
The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 151 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland worth booking?
The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland is a 4-hour experience in Auckland, New Zealand, from $159 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 151 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (151)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $159 per person
The Tastebud Tour has been our flagship experience since 2010. Over four delicious hours, you'll explore Auckland’s sights, stories, and most importantly, its flavours, on this urban food safari. Taste your way through the city while learning about its food communities: from roasters and bakers to chefs, winemakers, and artisans, guided by local experts. We showcase key city highlights like the waterfront and volcanoes, sharing how they shape New Zealand’s culinary identity. On weekends, we explore bustling farmers markets, meeting passionate makers who share their craft, rain or shine. During the week, we stop at a beloved local coffee roaster. No matter the day, this tour dives deep into the flavours that define Auckland, and you won’t leave hungry!
What you get
About this experience
The Tastebud Tour has been our flagship experience since 2010. Over four delicious hours, you'll explore Auckland’s sights, stories, and most importantly, its flavours, on this urban food safari. Taste your way through the city while learning about its food communities: from roasters and bakers to chefs, winemakers, and artisans, guided by local experts. We showcase key city highlights like the waterfront and volcanoes, sharing how they shape New Zealand’s culinary identity. On weekends, we explore bustling farmers markets, meeting passionate makers who share their craft, rain or shine. During the week, we stop at a beloved local coffee roaster. No matter the day, this tour dives deep into the flavours that define Auckland, and you won’t leave hungry!
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Local guide
- Lunch
- Mornng Tea
- Food and wine tastings
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Auckland
This tour changes on the day of the week so its not easy to include a complete itinerary but we stop in Dominion Road, Ponsonby, by Auckland Domain, Auckland CBD and K Road. At the weekend we visit local farmers markets and during the week a brilliant coffee roastery
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Auckland
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.
Ends at
This tour ends in the city centre
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
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- The Big Foody Food Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Confirmation will be advised at time of booking
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
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What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 151 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
8 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
151 verified traveler reviews for The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great experience
A great sampling of Aukland's finest cuisine. I enjoyed the entire experience. Our guide was wonderful and very considerate of all member of the group.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted you enjoyed your taste of Auckland and some of the fantastic food our city has to offer. Our guides absolutely love sharing the stories, flavours and people that make Auckland’s food scene so special, and making sure everyone in the group feels looked after is a huge part of what we do. Thank you for joining us, and we hope we can feed you again on one of our food tours elsewhere around New Zealand! 🥂🍴
via Viator
Tasty start to the day
Enjoyed that we went to different parts of the city and had a mix of types of foods, the food was delicious. Laura was a great guide and did an awesome job leading the group, answering questions, keeping us engaged, and sharing with us Auckland facts and tips. Would recommend this tour! Only other thing was I liked the idea of the farmers market but didn’t feel that visiting there added too much (imo) but it was nice to walk around after all the tasty food.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for joining us and for your lovely comments about Laura! We’re delighted you enjoyed exploring different parts of Auckland and, most importantly, all that delicious food. Laura will be thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed her knowledge, stories and tips along the way. We’re incredibly proud of the mix of places we visit, from fantastic little local favourites to restaurants recognised by the New Zealand Good Food Guide and Michelin. For us, the tour is all about showing just how diverse and exciting Auckland’s food scene has become. Just a little clarification on the farmers market, as there actually wasn’t one operating on the day of your tour. The area you walked through is part of our route between tastings and gives everyone a chance to explore another little corner of the city and, as you say, a welcome walk between all that food! Thank you again for recommending us, and we’re so pleased you enjoyed your taste of Auckland. The Big Foody Team
via Viator
Best foodie tour!
Kath, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and well connected. We had the best variety of local foods. Best to take at the beginning of your trip. You will be seeing the different types of food and you’ll know what to look for and the best places to eat during your stay. It was very memorable! Thank you!
Response from the operator: thank you so much!
via Tripadvisor
Sample Auckland’s Food Scene
Amazing mix of food, culture and history. Kath of Big Foody was our guide and was so friendly and welcoming as we made our way through a cool winter day in Auckland.
Response from the operator: She's the best is our Kath!
via Viator
Local eating gems in Auckland
This tour is perfect for travelers who are not familiar with the Auckland CBD for eating establishments. We went to many local eateries and a farmer’s market showcasing local cuisine and fresh ingredients. We never would have known about these gems without going on this tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $159 to $275
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 53
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by The Big Foody Food Tours, who run 6 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.5.
See everything The Big Foody Food Tours runsWhy this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Auckland.
How much does The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland cost?
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Prices start at $159 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Auckland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland take?
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Plan for about 4 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 Auckland is not rushed.
Is The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 151 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Auckland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland?
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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 The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland?
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Around 53 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 Auckland 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 Auckland and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland 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 Auckland 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 Auckland?
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On Outty we rank every Auckland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour with Lunch from Auckland, Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel, Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch. 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 Auckland?
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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 Auckland?
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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.
What is included in The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; Local guide; Lunch; Mornng Tea; and Food and wine tastings. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 34 listed pickup locations in and around Auckland. Be ready about 20 minutes before the start time.
What languages is The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about The Tastebud Tour, award winning food tour of Auckland?
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Across 151 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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