This experience blends old-school eats with insider stories, all led by a local guide who knows where to find the real-deal bites. Think less touristy photo ops, more authentic knishes, dumplings, pastrami, and pickle tastings from long-standing institutions and local gems. It’s part walking tour, part history lesson, and part unapologetically tasty adventure.

Over the course of 3 hours, you’ll explore the vibrant streets of the Lower East Side with a group of fellow food lovers, hitting up seven food stops that represent the area's diverse culinary history. From Jewish delis and Dominican bakeries to Italian pastry shops and classic New York pizza joints, it’s a crash course in NYC food culture that’ll leave you full in more ways than one. Perfect for locals and visitors alike, this food tour is a great way to see (and taste) a side of Manhattan that helped define the city’s food scene.

Sample Itinerary:

• Meet at Katz’s Delicatessen, a Lower East Side icon since 1888
• Enjoy a classic knish from Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery
• Bite into freshly baked bialys and bagels at a traditional Jewish bakery
• Sample Dominican cake at a family-run neighborhood bakery
• Try iconic New York pizza and learn what makes it different
• Visit a pickle shop and learn about the city’s pickling legacy
• Wrap up with a sweet Italian cannoli or biscotti from a historic pastry shop

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All age groups are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: All participants must pay to participate, children included.
• Individuals with disabilities: The tour is conducted on public sidewalks and streets. While not officially designated as wheelchair accessible, the route is generally navigable for most mobility devices.
• Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are available. Please inform the guide of any dietary restrictions or allergies when booking.
• Pets: Sorry, no pets allowed.

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• What’s included: A minimum of six food tastings, guided commentary, and bottled water.
• Who will be present: A licensed local guide will lead the tour. The group size is limited to a maximum of 12 participants.
• Spectators: No spectators are allowed; everyone must have a ticket/reservation.
• Photo/ video: Personal photography is encouraged throughout the tour.
• Specific rules to follow: Please adhere to the guide's instructions and respect local establishments visited during the tour.

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: Rain or shine, the experience will be running.
• Arrival: Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes in advance.
• Parking: Public transportation is recommended due to limited parking availability in the area.
• What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
• What to bring:
  • A water bottle (optional, as bottled water is provided).
  • An umbrella or raincoat in case of inclement weather.
  • A small bag for personal belongings.
• Restrooms/ lockers/ changing rooms: Restrooms are available at select stops during the tour.

Anything else I should know before going on this experience?

• The tour begins at Katz’s Delicatessen and concludes at Doughnut Plant on Grand Street.
• The tour covers approximately 1.5 to 2 miles at a leisurely pace.
• The food tastings are substantial and can replace a full meal.

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for anything else in our marketplace, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference, but if you choose one that costs less, you'll receive a credit towards your next booking.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 24 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 24 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.