Lower East Side Food Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore historic Lower East Side
- Taste iconic New York deli sandwiches
- Visit a traditional Jewish bakery
- Discover hidden speakeasies
- Learn about immigrant history
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided walking tour of Lower East Side
- Tastings at 6 local eateries
- Insights into neighborhood history and culture
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
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.
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.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates rain or shine; cancellations due to weather are rare.
- Please inform the tour operator of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.
- Gratuity for the guide is appreciated but not included in the tour price.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves approximately 1.5 miles of walking.
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated throughout the tour.
- Be prepared for varying weather conditions; check the forecast and dress accordingly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- 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.
Reviews
This was a great tour that not only included local charm, great Italian eats, insider tips on how to experience Boston, but also a great history lesson you don't always read in the books.
Would definitely recommend this night tour to everyone. Our driver, Carl, was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Our 7 year olds loved the tour a lot and consider it the best part of their Washington DC trip. I can see it being a bit hard to enjoy it fully when the weather doesn't cooperate but we had some great weather so we were really lucky.
We enjoyed our guide Bob and trainee Maddie. Our group was small, including us "locals" from Vermont, two world travelers from Minnesota, and a couple from Ireland. Rain dampened our walk and our clothes, yet we still enjoyed the learning, the history, the food and the company. Bob was very knowledgeable and informative and friendly. We highly recommend him and the North End Foodie Tour!
Traveler reviews
Great Walking Food Tour
Great tour! Brian did an excellent job of educating us, feeding us, and entertaining us. I thought it was a cultural walking tour with some food…there was a lot of food…all so good. We also stop at Ferrara Bakery for a bathroom stop…if you do, buy some pastries…they were delicious! My only complaint was that two people on our tour were smoking…I think smoking should not be allowed on the tour.
A LOT of walking. Great...
A LOT of walking. Great history. Only four food stops but all yummy. Greg was wonderful. There were four if us and one had a few mobility issues and he was great.
Best Food Tour
Brian was absolutely phenomenal as our tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the area and gave us great recommendations for things to do beyond the tour. We would definitely book another tour.
Highly Recommend
Great experience. Brian was an amazing guide who knows a lot about NY history. I loved seeing the city. Highly recommend this experience got a lot more out of it and had great food along the ways
SO FUN!!
So fun!!! Brian was so friendly and knowledgeable!!