Tremont sits on a bluff above the industrial valley of the Cuyahoga River, a neighborhood of narrow streets, old workers' houses and onion-domed and steepled churches that once served the Polish, Ukrainian, Greek and other immigrant communities who worked in the mills below. Today it is one of Cleveland's best places to eat, with a cluster of independent restaurants, bars and bakeries around leafy Lincoln Park. The Tremont Neighborhood Food Tour, run by Food Tour Corporation, is a relaxed way to sample it. You meet at the gazebo in the center of Lincoln Park, at 1109 Starkweather Avenue, and walk between several local spots for tastings, with the guide filling in the neighborhood's history between bites; the tour ends a few blocks from where it began. Food tastings and the guide's gratuity are included. On Viator it is rated 4.8 from 40 reviews, with 98 percent of travelers recommending it.
Booking and timing: the tour runs for about three hours, with a listed start time of 3pm, and Viator marks it as likely to sell out, so book a few days ahead, especially for weekends. Prices start in the high-seventies in dollars per adult, with lower rates for children. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start. Select your date on the product page to see which days are running in the current season.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, because Tremont's sidewalks are uneven in places and the neighborhood is hilly at its edges, plus a warm layer in late autumn and winter, when the walk between stops is brisk. Come hungry but not starving; the tastings add up to a full meal for most people. Let the operator know about allergies or dietary needs when you book.
Around the tour: Tremont is a short drive or rideshare from downtown, and parking is mostly on the street around Lincoln Park. Arrive early to walk past the churches or step into a café on the park. The House from A Christmas Story is on West 11th Street in the same neighborhood, so you can combine the two in one afternoon by visiting the house first and joining the tour at 3pm. After the tour, the neighborhood's bars make it easy to stay for the evening, with views of the downtown skyline from the edge of the bluff.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walking food tour with tastings at several Tremont restaurants and shops, starting from the Lincoln Park gazebo and ending a few blocks away.
Best time
The listed 3pm start suits a late lunch, and weekends sell out first, so book ahead.
How long
About three hours on foot with stops.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes, bring a warm layer in winter, and visit the Christmas Story house nearby before the tour.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers who want to see a real neighborhood rather than a tourist strip.
- Families
- Children can join at a reduced rate, though three hours of walking and tasting suits older kids best.
- Couples
- An unhurried afternoon of tastings, then drinks in a Tremont bar with skyline views.
- Pair with
- The House from A Christmas Story in the same neighborhood and the West Side Market in nearby Ohio City.
- Time needed
- An afternoon, with time before or after for a walk around Lincoln Park.
Good questions
Where does the Tremont food tour start?+
It meets at the gazebo in the center of Lincoln Park, 1109 Starkweather Avenue. The tour ends a few blocks from the starting point.
How long is the Tremont food tour?+
It lasts about three hours. The listed start time is 3pm, but check the booking calendar for the days it runs.
What is included in the tour?+
Food tastings at each stop and the guide's gratuity are included. Extra drinks you order along the way are usually paid separately.
Will I be hungry afterward?+
Most people find the tastings add up to a full meal. Skip a big lunch beforehand.
Can I combine it with the Christmas Story house?+
Yes, the house is in the same neighborhood, on West 11th Street. Visit it earlier in the day and walk or drive the short distance to Lincoln Park for the tour.
