Unheard of ten years ago, but rapidly growing in popularity these tours offer a fascinating glimpse into the real Miami, that is unseen by the usual tourist crowds.
The food tours from Miami Culinary Tours begin at a designated starting point; participants will be given the details upon booking their ticket, although they will not be given details of the restaurants to be visited until the tour has actually begun. Most tour operators provide a map and bottle of water to their clients. A word of warning, the tours end at different places, not necessarily the starting point, be prepared to make your own way back to your accommodation
The tour will move from restaurant to restaurant at a measured pace which allows the participants to savor the full flavor of Miami, learning about the culture and history of the area, as they progress through the food venues. A tour can offer a wide variety of cuisines, from Mediterranean, Italian and French to Haitian to the ever-popular Cuban and home-grown American. Some tours specialize in one particular type of food and this will be reflected in the name of the tour, as in ‘Miami’s Best Cuban Food Tour*’, for example.
Having breakfast before the tour starts is recommended by most tour operators. The tour will involve walking from venue to venue and can run anywhere from 1.5 miles to 3 miles, so comfortable shoes and clothes are advised. Many tours will continue no matter the weather so if it is raining, do bring an umbrella, or dress appropriately. A vegetarian option is usually available; although most tour operators do ask for plenty of notice for this to be arranged.
On the day of the tour itself, you will meet your guide. They are usually enthusiastic foodies themselves, with a passionate love of Miami and the many cultures that blend here. They will be friendly and full of local wisdom, not to mention knowing the best places to eat that may well lie off the regular tourist track.
