Detroit has a food identity all its own, and this small-group tour from Secret Food Tours, sold on Viator with a 4.5 rating from more than seventy reviews, is the fastest way to taste it. It meets in front of the Spirit of Detroit statue at 2 Woodward Avenue and spends about three hours walking through downtown, mixing tastings with sightseeing. The tastings cover the city's signatures: a Coney Island hot dog, the chili-and-onion classic that every Detroiter has an opinion about; Detroit-style pizza, the square, thick, crisp-edged pie baked in steel pans; crispy corned beef egg rolls, a local invention; a Boston Cooler, the Detroit float made with Vernors ginger ale and vanilla ice cream; and baklava in Greektown, where the tour finishes at a historic pastry shop. A secret dish is part of the formula. Between stops the guide points out the Joe Louis monument, the Guardian Building, Campus Martius Park, The Belt alley and the Michigan Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
Who it suits: first-time visitors who want to try the local specialties without researching a dozen restaurants, and anyone who likes a guided walk with a purpose. The portions add up to a full meal, so come hungry and skip lunch. Groups are capped at twelve, which keeps it sociable. Children pay a reduced rate.
Honest notes: reviews are mostly warm about the guides and the food, but a few mention long waits at busy restaurants or a guide who was hard to hear on the street, which is normal for a walking food tour in a lively downtown. Confirm on the booking page whether the gratuity is included, as one review says it was paid separately. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and involves a lot of walking, and in November you will want a warm coat for the stretches outside. Free cancellation is available up to twenty-four hours before the start, and there is a reserve now, pay later option.
Making the most of it: take this tour early in your stay, then return to your favorite stops later. It ends in Greektown, close to the People Mover and the casinos, so it is easy to continue the evening. If you love the pizza, you will find Detroit-style squares across the city; if you love the Coney, the long-running rivalry between two neighboring downtown diners is worth a second visit.
What to expect
The experience
A guided small-group walking food tour of downtown with six or more tastings and short sightseeing stops, ending in Greektown.
Best time
Early in the trip, with an empty stomach; afternoon departures turn it into a late lunch or early dinner.
How long
About three hours.
Tips
Skip the meal before, wear warm layers in November, and check on the booking page whether the tip is included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers who want the Detroit classics in one go.
- Families
- Good for older children who enjoy hot dogs and pizza; it is a lot of walking for little ones.
- Couples
- A fun, sociable way to see downtown, with dessert in Greektown at the end.
- Pair with
- The architecture walking tour the next morning, or a People Mover ride after the last stop.
- Time needed
- About three hours.
Good questions
What food is on the Detroit food tour?+
Tastings include a Coney Island hot dog, Detroit-style pizza, corned beef egg rolls, a Boston Cooler float and Greektown baklava, plus a secret dish. Stops can change with the season.
Where does it start?+
In front of the Spirit of Detroit statue at 2 Woodward Avenue. It finishes at a pastry shop in Greektown.
Is it enough food for a meal?+
Yes, the tastings add up to a full meal for most people. Arrive hungry.
Can dietary needs be accommodated?+
Contact the operator before booking with any allergy or dietary requirement. Some dishes are hard to substitute.
What is the cancellation policy?+
Free cancellation is offered up to twenty-four hours before the start time. A reserve now, pay later option is available.
