Cheese and stories share a 2.5-hour walk. You’ll get Reading Terminal Market tastings plus a Di Bruno Bros cheese stop, guided by Philly locals like Matt, Steve, and Mary Ann. It’s a smart way to sample more than cheesesteak and still learn where the flavors come from.

I like that this tour stays small (max 12 people), so your guide can steer you through crowds and answer questions while you eat. You also cover more than one neighborhood vibe, ending near Rittenhouse Square after Center City strolling.

One heads-up: Reading Terminal Market can feel packed on weekends, so plan for close quarters and walk-and-sample pacing. If you have food restrictions, ask ahead and confirm the guide can accommodate you.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Max 12 people means you actually get attention instead of eating on autopilot
• Reading Terminal Market tastings mix Amish, Middle Eastern, and classic standbys like cheese curds
• Di Bruno Bros farmstead + imported cheese tasting gives you a real “how to taste” lesson
• Center City walk + Rittenhouse Square finish turns snacks into a mini tour of the city
• Mobile ticket keeps things simple on the day
• Local guides like Matt, Steve, and Mary Ann add context beyond the food

Reading Terminal Market: Where Philly’s Food Traditions Collide

Reading Terminal Market is one of those places where the city’s identity shows up in your hands and on your plate. You’re not just grabbing snacks—you’re sampling how different communities shaped what Philadelphians eat. On this tour, you’ll start inside the market with tastings that reflect that mix, including Amish and Middle Eastern specialties alongside familiar favorites like gourmet cheese curds.

This matters because it changes how you experience the market. Instead of wandering randomly and feeling stuck between choices, you’re given a sequence—so you can compare flavors and textures without doing the math in real time. And when your guide adds context, the food becomes easier to remember: what makes a particular cheese style different, why a dish shows up here, and how the city’s geography and immigration shaped menus.

Also, Philly rewards walking. This route makes it easy to go from the market’s intensity to the calmer, more architectural feel of Center City and the open space around Rittenhouse Square. It’s the kind of food day plan that doesn’t turn into a full-day marathon.

From PNC Bank to Rittenhouse Square: A 2.5-Hour Walk You Can Actually Follow

The tour runs about 2 hours 30 minutes total, with a natural rhythm of eating, short walking segments, and a cheese tasting stop. You’ll meet at PNC Bank, 1111 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, and the experience ends near Rittenhouse Square.

That end point is a practical win. After the tour, you’re already close to places people want to visit next—without having to backtrack across the city. It also helps you pace the day: you can schedule other activities earlier or later because you’re not stuck returning to the same starting corner.

The tour is built for a small group, capped at 12. In real-world terms, that means your guide can keep you moving at a workable pace and help you navigate busy sections without turning every stop into a bottleneck.

If you’re coming by public transportation, this area is easy to reach, and the meeting spot is prominent enough that you shouldn’t be playing street-spotter for long. Just bring comfortable shoes; you’re walking through parts of Center City after the market, and it adds up.

Reading Terminal Market Tastings: Amish, Middle Eastern, and Cheese Curds

The food portion begins in Reading Terminal Market with the first three vendors—so you’re not stuck guessing where to start. Expect a mix that reflects Philadelphia’s blend of traditions. The tour is designed around contrast: savory bites in different styles, plus items that show up because locals actually seek them out.

You’ll also see the market through a guide’s lens. One guide (Steve) is praised for keeping the group moving even on busy weekends, which matters because the market can swell fast. Another guide (Matt) is noted for sharing facts about the food itself and the establishments locals return to.

A key part of the experience is that you’re not just eating random things. You’re getting a guided sampler that includes standouts like gourmet cheese curds. That’s more interesting than it sounds because cheese curds are one of those “simple” foods that can vary a lot in how they’re made and served. You get to notice what you like—crispness, seasoning, and how creamy or tangy the flavor reads.

And yes, you’ll walk after the market too, so treat this as a paced food tour rather than an everything-you-can-eat sprint. If you start with a big bite, save room for the later cheese tasting and dessert.

Di Bruno Bros Cheese Tasting: Farmstead and Imported Cheatsheets

The tour’s cheese moment happens at Di Bruno Bros, with a 30-minute cheese tasting. This is where the experience shifts from “eat and enjoy” to “taste with purpose.”

You’ll sample farmstead and imported cheeses, which is a useful way to learn the difference between local production and cheeses coming from other regions. Even if you’re not a hardcore cheese person, this stop helps you build a quick vocabulary for what you’re tasting: how different cheeses can feel (creamy vs. firm), how flavors shift (buttery, tangy, nutty), and what kind of bite you prefer.

