The 14 Best New York City Food Tours

Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

As one of the best foodie cities in America, New York City has no shortage of delicious eats spread across its five boroughs. But the enormous volume of food carts, award-winning restaurants and longstanding favorites can be overwhelming for visitors in search of the Big Apple’s most delicious dishes. A food tour can be a great way to narrow down your search thanks to the guidance of an in-the-know local. Considering traveler sentiment and expert opinion, U.S. News selected the top food tours in NYC. Whether you’re craving the best bagel or the tastiest slice of pizza, you’ll walk away with a full belly and a better understanding of the local food scene after one of these tours.

A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours – The Original Brooklyn Pizza Tour

Calling all pizza lovers – this tour was made for you. During the nearly five-hour outing, you’ll board a bus from Manhattan to Brooklyn where you’ll enjoy Neapolitan-style pizza at Grimaldi’s and Sicilian-style pizza at L&B Spumoni Gardens. You’ll also visit the filming locations of famous movies like “Saturday Night Fever,” “Goodfellas” and “Annie Hall.” Plus, you’ll stroll the Coney Island boardwalk – a highlight for reviewers. Travelers heap praise on the guides and appreciate the many stops for photos. Tours, which start at $80 for adults and $70 for kids 11 and younger, are available Wednesday and Friday through Monday at 11 a.m. If you didn’t get your fill of the borough, you can also join in on the company’s two other Brooklyn-themed tours.

Famous Fat Dave’s Food Tours

Travelers say that Dave of Famous Fat Dave’s Food Tour is what sets these tours apart from others: Dave’s wealth of knowledge about the city and its tastiest eats, in addition to his super friendly demeanor, wins visitors over. This company offers several different food tour types, ranging from two to three hours (and five to 10 tastings) to six or more hours (with 20 or more tastings). However, the price tag on these tours is steep: Tours start at $240 per person for two hours and increase from there, depending on length and total number of participants in your group. Tickets include food, soft drinks and parking. You can decide the theme of the tour (which ranges from the city’s best pizza to its best pickles) or simply allow Dave to show you his favorite stops around the city. You must email ahead of time to schedule a tour.

Taste Harlem – Historical Food Tour

According to reviewers, this Harlem historical food tour is as educational as it is delicious. Described as “the perfect introduction to Harlem,” the four-hour, 2-mile walking tour makes six stops for samples of the neighborhood’s well-known soul food, as well as Caribbean and African dishes, such as maffe (peanut butter stew). Tourgoers say the guides share an impressive amount of history along the way. Others value the tour’s originality and say they likely wouldn’t have found these eateries on their own. Tours are offered Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday at 10 a.m. Tickets start at $78 for adults and $55 for children ages 6 to 12. The company also runs private group tours that delve into Harlem’s history.

Nice Guy Tours – Greenwich Village Tour

For a food tour that mixes in a healthy dose of New York City history, consider the Greenwich Village Tour from Nice Guy Tours. On this three-hour foodie excursion, you’ll make a minimum of seven stops for samples of the neighborhood’s best falafel, pizza, bagels, fries and cupcakes, among other tasty treats. Along the way, you’ll see neighborhood landmarks, such as the longest running off-Broadway theater, the narrowest house, the oldest house and Washington Irving’s former home, not to mention the exterior of the famous “Friends” apartment. Participants heap praise on Nice Guy Tours, saying the guides are funny and knowledgeable, and the food is incredible. The tour, which is offered Wednesday through Saturday at either 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., starts at $65 per person. Food-focused tours of the Lower East Side are also available.

Foods of NY Tours – Chelsea Market & The High Line

Sample one of the city’s best hot dogs, Brooklyn-made ice cream and more on this three-hour tour of Chelsea Market, the Gansevoort Market and the High Line. The tour includes seven on-the-go tastings and one seated tasting, along with commentary from your expert guide about the market’s history and the story of how the Oreo cookie was invented in Chelsea Market. Reviewers laud the tour guides for their engaging, passionate commentary and recommendations. Tours are available daily and typically last three hours. Prices start at $58 for adults 13 and older and $35 for kids ages 3 to 12. When you’re ready to explore beyond Chelsea, consider signing up for the company’s tours of other famous foodie neighborhoods, including Brooklyn, Chinatown and Nolita.

New York Fun Tours – The Best of Brooklyn Half-Day Food & Culture Tour

For a crash course in the food and neighborhoods that make Brooklyn so unique, consider this nearly five-hour tour from New York Fun Tours. You’ll start the tour in Greenwich Village and then board a bus to Brooklyn where you may visit neighborhoods like Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Carroll Gardens. As you learn about the history of each neighborhood, you’ll sample some of the area’s most famous dishes, including traditional Polish pierogis and kielbasa, New York-style brick oven pizza and Cuban sandwiches, among other tasty bites. At the end of the tour, you have the option of boarding the bus back to Greenwich Village or walking across the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan. Tourgoers offer high praise for the food and applaud the guide and driver for their expert knowledge of the area. Tours are usually offered Thursday through Monday (and on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the year) at 11 a.m. Tickets start at $139 per person. Private tours of Manhattan are also available.

