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New York City Lower East Side Culture and Food Tastings Tour

New York City Lower East Side Culture and Food Tastings Tour

Overview

Tacos, dumplings, bagels — America would be a food wasteland without the dishes brought here by immigrants. 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.

City: New York City

Mon 23 Sep

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $81.63

Make a reservation

Mon 23 Sep

Starting at $81.63

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Learn about the importance of immigration to the city

See 100-year old bakerie, churches, and historic New York sites

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

Friendly Local, English-speaking food lover guide

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
Tour runs rain or shine
Comfortable walking shoes recommended
Maximum group size is 14.
Guides required to regularly wash hands
All tours follow the latest local health authority advice, including mask usage and social distancing. Urban Adventures have received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which recognises companies that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols.

What To Expect

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tenement Museum

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.

Show 7 more stops

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (688)

Connor B

Dec 2017

I love to eat and love history, so naturally this one sounded perfect, and it was. My journey on the Tenements Tales trip began in a local coffee shop and was presented with some food and a brief history of New York. We then began our journey through the city, eating at multiple key locations with tidbits of history. My guide was super knowledgeable and had a passion for food and traveling. He carried with him a backpack full of historic photos that corresponded with the areas we visited. Each piece of food we ate had a story along with the establishment selling it. It was a unique take on history I have not experienced before. There was a lot of variety and never a dull moment. This was easily one of my favorite excursions because it presented two of my favorite things just so perfectly. And again, my guide was wonderful. This is a must do in New York. Please do yourself a favor and give it a try, I strongly recommend it.

MVP515

Dec 2017

Today it was snowing and we still did this tour. There were 10 of us total including a 3 and 5 year old. The little ones were great but in reality it is way too much walking for them. Our tour guide, Josh, was friendly, knowledgeable and kind as we shlepped through the streets as the snow was coming down. We explored the different foods that represented the cultures of those who initially came to the US as Josh provided just enough interesting history. We tasted food from the Dutch, Chinese, Italians, Romanian Jews and Germans. Josh also gave us ample time to make additional purchases if we wanted to. The other great thing was the samples Josh provided were generous not just a bite, for example, each one of us got 5 dumplings at the Chinese place called,”Fried Dumpling!” I’ve been on other tours that gave you one bite and that was it. Highly recommend this tour and look forward to more! Ask for Josh!

Lori S

Dec 2017

We thoroughly enjoyed out tour today with Brian! We departed from City Hall Park, and stopped for homemade dumplings in Chinatown, mozzarella in Little Italy, the best knishes that I’ve ever had on the Lower East Side, and German pretzels in the Bowery. Brian kept us entertained along the way with stores about the history of New York and the neighborhoods. Brian took the time to get to know everyone in our group and accommodate our interests and dietary issues. My husband, a native New Yorker, even learned some new things. Even on a cold snowy day, we had a great time!