Philadelphia’s food tour scene has a clear entry point: the Center City Food Tour with Reading Terminal Market. According to Viator’s listing (4.9 stars, 912 reviews), this 2.5-hour small-group walk covers Sansom Street, Reading Terminal Market, and Center City for $59 per person — one of the best-value guided food experiences in any major American city. The group is capped at 12, the tastings run from cheesesteak to Afghan cuisine to artisanal donuts, and Reading Terminal Market alone justifies the price as an orientation tool for first-time visitors.
- Meeting point: Outside the Masonic Temple, 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 19107
- Duration: 2.5 hours, max 12 travelers
- Book at: Viator (product 8841P34)
Is a Philadelphia food tour worth it?
Yes — particularly for first-time visitors who want to understand the food scene rather than just eat cheesesteaks on a corner. According to Travellers Universe’s review of the tour, the guides balance food tastings with Philadelphia history and architecture, and the small group format makes the guide genuinely accessible for questions throughout.
The $59 price point stands out. Most food tours in comparable cities run $80–$120. At $59 with five or more substantial tastings including Reading Terminal Market, this tour represents strong value whether you are visiting Philadelphia for one day or three.
> “David was an A+ tour guide. Though it was a food tour the amount of history that we received was exceptional.” — Tripadvisor reviewer
What is Reading Terminal Market and why does it need a guide?
Reading Terminal Market at 51 N. 12th Street is one of America’s oldest and largest indoor public markets. According to Visit Philadelphia, the market has been operating continuously since 1892 with 80+ merchants. The scale is real: the aisles contain cheesesteak counters, Amish farmers selling fresh butter and soft pretzels, dim sum vendors, Thai food, Southern soul food, Italian hoagies, and artisan cheese shops, all within the same covered space.
According to Visit Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream — the nation’s oldest ice cream shop, founded in 1885 — has been a Reading Terminal tenant since 1892, when it signed the first merchant lease. Tommy DiNic’s roast pork sandwich, carved from whole slow-roasted pork on an Amoroso roll with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone, was named the best sandwich in America by the Travel Channel.
The problem with going alone: the market is genuinely overwhelming on a first visit. The aisles are narrow, the choices are too many, and without knowing the vendors, you will likely end up at the most visible counters rather than the best ones. According to reviewers, the guide’s 45-minute RTM segment covers vendors most visitors miss — the Amish side with Dutch Eating Place, the lesser-known ethnic food corridor, and specific ordering tips that produce a different experience than walk-in visitors get.
What are the must-visit vendors in Reading Terminal Market?
| Vendor | What to get |
|—|—|
| Tommy DiNic’s | Roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe |
| Bassetts Ice Cream | 16% butterfat vanilla |
| Dutch Eating Place | Amish scrapple, sticky buns |
| Beiler’s Bakery | Soft pretzels, whoopie pies |
| Miller’s Twist | Hot fresh pretzels |
Note: Not all of these are necessarily tour stops — the guide selects stops based on the day’s availability and group preferences. This list represents the iconic RTM items worth seeking out independently before or after the tour.
What you eat: the Center City Philadelphia food tour route
The tour starts outside the Masonic Temple at 1 North Broad Street, adjacent to City Hall. The guide provides a brief overview of Center City’s layout and architecture before the group moves toward Sansom Street.
Sansom Street — approximately 45 minutes: According to review sources, this segment visits multiple stops including a restaurant serving fried chicken made with local ingredients, an Afghan restaurant serving authentic dishes, a cheesesteak counter, and artisanal donut shops with creative toppings. Vegan shake options are also included. The Sansom Street corridor has become one of Philadelphia’s most eclectic dining streets, and the tour’s selection here emphasizes local and ethnic diversity over tourist-familiar options.
Reading Terminal Market — approximately 45 minutes: The anchor segment. According to the Viator listing, the guide leads the group through the market’s aisles, covering the history and making targeted introductions to specific vendors. The 45 minutes are enough to sample RTM’s range without rushing.
Center City — approximately 20 minutes: The tour’s closing segment covers a local coffee shop focused on fair trade and sustainability, or a neighborhood eatery applying old-world recipes to modern dishes. This segment gives a sense of Philadelphia’s contemporary food ethos alongside the historical anchors that came before.
For more on Philadelphia’s food neighborhoods after the tour, see the full Philadelphia experience guide or the Flavors of Philly walking tour guide for South Philadelphia’s Italian Market.
How much does the Philadelphia food tour cost?
According to multiple review sources, the tour costs $59 per person. According to Viator’s listing, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience. The group is capped at 12 travelers.
| Detail | Info |
|—|—|
| Price | $59 per person (all tastings included) |
| Duration | Approximately 2.5 hours |
| Group size | Maximum 12 travelers |
| Meeting point | Masonic Temple, 1 North Broad St, Philadelphia PA |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours prior |
| Rating | 4.9★ on Viator (912 reviews) |
Check Viator’s listing for product 8841P34 for current pricing and available dates.
After the tour: where to keep eating in Philadelphia
The tour gives you the orientation. The rest of the day is for eating independently.
East Passyunk Avenue is Philadelphia’s destination dining corridor — a diagonal street through South Philadelphia’s grid that has become home to some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants while maintaining the old-school Italian-American identity of the neighborhood. According to Experience Pennsylvania, the street houses both acclaimed modern restaurants and classic red-sauce spots that predate the culinary renaissance by decades.
The Italian Market on 9th Street is the oldest and largest outdoor market in the United States, operating since the late 1800s. The cheese shops, butchers, and specialty food vendors here are different from Reading Terminal — producers and purveyors rather than prepared-food counters.
The cheesesteak decision: The tour provides cheesesteak context. For a dedicated cheesesteak meal, Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks face each other at 9th and Passyunk — the tourist pilgrimage. Locals with opinions tend to redirect toward spots like John’s Roast Pork or Jim’s Steaks on South Street. The roast pork at Tommy DiNic’s in Reading Terminal is what many food writers call Philadelphia’s most underrated sandwich.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Philadelphia Center City food tour cost?
According to review sources, $59 per person for 2.5 hours with all tastings included. Check Viator’s listing for product 8841P34 for current pricing and available dates.
Pat’s vs Geno’s — where should I get my cheesesteak?
Both Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks are at 9th and Passyunk in South Philadelphia and have been serving cheesesteaks since the mid-20th century. The tour provides cheesesteak context without the South Philly detour. For a less tourist-oriented option, locals often recommend John’s Roast Pork or the roast pork sandwich at Tommy DiNic’s in Reading Terminal Market.
What days is Reading Terminal Market best to visit?
According to Visit Philadelphia, individual merchant hours vary and some vendors are closed Sundays and Mondays — the Amish vendors in particular. Tuesday through Saturday offers the fullest market experience. The tour operates on multiple days per week; check Viator for available dates.
Can the tour accommodate dietary restrictions?
Contact the operator at booking with specific dietary needs. The tour covers a range of cuisines including cheesesteak, fried chicken, and baked goods, with vegan shakes also listed as a stop. Strict dietary requirements should be confirmed with the operator before booking.
