Lower East Side Food Tour: Iconic Eats & NYC History Walking Tour
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
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.
Inclusions
What's included
- Follow a friendly local English‑speaking guide who’s passionate about food and history
- See historic NYC sites, including 100‑year‑old bakeries, churches, and neighborhood landmarks
- Get insider tips on what else to eat, see, and experience during your stay in New York
- Explore stories and cultural heritage that shaped these famous neighborhoods
- Stroll through the Lower East Side, Chinatown & Little Italy
- Sample four iconic NYC dishes (may include dumplings, pizza, knish, empanada, and more)
What's not
- Gratuities
- Drinks and additional food
Itinerary
Your tour begins in front of Little Canal Café, located at 26 Canal Street in the Lower East Side. This modern corner café with large street-facing windows is easy to spot as you arrive on Canal Street. Your guide will meet you right outside the main entrance, where the vibrant energy of downtown Manhattan sets the perfect scene for the cultural journey ahead.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.8
- 5959
- 459
- 318
- 213
- 112
Ratings come from 1,061 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- 26 Canal St (Little Canal Cafe) In front of Little Canal Café, 26 Canal St, New York, NY 10002, United States.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 14 travellers
- Operated by
- Intrepid Urban Adventures - USA
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Can dietary requirements be accommodated on this tour? We can accommodate most dietary needs — including vegetarian, vegan, gluten‑free, dairy‑free, nut‑free, and other requirements — as long as we are informed at least 24 hours before the tour. Substitutions can be arranged in most cases but may not be available at every stop. Please note that many foods on this tour are not prepared in nut‑free, dairy‑free, or gluten‑free facilities, and cross‑contamination is possible. Guests with severe allergies should use caution.
- What happens if the weather is bad? This experience runs rain, shine, or snow. In the rare case that weather conditions pose a safety risk, the tour may be postponed or canceled for guest safety.
- Is this tour child-friendly? Yes! This tour is suitable for families. Children under 4 years old can join free of charge. A reduced child price applies for children aged 4 to 11.
- Is this tour suitable for all ages and fitness levels? The tour includes approximately 2.5 miles / 4 km of walking at a relaxed pace.
How it compares in New York City
- Its from-price is 46% below the median of the 2673 experiences we list in New York City.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 64 of 2673.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About New York City
New York City packs skyscrapers, famous museums, Broadway theatres and dozens of distinct neighbourhoods into five boroughs that hum day and night.
Manhattan is the classic first stop. Times Square glows above the theatre district, Central Park stretches for blocks between the Upper East and Upper West Sides, and the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center define the midtown skyline. Downtown, the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street and the Brooklyn Bridge sit close together, and boats run out past the Statue of Liberty to Ellis Island.
Top-ranked sights in New York City: Statue of Liberty, Central Park, National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Special offers in New York City
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
