Charlotte Tour de Food

Eat, drink and be merry as you traverse culinary courses in Mecklenburg County

Lisa Schnurr just can’t decide which restaurant on the Tour de Food roster is the best. “We have 32 different restaurants all with such great food,” says Schnurr. “It’s hard for me to pick favorites.

Guests are invited to take the fun, informative and educational tour so they can decide for themselves. Tour de Food was launched in Winston-Salem and is one of uptown Charlotte’s least-expensive food tours. For the Tour de Food price of $45 per person, guests form in groups of up to 12 to walk through uptown, stopping at one of the many restaurants on the way. They get a small food-and-beverage serving at each location, including local favorites such as Amélie’s in NoDa and Mert’s Heart and Soul in uptown. Or they can take the “Around the World” tour in the Metropolitan area of Charlotte, where they can sample several restaurants’ Italian, Mexican, Asian and Indian fare. There’s also a Pizza Lovers Tour twice a month in uptown; tickets are $30 for this event.

The tour also runs weekly in nearby Davidson, where guests can savor offerings from restaurants such as Davidson Beverage Company. 

Once inside it’s not just a normal dine and dash. Guests get the opportunity to meet and pick the brains of the chefs and artisans behind the food. The chefs have been known to share stories, recipes and techniques as well as a laugh or two.

“All stops on the tour are a part of the farm-to-table movement, which means they are all locally owned and sourced and there are a few that source everything on their menu from within 100 miles,” says Schnurr. All the food is fresh and in season, so the dishes change based on the ingredients that are in season. 

The tour is a way for local foodies and out-of-towners alike to support local mom-and-pop restaurants. Schnurr would like to remind guests that “When you support these places you are helping send someone’s child to college.”

Tour De Food offers the perfect opportunity to support the local restaurant scene while spending an afternoon with good food and great company. Tours take place most Saturdays (depending on the location), so make sure to get your tickets in advance. For more information, visit http://www.tourdefood.net.