NYC: The Story Of Lower East Side’s Food Culture

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.

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.

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.

• 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? This tour is designed as a well‑balanced and thoughtfully curated gastronomy experience featuring ethnic dish samples. As we visit establishments that are not always able to accommodate all dietary needs, we are unfortunately unable to cater for vegans or guests with gluten allergies or intolerances. For any other specific dietary requests, please inform us at least 24 hours prior to the tour start time so we can plan accordingly.
• 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? Yes! This tour is suitable for guests of all ages and fitness levels. Please note that it includes approximately 1.6 km (1 mile) of walking, at a relaxed pace with regular stops.

• This Tour is Rated 4.7 Stars based on 1030 valid reviews on VIATOR