Columbus Food Adventures

The Granview tour with Ashley was a fantastic experience. There were many stops, food variety, and history. The stops that were scheduled were amazing! We did the tour as part of a Bachelorette Party. It was so fun! Before we were done we were trying to plan our next tour.

Wow, this is a phenomenal way for coffee lovers to immerse themselves in their obsession. My husband I have long been keen coffee consumers, but this tour raised our awareness and appreciation for the magic bean to a whole new level.
We visited Café Brioso, Stauf’s and Luck Bros’ Coffee. At each, the coffee gurus shared their expertise about how to select, brew and consume coffee so as to make it an even more pleasurable indulgence. We sipped espressos and even «cupped» them to investigate the flavors, aromas and other characteristics that distinguish the various origins, roastings and coffee blends. We learned about espressos, cappuccinos, lattés and what it is about them we like so much. This comes into play when you visit these establishments which cater to individual tastes. They welcome and patrons’ particular requests for «tweaks» to their beverages. There’s so much variety out there. If you decide you want to «go pro» with your passion, there are infinite ways to order, specifying the strength, temperature, milk, flavorings, and whether you want one of those cool foamy hearts swirled on top of your drink.
These proprietors are PASSIONATE about their craft. They put their hearts and souls into serving up the finest coffee drinks availabe. They welcomed questions, shared esoteric knowledge about how to brew at home, and even roasted an exquisite Ethiopian batch right in front of us – and gave us some to take home. They even let us choose whole-​bean or ground for our goodie bags!
We have to compliment the tour organizer, and especially our guide. They really went out of their way to make it an amazing experience.
You’ll learn so much on this tour and enjoy some darn good coffee. And if you get as excited as we were about putting your newly found knowledge into action at home, you may head to a coffee shop afterwards to put it to the test by selecting some beans or by ordering a cup to sip on the way home. (Even though by the end we were «coffeed-​out,» we thought it would be fun.) And if you join the ranks of the coffee-​obsessed (i.e. us), you may even be adding grinders and pour-​over gear to your Amazon cart as you are chauffeured back to your car after the 3-​hour tour.
All-​in-​all, a once-​in-​a-​lifetime java junket you owe yourself – not to be missed!

My husband and I had the opportunity to go on the food truck tour and were BLOWN AWAY.
Our tour guide was Andy, who happens to be one of the co owners. He was awesome! Before we started, my husband said «I hope it’s not too information heavy.» And it wasn’t! I would say the perfect amount. We got information and fun facts when we arrived at each stop, but then when we ate we could just chill and talk to each other. Perfect blend. We learned new things and really enjoyed getting to chat with Andy.
Now the food. Wow. We were shocked at how much we got! Seriously. We got near full meals at each of the 5 stops. And everything we had was delicious. Andy and his wife really took the time to find the best of the best to be featured on this tour. From Hawaiian to Korean to Japanese to Bbq to Italian… we had it all. A relaxing, fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

I bought the all desserts tour for my elderly aunt as a Christmas gift. The bus is a great option for people with mobility problems who still want to see Columbus’s food offerings. We had a great time sampling treats and learning about the local bakeries. Even at the places I was previously familiar with I learned something new.
The tour is excellently run; Columbus Food Adventures has really perfected its craft. Jim was very friendly and knowledgeable.
The return customer «passport program» is a neat idea as well; we will definitely be taking advantage of it!

Short North tour was so much fun! Plus, you get to meet cool people and try yummy food. My boyfriend and I went on this tour the day before Valentines day and it was so fun. We were both basically stuffed by the time we were done and it was great listening to our guide talk about the history behind short north. She was super hilarious and made us all feel extremely comfortable. We learned a lot about the history, the arches around short north, goodale park, and a lot of the restaurants we went to.
Itinerary for short north tour:
Hot chicken take over (Smaller chicken breast, bread and coleslaw)
North Market (Brezel (small soft pretzel), Fish Guys (Manhattan and New England Clam Chowder), Spices)
Le Chocoholique (Peach and Grapefruit chocolate)
The Pearl (Housemade granola with greek yogurt, and deviled eggs)
Forno (6 different kinds of pizza including margarita, carne, veggie, chicken and feta etc.)
Jeni’s (small icecream with 2 different scoops and small waffle)
TIP: Park in the short north parking lot as the tour is 3 hours long and they will give you a voucher for a discount for north market parking.

Ashley our tour guide was wonderful! We thought we booked the Brewery Tour but ended up on the Food Tour. Glad we made this mistake to go on this adventure of seeing restaurants in the area. We came for a girls weekend get away and had a lovely time. We will be back for Brewery Tour!!!

