New York Food Tour: Lower East Side Ethnic Eats

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.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 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.
What's Included
  • 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
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Drinks and additional food
Additional Information
  • 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…
Location
7 Elk St
Elk Street
In front of the African Burial Ground National Monument, across from 7 Elk Street (between Duane and Elk Street), New York, NY 10007
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(953 Ratings)
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Gordonsp9526xl
Nov 9, 2024
Highlight of Our New York Trip - We have done a bunch of food tours over the years, but I think this one will be the most memorable. We met up with Brian, the best food tour guide ever, at the African Burial Ground National Monument. Since we were early, Brian took a moment to talk to us about the monument and what it represents. It's moments like this that set this tour apart from others. It not only about the food, but about New York's history. We set off through Chinatown and Little Italy on our way to the Lower East Side. We talked about all the various groups of immigrants who made their way to these storied neighborhoods, and sampled several of the iconic foods they brought with them. The food was so amazing. So good that it left us feeling as if New York just does it all a little better than everyone else. Being from Los Angeles, with its massive Chinese and Mexican populations, I never imagined that I would taste the best Chinese Dumplings, or Tres Leches Cake in my life. That said, it was Brian and not the food that truly made it great. He was so natural and thoughtful about the whole experience. It felt like we were visiting a favorite cousin in his hometown...he was simply showing us around to all of his favorite places. He shared stories of then and now, gave recommendations of things he thought we might enjoy, and gave us a real native perspective. The entire experience was a great way to get to know the neighborhoods of New York City, experience great people, and walk away with a longing to come back and do it all again someday.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T5770ztlorig
Nov 8, 2024
Great Combo of History and Food - We had a great time on our tour with our guide, Erik. One other couple cancelled, so we were the only two on the tour. Erik was very knowledgeable about all things New York and had clearly done his research on the tour. We learned a lot and tasted great food from four different cultures. We'd definitely recommend this tour for people interested in both history and food.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Connysn6324vi
Oct 27, 2024
Great tour through history and cuisine! - Very interesting and entertaining tour. Bruce was a great guide! There was a lot to learn about the different immigrant streams and their typical neighborhoods and places in the Lower East Side. Garnished with lots of fun facts. The food stops were well chosen – long-established classics that we would probably never have found ourselves. As we also had perfect weather, it was an all-round enjoyable morning. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hayleymu8588el
Oct 27, 2024
Tenement Food tour NYC - Jessie was a fabulous guide. She knew the history, areas and food so well. My teenagers enjoyed the stories and food as much as the adults in the group. It was a great way to learn as well as see some wonderful parts of the city. Well worth the time and cost.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynettea536
Oct 13, 2024
Food History lower East side - Great istory tour of lower Manhattan and immigration to America. A walk through history. Talking about the waves of immigrants that came though this area and why Chinatown and Little Italy are where they are. A history and food lesson, come hungry there is plenty to eat, Cullen was a great guide
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynette_l
Oct 6, 2024
Great Tour, Great Food, Great Guide - This is a very worthwhile tour. The Guide, Cullen, was a fountain of knowledge about the history of the area and immigration. We went through so many areas of interest with different cultures from African-American's who came with the slave trade, the Chinese, the Italians, Eastern European Jews and finally the Puerto Ricans. The food was fantastic and plentiful (don't eat breakfast!). Covered a lot of ground with some eating stops so you could sit down. Cullen was very considerate and concious of everyone's needs. We had some great discussions.
Review provided by Viator
Nancy_c
Oct 1, 2024
The best - Astrid was what made the whole tour. Her knowledge on everything was amazing and her sense of humour was just the icing on the cake. A real highlight of our NYC trip
Review provided by Viator
Brianstewart_s
Sep 30, 2024
Great walk, eat, and learning experience - Astrid was great. Loved her stories. Very personable. Food was great and plentiful. Learned a lot and had a lot of fun.
Review provided by Viator
Kathleen_d
Sep 29, 2024
Erik is a Rockstar - His knowledge, storytelling, enthusiasm and his excellent food selection that related to each of the neighborhoods was well appreciated.
Review provided by Viator
Eli282
Sep 28, 2024
Not to miss tour - Excellent tour with Eric. A fascinating mix of history culture and food. Eric shared a wealth of information in the most entairtaining way. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $81
up to 14 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).