Private Tour
A Chef led Culinary Journey exploring hidden gems and history!
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
As the only chef curated and led culinary tour in New Orleans, Chef James shares the unique culture of the city through its amazing cuisine.
Discover the hidden gems of the city that most tourists are unaware of and meet the people that create the culture and cuisine of the Crescent City.
Customize your tour to meet a Black Masking Indian and learn more about how their culture is intertwined with the indigenous people of Louisiana. Chat with a VooDoo priestess and gain a better understanding of how the West African spiritual traditions blend with Catholicism and indigenous practices.
We limit the amount of people in each tour group, insuring a personalized, quality experience and interaction.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All participants must be 21+
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
French Market
This is just a starting point. Plan on exploring multiple neighborhoods during our time together as we discover Culture through Cuisine. What is Creole cuisine? What makes it different from Cajun cooking? And which style of cooking typifies New Orleans? We explore all these questions and more as we guide you through the history of New Orleans through food. We move through the city’s history one bite at a time, from the indigenous roots of the city, to French and Spanish colonization, the myriad contributions of African culture, to waves of immigrants like the Italians, Irish, Germans, and Vietnamese. Along the way we will try iconic dishes as well as lesser-known local specialties, and learn how food has played a pivotal role in the history and development of the city. Our tour includes a minimum of six food stops and at least one drink stop. A leisurely walking tour, it takes approximately 5 hours and is rain or shine. So wear comfortable shoes and bring your appetite and curiosity.
What‘s Included
Guests will sample from a tasting menu at about 6 locations and beverages. Come hungry! (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) depending on customized tour itinerary while we experience hidden gems..
Tips always appreciated
Options
A Chef led Culinary Journey exploring hidden gems and history!
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome food tour of New Orleans!
billfU3270AR,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00James, our guide, was so friendly, engaging and informative! We had a blast walking to numerous spots we would never have found on our own being from out of town! These spots are the kind of off the beaten path that truly make them memorable and in all cases the food and the people were wonderful!
Awesome food, local vibes, and great conversation
darkcow,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I did a fun, engaging tour that started in the French Quarter and headed into Tremé. We hit some dive bars and James introduced us to bar owners. He also gave us the background on a ton of local restaurants. The food at each stop was delicious and authentic, and we loved that we could customize the trip as we went. James called out some great spots along the way that gave us a solid lay of the land. We ended the night at a dive bar just talking about the reality of living in New Orleans and how the city's challenges reflect what's happening in the rest of the country. Definitely an enlightening experience. Would 100% recommend due to the hospitality of James and the overall experience!
Stop what you’re doing and book with James!
IntrepidLeo,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It feels weird to me to call this a tour—it felt like hanging out for an afternoon with a cool new friend who knows everyone, and everything about the city. Chef James took us to bakeries, beer labs, barbecue, and so much more that we never would have found on our own, even after hours of researching for our trip. He was also very accommodating and willing to “call an audible” when we mentioned a specific interest of ours. My family left with full bellies, fuller hearts, and a sunny December afternoon in New Orleans we’ll never forget.
A must-do tour!
Leslie A,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Book this! If you book nothing else, book this for your New Orleans trip. We're a couple of dinkwads who took a last minute trip with little preparation. This tour gave us everything- food, info, drinks, and a casual pace while still getting to see a lot of the city. This is absolutely worthwhile and tbh, he's charging less than he should be. You will not regret this. I'll absolutely recommend this to anyone visiting in the future.
We have visited New...
Joseph S,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We have visited New Orleans several times and done lots of tours. Hands down, this the BEST one! James showed us a the best of NOLAs local dishes, he shared why they were the best and tied each dish to the New Orleans story. Be prepared to walk, New Orleans is a walking city. Come hungry and with an open mind!
The food, the history, and the current culture
K2938FLmargaretp,,Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our great guide James took us to places we'd never have experienced on our own. Being guided by a chef was a wise choice. James knew everyone, and everyone knew him, and obviously had great respect for his talents. The tour went beyond the food as James acquainted us with the city's history and gave us insight into what it's like to live and work in NOLA today. It was a great experience, start to finish!
Great food and more!
amymE7434BI,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time with James, learning about NOLA history and architecture, and of course, food. He chose smaller venues with great food that we would never have found on our own. He was fun and personable, and tailored his conversation to the the four of us. This is a high quality, personal tour experience. Highly recommended!
The Best Food tour!
BananaRed,,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Although we initially weren’t able to attend this tour due to unexpected flight cancellations, I want to reiterate how impressed I’ve been with this company from start to finish. Their communication and professionalism are excellent. The team was responsive, understanding, and graciously provided a refund when our travel plans fell through — something we truly appreciated. Based on that alone, we knew we’d rebook the next time we came to New Orleans — and we did! This time, we were lucky enough to be the only two on the tour, which made it feel even more personal. Both Jeff and James are fantastic communicators, and the whole experience felt custom-tailored. We added the photography option, and from the moment we met James, we knew we were in good hands. We started with our first “bite” (more like a full-on snack!) and from there, James shared fascinating insights about the city’s history and food culture. His knowledge is top-notch, and he’s clearly passionate about what he does. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking — James keeps a quick pace (he’s a runner), so comfortable shoes and water are a must. The food portions were generous, so definitely come hungry! The only thing I’d suggest for future tours is incorporating a few photos of guests in front of iconic New Orleans spots — in addition to the great shots with local proprietors — since those make such special memories. Overall, this tour was absolutely worth it. It’s not your standard cookie-cutter tour; it’s a personal, enriching experience led by people who truly know and love New Orleans. Highly recommend.
Excellent tour of NOLA food and history
Debra H,,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00James is clearly very knowledgeable about food and New Orleans history, and his explanations were great. It was also fun learning about chef tricks like how to make the best fried chicken! We got to sample the best versions of classic NOLA foods and visit wonderful small, locally owned restaurants and bars both in and near the French Quarter. He also gave us great recommendations for music spots, restaurants and more.
A Culinary and Cultural Journey Through New Orleans with Chef James Cullen of Accidental Cajun Experiences
Robert B,,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you want to experience New Orleans through its food, culture, and stories, book a tour with James Cullen of Accidental Cajun Experiences. James is far more than a guide — he’s a chef, historian, and passionate storyteller who brings the city to life one bite at a time. He worked closely with us for months to customize our tour, patiently adjusting every detail until it matched our dream of tasting the true New Orleans. Over a day and a half, he introduced us to incredible dishes, hidden restaurants, and the people behind them, all while sharing the history and culture that shaped each neighborhood. It felt like exploring the city with a knowledgeable friend. Highly recommend — bring curiosity and stretchy pants.
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Operated by Accidental Cajun Experiences