I had an opportunity to go on this small group food adventure and am so glad I did! It’s a fantastic way to taste the local favorites that Columbus has to offer. In just a few hours we visited about 8 spots, but none of it felt rushed. We walked past long lines of people and straight into the kitchen to try a bowl of gazpacho, were served by the restaurant owner at another establishment, and got to hear insider info from a local guide between stops. It was truly a wonderful experience. I’ve been talking about it ever since, so clearly I enjoyed myself! I believe I did the Short North tour, and am looking forward to doing another one in the future.

I have gone on two tours now (Short North and Grandview) both have been very worth it! For the info you learn about the city and local places, on top of the delicious foods you get to try, this is by far the best way to explore the food scene in Columbus! Since there are so many great places, it can be overwhelming to try them all on your own. This gives you a way to do that in one day, and try things you may not normally eat. Plus, if you don’t like something you try at a restaurant, no biggie because there are plenty of other stops where you will try something you’ll love. :) I can’t wait to do them all!

We just completed our first Columbus Food Tour and had an awesome time!!! The food was amazing and it was great to learn things about the city I didn’t know despite living here all my life. Lindsay our tour guide was a ton of fun and I would highly recommend this tour for anyone considering it.

Bethia and her team are awesome. I have used her personally and professionally when I have large groups coming into Columbus as a way to se the city while having a progressive dinner. She is knowledgable and takes time to work with you on all details. Debra is a great tour guide also and so
Much fun! It’s a must do even if you’ve lived in CBUS a long time!

Great way to experience new places; I’ll definitely be back to Los Guachos on my own time.

We went on the Taco Truck Tour last year and had a great time! We visited 5 different taco trucks and stopped at La Plaza Tapatia, a wonderful Mexican market on the west side. The food we sampled was varied, delicious and plentiful. Our guide Andy’s knowledge of the history and food of the different regions and countries was very much appreciated. He was informative and interesting. I highly recommend Columbus Food Adventures – it’s a fun way to learn about food purveyors you may otherwise overlook, and a great way to learn more about our city’s food scene.
If you’re worried that you won’t be well-​fed on the tour, rest assured that that is not the case! We had pollo al carbon from Los Potosinos on the near east side, then headed to the west side, the Mecca of taco trucks! We stopped at Los Guachos for the best al pastor in the Midwest, Mr. Grill Tacos for carnitas gorditas, Super Torta for horchata, tinga tostadas, and tlayuda (mexican pizza), and Los Delicias for nieves (an icy dessert, I had coconut, so good).
So if you’re wondering if you should give a tour with CFA a try, go for it! You’ll have a great experience. The next tours I’ll be trying are the Breakfast Tour and the Meat Lovers Tour – can’t wait!

I just had my first experience with the Columbus Food Adventures on Saturday, 27 December. Awhile back ago, I purchased tickets to see Trans-​Siberian Orchestra on the 28^th, so I just decided to make a whole weekend adventure around it. I started my adventure taking the Columbus Dessert Tour with my date! We both had a nice time. This was my first time taking a tour or doing anything like this, so I don’t really have any other experiences to compare it to.
I’m sorry to say that I’m a bit foggy on the memory of the name of our tour guide. I think his name may have been Jim. We made 5 stops on our journey. We went to Kolache Republic, Dan the Baker, Pattycake Bakery, Jeni’s, & M. They were all unique and interesting in their own way. I think I enjoyed Dan the Baker the most. He was the best speaker when talking about his business. I found his passion to be very captivating. The Pattycake Bakery was an interesting vegan establishment. They treated us with some great goodies, and I could hardly even tell the difference between their vegan sweet treats and «normal» ones. Jeni’s was a cool place where we stopped to get ice cream, but I don’t know if I cared for it as being a part of the tour. Same with M. M was a very upscale type restaurant with an overpriced menu. We stopped there at the end of the tour to have a drink. The bartender made us what was called a Tom & Jerry. I thought the drink was really good, although most people thought it was too strong. I think it just *seemed* strong because the alcohol was warmed. But I didn’t really understand M’s place in the tour, given that we had a beverage there, not dessert. I liked our tour guide; I think he did a fine job. The crowd we were with seemed a little lackluster. I think the tour overall was pretty cool. It was definitely something different and interesting to do. But I do think there is room for improvement as far as the stops they make along the way. While the places we went to were cool, I just feel like they could expand it so much more. I don’t feel like these places are like the *dessert staples* of Columbus, so to speak. I believe there are probably more relevant venues out there that people could better relate to — places that people actually want to re-​visit and frequent. I only considered 2 of the 5 places to really be that relevant. There’s a lot of potential though! All of that being said, I can’t wait until the next time I’m in Columbus so I can try out a different tour and see what it has to offer. :)

