Upper East Side Culture and Food Tour

New York City, New York

Upper East Side Culture and Food Tour

New York City, New York

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Overview

Savor the flavors and sights of New York City's Upper East Side on this immersive Culture and Food Tour. Journey through one of the most iconic neighborhoods, indulging in authentic food tastings from local gems and exploring rich cultural and historic sights, all guided by an expert for a truly unforgettable experience.

🍽️ Taste the diversity of the Upper East Side with five authentic food tastings

🖼️ Explore the neighborhood's vibrant culture with visits to historic art murals and celebrity homes

🚶‍♂️ Embark on a 2.5-hour guided tour, diving deep into the food, history, and architecture of one of NYC's most iconic neighborhoods

📚 Gain unique insights from an experienced tour guide, enriching your understanding of the Upper East Side's culinary and cultural heritage

Availability

When do I choose a date?

After purchase, you can request your preferred dates and times by following the instructions in the email you receive. If it's a gift, the recipient will also get an email with booking instructions.

Year-Round,
Daily at 11:00am and 2:30pm

Full description

Tour Highlights:

Diverse Culinary Tastings: Dive into the heart of the Upper East Side with five authentic food tastings. From the iconic New York-style bagels at H&H Bagels to the delicate Chinese dumplings at Xi'an Famous Foods, every bite is a taste of the local, independently owned culinary landscape.
Cultural Immersion: Beyond the palate, this tour is a deep dive into the fusion of food, history, and culture. Stroll through the leafy, vibrant streets and visit four significant cultural and historic sights, including art murals, celebrity homes, and more, making each step an exploration of the Upper East Side's rich heritage.
Expert-Led Exploration: Led by an experienced guide, this 2.5-hour journey not only satisfies your taste buds but also enriches your knowledge. Learn about the history of the Upper East Side and the stories behind the food and the people who make it.

Tour Itinerary:

H&H Bagels: Begin with classic New York breakfast at H&H Bagels, savoring freshly made bagels with cream cheese.
The Comic Strip: Laugh at The Comic Strip, NYC's oldest comedy club, host to legends like Eddie Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld.
Yorkville Glockenspiel: Discover the enchanting Yorkville Glockenspiel mural by Richard Haas, a hidden treasure for art lovers.
Agata & Valentina: Explore Agata & Valentina, an iconic Italian market, and enjoy their homemade Italian Cannolis.
Xi'an Famous Foods: Taste the bold flavors of Xi'an Famous Foods with spicy lamb and cumin dumplings, a favorite of Anthony Bourdain.
Madonna's Apartment: Visit Madonna's luxurious $32 million apartment, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Queen of Pop.
Lexington Candy Shop: Step into the past at Lexington Candy Shop, enjoying an authentic egg cream and handcrafted Coca-Cola.
Mimi's Pizzeria Savor: an authentic slice of New York City-style pizza at Mimi's Pizza, among the best on the Upper East Side.
Levain Bakery: Conclude at Levain Bakery, indulging in cult classic chocolate chip cookies for a sweet tour finale.

Practical information

Any restrictions to participate?

Age: All age groups are welcome
Physical limitations: Need to be able to walk 2 miles in total, making stops every 5-10 minutes.

Who can you accommodate for?

Children: Children under 4 years old are free. All participants under the age of 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Individuals with disabilities: The tour is wheelchair accessible and service animals are allowed.
Dietary restrictions: Tour can accommodate vegetarian, kosher, and pescatarian diets, but not vegan or gluten free. Please make note of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking.
Pets: Sorry, no pets allowed.

What to expect on the day of the experience?

Duration: 2.5 hours
What’s included:
- Friendly local guide
- 5 authentic food tastings
- 4 cultural and historic sights
Who will be present: You will have a guide with you at all times as well as up to 15 total participants.
Spectators: No spectators are allowed, everyone must have a reservation.
Photo/ video: Photos and video are encouraged!

How to prepare?

Weather dependency: Rain or shine, the experience will be running.
Arrival: Plan to arrive 10 minutes in advance
Parking: Street and garage parking are available nearby. It is recommended to use a parking app like SpotHero or ParkWhiz to find parking in advance or take public transportation.
What to wear: Comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather conditions and good walking shoes.
What to bring:
- Identification, a water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrella/poncho.
- Gratuity for your guide is greatly appreciated if you enjoy the experience. Suggested gratuity is $12-$16 per person.
Restrooms/ lockers/ changing rooms: Restrooms are available along the tour.

Returns, exchanges and cancellation

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 30 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.