Findlay Market is the heart of Cincinnati's food culture. Dating from the 1850s, it is one of the oldest public markets in Ohio, a cast-iron market house on Race Street at the top of Over-the-Rhine surrounded by butchers, bakers, spice merchants, cafés and a year-round farmers market shed. It is wonderful to wander on your own, but a guide unlocks the stories and the best bites. This tour by Riverside Food Tours combines the market with the Connector streetcar, the free loop that runs from The Banks on the riverfront up through downtown and Over-the-Rhine. Over about three hours you hop on and off, stopping at three restaurants and three market vendors, with a guide filling in the history of the neighborhoods you pass through. Expect tastes of the city's German heritage, its newer immigrant kitchens and Cincinnati classics. It is one of the best-reviewed food tours in the city, rated 5.0 from more than 680 reviews on Viator.
What to expect: the tour runs for about three hours and costs from about one hundred dollars on Viator, with free cancellation. Food at all six stops is included, and the portions add up to a full meal, so come hungry and skip a big breakfast. The streetcar is free to ride, runs every 20 to 25 minutes and operates every day of the year, so the moving parts are easy. The exact meeting point and start times are shown when you book.
Market days: Findlay Market itself is open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 8am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm, and it is closed on Mondays. The farmers market shed runs on Saturday and Sunday mornings all year. Weekends are the liveliest days, with the most stalls open and the most atmosphere, while weekday visits are quieter and easier for browsing. Check the holiday hours on the market's website around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Making it count: wear comfortable shoes, since there is walking between stops, and bring a bag if you plan to shop for spices, local coffee or goetta, the city's pork-and-oat breakfast sausage. After the tour, stay in Over-the-Rhine for a drink in one of the craft breweries or a walk through Washington Park and past Music Hall. If you prefer a shorter market-only experience, other market tours run on Viator, but this streetcar format shows you far more of the city.
What to expect
The experience
A guided small-group food tour by streetcar and on foot, with three restaurant tastings and three Findlay Market vendor stops.
Best time
A Saturday or Sunday, when Findlay Market and its farmers shed are at their liveliest.
How long
About three hours, with enough food to count as lunch.
Tips
Arrive hungry, wear comfortable shoes, remember the market is closed on Mondays and bring a bag for shopping afterward.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and first-timers who want to see several neighborhoods in one go.
- Families
- Older children who enjoy trying new foods do well; the streetcar rides break up the walking.
- Couples
- A relaxed, delicious afternoon, finished with a drink at an Over-the-Rhine brewery.
- Pair with
- The Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour, which starts nearby in Over-the-Rhine.
- Time needed
- Three hours, or half a day with shopping at the market.
Good questions
What is included in the Streetcar and Findlay Market food tour?+
The tour includes tastings at three restaurants and three Findlay Market vendors, with a guide. The streetcar itself is free to ride.
How long is the food tour?+
It lasts about three hours. There is some walking between stops, so wear comfortable shoes.
When is Findlay Market open?+
It is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. It is closed on Mondays.
Is the Cincinnati streetcar free?+
Yes, the Connector streetcar is free to ride. It runs a 3.6-mile loop with 18 stops from The Banks to just north of Findlay Market.
Can dietary needs be accommodated?+
Many food tours can adapt for common restrictions if told in advance. Note your needs when you book and confirm with the operator.
