Food & Gourmet Tours

Formerly the mainstay of poor, working-class Irish Americans, the story of how Hell's Kitchen got its nickname is as exciting as the neighborhood itself. It is known for its long history of ethnic tensions. Listen to stories about its complex past, from which the famed musical "West Side Story" was born. Learn how, despite having a history of crime and gang violence, Hell’s Kitchen has become a gentrified, metropolitan area that now boasts some of the most expensive properties in Manhattan. This exciting food tour takes you to the best restaurants in midtown – some say the best food in New York. Tease your taste buds with all sorts of different cuisines, including Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Mexican, Thai, Italian, Ethiopian, Turkish, and Indian, among others. From empanadas to custom-made donuts to exotic curry puffs, this delicious tour takes you through five different locations in the colorful neighborhood, giving you a real taste of New York dining.

Stroll the streets of the Lower East Side of Manhattan to discover the history of those immigrants who wanted to reside in the land of opportunity. See how they made this part of New York their home and let your tastebuds tingle whilst enjoying delicious food samples from all over the world. Stop outside significant local landmarks including the African Burial Ground Monument and the New York Supreme Court. Learn about the origins of the African American community in New York through those that were brought as slaves, and those that were freed.   Head to the Chinatown district and learn more about the Chinese community which once lived in the area. Try some fried dumplings at a spot that is popular with locals. Then, discover the adjacent district of Little Italy which was home to thousands of immigrants from southern Italy. Enjoy some classic Italian flavors which have formed the basis of some of the most popular modern American snacks. Next, enter the Nolita neighborhood and stop outside St Patrick's Old Cathedral, a key focal point of the Irish Catholic community. Take a short stroll through the Sara D Roosevelt Park. Learn about the history of the Jewish community as you stroll through other parts of the Lower East Side. Try some knishes, a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish snack made with potato-based dough and a variety of fillings, before finishing up the tour outside the Tenement Museum.

Spend your lunchtime learning the history and lore of two of New York's most historic districts: Little Italy and Chinatown. Sample their foods and flavors, wander their streets, and learn all about their history and heritage. The food included is more than enough for lunch. Start in Chinatown with Hong Kong style sponge cakes to go, where your local historian tour guide will lead your intimate-sized group through Chinatown’s winding streets and Columbus Park. Enjoy history and fun facts, and visit a hidden dumpling spot, with views of the One World Trade building. Then, be led down the famous Mulberry St. to Little Italy’s romantic corners. Hear stories of NYC mafia crime and pizza lore as you eat your slice of pizza and enjoy cannolis and music at a 130-year-old bakery. Appreciate a tour that visits favorite family-owned shops and that supports NYC locations that are off-the-beaten-path. Taste the history of food establishments that have been in business for over 100 years. Leave NYC with a newfound appreciation of these two neighborhoods, newly discovered secrets of New York City, and more tips and suggestions for things to do in The Big Apple.

Immerse yourself in the food culture of Little Italy on a 2-hour tasting tour, and visit 4 different venues in the famous New York neighborhood. Every venue you will visit is more than a century old, and the tastings will make up the equivalent of a 4-course lunch. Start at Parisi Bakery, loved by Frank Sinatra for its prosciutto-infused bread. Then, visit the family-owned Alleva Dairy, where more than 4,000 pounds of fresh mozzarella and ricotta are whipped up each week at America’s oldest cheese shop. Go to the oldest pizzeria in America, Lombardi's Pizza, and take a peek at their 106-year-old coal oven. Skip the lines (among New York’s longest since 1892) at Ferrara Bakery. Your guide will point out movie locations from blockbuster films, such as “The Godfather,” “Donnie Brasco,” “Mean Streets,” and “Sex and the City” along the way. See the bootlegging depot from the days of Prohibition, discover a square named after New York’s first Italian detective, and peek inside St. Patrick's Cathedral to see where high-profile weddings and memorials take place. Hear stories behind the historic landmarks as you stroll, and learn more about the immigrant experience at the turn of the 20th-century in New York.

The 3 Neighborhoods Tour will give you unique insight into three very different places in Manhattan. Start in Soho, one of NYC's trendiest neighborhoods. Learn about the area's real estate and how this area became on of the most expensive places to live on the island. Stroll into the heart of Soho and see some of the most posh bakeries, shops, and restaurants that Soho has to offer. Walk down Greene Street and talk about why Soho has such unique and beautiful architecture. See the Haughwout Building and the Old Police Station before heading to the next neighborhood. Make a quick stop in Nolita and sample some cheesecake before working your way into Historic Little Italy. Sample some of the delicious local cuisine such as cannolis, gelato, pizza, and more! Mingle with locals and get the inside scoop about famous spots on Mulberry Street. Chinatown is the last neighborhood. Visit the Mahayana Buddhist Temple and get a peek of the 16-foot Golden Buddha. Pass the Manhattan Bridge and walk into the heart of Chinatown. Enjoy treats from The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory while you see where Chinatown got its start. Walk down Doyer Street and learn how the neighborhood has changed over the years. End the tour by enjoying a traditional dumpling and talking about about the infamous Five Points.

