Quick Details
Enjoy this Unique North End, Boston Food Tour
What to Know
- Tours happen rain or shine except in extreme weather conditions, since we can simply move the tours indoor.
- First two stops and last stops have restrooms.
- The tour costs includes all food and drink. Gratuities are optional If you feel the tour exceeded your expectations.
- Please inform me of any group food allergies, and I will do my best to accommodate.
- Come hungry and leave happy! We will be eating food at multiple stops so we suggest a light breakfast if at all.
- Tours are seasonal, meaning you can experience this same tour throughout the year and still learn new things.
About the Boston Food Tour
Off the Eaten Path is a leisurely three hour walking tour that has the structure of a progressive lunch, with each course focusing on a particular region of Italy. We begin by starting our journey in the Deep South of Italy — Sicily. We try regional delicacies such as arancini, panzarroti, and Sicilian pizza. We then push up to Naples, where we experience authentic Neapolitan pizza in the only certified oven to come from Italy. We also make a slight detour to the Amalfi Coast, to Sorrento, for authentic gnocchi alla sorentina.
From there we venture to a beloved neighborhood wine shop, where you will learn all about the process of wine making. From the influence of soils and weather, what the Italians call ambiante, to how wine gets its color, and how Italians drink it with a meal. You will never think of wine the same way again. Next we will unlock some of the ancient secrets of the Mediterranean diet. Learn about the history of olive oil and how to distinguish the real extra virgin olive oil versus the fake oil being exported from Italy to the unassuming masses. We will continue our journey to Umbria, and Modena where we will try 12-year-aged balsamic vinegar. We then hop next door to Parma for the best prosciutto outside of Emilia Romagna, and then go to the other great island of Sardina. There we will have a special sheep’s milk cheese, all while taking in the best Italian market in the city.
We will go back in time to a coffee and spice shop that is the oldest retail shop still standing. We will meander down a back alley and discover an artisan bakery. The bakers brought a starters dough yeast all the way from Naples that’s over 160 years old. Just when you thought this tour could not get any better, I will up the ante and take you to my personal hangout, a caffe! There we will end with the trifecta: espresso, cannoli and gelato. All of them the best in the neighborhood! At this point, I hope to leave your bellies, hearts and minds full. Out of all the Boston food tours, I hope you will walk away from the North End with a new sense of appreciation for this Little Italy!
-Paula Noukos,
Tour Guide and Owner of Off the Eaten Path Tours