Best Philly Italian Market Food Tour

Authentic Italian Market Food Tours Led by South Philly Locals

Step into the heart of South Philadelphia for a Food Tour rooted in flavor, authentic tradition, and community connections. Walk the historic Italian Market streets shaped by generations of families, shopkeepers, and food makers.

On this 2-hour Food Tour, Chef Jacquie and her team of South Philly locals connect you directly to the people behind the counters – cheesemongers, butchers, bakers, and shopkeepers who greet us by name, where history comes alive. You’ll sip, shop, savor, and stroll while tasting iconic specialties and hearing the real behind-the-scenes stories that only come from relationships built over time.

Real people. Real stories. Real connections.

Eat, Learn, and Experience the History of the Italian Market

From the first bite, it’s storytelling in motion from the locals that lived it.

We talk about immigration while standing on the same blocks where families from Abruzzo and Sicily built businesses that still thrive today. You’re hearing the history – while you’re eating it.

You’ll step inside shops, greet familiar faces, and bite into slow-roasted pork that’s bold and made by a chef who beat Bobby Flay. Then taste cannoli so fresh and crisp, you might pause mid-sentence just to savor it.

You’ll experience through your senses an iconic cheese shop that’s been a Market staple since 1939, where wheels of aged provolone hang overhead and Sunday dinner traditions still matter. And trust us – we’re just getting started.

That's the difference. You don't just taste the Market. You understand it.

What to Expect on the Food Tour

To help you plan, here’s what guests can expect from this Philadelphia food tour:

A relaxed walking pace through the Italian Market, with frequent stops
Multiple generous tastings that together feel like a full meal
Time to shop and browse, not just taste and move on
Fascinating stories and local history woven naturally throughout the tour
Insider tips on where to eat, shop, and return after the tour
A welcoming, inclusive experience for all ages and food interests

The food tour runs approximately two hours and is ideal for first-time visitors and locals alike. Vegetarian and other dietary needs are thoughtfully accommodated whenever possible.

About Chef Jacquie,

Your guide is part of the StrEATS of Philly team, personally trained by Chef Jacquie — born and raised in South Philadelphia and deeply rooted in the Italian Market. Our team members are locals, too, bringing their own neighborhood pride and firsthand knowledge to every food tour.

With a background as a chef and educator, Jacquie has built a tour experience grounded in storytelling, hospitality, history, and fun. Every guide is trained to share not just where you are — but why it matters.

For guests who enjoy a custom pace, Jacquie also hosts her Italian Market After Dark Tour, designs Private Food Tours across Philadelphia, and creates engaging Team Building & Group Outings for companies and organizations. Each is thoughtfully crafted, seamlessly delivered, and rooted in the warm hospitality that has defined her food tours for more than 15 years.

We had an amazing tour with Chef Jacquie! She was delightful, knowledgeable, and very kind. We ate so much delicious food and learned the history of the market and about the eateries and shops we stopped at. It was a hit for our tweens and adults and I highly recommend this food tour!

Shannon S.

Join the Italian Market Food Tour Today

This Philadelphia food tour feeds both your appetite and your understanding of the city – the experience our team is best known for.

Our Tasting & Shopping Food Tour runs Friday – Sunday and welcomes visitors and locals alike. Taste the tradition that makes the Italian Market unforgettable.

Come hungry. Come curious. And come ready to fall in love with the Italian Market.