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Many people consider the Big Apple to be one of the best food cities in the US, so if you want to eat your way through the city, take a New York City food tour. These are some of the best tours in NYC, and a great way to learn more about the different neighborhoods that make up Manhattan.
That said, you can find NYC foodie tours in the other boroughs, particularly Brooklyn. So, to help you find your perfect tour, I’m sharing the 10 best food tours in New York City:
- Manhattan Food & History Tour
- Little Italy Food Tour
- Brooklyn Food Tour
- Greenwich Village Cupcake Walking Tour
- Pizza Bus Tasting Tour
- NYC Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner Cruise
- Hell’s Kitchen Walking Food Tour
- Chelsea Market Food Tour
- Williamsburg Food Tour
- Flatiron Food, History & Architecture Tour
Keep reading to learn more about the top bus and walking food tours in New York City, as well as what to expect from each tour, including price and duration. And of course, arrive hungry, because you’ll get to sample some of the most delicious snacks, dishes, and desserts in the city!
1. Manhattan Food & History Tour, one of the best food tours in NYC
First, this Manhattan food tour is the perfect combination of food, history, and culture, making it one of the best walking food tours in New York City. It lasts for 3 hours and includes several delicious stops across the Lower East Side, such as Chinatown and Little Italy.
1. Manhattan Food & History Tour, one of the best food tours in NYC
As you eat your way through Manhattan, you’ll visit some of the area’s most popular eateries and markets, as well as historic landmarks like the NY Supreme Court, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sara D. Roosevelt Park, the Tenement Museum, and the African Burial Ground National Monument. You’ll also learn how the city became a melting pot of cultures and flavors, thanks to an influx of immigrants, which is why it’s considered one of the best things to do in NYC.
Bring your friends and enjoy mouth-watering Chinese fried dumplings, Italian cheeses from the Nolita neighborhood, and potato knishes from an Ashkenazi Jewish bakery. There are other scrumptious treats to enjoy, so it’s one of the best food experiences in NYC if you want to try something new.
- Price: $79+
- Duration: 3 hours
- Highlights: Chinatown, Little Italy, Nolita neighborhood, food tastings
2. Little Italy Food Tour, a savory foodie tour in New York City
Little Italy is one of the coolest places in Manhattan, and the perfect spot for an NYC pizza tour, so it’s no surprise that I recommend this 2-hour food tour. During the tour, you’ll visit four family-owned eateries and learn about the culture and history of Little Italy.
This neighborhood became a hub for immigrants in the 20th century, many of them from Italy. By booking this tour, you’ll get skip-the-line access to some of the most prolific restaurants and bakeries in the area, some of which are over 100 years old.
2. Little Italy Food Tour, a savory foodie tour in New York City
Check out the prosciutto-infused bread at Parisi Bakery, a favorite of Frank Sinatra’s, then dig into a slice from the brick coal oven at Lombardi’s Pizza, which is over 105 years old. You’ll also visit Ferrara Bakery and Alleva Dairy, one of the oldest cheese shops in the country that sells amazing mozzarella and ricotta.
This Little Italy New York City food tour also includes a stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Prohibition-era Curb Exchange depot, and filming locations from The Godfather and Donnie Brasco.
- Price: $50+
- Duration: 2 hours
- Highlights: Visit historic sites in Little Italy and enjoy food tastings from four local restaurants
3. Brooklyn Food Tour, another top food tour in NYC
As I mentioned, Brooklyn is home to some of the best foods of New York, so check out this 3-hour tour with a local guide. They’ll share their recommendations and take you to some of the best foodie spots in the borough.
You’ll learn just how diverse Brooklyn is in terms of flavors and food trends, many of which have stood the test of time. Among the food tastings you’ll do here, you’ll try goodies from the oldest Middle Eastern bakery in the city and visit an old-fashioned soda fountain and ice cream parlor.
3. Brooklyn Food Tour, another top food tour in NYC
Visit some local mom-and-pop shops, an Italian restaurant, and a contemporary American café for some artisanal products, delicious cheeses and breads, and scrumptious pastries and coffee. If you’re looking for a variety of textures, flavors, and aromas, this Brooklyn foodie tour is for you!
