From Passion to Plate
Before Riverside, Mike was a chemical engineer and Laura was raising our five sons. When Mike retired, we were ready for a new chapter. On a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, we took a food tour, and Laura came home inspired. The next week we were in Chicago at Food Tour Pros, learning how the business works.
Mike was drawn to MainStrasse Village: its charm, its German heritage, and the fact that nobody was running food tours in Northern Kentucky yet. For our first eight Saturdays we took friends and family out for free, refining the route and the stops until the tour was right. Then, in 2016, we welcomed our first paying guests.
We started out wanting to show off the restaurants we love. The more history we dug into, the more we fell for the area itself: the German roots, the architecture, the Ohio River, and how many different kinds of people call it home. We want you to leave a tour feeling that Cincinnati has the best of both worlds, a vibrant city with the warmth and welcome of a hometown.
Supporting small, family-owned businesses is at the heart of what we do. Josh Lillis, the fifth-generation owner of Eckerlin's Meats at Findlay Market, still makes goetta the way his family has for more than 150 years. It's a Cincinnati specialty you won't find anywhere else, and it's a tasting on most of our tours.
A few days before each tour we text our guests, and the replies usually start with "We are so excited!" At the end, they thank us for the history, the food, and how friendly this city is. The compliment we love most: "You made me want to move here!"
Why choose Riverside?
Local
Locally owned and operated in Cincinnati since 2016.
Experienced
More than 30,000 guests have explored Cincinnati with us.
Highly Rated
Rated 5.0 on TripAdvisor, with 2,000+ five-star TripAdvisor reviews.
Generous Food
Sit-down restaurants and substantial portions—not just tiny bites eaten while walking.
More Choice
8 unique tours, seven days a week.
Local Guides
Guides who actually know Cincinnati—not someone reading a script.
Small Groups
Intimate experiences designed to feel personal.
Real Cincinnati
Food, history, architecture, neighborhoods and stories you won't find in a generic guidebook.
By choosing Riverside Food Tours, you’re not only treating yourself to a first-class VIP experience, but you’re also supporting a proud local business that partners with small, family-owned establishments. Unlike large franchises with cookie-cutter formats and tiny bites on the go, our Cincinnati Food Tours deliver hearty portions at sit-down restaurants, where you can relax, savor every flavor, and soak in the stories behind the dishes. Every tour is designed with you in mind, offering a personalized, welcoming experience to make your time with us truly memorable.
Our Passionate Guides
Laura Noyes
I’m Laura Noyes, and my mission is simple: I want every guest to feel special, leave full, satisfied, and fall in love with Cincinnati just as much as I have. Exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything we do — making sure every moment of your tour is enjoyable, personal, and memorable.
We personally select the city’s best local restaurants, serving generous portions, while supporting small, family-owned businesses.
Come join us and experience Cincinnati the way locals do — full of flavor, history, and unforgettable memories!
Mike Noyes
Hi, I'm Mike. My wife Laura and I created Riverside Food Tours in the spring of 2016. We enjoy living in downtown Cincinnati and being so close to sporting events, concerts, great food and the city parks. As a tour guide, I really enjoy meeting visitors and answering questions about what to do and see. I also enjoy sharing the history, pointing out the beautiful architecture, the Ohio River, parks, street art murals and of course the food. We’re fortunate to have so many family owned local restaurants. They add a lot of fun and variety to our tours.
David
I am a proud resident of northern Kentucky, sometimes known as ” the south side of Cincinnati”. I am the guy that friends call when they need to know where to take out-of-town guests or what new restaurants to try. Because of my interest in and love of Cincinnati, years ago I created the board game, ‘Queen City Trivia”. I have also been an extra in numerous films shot in the area. What I love most about the “Top 10 Tour” is that it is like “Cincinnati 101”. You learn so much and see all the city’s top sites while enjoying iconic Cincinnati foods.
Jackie
I love Cincinnati and I love good food! We moved downtown from the suburbs to experience the renaissance occurring in OTR and Downtown. I’m very involved in the Downtown Residents Council and I love telling our guests about the latest news, tips & openings. Riverside Food Tours allows me to share my passion for our city’s history as well as great food choices available in the area. My favorite meal is the short rib ravioli at Sotto (YUMMY!) and my favorite place is Over the Rhine in Washington Park and Findlay Market.
Beth
I am a retired educator who has a passion for the local history, arts and food of the Greater Cincinnati area. Although I’ve lived in Kentucky my whole life, I’m spending a lot more time in Cincinnati volunteering downtown. Since Cincinnati is such a foodie city, I’ve also made it my mission to dine out more! Riverside Food Tours is the perfect way to blend my passions and allow me to share my “new discoveries” with lots of friendly like minded folks.
Juliann
Whenever I travel, the first thing I do is take a food tour. It’s genius! You get a smattering of local history while you enjoy regional specialties. Bonus– you get a better idea of the places you want to return to during your trip! When the opportunity arose for me to become a food tour guide in Cincinnati, I was thrilled. I am a native Cincinnatian and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the city. I love hosting the Over-the-Rhine Cocktail Tour and welcome the chance to share the spirit and flavors of the Queen City with guests.
Adrienne
I love traveling and making new connections, especially since I’m not originally from Ohio. Exploring the state and delving into Cincinnati’s rich history has been a passion of mine. As a librarian, I’ve relished uncovering the innovative spirit and numerous “firsts” associated with this remarkable region. I take great joy in sharing my enthusiasm for discovering new facts and “aha” moments with participants on Riverside Food Tours. Interacting with new acquaintances, exchanging stories, and highlighting the historical landmarks of this captivating city bring me immense pleasure.
Marcia
I’m a transplant from West Virginia who came to Cincinnati for my first job out of college. So much about Cincinnati was wonderful to me then, and that remains so today. For me there’s nothing better than delicious food and the interesting stories behind them. I’m from a ‘food’ family. My father supplied restaurants with fresh produce back home, and now one of his grandsons owns three restaurants in the entertainment district of my adopted city. For years I have heard about Cincinnati’s being one of the “best kept secrets” in the Midwest. As a guide for Riverside Food Tours, I will show you why Cincinnati is so special!
2023 Best Year Ever ~ Riverside Food Tours
Guests on our guides
A very informative and enjoyable tour. David is very knowledgeable and ensured that we covered all the major attractions. It was a great way to experience Cincy.
Fabulous afternoon with Jackie! She has so much knowledge about Cincinnati history and easily shares it while we enjoyed sampling great dishes from fun restaurants.
Ms.Laura was a true Gem‼️She was very friendly and inviting,..it made the experience even more pleasurable...I felt like we were with a friend‼️I would definitely recommend this tour to friends...MS.LAURA......."YOU ROCK"❤️
A slice of paradise: Cincinnati, Ohio
Riverside Food Tours is highly rated for its exceptional culinary experiences in Cincinnati and Covington.
Here are some food-related facts about Cincinnati & Covington:
The second largest Oktoberfest in the world takes place in Cincinnati every fall, celebrating German culture with food, music, and beer.
Known for its distinctive chili, served over spaghetti and often topped with cheese, a must-try for visitors.
Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market features a variety of local vendors selling fresh produce, meats, and artisanal foods.
