Gettysburg is a small town with a big history. And what better way to learn about the town than to go on a food tour? Gettysburg Food Tours offers a unique opportunity to sample the local cuisine while learning about the town's rich past.
Along the way, you'll sample delicious food from some of Gettysburg's best-known restaurants. Whether you're a history buff or a foodie, Gettysburg Food Tours is sure to offer an enjoyable and educational experience. (Bonus points to those who are both a foodie AND history buff!)
Gettysburg is known for its historical sites related to the Civil War, but it's also home to some great food. I took a Savory Gettysburg Food Tour, a 3-hour tour that took us around seven different places in Gettysburg where we sampled some amazing food, olive oil, and gelato. Not only did we get a variety of food to sample in Gettysburg, but we also learned a bit of history along the way.
One thing to know about food tours is that you should not expect them all to be the same. Because many local restaurants like to use fresh, seasonal produce, their menus are subject to change. Your experience will most likely be different from mine, but should still be just as enjoyable nonetheless.
Where We Ate
Jump to:
1. Tacos Monarca Mexican Grill
The Gettysburg Food Tour takes you on a culinary journey through the town and the tour lasts about 3 hours. On our tour, we started at Tacos Monarca Mexican Grill where we sampled authentic Mexican cuisine. We sampled a corn taco with beef chunks, cheese, cilantro and onion, which was served with beef soup to dip the tacos.
It was cool to look out the window and imagine Abraham Lincoln riding a train into town before he was to deliver his famous Gettysburg Address.
Tacos Monarca is located by the railroad tracks at 11 W Railroad St. Hours are 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM daily.
As you will notice in the pictures, the day started a little overcast, but by the time we finished, the sun was shining bright. Food tours typically take place rain or shine, so be prepared when you go.
2. Food 101
Our next stop was at Food 101, a true farm-to-table restaurant. If "it" is not in season, they aren't serving "it."
We had a slice of their homemade pizza made with homemade pizza dough, homemade sauce, and fresh, local toppings. The thin crust pizza was incredible.
Food 101 is in a building that had once been a pool hall. The chef teaches a local culinary class that is literally farm-to-fork. (He and students go from the farmers market to the class room.)
Food 101 is located at 101 Chambersburg St and opens daily at 11:00 am and is open until 8:00 PM Sunday - Thursday and until 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
3. Garryowen Irish Pub
We headed west and stopped at Garryowen Irish Pub, an authentic Irish Pub in the heart of Gettysburg. Once inside, it's as if we left Pennsylvania and were magically transported to Ireland. We sampled some Scrumpy Prig (cider) and some Shepard's pie.
Garryowen Irish Pub is located at 126 Chambersburg Street and opens daily at 11:00 AM.
4. Thai Elephant Walk
Next on our list of places to try was Thai Elephant Walk. While it may not be the fanciest restaurant on the block, it does serve really delicious authentic Thai cuisine.
Perhaps if I had not been so engrosed in my food, I would better remember what our tour guide said about the building. (I think that Thai Elephant Walk might be on top of the foundation of where Thaddeus Stevens used to work.)
Thai Elephant Walk is located at 51 Chambersburg Road and is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday.
Around Gettysburg
About midway through our culinary journey, we walked through the town where our awesome tour guide, Gayle, told us more about this historic town.
We stopped for a moment in front of the Wills House, where President Lincoln stayed the night before he gave his Gettysburg Address.
It was a nice place to ruminate on Gettysburg's role in this country's history.
5. Gettysburg Olive Oil Company
The Gettysburg Olive Oil Company was a natural stop on the food tour. There we sampled olive oil and basalmic vinegar paired with bread, popcorn, granola, and lemonade.
After learning more about the products, we were free to sample the oils and vinegars in the shop. If you haven't tried flavored basalmic vinegar, you are in for a treat. Gettysburg Oil Company has a wide variety of flavors to choose from, and they are all delicious.
Gettsyburg Olive Oil Company is located at 430 Baltimore Street and is open Thursday - Monday from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM.
6. Cottage Creperie
As we were nearing the end of our tour, we had two more stops. By then, the sun was shining and the heat was starting to build, so we were glad to sit underneath their covered patio while we tried freshly made strawberry crepes topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream.
Cottage Creperie uses locally sourced ingredients (farm-to-table) to make both sweet and savory crepes. (They also serve homemade ice cream and French press coffee.)
Cottage Creperie is located at 33 Steinwehr Avenue and is open Wednesday - Sunday from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM (Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday) and until 5:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
7. Cone Sweet Cone
Our final stop was at Cone Sweet Cone, because one dessert is never enough.
We were treated to homemade ice cream, gelato, and Italian ice. What I really liked for this stop is that we were allowed to select the flavor of our choice. It was the perfect way to end a great food tour in Gettysburg.
Cone Sweet Cone is located at 433 Baltimore Street and is open from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM Monday - Friday, 12:00 PM until 9:00 PM on Saturday, and 12:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Sunday.
Why You Should Take a Food Tour
- Sample delicious dishes from different restaurants that you might otherwise not try.
- Sometimes, places that you stop at on a tour will have special offers for tour participants. (Think coupons.)
- A food tour is a great way to get to know a city, learn about its history, and try new foods all at the same time.
- A food tour is a great way to meet new people and make friends.
How To Book a Food Tour
Before booking a tour, I recommend that you read the reviews at TripAdvisor.com. There are usually plenty of helpful tips in the comments to give one a "heads up" about what to expect or whether a different tour might be better.
Then, head to a site like Viator.com or GetYourGuide.com to book a tour. If you book a tour using one of those sites, I recommend that you download their app so that you will have your electronic ticket at your fingertips.
More Photos Taken Around Gettysburg
Post Script
You never know who you will meet or what you will learn while on a food tour. A local from Gettysburg attended the tour we were on and told us that we needed to try the burgers at the Blue & Gray Bar and Grill.
We also learned that taps is played at the Gettysburg National Cemetery every evening at 7:00 PM.
And one last thing, we were told that the ghost tours in Gettysburg are good.
Hungry for more? Check out my post about the food tour in Puerto Vallarta that I took as well food tours in Savannah, Georgia.
Lori Mitchell says
You can book a tour directly with Savor Gettysburg Food Tours at https://www.savorgettysburgfoodtours.com/. We do not use Get Your Guide. Thank you so much for taking our tour. We’re so glad you enjoyed it and are thrilled that you’ve shared it. We hope to see you again real soon for another one of our five unique tours.
SelfLynda says
I would absolutely love to go on all of them!
Daniel Sauter says
You missed out on General Picketts buffet. $20 for an all you can eat. Good food and friendly service.
Deirdre says
It all looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing
Daniel Sauter says
You forgot General Picketts buffet. $20 for all you can eat. Good food and friendly service . Half pint creamery is a great place for ice cream.
Ildiko says
I love participating in food tours and have done so several times. I agree that it is a fantastic way to sample local specialties, try different restaurants, and see other parts of the town. The guides usually offer so much historical information, as well. On your Gettysberg tour, my favorite stop would have been the Creperie. It appears that you toured a very international selection of restaurants. How fun!
Mark O. Stevens, Ph.D. says
Is there any successor to the "Dutch Cupbord" that used to serve amazingPennsylvania Dutch fair?
Long lines to enter spoke to the large numbers of folks who enjoyed eating there. upon returning after a number of years I was extremely disappointed to find a Robert E. Leemuseum in place of the restaurant.
Will says
You neglected to mention that the Blue and Gray you mentioned is a hotbed of Confederate racist worship. 🤷🏼♂️
SelfLynda says
I was unaware of that.