Savor the Best Food and Brewery Tours Portland Offers

Editor: Diksha Yadav on Apr 15,2025

 

Portland, Oregon, is a foodie's and beer drinker's paradise. Suppose you're dedicated to locally sourced ingredients, craft beers, and community-based food culture. In that case, you understand why Portland food tours and brewery tastings are some of the most popular things to do in the Pacific Northwest.

Whether you're a first-time visitor to the city or a local searching for something new, this is The Ultimate Guide to Portland's Best Food and Brewery Tours - an in-depth look into the tastiest, happiest, and most unforgettable offerings the city has to offer. This guide has everything from walking tours in historic neighborhoods to curated local eats and world-class craft beer pairings.

Why Portland Is a Top Destination for Food and Brewery Lovers

Portland's food experience incorporates creativity, sustainability, and diversity. With over 70 breweries in the metro area (one of the world's top cities for the most breweries per capita) and hundreds of food carts serving a range of international cuisine, Portland is a feast for your taste buds.

What makes Portland special:

  • Locally sourced, organic ingredients
  • Experimental beer and small-batch breweries
  • Food cart pods serving food from around the world
  • A casual, inclusive vibe where quality is more important than formality

Whether you love farm-to-table brunches, eclectic international bites, or a perfectly poured IPA, Portland has a food experience.

Top 5 Portland Food Tours to Experience the City’s Flavors

1. Forktown Food Tours—A Local Favorite

Forktown Food Tours offers one of the most beloved Portland food tours, often described as the perfect balance of culture, history, and culinary indulgence.

What to expect:

  • Neighborhood walking tours through NW Portland, Alberta Arts District, and Mississippi Avenue
  • Tastings from local restaurants, bakeries, and markets
  • Beer, wine, and craft cocktail pairings included in some tours

This is an ideal choice for those who want to delve deep into local eats while soaking up the ambiance of Portland's walkable neighborhoods.

2. Portland Food Adventures—Chef-Curated Tastings

Want to eat where Portland’s chefs eat? Portland Food Adventures offers a creative spin on the traditional tasting tour by inviting guests to dine at a chef’s favorite local spot and then giving them vouchers to explore their other picks.

Highlights:

  • Multiple-course meals with local wine or beer

Exclusive access to behind-the-scenes culinary stories

  • Often includes meet-and-greet with the chefs

If you’re looking for an experience that’s more intimate and educational, this is a can’t-miss.

3. Lost Plate Food Tours—Carts, Culture, and More

Specializing in immersive walking tours, Lost Plate Food Tours focuses on food cart culture—something uniquely Portland.

Why it's worth it:

  • Explore 5-6 food carts in a single tour
  • Unlimited local beer and cider
  • Learn how food cart culture shaped the city’s culinary scene

Great for adventurous eaters and street food enthusiasts.

4. Eat Adventures—Best of Brunch and Beyond

Eat Adventures curates tours that cater to your cravings—from brunch-time bites to dinner delicacies and dessert-focused walks.

Tour options:

  • Downtown brunch & bakery walking tours
  • Eastside food truck and brewery mashups
  • Custom private tours

Their flexibility and focus on local eats make them a hit among picky eaters and families.

5. Secret Food Tours—A Taste of Portland’s Hidden Gems

If you prefer a more international flavor profile, Secret Food Tours introduces you to hidden gems serving Portland’s best Asian, Latin American, and European flavors.

Why it’s unique:

  • Local guide shares food history and trivia
  • Surprise mystery dish included in every tour
  • Alcohol pairings available as add-ons

This is one of the more culturally diverse Portland food tours, perfect for globetrotting palates.

Best Brewery Tours in Portland for Craft Beer Lovers

No guide to Portland would be complete without a tribute to its legendary craft beer scene. These brewery tours combine storytelling, sipping, and even science to enrich your experience.

1. Brewvana—Portland’s Original Beer Tour Company

Brewvana has been the gold standard in Portland brewery tours since 2008, offering curated experiences with local flavor and flair.

Tour types include:

  • Beer bus tours to 3–4 breweries
  • Walking brewery crawls in neighborhoods like East Burnside or the Pearl District
  • Combo tours with doughnuts, pizza, or food carts

Each tour includes beer samples, behind-the-scenes access, and plenty of brew knowledge from your expert guide.

2. Portland Brewery Bike Tours

If you want to burn off the beer as you drink it, hop on a bike and explore with Portland Brewery Bike Tours.

What to expect:

  • Bike rental included
  • Visit 3–5 breweries over 3 hours
  • Taste beers, meet brewmasters, and enjoy scenic routes

This is an excellent option for active travelers who want to mix walking tours with a bit more pedal-powered freedom.

3. The BeerMongers Guided Tastings

While not a traditional brewery, The BeerMongers offers some of the city's most curated tasting sessions and bottle selections. Their private events allow small groups to dive into themed samplings guided by certified beer experts.

Perfect for anyone wanting a laid-back, educational beer experience in a cozy venue.

4. Zwickelmania—Oregon’s Annual Brewery Open House

If you’re lucky enough to be in Portland during February, don’t miss Zwickelmania, a statewide event where dozens of breweries open their doors for free tastings and behind-the-scenes tours.

What makes it unforgettable:

  • Meet the brewers
  • Taste limited-edition or experimental beers
  • No reservation needed—show up and sip

5. Culmination Brewing Tour & Tasting Room

For a more in-depth look at a single brewery, Culmination Brewing offers guided tasting tours that walk you through the brewing process, from grain to glass.

Why it stands out:

  • Focus on experimental brews like sour IPAs and farmhouse ales
  • Cozy tasting room with food menu
  • Great starting point for a DIY brewery crawl

Combine the Best of Both: Food and Brewery Fusion Tours

Some of the most exciting Portland food tours now combine craft beer with local eats, creating unforgettable pairings that highlight the best of both worlds.

Tour Ideas to Consider:

  • Beer and BBQ Tour: A savory journey through Portland’s best smokehouses, paired with porters and pilsners.
  • Taco and Cider Tour: Fusion flavors and bold brews that refresh and satisfy.
  • Pizza and Pints: Discover Portland’s favorite slices and the beers that make them better.

Many tour operators, like Eat Adventures and Brewvana, now offer these hybrid experiences.

Travel Tips for Navigating Portland’s Food and Beer Scene

1. Reserve Ahead of Time

When You Can, in particular for private or chef-on-tour culinary events. Many of the more popular tours fill up quickly, especially on the weekends.

2. Dress for the Season

Portland's weather can be unpredictable, especially on walking tours. Bring a lightweight rain jacket, just in case.

3. Leave Some Space in your Schedule

You will most likely come across great little finds—a fantastic food cart, a unique pub, or a fun pop-up activity. It's good to leave room for spontaneity.

4. Don't Forget to Tip

Your tour guide, bartender, or server always doesn't seem to be great. It is part of the supportive local economy of Portland.

5. Consider a Brewery Passport

Some breweries participate in rewards programs and give you stamps/rewards for every pint you drink. It's a fun little bonus if you are doing a brewery crawl!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re drinking a freshly brewed hazy IPA made a stone’s throw away or eating kimchi fries from a food cart making a lot of noise, Portland offers a flavor-forward experience you will pay for. The Ultimate Guide to Portland Food and Brewery Tours is your passport to the city’s heart — with a side of hops and a dash of smoked salt.

There is no right way to eat and drink in Portland, from expert-led experiences to laid-back walking tours and self-directed tastings. Just show up hungry, bring your sense of curiosity, and toast to one of the best food cities in the U.S.


This content was created by AI