Walking Food Tours UK logo

Why Partnering with Independent Food & Drink Venues Is at the Heart of What We Do

Google Reviews 5.0★ on Google (60+ reviews) Tripadvisor Reviews 5.0★ on Tripadvisor (500+ reviews)

At Walking Food Tours UK, our passion goes far beyond what’s on the plate (or in the glass). From day one, our mission has been to celebrate the incredible independent venues that give our cities their unique flavour — quite literally. These small but mighty businesses sit at the heart of every tour we create, and their creativity, collaboration, and commitment to sustainability inspire us daily.

Independents are our DNA

Working with indies isn’t just something we do — it’s who we are. They’re the heartbeat of the community, crafting dishes with passion, sourcing locally, and reducing waste wherever possible. Wild Street Kitchen is a great example: their no-food-waste mindset means every ingredient has a purpose, every dish tells a story, and nothing goes to waste. That ethos aligns perfectly with what we stand for — thoughtful, conscious food experiences that do good as well as taste good.

Collaboration makes the magic

What makes our local independents even more special is how often they collaborate. Pastry Pedaleur’s show-stopping Cheshire Cheese Cake features cheese from The Cheese Shop, Chester, while their melt-in-the-mouth sausage rolls are made with sausage meat from Geoff the local butcher. It’s community at its finest — a network of makers and creators supporting one another to produce something truly exceptional.

Or take Gelatistry, whose magnificent coffee gelato wouldn’t be the same without locally roasted beans from Iron & Fire. It’s those little details — the care, the collaboration, the craftsmanship—that make each bite and sip on our tours so memorable.

More than flavours — people and places

These partnerships aren’t just about showcasing fantastic flavours (though there’s plenty of that). They’re about shining a light on the people behind the food—the bakers, roasters, cheesemakers, and chefs who pour their hearts into every creation. When you join a Walking Food Tour, you’re not just sampling the best bites in town — you’re supporting a network of passionate independents who make our food scene thrive.

We’re proud to champion these businesses and share their stories with our guests. Because when independents support independents, great things happen — for our plates, our communities, and our planet.

Ready to taste local?

Explore our tours and meet the incredible venues we partner with — where every taste tells a local story.

Or get in touch if you run an independent venue and want to collaborate — we’d love to chat.

Quick FAQs

Do your tours change?
Yes. Menus are seasonal and we rotate stops to keep things fresh while spotlighting more local indies.

Can you cater for dietary needs?
We’ll always do our best—tell us at booking and we’ll confirm what’s possible with our partners.

How do you choose venues?
Quality, locality, hospitality, and a commitment to community and sustainability.

Table of Contents

Share

Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award badge

5 Years Running

Proud winners of Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice for 5 years in a row.

Read Reviews