Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? Can I pay cash?
If a food tour is sold out, can I get on a waiting list?
How much food is served on the food tour?
How much walking is involved? Is it a fast-paced tour?
Do your tours have anything to offer a native Minnesotan?
Does the tour leader accept gratuities?
What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?
When is the best time to take the tour?
What about taking children on the tour?
Is the tour wheelchair and baby stroller accessible?
Are gift certificates available?
Are there vegetarian options on the tour?
Are any beverages served on the tour?
Does the tour end at the same place we meet?
Is wine tasting included on the tour?
What types of foods are served on the tour?
Do we only walk around and sample food?
What restaurants will we visit on the tour?
Are tours offered only in English?
What happens if it rains or snows?
If I am bringing an infant/very young child, do I need to purchase a ticket for them?
Are bathrooms available during the tour?
Are cameras allowed on the tour?
Is there parking near the tour meeting point?
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? Can I pay cash?
Tickets must be purchased in advance because the Downtown/Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour typically sells out quickly ahead of time. Please book well in advance to ensure that you get the day and time that you prefer. Tickets can only be purchased with a Visa, AMEX, or MasterCard from Zerve Ticket Center, or by calling (800) 979-3370. Cash is not accepted.
If a food tour is sold out, can I get on a waiting list?
We do not provide a waiting list. There are 2 tours offered every Saturday, so please check if the other time for that date is sold out.
How much food is served on the food tour?
Twin Cities Food Tours serves enough food that for most participants, lunch afterwards is not necessary. With the combination of drink and food tastings combined with breaks for architectural, cultural, and historical attractions, most participants are comfortably full after our food tours. Please understand our food tours are not intended to replace breakfast and lunch combined, so please consider eating breakfast before the tour.
How much walking is involved? Is it a fast-paced tour?
Tours generally last around 3 hours and participants can expect to be standing or walking for a majority of the time. We walk at a moderate pace and also provide at least two resting locations for at least 45 minutes total.
Do your tours have anything to offer a native Minnesotan?
A majority of Twin Cities Food Tours attendees live right here in the Twin Cities.
We hope to introduce you to new restaurants and specialty food stores in your city as well as talk about local landmarks that you may not know as much about.
Does the tour leader accept gratuities?
Gratuities are greatly appreciated, although not mandatory. The standard gratuity in the service industry is 15%.
What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?
Please be sure and let us know if you (or anyone in your group) has a dietary restriction (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic, allergy, etc.) when you purchase your tickets. As long as we know in advance, we can accommodate your needs.
Can I shop during the tour?
We ask that you please wait to shop until after the tour so that we can stay on our food-tasting schedule. The tours are on a schedule to arrive at each tasting location so it's important to stay on schedule so the food is freshly prepared for the participants. Please think about taking extra time at the end of the tour to stop back at your favorite spots that you discover along the tour!
When is the best time to take the tour?
We highly recommend taking our food tours at the beginning of your visit so you allow plenty of time to revisit the wonderful neighborhoods and also enjoy returning to your favorite food tasting locations and redeeming your Store Coupons.
What about taking children on the tour?
The tour is three hours long and some children have a limited attention span and therefore the tour may not be appropriate for some of them. Parents, who know their children best, should assess the situation individually. Since there is a lot of standing and walking, please consider this when deciding whether the tour is appropriate for your child.
Is the tour wheelchair and baby stroller accessible?
For the Downtown/Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour there is one step to navigate during the tour at the last tasting location.
Are gift certificates available?
Yes, Tour Gift Certificates are available for Twin Cities Food tours. To purchase or learn more about our gift certificates, please visit our Gift Certificates page and submit a Gift Certificates Request Form. A member of Twin Cities Food Tours staff will respond with payment and further instructions.
Can I book a private tour?
Yes, Private Tours are available from Twin Cities Food Tours. To set up or learn more, please visit our Private Group Tours page and submit a Private Group Tour Request Form. A member of Twin Cities Food Tours staff will respond within 24 hours.
Are there vegetarian options on the tour?
Yes, our tours offer alternative tasting options for vegetarians.
Are any beverages served on the tour?
The Downtown/Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour does not have a drink tasting included in the tour until the last location. You can however purchase water and/or beverages at the beginning of the tour at the specified meeting location. Additionally, some of the tasting locations will have water available for us during the tour.
Does the tour end at the same place we meet?
No, the Downtown/Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour does not finish at the same meeting point. However, detailed instructions are provided after ticket purchase with starting and ending point locations, and all participants receive a map with return directions included at the beginning of the tour. After the tour is finished, you can walk, take a taxi or Metro Transit bus back to the starting location.
Is wine tasting included on the tour?
Currently, we do not participate in wine tastings on any of our food tasting and cultural walking tours.
What types of foods are served on the tour?
A list of the food tasting locations can be found on the Downtown/Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour page. Tasting locations on the tour range from pizza, Greek dessert, fresh vegetables, and eastern European foods to name a few. Food-tasting locations can change without notice.
Do we only walk around and sample food?
Absolutely not! Twin Cities Food Tours combines architectural commentary, historical facts, local culture and culinary insight into a unique 3-hour experience. Imagine walking through the Twin Cities eating our local artisans most delicious foods while learning the neighborhoods from real locals.
What restaurants will we visit on the tour?
Please refer to the Downtown/Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour description for a list of all restaurants and specialty food stores that will be visited on the tour.
Are tours offered only in English?
Yes, we only offer tours in English at this time. Please email us if you would like to make arrangements for your own interpreter to join the tour.
What happens if it rains or snows?
The tours are held rain, shine, or snow. In the event of inclement weather, we will be able to go inside many of the establishments on the tour. We also provide ponchos in case of sudden weather changes or if you do not have your own umbrella. However, we advise to check the weather conditions for your day's event and dress appropriately.
If I am bringing an infant/very young child, do I need to purchase a ticket for them?
If you are bringing an infant/very young child and they will not be participating in the tastings, you do not need to purchase a ticket for them. However, please do let us know if you will be attending with an infant or young child when you purchase tickets in the Notes section.
Are bathrooms available during the tour?
Yes, bathrooms are available during the tour at selected food-tasting locations.
Are cameras allowed on the tour?
Yes. Cameras and filming are allowed during the tour. We strongly encourage participants to take photos during the tour.
Is there parking near the tour meeting point?
Yes, there is both metered and public lot parking located near the meeting point of Downtown/Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour. Specific parking details are included in the meeting location directions after purchasing ticket(s) with location, pricing, and hours.







