Spade Non-Touristy Food Tour

The Only Locally Owned Non-Touristy Food Tour by Spade & Palacio

★ 4.9 901 reviews

from $93.37 per person

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Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point: 531 Rue Bélanger
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
On board: Food and drinks included
Run by: Spade & Palacio Tours

Overview

This three-hour walk starts at Marché Jean-Talon and works its way through Little Italy and the surrounding Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie district before finishing on Saint Laurent Boulevard. The tour is run by Spade & Palacio, a locally owned operator, and one reviewer described it as an original tour that avoids the usual script of poutine and smoked meat. Peruvian food, Syrian food, chocolate, cheese, coffee, sorbet, and salami and ham all appear in traveller accounts of the stops.

A local guide leads the group, and food and drinks along the way are included in the price. Groups are capped at 10 travellers.

It does not suit everyone equally. The route is not wheelchair accessible, most of the time is spent standing or walking, and dietary needs must be flagged at checkout. Children pay a reduced rate only when sharing with two paying adults, and a vegetarian option exists if requested at booking.

What's Included

Included

Local guide
Food and drinks

Not Included

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Guide And Group In Brief

Guide	Included
Group size	Up to 10 travellers

Itinerary

Meet outside Los PlanesThe group meets at 531 Rue Bélanger, outside Los Planes restaurant. Travellers should arrive 10 minutes early, since latecomers cannot be waited for.
Marché Jean-TalonOne hour inside the market. Travellers describe this as a highlight, with many stalls to see and sample from.
Little ItalyRoughly 45 minutes in the neighbourhood around the market.
Rosemont-La Petite-PatrieAbout an hour in this district.
Saint Laurent Boulevard finishThe walk ends after about 15 minutes on Saint Laurent Boulevard at État de choc, 6466 Boul. Saint-Laurent.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this tour goes.

Rating And Season In Brief

Rating	4.9 from 901 reviews
Weather	Needs good weather: if the operator cancels for poor weather you are offered another date or a full refund.

Come hungry. One reviewer advises eating only a light breakfast beforehand, and another says to go hungry because of all the fabulous food. Stops reported by travellers include coffee, chocolate, cheese, Peruvian food, sorbet, Syrian food, and salami and ham.
Wear good shoes. One reviewer notes there is a lot of standing, and recommends comfortable shoes. The whole tour lasts three hours on foot through the market and several neighbourhoods.
Small group. The group is capped at 10 travellers. One reviewer mentioned feeling like they had made new friends by the end of the walk.
Guide stories. Reviewers consistently praise the guides' knowledge of the city, the neighbourhoods and the families running the visited businesses. Several describe guides who share background stories connecting the food, culture and history of the area.

Dietary needs. Allergies and food restrictions must be entered in the Special Requirements box at checkout. A vegetarian option is available but must be requested at booking. One reviewer forgot to mention a no-meat preference in advance and still enjoyed the tour, though the better route is to flag it.
Weather matters. The experience requires good weather and may be cancelled for poor conditions, with a different date or a full refund offered. Dress for walking outdoors in whatever the day brings.

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Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point and from the end point. Gratuities are not in the price. The tour requires a minimum number of travellers and can be cancelled if that minimum is not met, with a different date, a different experience, or a full refund offered. Cancellations by travellers must be made at least 24 hours before the start time for a refund.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

A local guide plus the food and drinks at the stops are included. Gratuities and hotel pickup and drop-off are not.

Do I Have To Pay For Food Or Market Admission Separately?

No. The price includes food and drinks, and admission to the listed stops is covered or free. Only tips are extra.

Where Does The Tour Meet And End?

The meeting point is outside Los Planes restaurant at 531 Rue Bélanger, and the walk ends at État de choc, 6466 Boul. Saint-Laurent. Arrive 10 minutes early, as the guide cannot wait for latecomers. There is no hotel transport.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?

A child rate applies only when sharing with two paying adults. The route is not wheelchair accessible, and most travellers can participate. Given the three hours of walking and standing, anyone with mobility concerns should weigh that carefully.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window there is no refund and changes are not accepted. Weather cancellations or an unmet minimum group size come with an offer of a different date, a different experience, or a full refund.

What Should I Bring And How Should I Prepare?

Wear comfortable shoes, since reviewers report a lot of standing and walking over three hours, and bring weather-appropriate clothing. Enter any allergies or restrictions, including the vegetarian option, in the Special Requirements box at checkout.