Chef-Guided Market Tasting

Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market

★ 4.9 4,806 reviews

2 hours, free cancellation.

from $75 per person

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Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Tastings: Tastings included, not a full meal
Run by: Eat Seattle Tours

Overview

A working chef leads this two-hour walk through Pike Place Market, stopping at nine vendors to sample what the market does best. The listing describes it as a moving tour: the guide chooses the route, so the itinerary shifts with the season and the person leading it. Expect chowder, cheese, pizza and chocolate among the stops, plus stories about the market's history and the people behind the stalls.

The meeting point is on the street outside Simply Seattle at 1600 First Avenue, at the corner of Pine Street, and the guide will be wearing a chef coat. Groups are capped at 14 travellers. Skip-the-line access means you sample without queueing, and a discount card is included.

It suits travellers who want an early orientation to the market. More than one reviewer recommended doing the tour at the start of a Seattle visit so the recommendations can be used for the rest of the trip.

Flower and produce stalls lining a covered market arcade walkway

What's Included

Included

9 vendor food stops, sampling the best products of Pike Place Market
Discount card
Chef guide
Skip-the-line access

Not Included

Parking is not included in the ticket price. There are several garages near the market and street parking is available (free on Sunday)
Hotel pickup and drop-off not included

Itinerary

Meet at Simply SeattleMeet your chef outside Simply Seattle at 1600 1st Ave, on the corner of 1st Ave and Pine St. The listing asks travellers to arrive early, since the tour cannot double back for latecomers.
Pike Place MarketA 5-minute stop at the market itself.
Pike Place ChowderA 10-minute stop at Pike Place Chowder inside the market.
Beecher's Handmade CheeseStops at Beecher's totalling 15 minutes across the tour.
Pizza, pasta and maízShort stops at the Pizza and Pasta Bar and a 15-minute stop at maíz.
Seattle WaterfrontA 5-minute stop at the waterfront.
Made in Washington and Indi ChocolateA 15-minute stop at Made in Washington and 10 minutes at Indi Chocolate. The tour ends at the last stop inside Pike Place Market.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this tour feels day to day.

Where this tour sits among 10 tours in Pike Place Market Food Tours listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Vegan and Vegetarian Tastings$50
90-Minute Quick Tasting$50
Budget Insider Market Tour$58
8 Tastings, 3 Hours$60
Food and Arts Combo$65
Local's Market Tasting Walk$69
Chef-Guided Market Tasting (this tour)$75
Tips Included, 2 Hours 15 Min$112
4 Gourmet Courses$119
Breakfast Tour, Gratuity Included$160

Eating beforehand. One reviewer wished they had skipped breakfast before the 10:30 a.m. start, and several said the portions were generous. Come hungry.
Pace and terrain. The listing calls for moderate fitness, with stairs and uneven ground that also rule out strollers. One reviewer described it as a full two hours with a couple of staircases and uneven ground.
Weather. The tour runs in all conditions, so dress for the Seattle forecast. Layers and a rain shell are the sensible call.
Timing your trip. Several travellers recommend booking this early in a Seattle stay, since the stops and tips are useful for the rest of the visit.
Parking and transit. Parking is not included. The listing points to a paid garage at 1531 Western Ave but warns it can fill in summer, and notes the tour is near public transportation.
Dietary needs. The listing asks travellers to message the operator before the tour date about dietary considerations. Do this at booking rather than on the day.

$75from, per person

2 hoursduration

4.9across 4,806 guest reviews

14guests at most

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair or stroller accessible, and the listing does not recommend it for travellers with back problems. Summer traffic and parking around the market are a real problem: the garage the operator suggests can close when full, and late arrivals cannot be caught up once the walk moves off. Rescheduling or refunding is not possible for a no-show, and the route can differ from the published itinerary since guides pick their own paths. The operator also requires a minimum number of travellers; if it is not met, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The ticket covers nine vendor food stops with samples, a chef guide, skip-the-line access and a discount card. Gratuities are optional and not included, and parking is not included either.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

No. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You meet the chef outside Simply Seattle at 1600 1st Ave, on the corner of Pine Street, and the tour ends at the last stop inside Pike Place Market.

How Long Is The Tour And How Big Are The Groups?

It runs for two hours with a maximum of 14 travellers. The listing asks you to arrive early, because the guide cannot catch you up once the tour has left the meeting point.

Is It Suitable For Kids Or People With Limited Mobility?

Not wheelchair or stroller accessible, due to stairs and uneven terrain. The listing also flags moderate physical fitness and advises against it for travellers with back problems. Service animals are allowed.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels for weather or low numbers, you get a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Comfortable shoes for uneven ground, weather-appropriate clothing, and an appetite, since reviewers consistently say the samples are plentiful. A message to the operator ahead of time covers any dietary considerations.