NYC: The Story Of Lower East Side's Food Culture

Likely To Sell Out

From $70.36 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 14 travelers in total.

Adult (12-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 14

Child (6-11) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 14

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Private Tour

2 Adults x $192.73

$385.46

Approx Total

$385.46

Small Group Tour

2 Adults x $80.56

$161.12

Approx Total

$161.12

Small Group Tour

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Learn about the importance of immigration to the city
Friendly Local, English-speaking food lover guide
Stroll in the Lower East Side, Chinatown, and Little Italy on 3 hours food walking tour
Get tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay
Sample 4 historic dishes on 4 Food stops (dish samples such as dumplings, pizza, knish, empanada)
See 100-year old bakery, churches, and historic New York sites

Gratuities
Drinks and additional food

Overview

Join this 3-hour New York City walking tour to sample the best ethnic foods in the Lower East Side. But this experience includes much more than sampling delicious foods, as you’ll learn about the history of the dishes, establishments, sites, and people along the way from your guide.

Meeting points

In front of the African Burial Ground National Monument, across from 7 Elk Street (between Duane and Elk Street), New York, NY 10007

End point

Open in Google Maps

Your tour ends in the heart of the Lower East Side neighborhood (New York, NY 10002)

Itinerary

African Burial Ground National Monument

We discuss the discovery of the burial ground and the building of the memorial and monument, including the significance of some of the design. We also talk a little bit about the early African experience in New York through those that were brought here as slaves and those that were freed.

5 minutes
New York City Supreme Court

We talk about the history of the surrounding area that was once a poor Irish community and before that a polluted pond. You get to see the building that is now most famous for being featured on most episodes of Law & Order.

5 minutes
Columbus Park

We briefly walk through this park on the edge of Chinatown and talk about what used to be here: the notorious neighborhood of the Five Points. We discuss the Irish immigration and show photos of what the neighborhood used to look like.

5 minutes
Chinatown

We walk through part of the neighborhood, discuss Chinese immigration, and visit a dumpling shop that is a local favorite. We also give tips on where else to visit in the large community.

20 minutes
Little Italy

We head up and around Mulberry Street and discuss Italian immigration. We get to see some amazing modern street art, hear stories about organized crime, and visit an historic local Italian food shop for a delicious tasting.

20 minutes
Nolita

We cruise through one of the most trendy neighborhoods in New York today and discuss the changing neighborhood. This used to be Little Italy, but today it’s loaded with hip bars and restaurants and we get to see some of the best street art in the city.

15 minutes
Basilica Of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral

As we walk through Nolita, you get a chance to see the original St. Patrick’s and learn about the hardships Catholic immigrants first suffered when coming to this country.

5 minutes
Sara D Roosevelt Park

Learn about the history of this park, named for FDR’s mother, and take a quick stroll through the northern end. We’ll also stop at the M’Finda Kalunga Garden inside the park to discuss Latin American immigration and how this neighborhood has changed throughout the decades.

10 minutes
Lower East Side

See the transformation of the neighborhood from an area filled with run-down tenements and poverty to one that is currently being gentrified. See lots of great street art and community gardens. Learn about Jewish, German, and Latin American immigration in this neighborhood and sample some traditional food.

30 minutes
Tenement Museum (Pass By)

We share stories about the founding of the museum and its important part in Lower East Side history. Our tour ends very close to the museum and our guides can give you tips on how to get tickets and explore their excellent gift shop.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children aged 5 years and younger are welcome at no charge.
Maximum group size is 14.
This tour was created as well-balanced and thoughtful gastronomy experience (Ethnic dishes samples) and features visits to establishments that are not always able to cater to all dietary requirements. Unfortunately, this tour cannot cater for vegans and gluten allergies, intolerances. For any specific dietary request, we need to know 24 h before the tour start time.
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, but please note that this tour covers 1.6 km (1 mile) of walking.
Experience happens rain, shine, or snow unless such weather constitutes a dangerous situation.

Free Cancellation

February 05100% refund

February 06No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.8

963 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

874
4 stars

51
3 stars

17
2 stars

13
1 star

8

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 874 reviews with 5 stars

Supreme Host

Published on Jan, 2025

Jessie is a fantastic tour guide and excellent host. She eats, sleeps, and breathes New York and is full of stories about how the city was built and continues to thrive. She did an awesome job navigating our group in frigid January New York, 5 stars!

A wonderful way to spend a few hours exploring NYC!

Published on Jan, 2025

So much fun! Bruce was really knowledgeable about cool NYC history and facts and tied it all together with the foods we tried. I really wonderful way to spend a few hours exploring NYC. We have done a few NYC food tours, and this was definitely the most enjoyable- highly recommend!

Excellent tour excellent guide

Published on Jan, 2025

Great tour, Bruce N. was an amazing guide. We enjoyed the food and the historical facts and conversation. Would definitely do it again

Fascinating, rewarding and delicious!

Published on Dec, 2024

This was a fantastic tour. Our guide, Bruce, has an infectious love for the Lower East Side and shared his wealth of local knowledge in a genuine, engaging way. The food stops were varied and excellent and learning about this historic area was fascinating. We would have loved to do Bruce's other tours if we had time. Highly recommended!

Would Highly Recommend Tenements Tales and Tastes! (Especially with Brian!!)

Published on Dec, 2024

We had a blast on the Tenements Tales and Tastes!! Brian was great! He was very friendly, and took time to get to know each person on the tour. We felt much more connected to the city learning about the rich history and the immigration from all over the world, and felt like a NYC insider by going to spots that weren't touristy, and felt authentic. Would recommend any tour with Brian, as he makes you feel comfortable and made the whole experience more fun. We will definitely be reaching back out if we are back in the city.

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