In a tip-style highlight from a past guest, there’s also mention of buying a glass of wine when you’re at the cheese stop, plus taking advantage of the shopping downstairs. Even if you skip wine, the practical idea holds: Di Bruno’s is a place to browse while you’re there, and the tasting gives you a reason to shop smart rather than randomly grab something you don’t understand.

Because the group is small, you’re less likely to be shoved aside during sampling. That’s important in a tasting setting, where attention to detail is the whole point.

Center City Stroll and a Sweet Stop Near Rittenhouse Square

After the market, the tour continues with a walk through Center City toward Rittenhouse Square. This isn’t just a scenic shuffle; it’s where your guide ties food into place. Guides like Mary Ann are specifically praised for mixing food talk with information about the city and its architecture, which helps you “see” Philadelphia while you’re eating.

The route also ends with a sweet dessert near Rittenhouse Square. That last stop is a smart pacing move. You get savory highlights first, then cheese, then finish with something sweet—so your taste buds aren’t exhausted by the time you reach the dessert.

One practical consideration: because you’ll be walking through a central area, this tour works best when you dress for movement and you don’t plan a tightly timed schedule right afterward. You’ll cover ground at a comfortable pace, but it’s still a walking food tour.

If you like to plan your day around food with context—not just random eating—this “city walk + dessert finish” is the part that makes the tour feel like more than snacks.

Guides, Group Size, and Food Restrictions: What to Expect

The biggest quality lever here is the small group size (12 max). In a busy market, that matters. You can move as a unit, keep eyes on your guide, and still feel like the tour is personal. Past guests also praised guides for handling crowds well—getting everyone through without losing the thread of the story.

Guide style is part of the value. Matt and Steve are praised for being enthusiastic and sharing facts about the foods and local history of places you’re passing. Mary Ann is described as friendly and strong at the architecture-and-city-info angle. That variety is a good sign: you’re not locked into one-note food narration.

Food restrictions are the one area where you should be proactive. One guest mentioned gluten needs and said they were told accommodations could be discussed with the guide. That’s the right mindset: if you have dietary restrictions, don’t wait until the day of. Ask before you go, and be ready to follow up with the guide about what’s possible.

Also, because it’s a “taste your way” format, you should show up hungry but not starving. The tour is designed for sampling—so if you arrive after a big meal, you’ll feel the portion gap.

Value Check: What $0 Buys You in Philly

The tour price shows as $0.00, which is rare for a 2.5-hour guided food experience. At that value, the main question becomes: how much of your day’s “fun budget” does this replace?

Here’s what you’re getting that would normally cost money:

• Admission included for the market segment (for that portion of the tasting flow)
• A Di Bruno Bros tasting stop, listed as ticket free
• A handful of different tastings across multiple styles, including cheese and sweet dessert
• A guided walking route through Center City and toward Rittenhouse Square

So even if the headline price feels too good, the structure makes sense: you’re paying with time and appetite, not cash. You also get something you can’t buy at a counter—a guide’s sequencing, crowd management, and food explanations that help you make better choices later.

Just don’t treat it like a free-for-all. You’ll still walk and sample a series of foods, so show up ready to participate. If you’re the type who likes to compare flavors and learn while you eat, this is an easy yes at this price.

Should you book Locals’ Favorites Food Tour?

If your goal is to eat your way through Reading Terminal Market with less guesswork, this tour is a solid pick. The combination of market tastings, a focused Di Bruno Bros cheese tasting, and a short Center City walk ending near Rittenhouse Square makes it feel like a mini itinerary, not just a snack stop parade.

Book it if you want:

• Guided tastings across multiple food traditions (including Amish and Middle Eastern options)
• A small-group pace (max 12)
• A cheese stop with farmstead + imported education
• A walk that ends in a convenient sightseeing area

Skip or reconsider if:

• You have very strict dietary needs and haven’t confirmed accommodations
• You hate crowds and longish walking segments (the market can get busy)

FAQ

What is the Locals’ Favorites Food Tour in Philadelphia?

It’s an insider-led, small-group food tour that takes you through Reading Terminal Market and includes a cheese tasting at Di Bruno Bros, plus a sweet dessert near Rittenhouse Square.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at PNC Bank, 1111 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA.

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What does the tour cost?

The listed price is $0.00.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

What are the main tasting stops?

You’ll visit Reading Terminal Market first, then head to Di Bruno Bros for a cheese tasting.

How long is the Di Bruno Bros cheese tasting?

The Di Bruno Bros stop includes a cheese tasting for 30 minutes.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

The information states that most travelers can participate.