Sydney Food Tours You Will Love

If you are a foodie then at least one of these Sydney Food Tours should be on your list of things to do in Sydney. The city’s food scene brings together flavours from over 200 different cultures? When you join a food tour here, you uncover these unique tastes and stories, all woven into the city’s rich culinary history. It’s more than just eating your way around town; it’s about experiencing Sydney through its food. Whether you’re new to the city or a lifelong Sydneysider, there’s something new and delicious waiting for you on these tours.

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Why I think you should take a food tour

A food tour gives you a chance to meet the chefs and owners and hear the stories behind each bite. Whether you’re visiting or you’ve lived here forever, there’s always something new to learn and taste on a food tour.

For starters, you’ll meet a food-loving Sydneysider who knows all the insider spots where locals love to eat. Your guide will happily share tips on must-try dishes and recommend the best restaurants and bars to hit up during your stay.

Today’s selection features some of Sydney’s most renowned food tours and experiences. We’ve also included a few up-and-coming operators for those eager to try something new. And if you’re into hands-on fun, there are plenty of cooking classes to explore.

What exactly is “Australian” Food?

When you think of Australian cuisine, BBQs and Vegemite may come to mind. But Sydney’s food scene is much more diverse and surprising. With influences from countless cultures, adopted to our everyday eating style. So, what exactly is “Australian” food?

Sydney is a melting pot, and our food culture has significantly benefited from this diversity. Immigrants from southern China who were working the goldfields in the early 1900s got us started when they began selling Cantonese food to fellow gold diggers, and they loved it.

We have been lucky enough to be exposed to lots of different taste sensations introduced by immigrants ever since. Today, across the city, you’re likely to find Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, and Japanese eateries side-by-side.

This makes it tough to define Australian cuisine, but when asked, most locals will mention dishes like meat pies, steak, seafood, and sweet treats like Pavlova and Lamington. Some even joke that Pad Thai or a Kebab are more likely choices for our national dish. Oh, and let’s not forget Vegemite, the food we love to torture guests with.

Learn more about the history of Australia’s food culture from this SBS article.

Things to look for when choosing a food tour

Before going into the specifics of each tour, consider some key factors to ensure you choose the right one.

• Dietary Needs: Ensure the tour can accommodate your dietary preferences, from vegan to gluten-free. Most operators are flexible, but it’s best to confirm in advance.
• Inclusions: Check if the tour price covers all food and drink. Higher-priced tours might include full meals, while budget options might offer lighter tastings.
• Group Size: Consider both minimum and maximum participant numbers. Smaller groups offer a more intimate experience.
• Tour Duration: Most last around 3 hours, some can be all-day affairs. Choose based on your schedule and interest level.
• Tour Theme: Choose between a genearl tour or explore a specific suburb or cuisine, make sure the tour matches your interests.
• Cancellation Flexibility: Life is unpredictable. Look for tours with accommodating cancellation policies to avoid last-minute disruptions.

Walking Food Tours in Sydney City

Ultimately Sydney – Taste of Sydney tour

Duration: 5 hours | Group Size: Up to 10 | Ages: 18+

Get a true Taste of Sydney with this awesome food tour that takes you through the city’s coolest areas. Dive into the freshest seafood at Sydney Fish Market and fantastic Asian eats in Barangaroo’s buzzing precinct.

Stroll through Newtown’s artsy streets, sampling flavors as eclectic as the area itself. Sip on gin at a local distillery and treat yourself to heavenly sweets at Black Star Bakery, before topping it all off with a wine flight at Sydney’s Urban Winery.

Tour Highlights:

• Chow down on seafood and Asian bites by Barangaroo’s scenic waters
• Explore Newtown’s vibrant street art scene and quirky eats
• Get inside a gin distillery for a taste test and behind-the-scenes look
• Wrap up with a wine and cheese tasting at the Urban Winery

Start your day in Barangaroo—city pickups are available if that’s easier for you. This tour is your ticket to a deliciously fun side of Sydney, mixing culture, history, and all the tasty treats you can handle.

Secret Sydney Food Tour

Duration: 3.5 hours | Group Size: Up to 10 | Ages: All ages

Uncover the flavors of inner Sydney’s Surry Hills with the Secret Food Tour, where you will explore iconic landmarks and learn a little of the history of the waves of immigration post-gold rush and WWII, and taste the vibrant flavors they brought.

Guided by passionate locals, explore Sydney’s culinary landmarks, from fresh Sydney Rock Oysters to traditional Greek honey biscuits and a surprise Secret Dish.

Tour highlights:

• Savor fresh Sydney Rock Oysters and a twist on the Aussie classic sausage roll
• Enjoy traditional Greek honey biscuits from Sydney’s oldest Greek bakery
• Discover modern Aussie bites like stuffed zucchini flowers
• Indulge in a dessert and ginger beer at a classic Aussie pub

Whether rain or shine, this tour promises a delightful, sensory adventure through food and culture. Reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible!