- Price: $79+
- Duration: 3 hours
- Highlights: Join a local guide to the best mom-and-pop shops, Italian cafes, Middle Eastern bakeries, and New American restaurants in Brooklyn
4. Greenwich Village cupcake walking tour
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you must do this Greenwich Village cupcake tour, which will take you to the best boutique bakeries in the area. As you walk through Washington Square Park and the West Village, you’ll learn about the history of the cupcake and how it has transformed into a huge culinary craze.
4. Greenwich Village cupcake walking tour
Of course, you’ll also do a cupcake tasting, sampling a variety of flavors from traditional chocolate and red velvet to experimental creations. If the sound of strawberry shortcake and buttercream icing has your mouth watering, then it’s time to book this NY food tour!
Besides the delicious flavors, this Manhattan food tour will also take you to some historic spots in Greenwich Village, making it one of the best walking tours in NYC.
- Price: $50+
- Duration: 2 hours
- Highlights: Cupcake tastings at several sweet shops and bakeries in Greenwich Village
5. Pizza Tasting Bus Tour, a delicious NYC food tour
For the ultimate NYC pizza tour, I suggest doing this half-day bus tour to visit four pizzerias across NYC’s boroughs. The tour is led by Scott Wiener, a foodie and pizza enthusiast who has been featured on Food Network, the Travel Channel, and in the New York Times.
Scott will take you to his favorite pizza joints across Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island while sharing insights about the origins and history of one of the best foods in NYC. Learn the ins and outs of the city’s oldest pizzerias, from the brick ovens to the perfect ratio of cheese and sauce.
5. Pizza Tasting Bus Tour, a delicious NYC food tour
The roster of pizzerias you’ll visit changes every week, but may include Joe’s Pizza, John’s of Bleecker Street, Lombardi’s, Di Fara’s Pizza, and Patsy’s.
Finally, this tour wouldn’t be complete with some classic New York pizza slices! Enjoy the thin, crispy crust, tangy sauce, and gooey cheese of this food tasting tour in NYC.
- Price: $79+
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Highlights: Half-day bus tour to four pizzerias, led by travel guide Scott Wiener
6. NYC Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner cruise, an NYC food tour to do as a couple
This sightseeing cruise is one of the best boat rides in NYC combined with a delicious NYC culinary experience. Choose from a brunch, lunch, or early dinner cruise in New York Harbor complete with live music, narration, and lovely views of the Manhattan skyline.
You’ll board the Bateaux New York, a sightseeing cruiser with an open-air platform and a glass-enclosed deck that gives you 180° views while protecting you from the weather or wind. The boat departs from Chelsea Piers, then sails through the harbor along the Hudson River before winding back up the East River.
6. NYC Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner cruise, an NYC food tour to do as a couple
Throughout the tour, you’ll be able to see famous landmarks like the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Along with the beautiful views, you’ll enjoy a gourmet 3-course meal at a private table, making this a good New York City food tour for couples.
The brunch option includes unlimited mimosas and dishes like French toast casserole, roasted salmon Provençale, eggs, pastries, and fresh fruit. The lunch cruise includes a chef-prepared menu with dishes like Caesar salad, maple glazed chicken, and NY-style cheesecake. The brunch and lunch cruises include live music accompaniment by a professional pianist.
If you choose the dinner option, you’ll dine on delicacies like lobster bisque, mushroom ravioli, herb-roasted shrimp, braised short ribs, and chocolate mousse. After the meal, enjoy some post-dinner dancing accompanied by a jazz guitarist, bassist, and pianist.
- Price: $105+
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Highlights: Sightseeing cruise in a glass-enclosed boat, 3-course brunch, lunch, or dinner, live entertainment
7. Hell’s Kitchen Walking Food Tour, another NYC food tour you should do
Another great NYC food tour is this one through Hell’s Kitchen, which boasts a diverse culinary landscape shaped by the different cultures here.
Hell’s Kitchen was once an Irish-American working-class neighborhood, which led to some cultural tensions and struggles throughout the years, some of which inspired the events of West Side Story. Eventually, the neighborhood went through a gentrification period, and today, it’s home to some of the priciest properties in Manhattan.
7. Hell’s Kitchen Walking Food Tour, another NYC food tour you should do
As your guide takes you through the city streets, you’ll stop at five distinct eateries and sample some international cuisine. Try some Mexican empanadas, Indian curry puffs, Turkish delights, and other delicious snacks. This Manhattan food tour will expose you to the flavors of the Caribbean, China, Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, and Thailand, so your stomach will be very happy.