Take a donut tour of the Big Apple, and discover NYC's famous donut scene. Taste a curated sample of the best donuts in all of New York. A donut expert will guide you through the secret of New York’s best donut venues. Some of the stops on this downtown tour include true donut institutions, such as Doughnut Plant, Donut Pub, and Doughnut Project. Gather your friends, family, and co-workers for a special food tour through Manhattan. Savor classic donut styles like glazed, cream-filled, and more. Join us and meet other like-minded donut enthusiasts while enjoying a walk through historic parts of the city. This tour is suitable for smaller as well as larger groups and the perfect way to celebrate bachelor parties, bridal showers, birthdays, weekend getaways, or even corporate events.

Come hungry and ready to feast on delicious, gourmet foods at some of the top eateries in Williamsburg. Taste your way through this popular neighborhood and learn about its history on a 3-hour afternoon stroll. Williamsburg’s ultra-trendy charm is irresistible. You’ll discover the street art, cute boutiques, and lively bar scene, and experience some stellar bites. Knowing the local hangouts is crucial, and your guide will show you the favorites. Rest assured: there is more than enough food for lunch. You will feast on delicious foods from local favorites in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Learn the history of the neighborhood, enjoy some incredible large-scale street art, and snap some choice photos out on a waterfront pier of the best view of the NYC skyline. What a perfect way to spend an afternoon. The local experts have prepared a fun afternoon filled with incredible food, and you can be sure you'll feel like you experienced Williamsburg Like A Local when it's all said and done. Begin at the Bedford Avenue L subway stop (5 minutes from Manhattan) and don't waste any time before you start filling your belly.  You will walk a total of 2 miles. Some stops are sit down and some are eat on-the-go. These stops are 3 savory and 3 sweet. Comfortable walking shoes and ability to walk at a reasonable pace are a must. Don't hesitate to contact the supplier if you have questions or need help.

So many people visit New York City and never get to see Brooklyn. It's been said that a trip to Brooklyn is like a trip around the world. Find out for yourself on a unique 4.5-hour tour. Explore the ethnic diversity of New York City on a guided tour that’s both a history and a gastronomy lesson. Take a trip back in time in this New York borough that you probably haven’t heard all that much about. New Williamsburg is a neighborhood that’s home to many ethnic groups and a thriving art community. Enjoy a slice of delectable authentic Neapolitan brick-oven thin-crust pizza and a freshly prepared cannoli for dessert. Drive through the ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jewish area where time seems to stand still. Greenpoint features one of largest Polish populations in the United States. Visit a favorite neighborhood eatery that offers up the best kielbasa sausage and pierogies. In the DUMBO area you’ll stop for a sample of delicious chocolate at the Jacques Torres chocolate factory. Visit Brooklyn Bridge Park for a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline.

The sidewalks of New York offers irresistible New York food options in the cultural hotspot of the Lower East Side. Explore what was once an immigrant and working-class neighborhood rich in ethnic diversity and culture. Learn about the history of the tenement buildings occupied by the poor. The neighborhood is best known for having once been a center of Jewish culture. View historic synagogues as well as "nosh" on delicacies from the best "kosher style" delis and bakeries in the city. On this 3-hour tour of the Lower East Side, you will eat your way through the streets, sampling delicacies from New York's premier appetizing shop, ethnic eateries, and "mom and pop" restaurants. Flavorful food specialties are served from: (subject to change) • Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery - (Est. 1910) • Russ & Daughter’s - NYC’s premier appetizing shop (Est. 1914) • Katz’s Delicatessen - The best delicatessen in New York (Est. 1888) • Kossar's Bialys - The oldest bialy bakery in the United States (Est. 1936) • The Pickle Guys - Pickles made the old-fashioned way. Try a new, half sour or full sour pickle. Pucker up! (Est. 2002) • Doughnut Plant - Unique flavors and a mouthwatering family recipe (Est. 1994) • North Dumpling - Authentic handmade northern Chinese dumplings • Economy Candy - Stocking all types of candy, nuts & dried fruit from floor-to-ceiling. "Noshers' paradise of the Lower East Side." (Est. 1937) Behind every great food establishment in this city, there is an equally great story of history, tradition and even innovation. You will discover these amazing histories while tasting what has made these eateries so prized among locals.

Stroll around the brownstone buildings of Brooklyn on a neighborhood food tour, and discover the delicious mom-and-pop shops and restaurants of New York. Discover first-hand how food is the engine of the local ecosystem. Focused on Smith and Court Streets and the surrounding neighborhoods, the tour uncovers a vibrant mix of locally-owned, artisanal food stores that are unlike almost any other neighborhood in America. You will visit old school haunts and new culinary entrepreneurs to experience traditional flavors and daring dishes. Pop into Italian and Middle Eastern shops that have long been the staple of the neighborhood, and explore the growing scene of cafés and restaurants specializing in New American cuisine. Learn about the neighborhood's rich history and changing character from local business owners and residents. Try artisan cheeses, bread, and Italian pastries. Meet coffee roasters, discover a modern soda fountain, and go to the oldest Middle Eastern bakery in New York City. Finally, visit one of the cutest businesses in the neighborhood, a place with the latest ice cream flavors and where senior citizens can be seen having a good old-fashioned ice cream float. See the restored soda fountain and a mix of old and new worlds coming together. Remember to ask your guide for some local recommendations on other food places to visit locally. You can use the map that is provided as part of this tour to discover more popular foodie hotspots.