A World of Flavors in Sydney’s Neighborhoods

Head out of the city centre and take a trip to one of Sydney’s vibrant suburban communities, each offering a unique culinary journey. From the Italian-inspired charm of Five Dock to the rich flavors of the Middle East in Merrylands, these tours invite you to experience the world through food. Taste the authentic dishes crafted by the locals who call these neighborhoods home. It’s a tasty way to explore into Sydney’s diverse cultures!

Two companies do these tours exceptionally well, Local Sauce and Taste Food Tour. Let’s take a closer look.

Local Sauce Tours

Local Sauce is an award-winning small tour operator that offers great value for money. I have personally taken most of their tours and I think they are a great way to learn about Sydney’s vibrant neighborhoods, especially if you are travelling on a budget. Their small-group walking tours that uncover Sydney’s local culture. The tours are led by enthusiastic guides, who create really engaging experiences.

Chinatown – Street Food & Stories

Duration: 2.5 hours I Group Size: 4-12 I Language: English & Mandarin

Embark on a culinary adventure through Sydney’s Chinatown, where you’ll try diverse street foods and uncover the surprising stories behind Australia’s Chinese community. Perfect for anyone who loves exploring cultural history through cuisine.

Tour Highlights:

• Sample 4-5 regional Chinese street foods while exploring Chinatown’s best spots
• Discover Chinatown’s history and development with engaging stories
• Learn about the contributions of Chinese-Australians through interactive trivia games
• Take home a surprise souvenir and a map with restaurant recommendations

Why You’ll Love This Tour: As a local I loved this tour. I have dined in Chinatown dozens of times but I discovered how little I knew about Sydney’s Chinese history and the vibrant world of Sydney’s Chinatown, where food and stories intertwine. I also have a bunch of new places to return to.

Local sauce also offers fun bar tours that are perfect for solo travellers.

Five Dock Little Italy Food Tour

Duration: 2.5 hours I Group Size: 6 I All ages

Experience the rich culinary heritage of Sydney’s Little Italy in Five Dock on this immersive, limited-edition food tour. Perfect for those who appreciate authentic Italian flavors and culture.

Tour Highlights:

• Indulge in authentic cured meats and Italian produce at renowned delis and butchers
• Savour creamy gelato reminiscent of Italy’s streets.
• Enjoy freshly baked pastries and coffee from local bakeries
• Learn about the Italian heritage of Five Dock and the stories of passionate business owners

The tour includes a guided activity with engaging commentary, where you’ll enjoy coffee or tea, and sample delicious food at four different venues. You’ll also receive photos from the experience and a map with recommendations to explore further on your own.

Why You’ll Love This Tour: You will discover a new place to indulge your Italian cravings and leave with a deeper appreciation for the vibrant flavors of Little Italy.

Secrets of Thai town Food Tour

Duration: 2.5 hours I Group Size: 4-12 I Ages: 8+ recommended

Discover the hidden gems of Sydney’s Thaitown while sampling delicious Thai snacks and desserts. This tour offers a flavorful journey through the diverse regions of Thai cuisine, revealing the rich culinary traditions that have been influencing world cuisine.

Tour Highlights:

• Enjoy 8 samples of Thai street foods, noodle dishes, fruits, and desserts
• Learn about the development and hidden gems of Thaitown in Sydney
• Engage in interactive trivia games about Thai cuisine
• Receive a guide to Thaitown’s best restaurants with ordering tips

This tour is conducted in easy-to-understand English and welcomes all ages, though due to some spicy offerings, it’s recommended for children aged 8 and above.

Why You’ll Love This Tour: It surprises visitors how much Thai food is available in Sydney and just how great it is. Experience the vibrant flavors of Thailand right in Sydney’s Thaitown and learn about Thai cuisine’s global impact in a fun, interactive setting.

Taste Food Tours

Taste Food Tours offers an insider’s guide to Sydney’s multicultural food scene, featuring intimate experiences with local chefs and authentic cuisines. This social enterprise empowers migrants and local youth through its tours, which reinvest profits into community training programs.

These tours promise not only a taste of diverse culinary traditions but also a chance to support Sydney’s vibrant local businesses.

Merrylands: Taste of Afghanistan, Syria, and Persia Tour

Duration: 3.5 hours | Group Size: Flexible | Ages: All ages

Journey through Merrylands in Sydney’s Western Suburbs to explore the flavours of Afghanistan, Syria, and Persia. This tour offers a rich cultural experience through traditional dishes and heartfelt stories from local communities who have brought their vibrant culinary traditions to Sydney.

Tour Highlights:

• Savor traditional foods, from Afghan bakers to Persian sweets and spiced tea
• Discover exotic groceries in local supermarkets and learn about Middle Eastern culinary traditions
• Hear personal stories of migration and resilience from Sydney’s refugee communities

This tour is led in English and provides tastings equivalent to a full meal, with a recommendation for comfortable attire for easy walking.

Why You’ll Love This Tour: Experience the heart and soul behind Merrylands’ diverse flavors. This tour not only fills your senses but connects you to the powerful stories of those who make Sydney’s culinary scene so vibrant.

