🍽️Savor Homegrown Flavors in the heart of Monterey Bay🌊 Monterey’s original walking food!
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Discover...the hidden gems of the Monterey Bay
Taste...food and beverages from the Central Coast's finest
Enjoy...the sights and sounds of Monterey Bay as we stroll through the most unique eateries and restaurants
12/09/2024
🌮 Shawarma Meets Tacos Al Pastor 🌯
What do shawarma and tacos al pastor have in common? A lot more than you might think!
Shawarma, a popular Middle Eastern street food, made its way to Mexico in the 1920s thanks to Lebanese immigrants. There, it transformed into tacos al pastor—a Mexican classic with pork marinated in spices and pineapple, inspired by the original vertical spit cooking method of shawarma.
Today, you can find both dishes in the Monterey Bay area: shawarma at Middle Eastern eateries and tacos al pastor at countless local taquerias. Talk about a fusion of flavors and cultures!
Which is your favorite—shawarma or tacos al pastor? Let us know in the comments!
12/02/2024
Looking to gift an unforgettable experience? Book a Monterey Bay Food Tour this Cyber Monday and give the gift of local flavor and adventure! 🍴✨
Digital gift cards available through our website or DM us for more information.
11/30/2024
🎉 Happy Small Business Saturday! 🎉
Today, we celebrate the local shops, restaurants, and artisans that make Monterey so special. At Monterey Bay Food Tours, we’re proud to partner with incredible small businesses that showcase the best of our community—from handmade pastries to locally brewed beer and so much more.
When you book a tour or order one of our Foodie Totes, you’re supporting not just us, but dozens of other amazing small businesses. 💛
Let’s keep our community thriving! Share your favorite small business in Monterey below and show them some love today. 🛍️✨
11/29/2024
Looking for unique holiday gifts? Our Foodie Totes are filled with Monterey’s best local flavors and can be fully customized! Perfect for anyone who loves food and supporting local businesses. 🎁🍫
11/28/2024
Happy Thanksgiving from Monterey Bay Food Tours!
We’re grateful for the incredible guests, local partners, and Monterey community that make our tours so special. Thank you for sharing in our journey! 🧡🍂
11/25/2024
🌴 Did You Know? 🌴
Dates are a culinary treasure shared by both California and the Middle East! While the UAE is famous for its rich, caramel-like dates (with over 100 varieties grown there!), California’s Coachella Valley is one of the largest producers of Medjool dates in the U.S. 🍯
Dates also hold strong cultural significance. Known as ‘tamr’ in Arabic, they are traditionally served with warm Arabic coffee as a symbol of hospitality—a gesture you’ll experience in luxury hotels and cultural attractions across the UAE. The fruit is also important in Islamic tradition, often mentioned for its medicinal and nutritious properties. During the holy month of Ramadan, dates are a staple, commonly eaten to break daily fasts.
Not only are dates delicious, but they’re also packed with health benefits:
✨ High in fiber and antioxidants
✨ Great for a quick energy boost
✨ A perfect natural sweetener for recipes
I’ve loved trying the different varieties of dates, from Khallas and Lulu in the UAE to California’s famous Medjools. Each one has its own unique flavor and texture—perfect for snacking, baking, or pairing with coffee. How do you like to enjoy dates?
11/24/2024
Explore Monterey’s flavors any day of the week! Our tours are now available 7 days a week, so there’s always a chance to discover something new. 🌊🍴
11/22/2024
Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf isn’t just scenic—it’s steeped in history, dating back to the city’s days as a major sardine exporter.
Join our tour to learn more! 🐟
11/22/2024
Give the gift of Monterey flavors with our customizable Foodie Totes! Perfect for corporate gifts, employee appreciation, or a special treat for friends or family. 🎁🍫
Contact us to customize your order!
