Food tours in San Francisco
A food tour is the quickest way to eat your way around San Francisco. The most comfortable months are May to October, with highs around 67°F (20°C) and about 2 rainy days a month.
Photo: Lightandtruth, CC BY-SA 4.0
Top food tours in San Francisco
Exclusive North Beach Food Tour in San FranciscoFrom $115View 
San Francisco: Chinatown & Litte Italy Food Tour with 5 DishesFrom $85View 
San Francisco Chinatown Food TourFrom $99View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
What to eat and drink in San Francisco
Expect to taste the local staples. Ones to look for:
- Sourdough
- Tangy San Francisco sourdough bread, baked in the city since the Gold Rush.
- Clam chowder
- Creamy clam and potato soup, served in a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl.
- Dungeness crab
- A large, sweet local crab, in season from about November to June.
- Mission burrito
- A big San Francisco burrito with rice, beans and fillings, wrapped in foil.
- Cioppino
- A tomato and wine fish stew with crab, clams and prawns, created by San Francisco's Italian fishermen.
- Dim sum
- Small Cantonese dishes such as dumplings and buns, shared over tea, usually at brunch.
How to pick a good food tour
- Skip a big meal beforehand: most tours serve the equivalent of lunch or dinner across six to ten stops.
- Small groups of 12 or fewer get served faster and fit into tiny counters and bars.
- Check what's included. Some tours count drinks as stops, others charge for them on the day.
- Ask about dietary swaps before you book. Many tours can replace meat or gluten dishes if they know ahead.
San Francisco month by month
Averages for San Francisco, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 58 (14) | 60 (16) | 62 (17) | 63 (17) | 64 (18) | 67 (19) | 66 (19) | 68 (20) | 70 (21) | 70 (21) | 64 (18) | 58 (14) |
| Low °F (°C) | 47 (8) | 48 (9) | 49 (9) | 50 (10) | 51 (11) | 53 (12) | 54 (12) | 56 (13) | 56 (13) | 54 (12) | 51 (10) | 47 (8) |
| Rainy days | 11 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Sunset (15th) | 5:14 pm | 5:48 pm | 7:16 pm | 7:45 pm | 8:12 pm | 8:33 pm | 8:32 pm | 8:03 pm | 7:18 pm | 6:33 pm | 4:59 pm | 4:52 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for food tours in San Francisco?
May to October. Expect highs around 67°F (20°C) and about 2 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are January and December.
What food is San Francisco known for?
Sourdough: tangy San Francisco sourdough bread, baked in the city since the Gold Rush. Clam chowder: creamy clam and potato soup, served in a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl. Dungeness crab: a large, sweet local crab, in season from about November to June.
Where can I book food tours in San Francisco?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
More things to do in San Francisco
Boat toursBest Aug–Oct
Cooking classesAll year
Sunset cruisesBest Aug–Oct
Walking toursBest May–Oct
Zipline toursBest May–Oct
Wine toursBest May–Oct
Hot air balloon ridesBest May–Oct
Helicopter toursBest May–Oct
Bike toursBest May–Oct
Segway toursBest May–Oct
Private toursBest May–Oct
Jeep toursBest May–Oct