As I reach this monumental moment and pen my 40^th review, I had to make it special. I want this review to inspire readers all over the 614 area code, and hey 740, jump in here too! Wait, what was I saying? Oh yes, this is my 40^th review and it’s only write (haha) that I would pen this ode to the people that have brought me endless memories and backflashes by way of awesome food tours. A wise old man once said «There is no greater way to get to know Columbus, than with Columbus Food Adventures.» That old man was right. Columbus Food Adventures rock socks and here’s why.
They offer several options around the city. The tour offerings are seemingly endless! From breakfast to dessert; whether you are a coffee fanatic or food truck junkie there is a tour offered that will peek your interest. Love to try to unique and sorta weird dishes? Book a tour with Columbus Food Adventures! Feel like walking your food off while you eat? Done! Are you the type likes to be chauffeured right to the front door of the restaurant? Jeffery is waiting to open it for you! Seriously folks, their tours are amazing and full or rich history, food, and fun.
And there is a bonus! I know you’re thinking, how could it get any better? Well let me hip you to the square! You get a stamp postcard after each tour, and after a certain amount (I’ll leave that number a surprise) you get a free tour! I know, insane right?! That after enjoying yourself and creating great memories with your friends and family, you can earn a free tour by signing up for these incredible tours that offer really cool historical information on this grand city and food! It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving I tell ya. How can you put a price on that?! (the prices for each tour is on the website),
So what are you waiting for?! Go book that tour today! Your tummy will thank you.

HUGE fan of Columbus Food Adventures!
We’ve completed the Dessert Tour, Coffee Tour, German Village walking tour, and Short North tour! We’re scheduled for the Grandview tour in a couple weeks! The breakfast tour is next on our list– obviously, we love you CFA :)

This was my very first Columbus Food Tour, and it did not disappoint! We went on the Grandview tour. This tour is not just about food, you truly learn a lot about the establishments you are visiting– this experience is where a lot of the value lies.
We started off at Rife’s Market (which is closing soon). We got a brief history of the market, and were treated to some fresh apple cider– yum. We then headed off to The French Loaf. We were treated to a sample of brie mushroom soup, and a scone sample. I’ll definitely come back here for lunch (which I didn’t know they served until the Tour!).
We then visited Jobu Ramen, and were treated to a small bowl of ramen, while the owner told us his journey of opening this place. I was at Jobu the night before, so it’s safe to say I’m a fan.
Next, we visited The Oilerie. I didn’t know this place existed, but olive oil aficionados would find it very cool! All of their oil comes from olives from one distributor in Italy. They have many unique varieties (like orange zest olive oil), and you can sample them all. They also carry tasty balsamic vinaigrettes.
My favorite two stops were next: Figlio and Spagio. At Figlio, the owner (Peter) gave us an amazingly well-​put together presentation on how Figlio came about. I really enjoyed hearing him speak, and I could tell he is passionate about the food (and ingredients) he serves, the «guests» he serves it to, and the employees he hires. I definitely want to come back more often. We sampled the corn chowder and truffle pizza– both delicious.
At Spagio, we learned the story of their chef, their food, their wine, and their private dining club– Aubergine. I had no idea that place existed, and it was really nice to go in and check it out!
Third and Hollywood was nice, as well. We got a full tour of the restaurant and kitchen, and were treated to a nice sample of Homemade Ricotta and Chard.
The last two stops were Stauf’s and Pure Imagination Chocolatiers (another place I had no idea about). Stauf’s brewed some tasty Nicaraguan coffee for us, and we sampled some delicious chocolate from Pure Imagination. I’ll keep them in mind for future chocolate cravings!

What a cool and exciting way to discover the awesome areas of Columbus and be able to dive into some unique and exciting history! I was able to try the Grandview Ave. Tour and it was a blast! From the gracious owners and restaurants to our lovely tour guide Ashley, everything was top notch.
Our tour started at Rifes market which we were fortunate enough to be their last tour before they close their doors for good. We sampled some untreated Apple cider and it was delicious. Learning about the history of Rifes was also a treat. After that we visited The French Loaf and sampled a mushroom and Brie soup which was great. We then went to Jobu Ramen and obviously sampled the Ramen. After Jobu we visited The Oilerie and sampled some of their direct from-​the-​source olive oil!
Next up was Figlio where we met the wonderful founder and owner Peter who made us feel at home in his restaurant and winery and had us sample his corn chowder and truffle pizza, both of which were out of this world! Third and Hollywood gave us a full tour of their classy dining establishment and we sampled the Homemade Ricotta and Chard.
Spagio was another great stop where we were able to discover some hidden secrets in Grandview and were able to tour the exclusive dining club Aubergine. Our stop at Staufs gave us a little knowledge of the coffee history in columbus and got to try some great coffee from Nicaragua. Our final destination was at Pure Imagination Chocolatiers and we sampled their delicious truffles which was a great end to the adventure.
Overall a ¹⁰⁄₁₀ experience and I would recommend this tour to everyone! I can’t wait to go on my next Columbus Food Adventure!

