If you're deciding between Walk Eat Nashville and A Little Local Flavor for your downtown Nashville food tour, you’re in the right place.
Both companies offer culinary experiences, but only one gives you the real Nashville, rich with local flavor, live music, historic insight, generous portions, and exclusive access to the restaurants and stories that built the city.
Let’s dive into why A Little Local Flavor is not only the best downtown food tour in Nashville, it’s one of the best-reviewed food tours in the entire country..
1. Founder-Led and Mission-Driven
A Little Local Flavor is proudly founder-owned and operated, created in 2018 to help keep tourism dollars in the hands of local businesses. Since then, the company has invested over $1 million directly into independently owned restaurants in downtown Nashville.
In contrast, Walk Eat Nashville was sold in 2021. The original chef-led partnerships faded with the transition, and the new ownership has struggled to maintain the same level of experience and visibility.
2. More Food, Better Dishes, and Exclusive Tastings
A Little Local Flavor doesn’t serve you bites that fit their budget, it serves the best dishes each restaurant makes, regardless of price, including items that are no longer available to the general public. A Local Flavor makes sure that you’re eating the best dishes from the best locally owned restaurants in downtown Nashville.
You’ll get 10 to 14 ounces of protein
A quarter rack of the best ribs in the Southeast is standard on every Downtown Food Tour
One dish is made exclusively for A Little Local Flavor guests
This isn’t a food tour that skimps, it fills. Founder and owner Christine Wheatley doesn’t pick dishes based on price, she picks the best dish each restaurant offers to make sure that guests get the best value for the ticket price.
3. The Only Downtown Nashville Food Tour That Includes Alcohol
Yes, it’s one of the most expensive food tours in the country — and worth every penny.
You’ll receive:
Three alcoholic beverages, included
Premium dishes, not budget-friendly swaps
A full downtown history tour
Live music and storytelling
Access to dishes you can’t get anywhere else
And it’s all backed by the fact that A Little Local Flavor is in the Top 1% of Things to Do Worldwide on TripAdvisor.
4. Locally Owned Businesses - No Chains Here
A Little Local Flavor carefully curates its stops to spotlight only independently owned, Nashville-rooted establishments.
Walk Eat Nashville, by contrast, includes Bakersfield, a taco and tequila restaurant owned by a hospitality group based in Ohio.
5. Acme Feed & Seed: One of the Oldest Buildings on Broadway
One of the most iconic stops is Acme Feed & Seed, a four-story landmark where you’ll:
Dine at a table made from 400-year-old heart pine floor joists, reclaimed after the 2010 flood
Includes a dish no longer on the public menu, made just for A Little Local Flavor guests
Tour the building and enjoy access to a rooftop named one of America’s Top 20 by iHeartRadio
Support a phenomenal family owned restaurant that is currently being run by the 2nd generation of a family that works tirelessly to keep Nashville’s charm alive
6. The Only Tour with Live Music
Most tours talk about Music City, A Little Local Flavor lets you hear it.
Guests enjoy live local music at Cerveza Jack’s and interact with tour guides who are often working musicians and songwriters. This is the only food tour downtown that includes live music and stories about the music industry as part of the experience.
7. Guides Trained Like Pros, Not Just Handed a Script
A Little Local Flavor offers the most rigorous guide training in the city:
5 to 8 shadow tours with a 16-page script
Hands-on mentorship from multiple senior guides
Storytelling and public speaking coaching
Most guides are performers, artists, chefs, locterm hospitality employees, or local creatives
“Mathew was an outstanding guide. He has more information than an encyclopedia. He is impressive and personable... This is a great way to gain insight into the history of Nashville. I highly recommend!”
— John Johnson (Google)
“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 (Google)
8. One-of-a-Kind Local Stops
Just a few of the exclusive locations on the A Little Local Flavor tour:
D. Andrews Bakery – Owned by a 2024 James Beard Award finalist and Christine’s former neighbor.
Leon’s Candy – Family-run since 1992, with caramels made from a Greek recipe dating back to 1888.
Standard Proof Whiskey Co. – Founded by a local bartender infusing small-batch rye with real botanicals.
The Southern Steak & Oyster – A staple of downtown Nashville, run by the Morales family.
Mike’s Ice Cream – Nashville’s most famous scoop shop, forced out of Broadway by skyrocketing rents — and still standing strong on 2nd Ave.
Cerveza Jack’s – Hot chicken tacos, live music, and a stop that’s been with A Little Local Flavor since day one.
9. Over 2.5x the Five-Star Reviews
Across Google and TripAdvisor, A Little Local Flavor is clearly the better and more beloved tour. Walk Eat Nashville has been collecting reviews since they launched in 2011, and yet A Little Local Flavor has more than 2.5 times the number of reviews after being open only half the length of time (opened in 2018).
Walk Eat Nashville total five star reviews - 936
A Little Local Flavor total five star reviews - 2,375
With 2.5x more five-star reviews and a 4.9 to 5.0 rating across all platforms, A Little Local Flavor is:
The most (and highest) reviewed food tour in Nashville
One of the best reviewed in the U.S.
Among the Top 1% of Things to Do Worldwide on TripAdvisor
Why settle for less?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Little Local Flavor worth the price?
Yes, and the 2,300+ five star reviews prove it! With alcohol included, bigger portions, exclusive food, live music, historic storytelling, and a 5-star guide team, this is more than a food tour. It’s an unforgettable Nashville experience.
Does the tour include alcohol?
Yes, 3 full alcoholic beverages are included in the price.
Is A Little Local Flavor worth the higher price?
Yes - 100%. You’re getting alcohol, better food, exclusive dishes, and top-tier storytelling. With 2,375 five-star reviews and global rankings in the Top 1% of Things to Do, it’s not just worth it, it’s a standout experience!
Are the restaurants locally owned?
Every single one. You won’t find any chains or franchises here.
How long is the tour?
Three hours, with stops at 5 to 6 local businesses, live music, and a full historic downtown Nashville walking tour.
Can I book for a corporate or private group?
Yes! A Little Local Flavor specializes in corporate outings, team-building experiences, and private tours. Click here to inquire.
Final Verdict: Book the Tour That Locals (and Thousands of Guests) Trust
If you're coming to Nashville and want to taste it right, the choice is clear.
A Little Local Flavor offers unmatched value, authenticity, and connection, from your first bite to your last story.