Paradise Food Tours: A Naples Florida Food Tour That’s Loco Bueno!
If you’re looking for a fun Naples Florida food tour, food lovers should hop in and taste your way around SWFL.
There’s a lot to be said for being first at the party, and when you have an idea that’s not only original but tasty too, you know you’re onto something special!
Liz Valdez has hit on that something special with Paradise Food Tours (formerly Driven Foodie Tours), her uber-authentic Hispanic food tour in southwest Florida — and we don’t mean being driven in an Uber, although the ride is just as fly as the food.
Her one-of-a-kind food tours are fun and entertaining — and sure to become the new food-lover’s favorite thing to do in Naples!
We recently joined Liz and a few other foodies for her first tour — the taco tour—even though it was much more than tacos. Here’s what you need to know!
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Be introduced to an authentic side of Naples cuisine tucked away in hidden spots in and around Golden Gate City, the Hispanic heart of Naples on a fun 4-hour food tour.
Naples Florida Food Tours
We’ve taken many food tours around the world, and there aren’t any food tours in Naples Florida where a knowledgable guide takes you on an organized tour of the “local” cuisine to local markets and eateries.
Sure, you can find foodie advice and reviews on where you should eat next in Naples.
And you can read the numerous posts we’ve written on Naples’ best restaurants, and those in Marco Island, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel and Captiva too.
But Paradise Food Tours’ Nacho Average Taco tour is the first tasting tour of its kind in Naples. It was so popular, more tours followed.
Bridging Cultural Gaps Through Food
Any food-loving traveler knows that food transcends mere sustenance and reflects the local culture of a place.
You learn so much about a place when you eat what’s local and traditional, even if you’re traveling around your own backyard.
Paradise Food Tours has a mission to “bridge the cultural gap” and introduce non-Hispanics to Hispanic cuisine.
But can food really bridge cultural divides? We know it can!
This tenet speaks right to the heart of slow food that we cover on our slow travel website.
It’s a subject we’ve been passionate about since we first started traveling.
Food flavors around the world are ever-changing, influenced by the culture of whomever is stirring the pot at any given moment in time.
In South Florida, food flavors are known to be especially diverse. In Naples however, food tends to lean toward fresh seafood and “new American cuisine” with a heavy side of Italian, at least for visitors.
So it’s refreshing to find a food tour that’s introduces locals and visitors alike to something that’s been in Naples for decades (and Florida for centuries) — Hispanic food.
Paradise Food Tours
Tour Overview
We took the 4-hour Nacho Average Mexican Foodie Tour of Naples which introduced us to an authentic side of Naples cuisine tucked away in hidden spots in and around Golden Gate City, the Hispanic heart of Naples.
While Liz isn’t Hispanic, her husband is, and it was his introduction that ultimately led her to the idea of starting a dedicated taco tour so others unfamiliar with the freshness of Mexican cuisine could experience that in Naples.
On the tour, you’ll be driven to four of Naples' best Mexican and Hispanic restaurants, food markets, and tortillerias that are family-owned and operated — local Mom and Pop places that are welcoming and generous in food and spirit. I’d bet many locals don’t even know about them!
There, you’ll try a generous tasting of foods such as tacos, quesadillas, birria, hand made tortillas, guacamole, margaritas, and frozen treats.
You’ll meet up with the tour at a designated spot in central Naples, then hop in a luxury air-conditioned SUV with leather seats and dance-inducing Latin music to set the tone for the tour.
You can purchase any foods at any of the stops to take home and believe me, you’ll want to. From the handmade corn and flour tortillas and taco fillings to the decadent bakery items and spices you’ve always needed for Latin-inspired recipes but were never able to find.
At first we thought a 4-hour tour might be too long, but time flies when you’re eating good food! We were happy to find it was just right amount of time.
What’s Included
All food, non-alcoholic drinks, and transportation are provided, as are cold water bottles.
A cooler is kept in the car for transporting your take home food, “doggie bags”, and guest purchases.
What to Bring
Alcoholic drinks are not included, so bring cash for MARGARITAS — they’re delish!
We also recommend bringing a credit card for food store purchases, and extra cash for tips.
What We Loved
Liz is super fun and engaging, and uses her unique background to the tour’s advantage, telling guests about her first introduction to Naples’ Hispanic community and the food.
She offered lots of great info and details about the food, the businesses, and their history in Naples (how they got started, how long in business, and their specialties).
The Food! Tacos, birria, sope, authentic barbacoa, and a Mangolada or unique ice cream treats for dessert — it was all delish.
If you’ve never tasted some of these foods before, you’ll be amazed at the freshness and depth of flavors.
Cost
All Ages — $129
Private Tour for up to 7 people — $700
They say a true testament to good business is repeat customers.
On the night of our tour, Liz noticed a couple at one of the stops who had just taken her tour the week before, only this time they were back introducing their children and grandchildren to their new favorite food spots!
So go ahead. Take the tour, then come back for more!
If You Go
Paradise Food Tours offers several unique food tours including their taco tour, a pizza tour, the Ciao Down Italian tour, a Downtown Bonita History and Tasting tour, and more.
They also provide private group transportation for up to 14 guests at a time, and do corporate tours of 20-55 guests, from Punta Gorda to Marco Island.
Paradise Food Tours, Naples FL, 866-EAT-SWFL
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