Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.9/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes worth booking?
Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes is a 3-hour experience in Monterey & Carmel, United States, from $148 per person. It scores 48 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.9/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 48 / 100
- Rating
- 3.9/5 (7)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $148 per person
Join Secret Food Tours on a food tour through downtown Carmel by the Sea. You'll dine in several locally owned restaurants, trying some of their signature and unique dishes. Learn the story of a city that was started by
What you get
About this experience
Join Secret Food Tours on a food tour through downtown Carmel by the Sea. You'll dine in several locally owned restaurants, trying some of their signature and unique dishes. Learn the story of a city that was started by artist for artists that grew into a top tier destination for shopping and cuisine from everyday travelers to celebrities worldwide. A city that’s known for its fresh fish and artists crafting their next project that you can see as you stroll by their shop. At the end of your food tour of Carmel by the Sea, you'll have sampled some of this city’s most delicious and notable dishes, gained a better understanding of its culture, history and who knows, you may just catch a glimpse of a local artist working on their next project as we walk by. Your Carmel by the Sea food tour starts here as you venture through hidden passageways. Within this quaint beach town that sits outside your everyday hustle and bustle. Unplug and open your palette
What's included
Included
- Lemon Pistachio Cake
- Dungeness Crab Cake
- Rock Cod Sandwich
- Spinach Gnocchi
- Our Delicious Secret Dish!
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Our tour will start at this spot.
15 minutes here
Carmel Plaza
Step into a beautiful restaurant, enjoy the atmosphere and try a delicate dish.
30 minutes here
William A. Karges Fine Art
Learn more about the local culture
30 minutes here
Harrison Memorial Library
Discover Harrison Memorial Library, a historic building designed by architect Bernard Maybeck and built by Michael J. Murphy in 1928.
30 minutes here
Gallery by the Sea Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small, storybook-like coastal town in California known for its fairytale cottages, white-sand beach, dramatic ocean views, and vibrant arts scene, with galleries, boutiques, and cozy cafés nestled among cypress trees.
60 minutes here
Thomas Welton Stanford Art Gallery
Take the opportunity to enjoy great works of art after sampling our delicious Secret Dish!
5 minutes here
Our tour will end at La Ribera Hotel.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Monterey & Carmel
We'll meet at Devendorf Park, South East corner. 6th Mission St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Our tour will end at Piccadilly Park, Dolores St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Secret Food Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note: the itinerary and menu is subject to change, based on the locations’ availability, weather, and other circumstances.
- Please ensure to contact us in advance of the tour for any dietary requirement, to ensure we can cater for them the best we can.
- This tour involves a fair amount of walking; comfortable shoes are recommended.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
It was ok….
Great combination of tastings and restaurants but I would appreciate more history, details about locations and interesting facts along the way. Harlan was really nice.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We appreciate you taking the time to let us know about your experience, as insights like yours help us continue refining our tours. We're glad you enjoyed the variety of tastings and venues, and it's wonderful to hear that Harlan made a positive impression. We also appreciate your thoughts on the overall experience and will keep them in mind as we continue to enhance what we offer for future guests. We do hope you'll join us again on another Secret Food Tour. We'd love the opportunity to welcome you back.
via Tripadvisor
Carmel-By-The-Sea Secret Food Tour
Parking was extremely difficult. Of course that is not the Secret Food Tour's fault, however, a note and warning in the tour meeting directions would have been very helpful. Harlan the tour guide was pleasant, but he has only been giving tours for three months, so his knowledge was severely limited. Fortunately for us, there were several locals on the tour along with us that provided information to fill in the informational gaps.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We do appreciate your perspective and the feedback you've provided, as it helps us continue refining the experience for future guests. We're glad to hear you found Harlan pleasant throughout the tour, and we appreciate your comments regarding both the meeting information and the overall experience. Feedback like yours is valuable as we continue to improve every aspect of our tours. We hope you'll consider joining us again in the future to experience another one of our food tours. We'd love the opportunity to welcome you back.
via Tripadvisor
Delicious
Wonderful experience, stopped at great spots, that embrace fresh food, farm to table, and authenticity to the area. Linda was wonderful tour guide, very knowledgeable to the area that adds to our experience. A great way to enjoy and start your adventure in Caramel.
Response from the operator: It was a pleasure having you on the tour. Hearing that you enjoyed it from beginning to end is exactly what we hope for. We'd love to have you join Secret Food Tours again!
via Tripadvisor
Highly disappointed
My husband and I always do food tours whenever we travel. I booked this for us and another couple. For $600 for 4 people we received 1 chicken sandwich (total, not each), a hummus appetizer w bread, a gnocchi appetizer, 1 crab cake each and 1 beignet each. There was also a shot’s worth of champagne and a spoon of caviar. Portions were small, and it just wasn’t super interesting food. Highly disappointed compared to the other food tours I’ve been on and really feel like I got completely ripped off.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your feedback, Laticia. We understand that food tours can vary significantly in style and format, and we're saddened that this experience did not align with your expectations. Our Carmel-by-the-Sea tour is designed to highlight a variety of local flavors and specialty offerings from several carefully selected stops throughout the village. While the experience focuses on tasting portions rather than full restaurant servings, many guests tell us they leave satisfied by both the variety of food and the stories, history, and local insights shared along the way. After reviewing your comments with our local team, we confirmed that the tour was delivered as intended and included all scheduled food and beverage tastings. We also received feedback that the group appeared to enjoy the tastings during the experience, with a guest noting they felt quite full by the conclusion of the tour. That said, we recognize that perceptions of value can differ from guest to guest, particularly among travelers who have experienced many food tours in different destinations. We appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective, as feedback like yours helps us continue evaluating how we set expectations and communicate the nature of the experience before guests book. We hope you'll consider joining us again in the future at one of our many food tours around the world, where we'd welcome the opportunity to provide a different experience and introduce you to another city's local food scene.
via Tripadvisor
Carmel is beautiful. Food...
Carmel is beautiful. Food was wonderful, restaurants were charming and guides were great and knowledgeable
Response from the operator: Thank you for your thoughtful comments! We're happy to hear that the experience left you with great memories and some favorite food stops to remember. Thank you again for choosing Secret Food Tours.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 48
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Monterey & Carmel.
How much does Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes cost?
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Prices start at $148 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Monterey & Carmel usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Monterey & Carmel is not rushed.
Is Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.9/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Monterey & Carmel, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Monterey & Carmel can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Monterey & Carmel and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Carmel By the Sea Authentic Walking Food Tour with 5 Dishes start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Monterey & Carmel within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Monterey & Carmel?
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Monterey Bay is one of the best whale watching stretches in the world, alongside kayak tours over the kelp forest, 17-Mile Drive and Big Sur coastal runs, and Carmel wine walks. Boat size and naturalist quality decide the whale trips, and we score them accordingly. On Outty we rank every Monterey & Carmel experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr, Whale Watching Tour From Monterey, Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Monterey & Carmel?
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April to November for whales and calm seas. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Monterey & Carmel?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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