Ahoy New York Tours & Tasting – Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest

Learn about the history, culture and food of two of New York City’s distinct immigrant neighborhoods on this three-hour tour. You’ll meet your guide in Little Italy for a cannoli and a brief history lesson before heading to mom and pop shops to sample prosciutto, olives, cheeses, fresh pasta and more. After a brief stroll to Chinatown, you’ll enjoy a tasting menu of dim sum followed by a tour of the neighborhood’s historic Chinese landmarks. You’ll have seven different tastings in all – a great value, travelers say. According to reviewers, this is a fun combo tour with engaging guides. Tours, which cost approximately $60 for adults and $45 for kids ages 12 and younger, are usually available Thursday through Monday at 10:30 a.m., with an additional 2:30 p.m. tour on Saturday. Additional tour times are offered in the spring and summer. Private dinners in Little Italy and public tours of Mulberry Street are also available.

Urban Adventures – Tenements, Tales, and Tastes

This three-hour tour celebrates the impact of immigrants and the cuisine they brought to New York that locals and visitors still enjoy today. The tour starts nearby City Hall and weaves its way around the Lower East Side, Little Italy and Chinatown, among other ethnic enclaves. As your guide provides historical context of the various neighborhoods and the immigrants who shaped them, you’ll sample dumplings, knishes, pretzels and cheese, among other delicious bites. Reviewers say the tour provides an outstanding overview of the immigrant experience and deftly introduces participants to some hidden gems. Tours are offered daily at 10 a.m. Tickets cost approximately $80 per person. Urban Adventures also offers brewery tours, cocktail tours and more.

Free Tours by Foot – Greenwich Village Food Tour

A more economical option for a foodie excursion, Free Tours by Foot offers pay-what-you-wish food tours of the city, including Greenwich Village. During the two-hour outing, you’ll stop at four to five different outposts where you can choose what you want to taste and pay for it. You’ll generally spend between $8.50 and $15 on your bites, according to the company. Possible samples include falafel, pizza, bagels, cupcakes and arancini (fried rice balls). As with other trips from Free Tours by Foot, you’ll pay your guide what you think the trip was worth at the conclusion of the tour. Past travelers said they loved sampling the different food and appreciated the flexible pricing. Tours are offered several days a week and reservations are required. The company also offers food tours of a variety of other neighborhoods, including Chinatown and Williamsburg, as well as seasonal tours.

In Food We Trust – Athens Next Door Greek Food Tour in Astoria – Queens

If you’re a fan of Greek food, but can’t swing the trip to Greece, reviewers say this tour is the next best thing. With a maximum of six guests, the three-hour tour features seated tastings at various Greek eateries in Astoria. As you explore the neighborhood with your expert guide by your side, you’ll sample Greek specialties like tzatziki, calamari, baklava, feta cheese, olives and much more. In between tastings, you’ll learn about Greek culture. Travelers rave about the guide and say the tour felt like a quick trip to Greece thanks to the guide’s immersive storytelling and familial relationship with the merchants. Tours are offered Sunday and Thursday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $119. The company also offers tours celebrating iconic NYC foods, such as bagels and pastrami, among other themes.

Manhattan Walking Tour – Hell’s Kitchen Food Tour and Central Park Tour

According to reviewers, this tour combines just the right mix of food, history and sightseeing. During the two-hour stroll, you’ll make stops at five different spots in Hell’s Kitchen for tasty eats like empanadas, hush puppies, baba ghanoush and doughnuts. You’ll also enjoy a walking tour of Central Park – a particular highlight for travelers. Tourgoers are complimentary of the passionate guides and the interesting and delicious food. What’s more, tours are capped at eight participants – another plus for reviewers. Tours are offered daily at 12:30 p.m. and cost approximately $125 per person. Not looking to see Central Park? You can book the Hell’s Kitchen Food Tour by itself for around $100 per person.

Secret Food Tours New York – NYC – Greenwich Village

This traveler-approved, three-hour food tour takes visitors through Greenwich Village to sample a classic New York bagel, a Reuben sandwich, a local cupcake, a slice of pizza and a gourmet doughnut. Part of the fun on this tour is the “secret dish,” which is revealed the day of your tour. Participants say the tour is educational, with many praising the secret stop. The tour costs approximately $70 per adult and between $62 and $67 for kids and teens. Tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. Still hungry? The company also offers tours of the Brooklyn food scene, as well as pizza-focused tours of the East Village.

Like a Local Tours – Flatiron Food, History & Architecture Tour

Appeasing both history buffs and foodies, this tour explores the food, architecture and history of two of New York’s most iconic neighborhoods: Flatiron and Union Square. During the three-hour, mile-long stroll, you’ll enjoy a classic New York sandwich at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop, sample cheese made in the middle of Manhattan, snap pictures at the famous Flatiron Building and more. Tourgoers rave about the food and the knowledgeable guides, who win praise for sharing plenty of historical context in a fun, engaging way. However, a few reviewers warn the tour may not be entertaining for children since it focuses heavily on history. Tours, which start at $56 for adults and $46 for kids ages 4 to 10, are offered Wednesday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The company also offers food and walking tours of other NYC neighborhoods and boroughs, including Brooklyn.

Sidewalks of NY Tours – West Village Food Tour

Indulge in classic New York City dishes while exploring the tree-lined streets of the West Village on this three-hour tour. With a local as your guide, you’ll make six stops for samples that may include bagels, pizza, falafel and cupcakes. Along with the histories and traditions of the eateries, you’ll also learn about the hangouts of the Beat Generation and Bob Dylan and view the exterior of Monica’s apartment from “Friends,” among other West Village hot spots. Reviewers applaud the variety of food offered and the generous portions. Others gush about the friendly, knowledgeable guides. Tours, which cost approximately $70 per person, are offered Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. If you’re still not full, consider the company’s other food tours of midtown, downtown and the Lower East Side, among others.

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