11/21/2024
🍷 Beaujolais Nouveau Day is Here! 🍷
Every year on the third Thursday of November, wine lovers around the world celebrate the release of Beaujolais Nouveau—the first wine of the harvest! This light, fruity red wine is made from Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region of France and is known for its vibrant, festive flavor.
It’s the perfect excuse to raise a glass and toast to the joys of food, wine, and good company. Whether you’re pairing it with your favorite cheese board or sipping it solo, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about celebrating the moment.
Once you try this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau, let us know what you think! 🍇🍷
11/20/2024
Partner Spotlight: Manasiri Crepes
From sweet to savory, Manasiri Crepes is a must-try stop on our tour! Our guests especially love the table-side crepe demo. Have you tried their Turkish coffee yet? ☕
11/18/2024
Shout out to Sonja and Valerie for leading yet another fantastic tour!
Michelle L said:
Great Food Tour Experience
Old Monterey Walking Food Tour
"We had an excellent tour guide, who clearly knew the area well and shared lots of relevant local history. The tasty stops for food and drinks offered just the right amount to eat and were spaced out well."
11/15/2024
We’re now offering public tours 7 days a week!
Discover Monterey’s best food, stories, and scenic spots any day you choose. 🍴📅
11/15/2024
☕ Karak Chai vs. Masala Chai ☕
If you’re a chai lover, here’s a fun comparison of two favorites—karak chai and masala chai! Karak chai, a staple in the UAE and Gulf countries, has a rich, terra-cotta color and a creamy, thick texture thanks to evaporated or condensed milk. With bold notes of cardamom and a hint of saffron, it’s the ultimate in strong, full-flavored tea. “Karak” means “strong” in Hindi, a perfect description of this bold drink that you can often found served car side in the UAE! 🌍
In contrast, masala chai from India combines black tea with a blend of warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. This traditional mix is fragrant and spicy, with each region—or even family—adding its own unique twist. 🫖✨
You can experience a delicious homemade version of chai at East Village Cafe in Monterey—made from scratch with immunity-boosting spices and no added preservatives or excess sugar.
Not in Monterey or the Middle East? Order authentic chai from our friends at Chai Five Tea to enjoy at home! Their original chai blend is crafted with 100% regenerative organic, single-origin ingredients to boost energy, reduce inflammation, and support overall wellness. This blend, with just a third the caffeine of coffee, is rich in antioxidants and mood-boosting compounds. 🌱🧘♂️
Which chai would you choose?
11/13/2024
Happy ! We’re grateful for the wonderful local partners who make every tour a warm and welcoming experience. Let’s spread kindness, one delicious bite at a time! 🍴❤️
11/11/2024
Thank you from Monterey Bay Food Tours for your service and sacrifice, not just today, but every day!
Military, veterans, law enforcement and first responders use code MLEFR10 at checkout to save 10% on your next food tour.
11/09/2024
Give the gift of Monterey flavors with our customizable Foodie Totes! Perfect for corporate gifts, employee appreciation, or a special treat for yourself. 🎁🍫
Contact us to customize your order!
11/08/2024
Did you know California’s first theater was established right here in Monterey? Discover more hidden gems and historical treasures on our Old Monterey Tour! 🏛️
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Videos
☕ Karak Chai vs. Masala Chai ☕
If you’re a chai lover, here’s a fun comparison of two favorites—karak chai and masala chai! Karak chai, a staple in the UAE and Gulf countries, has a rich, terra-cotta color and a creamy, thick texture thanks to evaporated or condensed milk. With bold notes of cardamom and a hint of saffron, it’s the ultimate in strong, full-flavored tea. “Karak” means “strong” in Hindi, a perfect description of this bold drink that you can often found served car side in the UAE! 🌍
In contrast, masala chai from India combines black tea with a blend of warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. This traditional mix is fragrant and spicy, with each region—or even family—adding its own unique twist. 🫖✨
You can experience a delicious homemade version of chai at East Village Cafe in Monterey—made from scratch with immunity-boosting spices and no added preservatives or excess sugar.
