Matt Floret's global gastronomic movement from one simple idea.

When Matt Floret founded Food Lover Tour in 2014, it was never about chasing trends or creating something flashy. It was about something much more personal: creating the kind of experience he’d love to do himself.

Good food, good wine, great people, and absolutely no tourist traps.

With a background in business and a lifelong passion for gastronomy, Matt combined his three great loves, eating, drinking, and entertaining, into a concept that felt intuitive and heartfelt: take people where locals actually go, and let them experience the soul of a city through its food.

“I wanted to build something I would be proud of,” he explains. “A perfect evening. Something I’d want to do myself in any city around the world.”

Over the last 11 years, that philosophy has taken Food Lover Tour from a one-man operation in Barcelona to an internationally awarded brand with operations across Spain, Portugal, and France, and now expanding to Istanbul, Lima, and Mumbai.

The company’s commitment to excellence has earned it prestigious recognition, including being named Best European Food Tour in 2022 and landing among the top 10 culinary experiences worldwide according to TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2023.

Most recently, Food Lover Tour secured the award for Best Culinary Tour in Europe (Medium/Large Company) at the 2025 European Arival TourReview Spotlight Awards, a prestigious honor driven entirely by authentic traveler reviews from multiple platforms including Expedia, Google, TripAdvisor, and others. With these accolades, it continues to solidify its status as a beloved five-star experience among food enthusiasts worldwide.

From Paris to Barcelona, and Everywhere in Between

Born and raised in Paris, Matt completed his MBA in Spain and fell in love with Barcelona. It was there that he launched Food Lover Tour with one client and a very simple premise: make people happy through food, wine, and genuine connection.

As he tells it, the spark came from seeing joy in the eyes, and the bellies, of guests. That magic of sharing good food and good company runs through every tour. “A good table isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s about who you share it with.”

Food Lover Tour has become more than just a business. It’s a brand people connect with on a personal level. In some cases, quite literally: couples have met on tours, fallen in love, and even had children.

“In a way, we’re like a social network wrapped in a gastronomic experience,” Matt jokes. “It’s food, it’s love. It’s in the name.”

A Commitment to Quality

Maintaining that level of quality across multiple cities isn’t easy. Restaurant turnover, changing menus, and shifting local dynamics require constant attention. That responsibility often falls on Matt, who leads research and development personally.

“I eat, I drink, I travel, and yes, I criticize,” he says with a laugh.

It’s all in service of keeping the experience fresh and authentic. Matt’s proudest moments don’t just come from awards, they come from returning guests. “When someone comes back after ten years and says they want to relive the experience. That’s when I know we did something special.”

An Independent Approach to Growth

One of Food Lover Tour’s most unique aspects is that it has remained independent. Matt is still the sole founder and investor, which allows him to stay nimble. “If something doesn’t work, we pivot. There’s no red tape. That freedom allows us to grow with intention, not pressure.”

It led to the launch of their first franchise in Seville, and to expansion plans that are built slowly, city by city, only where passion and opportunity align. And now, that thoughtful approach is leading to something major: Food Lover Tour is preparing to open in Paris, Mumbai, and Marrakech, three culturally rich, gastronomically iconic cities that mark a major leap forward for the brand.

“I don’t need to be in Paris just to check a box. I go where people have passion, and where the food is great.”

Shifting into B2B and Scaling Smart

While direct-to-consumer bookings are still a core part of the business, Matt sees the next big chapter in the B2B space. Travel agents, corporate groups, and event planners are increasingly turning to curated culinary experiences, and Food Lover Tour is ready to deliver.

“We’ve seen huge potential here. This kind of business development allows us to grow sustainably while keeping the heart of the experience intact.”

Matt’s leadership is driven by clarity. “There are very few things I’m good at. The rest, I hand off to my team. They’re professionals. I trust them.”

Advice for the Next Generation

For new tour operators, Matt’s advice is straightforward and sincere: build something you believe in. “Create something you’d be proud to do yourself. Take your time. Have a side income if you need to, and enjoy what you’re building. If you treat it like a hobby you love, people will feel that energy, and they’ll respond with five stars.”

His last piece of wisdom might be the most important of all: “We don’t have time to not do what we love. If you have something you’re passionate about, try it. Make it happen. That’s the only way.”

Know someone heading to Spain, Portugal, or France?

Send them to foodlovertour.com for a gourmet experience they’ll never forget. Real food, real stories, and maybe, just maybe, a little romance, too.

2026 Update

Matt and I caught up in September 2026, right in the middle of his busiest season. He was putting the final touches on a new website and full rebrand, at the stage every founder knows: “No, not that picture. I told them not that picture.” There are new tours on the way and a new project already in production that he’s keeping close for now.

The industry around him is changing fast, and companies are buying up other companies. Matt isn’t interested. “This is not our cup of tea,” he told me. “We are keeping on developing on our side and enjoying what we do.” Years after starting with one guest in Barcelona, he’s still independent, still curious, and still going where the food is great.