- Price: $99+
- Duration: 2 hours
- Highlights: Walking tour through Hell’s Kitchen to learn about its history and taste a diverse menu of cultural dishes
8. Chelsea Market Food Tour, a fun NYC food tour for all ages
The Meatpacking District is another part of Manhattan that offers all kinds of art, history, culture, and gastronomy, so consider this Chelsea Market food tour. You’ll join a local guide who will share insider food secrets and take you to the best attractions in the area.
First, explore the Meatpacking District, which was filled with slaughterhouses and packing plants in the early 20th century. Five meatpacking companies still operate here, but the rest of the neighborhood is now filled with boutique shops and trendy bars and restaurants.
8. Chelsea Market Food Tour, a fun NYC food tour for all ages
Then, visit Chelsea Market, where you’ll get a VIP tote bag with goodies. Indulge in food tastings ranging from Japanese-style tacos, NY-style pizza slices, Greek halva and tahini, and mini donuts from the Doughnuttery. You’ll also visit Artists & Fleas, a collective of vendors selling crafts, jewelry, antiques, and clothes that is one of the best flea markets in NYC.
After Chelsea Market, you’ll go to the High Line, New York City’s only elevated park. Here, your guide will point out some lovely viewpoints and architecture along the route, with some buildings dating back to the 1840s. You’ll end this New York food tour at Hudson Yards, where you’ll get to sample some artisan Belgian chocolates from Neuhaus.
- Price: $68+
- Duration: 3 hours
- Highlights: Tour through the Meatpacking District, the High Line, and Chelsea Market with five food tastings
9. Williamsburg, a great NYC food tour in Brooklyn
This 3-hour tour through Williamsburg is another great Brooklyn foodie tour that covers a lot of ground in just a few hours. You’ll travel as a small group to six Brooklyn cafes and restaurants, where you’ll sample delicious offerings like tacos, dumplings, and barbecue ribs. Williamsburg is one of the best neighborhoods in Brooklyn to visit, so it’s impossible for you to get bored!
9. Williamsburg, a great NYC food tour in Brooklyn
Check out the flavorful Mexican food at Tacombi, then nosh on traditional Polish snacks at Northside Bakery. You’ll also visit Mable’s Smokehouse for Oklahoma-style BBQ and eat some of the best pizza in Brooklyn at an award-winning pizzeria. Finally, you’ll get a sweet ending at the Milk Bar, where you can sample a delicious dessert.
This NY food tour also combines art and culture, and your guide will show you some of the most popular places to visit in Brooklyn including beautiful street art and murals. Pass by the artsy boutiques, galleries, cute bars, chic coffeehouses, and landmarks like the Williamsburg and Brooklyn Bridges.
- Price: $68+
- Duration: 3 hours
- Highlights: Small-group tour to six eateries in Brooklyn, and views of the public art, murals, and popular landmarks
10. Flatiron Food, History & Architecture Tour
Finally, this 3-hour food and history tour through the Flatiron District is an awesome NYC food experience, especially if you’re into architecture. You’ll walk together as a small group through Union Square and the Flatiron District, two areas of Manhattan with stunning buildings and delicious eateries.
To start off, grab some Italian breakfast focaccia from Caffe Lavazza at Eataly. As you enjoy the warm, fluffy bread, you’ll learn about this impressive restaurant complex run by professional chef, Mario Batali. Then, head to Madison Square Park, where you’ll see the iconic Flatiron Building. Capture a photo of this dizzying structure, which is just 25° at its narrowest corner, before heading to your next destination.
10. Flatiron Food, History & Architecture Tour
Throughout the tour, you’ll bite into gourmet food from four renowned eateries while being entertained by your storytelling guide. Bite into a classic NY-style Reuben sandwich at Zucker’s Bagels, then savor a cheese platter and the best grilled cheese from Beecher’s Cheese Shop, which makes its cheese right in Manhattan.
Lastly, take a walk through Union Square, one of the best parks in NYC, before heading into Bread’s Bakery for a warm and delicious pastry. It’s the perfect ending to one of the coolest food tours in Manhattan.
- Price: $68+
- Duration: 3 hours
- Highlights: Gourmet food tastings from four eateries in Union Square and the Flatiron District, guided walk past several architectural landmarks
That’s it for the 10 best food tours in New York City! Is your stomach growling yet? I know you’ll enjoy any of these NYC foodie tours, although if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below. I’ll be happy to answer you. Until then, have a delicious time in the Big Apple!
