Off the Beaten Path Food Tours is a family, minority, and women-owned company led by longtime locals Lizzie and Sam, guiding hungry explorers since 2017. Their small, passionate team wanders Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, and Quin...
These food tours hit differently by combining local culinary gems with unexpected elements like street art, history, and chocolate deep-dives. Guides like Sophie, Emily, Roberta, and Larom consistently earn praise for making guests feel like they're exploring with a knowledgeable friend rather than just following a script. The variety is impressive - you might find yourself painting on a graffiti wall in Central Square, learning donut etymology in Harvard Square, or sampling rare chocolate variations on Beacon Hill. The intimate, locally-focused approach really shines through. They partner with family-owned restaurants serving everything from Asian fusion to Peruvian cuisine, and even local Harvard students love discovering new favorites in their own backyard. Parents appreciate how engaging the tours are for teenagers, which is saying something. One reviewer noted the food portion of the Central Square tour felt light for the experience, though they mentioned additional stops were being added to address this. Overall, these tours deliver that sweet spot of being educational without feeling like a lecture, with enough delicious food to keep everyone happy.
I had an INCREDIBLE experience on my tour. I loved learning about the history of food within Cambridge and beyond. Our tour guide was incredibly insightful and had great energy. We tried everything from steaming fresh fried dough to mochi donuts to the classic Boston Kreme. 100% recommend for all tourists (or even residents) in the area. I'm a Harvard student and I discovered lots of new favorites that I'll revisit during the remainder of my semester.
Amelia Camilleri
October 12, 2025
I had an INCREDIBLE experience on my tour. I loved learning about the history of food within Cambridge and beyond. Our tour guide was incredibly insightful and had great energy. We tried everything from steaming fresh fried dough to mochi donuts to the classic Boston Kreme. 100% recommend for all tourists (or even residents) in the area. I'm a Harvard student and I discovered lots of new favorites that I'll revisit during the remainder of my semester.
Amelia Camilleri
October 12, 2025