U Street Tour: Exploring DC's Cultural and Culinary History
4.8
249 Ratings
Washington
Experience the rich cultural and culinary history of U Street in Washington, DC. Discover the origins of famous musicians, explore hidden art, and taste diverse cuisines that reflect the neighborhood's vibrant past. Book now and support a local charity!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- U Street - Our tour will take place predominantly along the U St corridor, which is rich with history. We’ll stop in several places between restaurants to share the history and culture of this diverse neighborhood.
What's Included
- Professional local guide
- Inclusive lunch
- Rich historical content
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
Uncover the rich culinary traditions and history of DC as we walk and converse about the golden era of ‘Black Broadway’ and its vital role during the Jazz Age. You would be astounded to discover the number of famous names that had their beginnings in the modest clubs located along this avenue.
Experience the unique flavors of DC as we uncover the stories behind hidden murals, sculptures, and the artists that envisioned them. Understand the Civil Rights upheavals that left a lasting impact on the city and its skyline for years that followed. Discover the evolving architecture and its ongoing transformations.
Savor a diverse range of dishes that resonate with the historical narratives of this distinctively DC neighborhood. U Street is a not-to-be-missed locale in DC!
When booking, please inform us of any food-related allergies you may have.
A part of the revenue from every ticket sale is contributed to Bread For The City, an institution dedicated to providing food, clothes, health services, and legal and social support to alleviate the hardships endured by the impoverished residents of DC.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking - we cannot accommodate vegans :(
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please note: Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate vegan diets or dairy allergies on this tour.
Location
1213 U St NW
U Street Northwest
Please arrive 5 minutes prior to tour time and meet your guide outside of the restaurant. If you do not see your guide, please head inside and find your group.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(249 Ratings)
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Camille_s
May 14, 2024
Yummy Food, Interesting History! - We had a great tour with Jim! Loved hearing about the history of the U Street Neighborhood. Delicious food. Large servings so bring an appetite!
Review provided by Viator
U7217gutarar
Apr 20, 2024
A great way to experience DC! - As a DC local, I wholeheartedly recommend this guided food tour! It offers a fascinating insight into the rich history and transformation of U St, helping you understand its vibrant character today. The tour includes stops at four diverse restaurants, showcasing American, Ethiopian, Cuban cuisines, and ending with a delightful dessert. Our guide, Vanesa, was incredibly knowledgeable and approachable, eagerly answering questions and engaging with everyone. The walking route is mostly flat and covers just a few blocks, making it accessible for all ages. It truly offers a delightful experience with something for everyone to enjoy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debbiedo2733ef
Mar 31, 2024
What a great food tour - Such a great tour. We ate at 4 different unique restaurants and had a comprehensive tour of the U street area! Sanika and Vanesa were amazing tour guides. Super informative and fun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andy_h
Mar 24, 2024
Great food, great people, fun times. - 1. Great food. Half-smokes were my favorite. My wife leaned towards the pastelitos.
2. Excellent tour guide in Rasheed - he was highly knowledgeable and shared a ton of local history and personal experiences with us.
3. Very cool area to walk around and learn about the food and culture.
Overall great tour - THANKS!
Review provided by Viator
Dolly_m
Mar 22, 2024
More than we expected - Loved the story telling and the deep learning every step of the way. Not only did we get the opportunity to taste the culture we were learning about but we truly felt like we walked away with more knowledge than we signed up for
Review provided by Viator
Angela_p
Mar 16, 2024
Great Tour from Houston, Texas!!! - The food tour with Blue Fern Travel was amazing! My boyfriend and I were extremely pleased with our tour guide Jim’s knowledge of the community, his personal stories about experiences he’d had in the U Street Corridor, as well as his desire to ensure we had a fantastic experience. We visited four selectively chosen spots that did not disappoint. This tour was certainly a focus on Quality vs Quantity; and my boyfriend and I were not disappointed. Our favorite stop was an Ethiopian cafe that is sure to please all. It was our first Ethiopian dining experience, even though we live in Houston, Texas and can easily access Ethiopian cuisine. The presentation of the food, cleanliness of the cafe, and eclectic spices used in the dish made our experience one to remember. You too will enjoy it. Ben’s Chili Bowl, and Colada were also superb. However, our last stop was Jeni’s Ice Cream, and it was the perfect finish. This ice cream was served in a warm waffle cone and made every bite worth the time we plan to spend in the gym working it off! Absolutely fantastic tour! We recommend this tour with Blue Fern Travel. You will enjoy it!
Review provided by Viator
B9343pjkellyb
Jan 14, 2024
Delicious Way to explore the City - Pleasantly full is how I feel having just spent the afternoon in the U Street corridor with Jim. A food tour is never just about the food, and wow does this tour deliver. Get ready for a dive into the complex and beautiful story about U Street/ Black Broadway, the complex cycle of urban flight and regentrification, and the efforts of African American soldiers in the civil war. You will emerge knowing more about the city than you entered, and will have munched your way through it all.
Arrive with an empty stomach, the first two stops serve full portions (and you will not finish the food at stop two…you just can’t). Starting a Ben’s Chili bowl, then traversing from its Trinidadian roots to Ethiopian cuisine is a culinary adventure. Also, any food tour that begins by giving you a full bottle of water warms my heart right away, and that will get you through stops 1 and 2, with a glass of water meeting you at stop 3 where you journey will evolve from savory to sweet.
You’ll leave with a new friend (seriously, he told us to save his number and let him know how our food adventures go from here) and a list of Jim’s favorite DC area restaurants. We will definitely be looking for him on his Georgetown tour in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peggy_s
Apr 12, 2024
The guide was fabulous,... - The guide was fabulous, and the history was outstanding. The food was so-so - 4 stops with one being a regular ice cream store. Interesting foods, but not always tasty.
Review provided by Viator
Hi639623
Feb 26, 2024
So much history! - I felt that the amount of walking was just right, and everyone was happy with the amount of food. Would have loved to learn more about the food itself. The cost of this tour is a bit high but the company is ethical and approaching things the right way so we're happy to support them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joy_b
Jan 15, 2024
Pretty good - The tour is a little light. Would enjoy *more* info about neighborhood history, what was going on in the U.S. in general at that time, additional mural visits (I think we visited 2), just more in depth info. Guide was nice and fun, however. We did 4 food stops. First two are neighborhood establishments (savory). Second two (dessert) seemed to be chains? Disappointed compared to other foodie tours we've taken, but we would still recommend to friends.
Review provided by Viator
