Salem Food Tours — Local services in Salem

Karen, our tour guide, is truly out of this world. If you think you know what this food tour is going to be, you're in for tons of pleasant surprises.

We're from Seattle and food tours have long been in their heyday over here. We've done just about every variety you can think of - 21st birthday tours, Pike Place Market tours, even those fun mystery picnic food tours - and hands down, this one is the best.

We booked our tour for Oct 29 to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. From the moment Karen handed off piping hot cups of chowder and started taking photos - not just of the group, but individual photos for every single one of us - we knew we were in for a treat.

This gal does not skimp. Ever. The cheese shop was closed for a big seasonal event, and what did she do? Arranged ALL of the cheese to-go so we could enjoy it outside of the shop.

Seriously, the attention to detail is something that I thought you couldn't find in this day and age. I was so happy to be proven wrong.

I don't even know how to say what the best part is! I'm torn between... -The heavy pours during the wine tasting -The gallery of photos we received after the tour including notes on all the vendors and shops we visited -The interweaving of Salem's history without it ever skewing deep into witch/spooky territory -The lasting memories! For Christmas, we ordered items from almost every single vendor and had them shipped to our home so all our loved ones could share in the flavors and fun.

We'll be back on the East Coast this fall, and I'm doing everything in my power to have another Salem food tour during the trip. I don't even care if it's the exact same tour... It was that good!

DO NOT sleep on this opportunity. I recommend booking it at the start of your Salem trip as you get quite a few discounts for local shops after the tour!

Thank you Karen for an unforgettable first anniversary. You are...

I can’t say enough good things about this food tour in Salem, it was truly one of my favorite tours I’ve ever done. Karen was an incredible guide: warm, genuine, and full of knowledge about both Salem’s history and its vibrant food scene. You can tell she’s deeply connected to the community, which made the experience feel personal and thoughtfully curated.

What really stood out was how much variety the tour included, not just stops at restaurants, but visits to unique local shops where we sampled delicious items and even had the chance to purchase what we tried. It was such a fun way to discover hidden gems and take a little taste of Salem home with us.

Karen went above and beyond by taking photos throughout the tour and sending a detailed recap afterward, which was such a thoughtful touch. We also received exclusive discounts at several of the stops, adding even more value to an already well-priced tour. For everything we did, saw, and tasted, it was an incredible deal.

Just a heads-up: this isn’t a sit-down-style food tour, many of the stops are small shops or markets, so there’s a fair bit of walking and standing. But if you’re up for being on your feet, it’s 100% worth it.

Highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a flavorful, fun, and truly local way to...

I’ve now gone on at least 4 tours with Karen from Salem Food Tours, and each tour has been phenomenal. Karen has a passion for Salem and it’s history, food, people and culture. You get so much more on this tour than your typical Salem tour. She pulls back the curtain and truly gives you an insiders view of Salem beyond the common Salem Witch Trials view. Throughout your tour you will sample some of the best foods and drinks that Salem has to offer from a variety of locations across the city. She makes history come alive as you sample spices and learn about what truly put Salem on the map - their spice trade industry. Karen is ready and excited to give recommendations for restaurants, places to grab a drink, local attractions and local shops. It’s simply a joy to go on a tour with Karen and if you truly want an insiders view of Salem, meet local shop owners, and eat and drink your way through Salem and it’s history - do it with Karen. She is...