Five hand-picked stops between Moore Square and the Warehouse District, from Cantonese barbecue buns to eastern Carolina chopped pork, plus one secret dish we reveal only on the day.











Five hand-picked stops between Moore Square and the Warehouse District, from Cantonese barbecue buns to eastern Carolina chopped pork, plus one secret dish we reveal only on the day.
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A Brewery, a Bookshop, and a Flower Stall
Our first stop does several things at once, and the dim sum is the reason we come. You eat char siu bao, a soft steamed bun filled with Cantonese barbecue pork. Dim sum means touch the heart in Cantonese, and this kitchen takes the phrase seriously.A Lebanese Kitchen Built on Grandmothers' Recipes
The grandmothers come first here, and their portraits hang on the walls. You work through a spread of hummus, baba ghanouj, fattoush, chicken shawarma, kibbee mikli, and cheese rolls, all of it from recipes carried over from Lebanese villages a century ago. The bread comes out hot.Our Secret Dish
You'll now taste our surprise Secret Dish that perfectly captures the heart of the city's cuisine.A Pit Room in an Old Meat-Packing Building
Whole hogs go over wood and charcoal in open pits here, in full view of the room, then get chopped fine in small batches through the day. You get a plate of chopped barbecue with two sides, seasoned with salt, pepper, and vinegar in the eastern North Carolina style. Add more vinegar sauce from the cruet if you want it sharper.A Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Factory in a 1912 Railway Depot
The last stop works out of the head house of Raleigh's original railway depot, brick walls and steel beams still in place, a red bean grinder running behind glass at the back. You taste three bars side by side, a 70% classic dark, a 70% with sea salt, and a 75% single origin. Tasting them in sequence shows you what changes when only the bean does.Upgrade your Raleigh Food Tour experience with two curated drink selections chosen to pair with the food you’ll be served. You must be 18 or older and have a valid ID.
*Please note: the itinerary and menu is subject to change, based on the locations' availability, weather, and other circumstances.
Lowest price guarantee
If a tour is fully booked, or you are looking to book a *Group or Private Tour - please email us about Group & Private Tours options.
*Please note - Group & Private Tours are specifically organised for your group and therefore subject to a premium price.

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How do I order?
That is very easy! Go to our "Book Now" page, where we detail our tours. Select your tour and the time of your tour and book it! Are you looking for something special or are you organizing an event? Just email us at Group & Private Tours and we will do our best to arrange something that suits you. After your booking is made, we will send you an automatic e-mail confirmation. If you have any questions before booking, feel free to contact us via email
*Please note if you are using a special promo code then enter it in the "Voucher Code" section before you select the amount of tickets you would like to purchase*
What is included in the Raleigh Food Tour?
Five food stops across downtown Raleigh, from Moore Square through to the Warehouse District, with a local guide leading the whole route on foot. You get a Cantonese barbecue pork bun, a Lebanese mezze tasting, a chopped barbecue plate with two sides, a three-bar chocolate flight, and our secret dish, which we reveal only on the day. Drinks are a separate upgrade for guests 21 and over.
Where does the Raleigh food tour meet?
You can find the meeting spot here and if it's not clear you can always contact us.
We meet at Moore Square in downtown Raleigh, the four-acre park beside the historic City Market. It sits on the eastern side of downtown, a short walk from Fayetteville Street and the GoRaleigh transit station. Your exact meeting marker and a map link come with your booking confirmation.
Your guide will be carrying an Orange umbrella so will be easy to spot.
»»CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS««
Where the tour will end?
The food tour will end at Raleigh's Warehouse District, outside the final stop
Do you cater for dietary requirements on the Raleigh food tour?
Tell us at the time of booking and our Raleigh team will confirm what each stop is able to do before your tour. Five independent kitchens means five different answers, and we would rather check with each one than promise something in advance. Flag allergies as well as preferences, and be as specific as you are able to be.
Are children welcome on the Raleigh Food Tour?
Yes, and we price a child ticket for them. The pace suits older children better than toddlers, since the route is a three-hour walk with standing food stops. The drink upgrade is 21 and over only, and photo ID is checked.
I don't drink alcohol. Can I book your tour?
This is not a problem. Just inform our guide before the tour starts. During the tasting you can select another beverage you like.
Is there enough food during your tour?
We give enough food to all our customers. Trust us, you will not need to go to any restaurant after the Food tour!
Where do I add my discount voucher?

I would like to take your tour but it is already fully booked. Is there a way I can do the tour?
Our tours are often sold out very quickly. If the date you requested is not available, please do not hesitate to email us and we can see if there is anything we can do.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, because this is a walking tour across downtown Raleigh with no transport between stops. Raleigh summers are hot and humid, so bring water and a hat between June and September, and a light layer for evening departures in spring and autumn. Arrive hungry, because five stops add up to a full meal.
How many people max are on this tour?
We take 14 people maximum. If you are more than 14 people, please do not hesitate to email us and we will try to see if we can accommodate.
I cannot find a way to print the confirmation. Is it OK if I have it on my phone?
You do not have to print your voucher. A confirmation on your phone will be fine!
If I purchase a voucher as a gift, or am given a voucher how long is it valid for?
All of our vouchers expire one year from the date of purchase.
Can I choose my own cheese and meat?
Our guide will take care of everything. Should you wish to try something special, please inform our guide and he will do his best to make you happy.
Where does your food come from?
Top - quality, fresh and local!
What if it rains or I change my plans?
Unfortunately, the weather is unpredictable. We do not issue refunds as per our terms and conditions. We also inform you that we never cancel a booking even if we have only 2 people! However we do reserve the right to cancel the tour if we feel the weather is extreme, and we cannot run the tour due to this for more info see our Terms and Conditions.
Can I pay the tour in cash?
You must book directly on our website. We do not accept cash payments. Our online payment is safe, secured and SSL protected.
Why do we need to pay for a booking fee?
The booking fee that you have to pay is up to our ticket provider and we can't change it. All our clients need to pay for it upon booking. The booking fee charged contributes to the cost of the ticketing system to provide an excellent service to our customers.
Foreign Transaction Fees
A few banks have charged their customer an extra fee while booking with us (this isn't the booking fee but another fee added by the bank). We think this is unfair, if this happens let us know by showing us in your bank statement and we will refund this fee as a gesture of good will.
Are the food tours wheelchair and/or stroller accessible?
Many of our tours are not wheelchair or stroller accessible. We recommend contacting us before booking to discuss this specific tour and accessibility options.
What is the lowest price guarantee?
We always offer the lowest price on our Secret Food Tours. If you find one of our food tours listed at a lower price, contact us and we'll match it.
Why is downtown Raleigh worth a food tour?
Because the two things Raleigh does best sit within a walk of each other and are easy to miss on your own. Eastern North Carolina whole-hog barbecue is one of the oldest cooking traditions in the American South, and downtown Raleigh also holds Lebanese, Cantonese, Argentinian, and Laotian kitchens run by the families who built them. Walking between them is the fastest way to understand how the capital eats.
Is this a good first thing to do in Raleigh?
It is one of the better ways to start. You cover the 1792 street grid, both surviving public squares, City Market, and the Warehouse District on foot, so you finish with a working map of downtown Raleigh in your head and a shortlist of places to come back to. Guests on a short trip often book it for day one.
Is there a drink upgrade?
Yes. Two drinks, a seasonal beer at the opening stop and a seasonal cocktail at the barbecue stop, both chosen to sit alongside the food. Guests must be 21 or older with valid photo ID.
Book our award-winning Secret Food Tours: Raleigh before it fills up!


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