Twilight Nights Little India

Duration: 6 hours | Group Size: Up to 11 | Ages: 18+

Experience the Vibrant Heart of Little India on this all-inclusive tour that transports you to the bustling streets of Harris Park’s Little India district. As the sun sets, this vibrant area comes alive with color and culture. Let your local guide unlock hidden gems as you explore, taste, and craft your way through a cultural feast.

Tour Highlights:

• Dive into authentic Indian cuisines with all dietary preferences catered
• Enjoy live cooking demos and try your hand at making traditional naan
• Indulge in a henna tattoo, jewelry-making class, and outfit hire for an unforgettable photoshoot
• Relax with a traditional Malish head massage

Meet outside Harris Park Cellars at 51 Marion St at 6:30 PM for a traditional Indian liquor tasting to kick off your adventure. With hotel pickup, all meals, drinks, and activities included, get ready for a night of cultural discovery like no other.

Hands-on Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

Seafood Cooking Class at Sydney Fish Market

For the last 30 years, the Sydney Seafood School has been teaching Sydney how to cook seafood with love. Top chefs, including some of the city’s biggest names, slip into the role of teacher and share their favourite recipes with the class.

Develop some first-class seafood BBQ skills or learn to use seafood in a new way with classes ranging from Tapas to Italian and basic seafood cooking skills.

After watching an expert demonstrate what we would be doing, we were set loose with our group to make our meal. There were plenty of tips on choosing, storing and preparing seafood, and after my class, I felt much more confident doing this.

When its time to cook, you break off into groups of six. If you come alone or in a small group, you will soon have some new friends, so don’t despair. When it’s all done, it’s off to the dining room to sample our work with a glass of wine.

The cooking was fun, and we went home with a copy of the recipes so we could impress our friends and family without new-found talents. We all received a quality apron to take home too, which was a nice touch.

ends. Check their website for tour dates and more details.

Sydney Bar & pub Tours

Crawl Sydney’s Secret Bars

Local Sauce offer 2 bar tours in Sydney. I recently went on the Surry Hills tour and had a ball. The tour has a great pace and visits bars many locals have not even uncovered. The guide threw in history and background of the area and Australia’s drinking culture that added a lot to the experience.

Explore Surry Hills and Darlinghurst or the CBD, depending on which tour you choose. You will visit 3-4 bars, starting with snacks and a drink at the first stop and finishing up by sampling our newest “national dish”.

The tour runs for 3-4 hours, and prices are kept down because only your first drink and the food is included. Any further drinks you pay for yourself. They offer exclusive deals at most of the bars for tour members. I found this a better option than spending much more and having drinks included but not really wanting that many drinks.

The Rocks Pub Tour

Just a note, these are walking tours with drinks, not pub crawls. You will learn about Aussie history and of course, local craft beer. You will usually pick up some great local lingo too.

A perfect way to get your dose of Sydney’s history by combining guides who knows some great stories and four of the cities oldest pubs. This is the best pub tour for first-time visitors to Sydney.

The tour also includes a post-walk meal and all the details you need to decide which pub is, in fact, the oldest in Sydney. The tour lasts 2.5 hours and runs three times a day in peak season, making it easy to fit into your itinerary.

Get the details and pricing here

Balmain Historic Pub Walking Tour with Beer or Wine

This is a great tour for history lovers and those who have already explored the city centre. Balmain sits on the western side of the harbour, and this historically working-class area is jam-packed with pubs, over 20 at last count. Each with its own stories that go with 200 years of settlement (and drinking)!

Balmain has the highest pub-to-person ratio in Australia.

Along your walk, you visit 4 pubs (with 4 drinks of either craft beer, wine or soft drink included). Find out more details and availability here.

Sydney Brewery Tours

These tours are for beer lovers who want to learn more about the craft beer scene in Sydney. Non-beer drinkers are accommodated but honestly, if you not into beer, I could see a half-day learning about beer being a bit tedious.

Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting

Run by Daves Tours, this is 5 hours of all things brewing, 4 brewery tours, 4-5 tastings and lunch and snacks, as well as travel in a comfortable van. Along the way take in the sites of Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches.

The current tour visits Nomad, Dad and Dave’s, Modus Operandi, and 4 Pines.

They also offer a city brewery tour if you prefer to stay closer to town.

Regional Food and Drink Tours

Visit the Hunter Valley Wine Country with a Chef

I have not done this gourmet Hunter Valley Tour yet, but it’s on my list, and because it is run by the same people as the tour above, I have decided to include it. I have had several readers do it and rate it highly too.

Similar to the Blue Mountains Gourmet Getaway but in this case the mountains are replaced by vineyards and views of the vines. On this tour after an early pick-up, you visit the Fish Markets to pick up some of the ingredients for the days meals. As you make your way around the vineyards learning about production and doing tastings, your personal chef is preparing you plenty of fantastic eats.

Find out more or make a booking here.

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