Among the many things the Garden State is known for is its amazing food. From farm-fresh in-season produce to thin-crust pizza to cuisines inspired by NJ’s diversity, there’s no shortage of great restaurants. Beyond going to your favorite eatery, you can also take a food tour in a town near you. Geared to foodies of all ages, food tours are a fun way to walk, eat and drink your way through one of NJ’s charming cities or towns. Here are a few worth trying:
Beyond the Plate Food Tours
Location: Jersey City
Price: $105 for ages 8 and up, $40 for ages 3 to 7, and free for children 2 and under on the Taste of Downtown Tour.
What you’ll eat: You’ll stop at three or four restaurants plus a spot for dessert. Tasting locations vary but can include places like Razza for pizza and Tamborim for Brazilian. Possible dessert choices include Torico Ice Cream, where you can try one of 65 unique flavors to wrap up the tour. Alcohol is also available.
What you’ll see: Explore Downtown Jersey City as you walk along Newark Avenue in the historic district.
Other tour information: The Taste of Downtown tour is about three hours, covering a distance of about half a mile. Tours are held rain or shine.
How to book your tour: beyondtheplatefoodtours.com
Cape May Food Tours
Location: Cape May
Price: $99
What you’ll eat: Try food from six tasting locations. These restaurants are subject to change but usually include The Cheese Shop where you can sample meat, cheese and more. Other stops along the way include La Dõna for Oaxacan food and Cape May Peanut Butter Company for amazing nut butters.
What you’ll see: You’ll hear about local history, cuisine and culture from your tour guide as you walk the streets of Cape May and admire Cape May’s Victorian homes.
Other tour information: Each tour is three hours and runs rain or shine. All ages are welcome on both the Historic Downtown Cape May Food Tour and the West Cape May Food Tour.
How to book your tour: capemayfoodtours.com
Nom Nom NewarkÂ
Location: Newark
Price: $50
What you’ll eat: Try some of the wide array of cuisine Newark has to offer while exploring the Downtown or Ironbound neighborhoods. Past stops on Nom Nom Newark food tours by Have You Met Newark have included Tonnie’s Minis for mini cupcakes, Hobby’s Delicatessen & Restaurant for pastrami sandwiches, and Downtown Caribbean Eats for a variety of specialty patties.
What you’ll see: While exploring Downtown Newark or the Ironbound, you’ll learn more about the city from your tour guide. Nom Nom Newark’s tour guides are urban planners and Newark residents who’ll share their own unique insights. You’ll also get the chance to hear from restaurant owners and chefs.
Other tour information: Each tour includes four or more stops, with each one offering a taste of the city. Dates and other tour information are available online.
How to book your tour: haveyoumetnewark.com or Eventbrite.
Noshwalks
Location: Newark and Paterson
Price: $18
What you’ll eat: Eat your way through Newark, Paterson or one of New York City’s boroughs. A recent tour of Paterson focused on Middle Eastern cuisine, featuring several stops for Middle Eastern and North African food, plus a visit to a Turkish market and a Colombian restaurant.Â
What you’ll see: Discover the local cuisine, culture and history of a neighborhood you may not be familiar with.Â
Other tour information: You’ll get enough food for a full meal. Children are welcome. Tour length varies, but many are around three hours.
How to book your tour: noshwalks.com
On the Town Food Tours
Location: Towns across South Jersey
Price: Tours range from $70 to $85
What you’ll eat: On the Town hosts a variety of tours in towns across South Jersey, with each town offering a unique assortment of food. Each tour visits three to four stops. In Mount Holly, you’ll sample soup from The Robin’s Nest and enjoy a Mexican breakfast at Kitchen87. The Collingswood tour includes Indian cuisine at Indiya and artisanal pastries from Dulce.
What you’ll see: Locals and tourists alike can enjoy a guided walk-through of a South Jersey town complete with historical information from On the Town’s tour guides. Between each food destination, you’ll learn about the history and culture of the town.
Other tour information: Tours last up to three hours on weekends and weekdays. Be sure to check the website for scheduling specifics.
How to book your tour: onthetownfoodtours.com
Savor and Stroll Culinary Tours
Location: Morristown
Price: $75 for adults and teens, $40 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 and under on The Classic Savor and Stroll Tour.
What you’ll eat: The Classic Savor and Stroll features food from three set locations, plus two additional Morristown eateries of your tour guide’s choosing. Along the tour, you’ll stop at Enjou Chocolat to sample a variety of small-batch chocolates and at The Artist Baker for baked goods. At Pierogies House, try different handmade pierogies with fun fillings like buffalo chicken.
What you’ll see: While walking through Downtown Morristown, your tour guide will share the history of the town like the role it played in the Revolutionary War and the Gilded Age.
Other tour information: The Classic tour covers one mile of the beautiful and bustling Morristown, starting at 1:30 pm and ending at 4 pm. All ages are welcome.
How to book your tour: savorandstrollculinarytours.com
Sister Cities Food & Shop Tours
Location: New Hope and Lambertville
Price: Contact Sister Cities for more information
What you’ll eat: Both private and group tours will visit five delicious spots. Opt to join a group walking tour where you’ll meet new people or gather your friends or family for a private walking tour through New Hope and Lambertville. On past tours, participants have enjoyed bites like grilled cheese and tomato soup from Lambertville House and quinoa balls from El Tule. Brewery tours and customizable vineyard tours are also offered.
What you’ll see: You’ll visit both popular restaurants and hidden gems while exploring the Delaware River towns. Learn about the history of each town as you travel between food destinations.
Other tour information: It’s recommended that you are 18 and older, or 21+ in order to get the most out of the tour. Let Sister Cities know about any food allergies you may have. Walking tours are rain or shine and are a couple of miles long. Transportation is provided for the brewery and vineyard tours.Â
How to book your tour: sistercitiestours.com
Taste of Asbury Food Tours
Location: Asbury Park
Price: $120 for adults 21 and up on the Sip and Stroll Tour
What you’ll eat: You’ll sample food at five local restaurants from a rotating list. Some highlights include Mediterranean cuisine at Sami’s Street Food and fresh-baked cookies, cupcakes, and more at Confections of a Rock$tar Bakery. Most stops on the tour will also offer drinks, like specialty cocktails from Lola’s European Cafe.
What you’ll see: This tour of the Cookman area includes stops along the way to learn more about the past and the present of the town. You’ll get to hear from restaurateurs and explore Asbury Park all while enjoying delicious food and drink.
Other tour information: The tour lasts for three hours, starting at noon. ASL interpreting is available on the tour, as are accommodations for people with food allergies.
How to book your tour: tasteofasburyfoodtours.com
Walk. Talk. Taste. Montclair History!
Location: Montclair
Price: $49
What you’ll eat: On this three-hour tour hosted by Montclair History Center, you’ll be able to sample a variety of food from five to seven Montclair restaurants. Past food on the tour has included dessert from Pig and Prince and Let’s Yo! The upcoming tour on July 16 will explore the food and history of Upper Montclair.
What you’ll see: The tour will take guests through the section of Bloomfield Avenue between Church Street and South Mountain Road. As you walk and eat, enjoy learning about the history of Montclair.Â
Other tour information: The tour is recommended for ages 15 and up. Montclair History Center asks that you make note of allergies upon signing up and use your own judgment while sampling food.
How to book your tour: Walk. Talk. Taste. Montclair
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