The coffee tour features Café Brioso, Stauf’s, and Luck Bros. We had a great time at each stop and learned much about roasting and preparation of a perfect cup!
Our driver, Andy, who normally does a lot of the tours, takes a back seat at each of the stops to let the coffee pros do the talking. We were impressed with his parallel parking skills!
At Café Brioso, Jeff and J.J. conveyed their passion for coffee. Robin, our expert barista, prepared an espresso and a cappuccino for each of us, and we also had delicious muffins and scones.
Next we went to Stauf’s Coffee Roasters where we learned about the roasting process and got to take home a freshly roasted bag of beans. Our experience included cupping, where we compared two different roasts of the same beans using the flavor wheel.
Finally we ended up at Luck Bros. where we received a cookie with our iced coffee. The iced coffee was prepared using a Japanese Kyoto drip brewer. At room temperature it takes hours to brew. While we drank, Andy gave each of us tips on how to brew our coffee at home for the best flavor!

Visiting from Boston and went on the Short North Tour which was excellent! I’ve been on other tours and this one had lots of places to eat, so I was never starving which has happened on other tours. Our guide, Deborah, was fantastic! Learned so many interesting things about Columbus and even our friend from the area who came with us learned lots of new things and found new places to come back to. The North Market is a most see. So many great things to eat!
Would definitely try the other tours.
Order of food, but can slightly change from tour to tour:
Soup tasting (chowder)
Pretzel twist
Duck appetizers
Chocolates
Gazpacho
Risotto
Ice cream
Tour was 3 hours long. And even though it was a hot day, you weren’t outside too long between stops. And the total amount of walking wasn’t bad at all.

I had been meaning to go on a Columbus Food Adventures tour for years and finally got the chance to do it yesterday. While some of the other tours seemed more interesting, the German Village tour fit best into our schedule.
Overall I came away from the tour thinking it was average. Our tour guide was awesome. She was friendly, engaging and I learned some new stuff about Columbus. I was surprised that the tour had so much seafood. I’m not a huge seafood fan, and I’m aware that I’m a little in the picky side. Of the non-​dessert stops, though, only ²⁄₄ had non-​seafood options. In addition, I think $ 60 is a little costly. I will say the tour was time-​intensive (4 hours), so I can understand that we pay for the time and information but I was hoping to try a little more food variety for the price, maybe 2 small dishes per stop.
I wouldn’t do the German Village tour again, but I AM still interested in trying another CFA tour (maybe alt eats or taco trucks!), and I think that this kind of activity is great for Columbus visitors or those who just like to get out and learn about their city.
First stop was Schmidt’s with a mini crème puff. I’d had Schmidt’s crème puffs before, but they’re good, so no complaints here!
Next up we visited Lindey’s, which is one of Columbus’ best restaurants. The food they gave us was plentiful. Pot stickers, flatbread pizza and a fried shrimp/​calamari, but I wasn’t so impressed with any of it that it made me want to go back. I have eaten here before and loved it, so maybe my expectations were just too high. We also received a tour of the restaurant by the manager who kept pointing out things like the number of people a banquet room sat or the size of tv’s and projector screens. I’m not sure if he thought we were there scoping out event venues or what haha however the tour guide Tonya did tell us some interesting information about the history of the building and the restaurant.
Up next we walked to Katzingers where we had a knish. Mine was cold on the inside but it was filling and something I’d never tried before so I appreciated that!
We then visited Pistacia Vera where we sampled their macarons. The mocha flavored one was great but the passion fruit/​chocolate was not a favorite of the group. I actually watched quite a few people toss theirs in the garbage, meanwhile my friend ate three so maybe it’s a love it or hate it kind of thing. Overall the experience there was nice and I appreciated that they encouraged us to poke our heads in the kitchen.
Our next stop was G. Michaels, which was my favorite stop of the tour. The manager who gave us a tour was pretty funny and also informative. The calamari dish that we had was not my favorite thing, but the service we received was awesome, and I think we’ll be back for a meal. My friend mentioned that he has a seafood allergy (he was a last minute sub in for someone who didn’t have a food allergy so we weren’t able to notify them ahead of time), and the server brought him a pumpkin bisque that was to die for. That bisque was the best thing on the tour!
Our final stop was Barcelona. We received sangria and family style paella. I’m glad my friend mentioned his seafood allergy at this stop because half of the group got seafood paella and the other half got chicken/​chorizo. I enjoyed the chicken/​chorizo dish and so did the rest of our table! Our dish was nearly empty when we left but the table that had the seafood variety still had a ton leftover.