecture as well as many of the big stories of the rich and famous who have long been associated with South Beach in various ways.
Little Havana Street Food and Culture Walking Tour
From $39/ per person
As one would expect, Little Havana is the focal point of the burgeoning and vibrant Cuban expat community in Miami. This is one of the briefer tours on the list, but it represents great value for money. In roughly two hours you will feel as though you know Cuban culture far more intimately, thanks to stops at one of Miami’s best Cuban coffee joints, plus the chance to try Cuban rum and traditional snacks from the Caribbean’s largest island. This walking tour also visits iconic cultural spots like a cigar factory, where you can watch the cigar rolling process, and see some of the memorials dedicated to Cubans who lost their lives fighting for Cuban independence. Please note: This tour only runs from Friday to Monday each week.
Little Havana Food and Waking Tour Miami
From $59/ per person
By far one of Miami’s most enduringly popular food tours, this is one of the best options for tasting the best Miamian and Cuban snacks that can be found around Little Havana. Taste flan ice cream, a classic Miami empanada, guava pastelitos and other delicious snacks and desserts that might have their origins in Cuba, but certainly found their uniqueness by way of Miami. You’ll get the chance to check out some of Little Havana’s best family-owned joints while learning all about the local history from your guide. You’ll also get the chance to visit a Cuban artist and listen to some traditional music too.
South Beach Culture, Food and Walking Tour
From $59/ per person
If you’re looking for a walking tour in Miami’s South Beach that will offer you enough food to constitute an entire meal, then this is a great choice. Starting out either in the afternoon or evening, your guide will lead you to the places where locals in the know go to dine out. There is a clear Hispanic leaning on this tour, with tastings of Cuban, Spanish, Colombian and Peruvian cuisines all likely along the way, offering more insight into the various cultures that have combined to create Miami’s unique and authentic atmosphere. This Miami food tasting tour can also cater to vegetarians provided advance notice is given.
Miami’s Little Havana: Food, Culture, Mojitos and Street Art
From $59/ per person
For a daily two-hour tour of Little Havana, this excellent option starts out in the late morning, with a focus on the region’s artistic community. Learn about the fraught history of the first-generation Cubans in the United States, and how after settling here in Miami many have gone on to create unique artworks, many of which are on display in the galleries of Little Havana. You’ll get the chance to sample coffee and juices from local vendors, plus round off the whole tour with a complementary mojito, one of the world’s best-loved cocktails invented in Cuba.
A Taste of South Beach Food Tour
From $63/ per person
Back over at South Beach, this Miami food tour lasts for three hours and has the benefit of keeping groups small – up to 12 people – while also checking out a wider range of cuisines than your average Miami Beach food tour. Try the classics for which Miami is known, like Cuban and Peruvian, but also explore lesser known dishes from Haiti and the Mediterranean. Your guide will give you the lowdown on all of the best spots for nightlife and fine dining in and around the Art Deco building-studded South Beach area. Previous guests on this tour are particularly vocal about the amazing quality of the food.
Wynwood Art and Food Miami Walking Tour
From $69/ per person
Last but not least, it is also possible to combine a trip to one of Miami’s most talked about sights, the Wynwood Arts District, with a food tour. Hear the story of Wynwood and how the prominent outdoor art gallery came into being. After admiring the murals, take a tour of the best restaurants in the Wynwood area, sampling different dishes as you go. The combination of food tastings will add up to at least one meal’s worth of food. All tastings are included in the price of this two and a half hour tour.