Not in Monterey or the Middle East? Order authentic chai from our friends at Chai Five Tea to enjoy at home! Their original chai blend is crafted with 100% regenerative organic, single-origin ingredients to boost energy, reduce inflammation, and support overall wellness. This blend, with just a third the caffeine of coffee, is rich in antioxidants and mood-boosting compounds. 🌱🧘♂️
Which chai would you choose?
#MontereyBayFoodTours #KarakChai #MasalaChai #EastVillageCafe #ChaiFiveTea #InternationalFlavors #ChaiLovers #TasteTheWorld #ExploreMonterey
🍋 Flavors Around the World 🍋
Ingredient Spotlight: Sumac + Fattoush Salad Recipe
Sumac, a tangy, lemony spice often used in Middle Eastern cuisine, is the star ingredient in Fattoush salad—one of my all-time favorite salads. This vibrant salad is bursting with fresh vegetables, toasted pita, and a zesty sumac dressing that adds the perfect pop of flavor.
Monterey is known for its fresh, local citrus (lemons, limes, etc.), so you can compare the flavor of sumac to the zesty citrus flavors often found in Monterey’s seafood dishes. For a local twist, try sumac as a spice for grilled local Monterey fish like rock cod, roasted veggies or in a citrus-based vinaigrette for salads.
Here’s a simple recipe to make Fatoush salad at home:
Salad: 🥗
Romaine lettuce
Purslane
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Green Bell Pepper
Radishes
Red or green onions
Fresh mint
Toasted pita
Dressing:🫗
3 tbsp Olive oil
2 tbsp Lemon juice
2 cloves Garlic minced
1 tsp Sumac
1 tsp Pomegranate molasses
1/2 tsp Dried Mint
1/2 tsp Salt
Fresh cracked black pepper
In Monterey? Look for sumac and pomegranate molasses at International Market on Lighthouse.
#MontereyBayFoodTours #ExploreMonterey #Sumac #FatoushSalad #MiddleEasternCuisine #LocalFlavors #FoodieAdventure #GlobalFlavors
*Recipe adapted from Feel Good Foodie
I am the owner of Monterey Bay Food Tours, the first and only walking food tour in Monterey. If you are not familiar with a walking food tour, it is a great way to visit multiple unique local eateries and restaurants sampling their specialties at a leisurely pace, with the convenience of pre-planning and coordination by a local tour guide.
My customers will have a unique experience that they would not have if they were to visit these restaurants on their own. This could be anything from sitting somewhere special, taking a kitchen tour, talking with the owner or chef, a visit from a wine maker, to eating something that is not on the menu. Monterey Bay Food Tours is committed to sharing a passion for food in a fun and creative environment and strive to provide exceptional customer service and an unforgettable experience. Our tours are great for locals and tourist alike. Every time I do a tour with locals, they always discover something new!
The Old Monterey tours are open to the public through on-line booking and will accommodate up to 12 people. The Old Monterey Tour is approximately three hours and will take you to 5-6 different restaurants and eateries on the side streets of Downtown Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf, spending about 25 minutes at each stop. You will taste the different cultural influences that have made Monterey what it is today. Your tour guide will also tell you some fun facts about the Monterey Bay area.
I am currently working with restaurants and eateries in New Monterey to offer a one of a kind tour with some of Monterey's finest. This area was once the home of the sardine canneries and the inspiration of several Steinbeck novels. Today it is one of the most visited areas in the Monterey Bay, but actually has some of the best "off the beaten path" hidden gems. We can't wait to share!
We also offer custom and private tours. We can customize tours to meet your needs. Working with a specific budget? Want an all seafood tour? Want a stop at a local cigar shop to browse ci**rs, local wines, scotch, and beers? Want an all vegetarian tour? Want 3, 5, or 7 restaurants and all beer, wine, cocktails, or nonalcoholic beverages at each stop? Contact us so we can put together your unique experience.
Customers can book online at montereybayfoodtours.com
