North End Market Tour

Very informative as to history and food and where to buy interesting items. We loved Maria's bakery and made sure we returned after the tour to buy some goodies to take home. We could have used a few extra hours either before or after the tour to do some further exploration. I plan to come back sometime in the not too distant future to spend more time in each of the stores we visited and to make some purchases. We took our adult son and his girlfriend and they enjoyed it as much as we did. Even though it's 3 hours, there isn't much walking and we got to sit down from time to time if needed. Our tour guide, Dick, was very knowledgeable and able to answer all of our questions. I highly recommend this tour.

My brother and I took the tour and can honestly say it was one of the BEST tours we have ever taken...well worth the fee. Our guide Jim, was not only informative, but professional, knowledgable, and fun as well. All of the shops on the tour were unique, clean, friendly and offered something very different from the "regular" supermarket. The only drawback to the tour is that I will never be able to eat "supermarket" deli again and actually think it's good. This tour is the real deal and a must do if you're in Boston.

This was the best part of our 8-day stay in Boston. Jim was so knowledgable on the history of the area, the foods, spices and beverages. Our only wish was that we had taken a notebook with us to take notes on some of the products we sampled on the tour. We went back the next day to a number of the shops that were on the tour and bought the fixings for a fine picnic feast which we enjoyed at the nearby Christopher Columbus Park. We've recommended this to everyone we've met.

Despite unseasonable weather (near-freezing with drizzle), this tour has been the standout of my time in Boston. The guide, Jim, was friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and enjoyable to be around. I'm not sure how to respond to others' reviews that were unfavorable, but there is nothing negative to be said about this tour. We received ample samplings of a variety of meats, pastry, cheeses, produce, and snacks. And as others have noted, it won't replace a meal. Prior to the tour I imagined our stop at Maria's Pastry would be my favorite. Surprisingly, even though Maria's was delicious, my favorite stop was actually at the Salumeria Italiana (deli/butcher). I have never tasted such wonderful meat flavors and cheeses before. The prosciutto melted in your mouth like buttah. ;) Do yourself a flavor and sign up for this tour.

EVEN IN THE RAIN, THIS WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE. WE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THE NORTH END, AND ABOUT ITALIAN INGREDIENTS IN GENERAL! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Speaker was very interesting and enthusiastic. I was glad we went on a weds because many of the stops were crowded and it must be worse on a Sat. I am looking forward to scheduling the Chinatown tour.I would love to take cooking classes if available also.

My friend and I loved the tour! It was great fun and inspired me to cook!

very informative tour and fun out guide was very good I enjoyed all the markets and shops we visited I will go on the Chinatown tour in the spring

I can't say enough good things about the experience we had on our tour of Boston's North End. The limited size of our group made it more intimate and our guide was not only knowledgeable, but passionate about Italian cuisine and tradition. She made me and my family excited enough to come back to the North End for a traditional Italian dinner and some shopping that same evening. Bravo!

My thirteen year old daughter enjoyed this tour. If you have a teenager that is all you will need to know. This tour is excellent. The north-end is like a small Italian village. The tour is an immersion into the tastes, aromas, and sights of an european-like section of a large city. Maria and Enda at Maria's Bakery, welcome you as guests into their store. The pastries were marvelous and their hospitality was exceptional. The wine selection at both liquor stores was incredible. At a store like Polcari's and the candy store I found items that you can't find hardly anywhere- especially in the large overwhelming corporate run stores. No big boxes here. I enjoyed the information about the history of the north end settlers and the difference between Italian and Italian American foods. I also liked the tastings that compared the smell and tastes of the same type of spice and nut. I think this is a great tour for adults and teenagers interested in the culinary arts or teenagers that like to eat. Take the tour. You wont' regret it.