The Best Food Tour in Nashville: Why Locals and Travelers Agree It’s Worth Every Penny

If you only do one thing in Nashville, make it this.

For nearly a decade, A Little Local Flavor has been more than a food tour, it’s been a front-row seat to the real Nashville. No party buses. No vans. No chain restaurants. Just 3 hours of unforgettable stories, exclusive local bites, and the kind of insider experience that guests say is worth every dollar, and then some.

We’re not exaggerating when we say this is one of the top-rated food tours in the country. With over 2,375 five-star reviews, a couple of Top 1% of Things to Do Worldwide badges from TripAdvisor, and a reputation for actually being worth the money, we’ve built a tour that’s as heartfelt as it is flavorful.

But don’t take our word for it — take theirs.

Best food tour we’ve done both domestically and internationally. The food spots and historical content were top notch.
— Ethan Bunton, Official Google Review
Screenshot of Google review that calls A Little Local Flavor the "Best food tour we've done both domestically and internationally"
“Mathew is amazing!!! His knowledge base is encyclopedic and he keeps up a fascinating and entertaining pace. One of the best tours I’ve experienced in these United States.”
— Carlos Burnett, Official Google Review

What Makes This the Best Food Tour in Nashville?

1. The Food Isn’t Just Good — It’s Exclusive

You’re not getting filler bites here. You’re getting some of the best dishes in the city, including:

  • Smoked brisket that’s no longer available to the general public — it’s only served on our tour

  • Fresh caramels handmade by Leon’s Candy, a fourth-generation candy business that still makes and packages every piece by hand

  • Whiskey infusions crafted by a local bartender-turned-distiller who built a brand on creativity and hustle

This isn’t food chosen for margins, it’s chosen because it’s the best food in Nashville.

And we’re the only downtown Nashville food tour that includes alcohol, three full drinks, thoughtfully paired with your bites: a local beer and two cocktails (or mocktails / n/a drinks if you don’t drink alcohol).

2. You’ll Taste Nashville’s Real Stories

This isn’t a memorized monologue. Our tours are led by expertly trained tour guides many of which are singers, songwriters, chefs, and small business owners who grew up here. They find it a privilege to tell the engaging stories of our city to locals and travelers alike.

Before they lead a single tour, they shadow five to eight full-length runs, learn a detailed 16-page script, and practice sharing stories in a way that’s alive and immersive. They don’t just recite facts, they make you feel and appreciate the deeply rooted community and history within the streets of downtown Nashville.

And it’s not the boring kind of history. This is the story of how Nashville grew — who built it, who’s been left behind, and what still holds soul. You’ll hear about:

  • The Christmas Day bombing and its impact on 2nd Avenue

  • The battles between developers and small businesses

  • The local heroes and families who built the places you’ll eat

3. We Visit the Places That Still Have Soul

Other food tours might take you to a taco joint owned by an out-of-state restaurant group. We don’t. Every stop is intentionally chosen because it’s locally owned, and they make all of their delicious food from scratch. We believe in supporting other people’s dreams which is why we’ve worked hard to invest over $1M into locally owned businesses in downtown Nashville.

For example, you’ll visit places like:

  • Leon’s Candy – where they still stir the caramel, and package everything by hand

  • Acme Feed & Seed – one of the oldest buildings on Broadway, restored with original materials, where you’ll sit at a 400-year-old heart pine table, and learn about the local family that has worked tirelessly to keep authentic Nashville and local original music alive on Broadway.

  • D. Andrews Bakery – founded by 2024 James Beard finalist and founder Christine’s former neighbor, David Andrews, whose pastries alone are worth the price of admission

The Only Food Tour in Nashville with Live Music

Yep, we’re the only one. Live music isn’t a bonus on our tour, it’s part of the experience. You might hear a future star playing a stripped-down acoustic set while you sip your first drink. Or catch a honky-tonk regular belting out a ballad between stops.

If you take our tour on Saturday, you may have the distinct pleasure of hearing legend Charles Wigg Walker play a set at our first stop. He is a living legend, still performing flawlessly at 83, he has opened for legends such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and The Jackson 5.

And if your guide is one of our musicians? You might even hear their story of performing on the same stages as country legends or playing in an unknown venue to test new songs. It’s all part of what makes this a true Nashville walking tour — full of sound, flavor, and connection.

Why It’s the Best Nashville Experience, Not Just the Best Tour in Nashville

Some guests use the tour to kick off a vacation. Others come back every time they visit. And locals? They’re often blown away by how much they didn’t know.

You’re not just eating. You’re connecting with the people behind the restaurants, the creatives behind the music, the stories of Nashville, and the other amazing guests on your tour.

“As a lifelong Nashvillian, I was amazed by how much I learned on this tour. The guide was fantastic, and the food was phenomenal. Highly recommend for visitors and locals alike.”
— Alyssa Warren, Official Google Review
“We took this tour on our first day in town, and it shaped everything we did afterward.”
— TripAdvisor user: FoodieInFlorida
“It was the best thing we did in Nashville. Hands down.”
— TripAdvisor user: TXTravels

Custom Recommendations, Just for You

At the end of every tour, your guide offers personalized recommendations based on your taste, style, and trip goals. Want a quiet rooftop bar with amazing craft cocktails? We know the one. Prefer a low-key jazz bar with vintage bourbon? We’ll tell you where to go. Craving a biscuit at 2 a.m.? We’ve got a spot for that, too.

We don’t just show you Nashville, we help you keep exploring it after the tour ends.

Perfect for Couples, Groups, and Corporate Teams

Whether you're on a weekend getaway or planning a major company event, we make the logistics easy, and the experience unforgettable.

We’ve hosted:

  • Romantic anniversaries and honeymoon tours

  • Girls’ weekends and bachelor/bachelorette groups

  • Private events for Fortune 500 companies and growing startups alike

We can host up to 120 guests for food tours and have created full-scale custom events for up to 300 — including live music, cocktail pairings, private dining rooms, and behind-the-scenes restaurant experiences.

“Best team outing we’ve ever had. It felt special — like someone showed us a version of Nashville we never would have found on our own.”
— Sarah K., Executive Assistant

Is It Worth the Price?

We charge $139 per person, and yes, that makes us one of the most expensive food tours in the country.

Here’s why it’s worth every cent:

  • 5 food stops, totaling a very full meal, including dishes like a quarter rack of smoked ribs and exclusive brisket served only to tour guests

  • 3 drinks included, not just offered as an upgrade

  • Live music on every tour

  • Expertly trained guides with deep storytelling experience

  • A full Downtown Nashville walking history tour, minus the dry dates and textbook trivia

More than 20,000 guests, from honeymooners to locals, say the same thing: “It’s the best money we spent in Nashville.”

How to Book the Best Food Tour in Nashville

Tours run daily in Downtown Nashville
Book online at alittlelocalflavor.com
Private and corporate tours available - Inquire here

Final Word: Make This the First Thing You Do in Nashville

We always tell guests to take the tour on Day 1 of their Nashville trip. It sets the tone for everything else. You’ll leave full, but not just from the food.

You’ll leave full of stories. Full of ideas for where to go next. Full of connection, to the city, to its people, and maybe even to your guide’s next show.

That’s what makes A Little Local Flavor not just a meal, not just a tour, but the best Nashville experience you can book.

It’s the best thing to do in Downtown Nashville. And the only one that still feels like home.