Manhattan is one of the culinary capitals of the world and visitors to the Big Apple have the choice of joining a wide range of food tours.
(GetYourGuide.com)
It’s often said that it’s impossible to have a bad meal in Manhattan. But it’s not just the quality of the grub that’s available in the iconic New York borough, it’s the sheer diversity that draws so many dedicated foodies here. From classic American fare to an almost endless selection of international cuisines to pick from, there’s something to satisfy every palette. Here are 5 of the best organised food tours currently running in Manhattan.
Little Italy Italian Food Tasting Tour
Sample delicious pizzas, pastries, and cheeses, visit family-owned bakeries, and learn about the history of immigration to New York on this 2-hour guided walking tour of Manhattan’s Little Italy district. During the tour you’ll be immersed in the food culture of this colourful neighbourhood, visiting four different food outlets with skip-the-line privileges for food tastings and fascinating tales. You’ll also discover New York’s bootlegging depot from the days of prohibition at Curb Exchange, as well as stopping off at movie site locations from iconic films such as The Godfather. The tour price includes all tastings. From $50 per person.
Taste Mulberry Street – A Culinary Journey
(Photo: Ahoy New York Food Tours)
This 3-hour travelling feast takes in a grand total of three Manhattan neighbourhoods – Nolita, Little Italy and Chinatown – in one go. As part of a small, intimate group led by a friendly, knowledgeable guide, you’ll meet at Mulberry Street in Nolita before heading off to sample delicious and unique food tastings from six different eateries featuring cuisine from around the globe. Along the way, your guide will regale you with exciting stories and secrets of Mulberry Street’s past and its ever changing food scene. For those of a drinking age (21+), there’ll also be the chance to enjoy a glass of wine at a seated tasting with no additional cost. All food tastings are included in the tour price. From $105 per person.
Book at Ahoy New York Food Tours
Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour
Explore one of Manhattan’s most renowned foodie hot spots on this 3-hour tour. Steeped in bohemian heritage, Greenwich Village is today home to an endless choice of top-class restaurants from casual eateries to gourmet dining. During the tour you’ll head to some of the area’s top-rated food outlets as your guide points out lesser-known landmarks often missed by visitors and locals alike, providing inside knowledge about the neighbourhood. Among the highlights will be a visit to award-winning cupcake purveyor Molly’s, and a stop-off at Mamoun’s, known for serving up some of the best falafel in the city. Lunch and bottled water are included in the tour price. From $70 per person.
Flavors of Chinatown Food and Culture Walking Tour
(Photo: Foodsofny.com)
New York’s Chinatown district is among the most famous anywhere in the world, and this 3-hour tour invites you to you discover its historic landmarks, hidden side streets and the sheer sensory overload of its vivid sights, smells and flavours. In groups of up to 16, you’ll get to savour three abundant sit-down tastings and one on-the-go tasting, taking you off the beaten track to eateries under the radar of most tourists – and indeed some locals too. Authentic Asian dishes you’ll get to sample include Dim Sum, traditionally-prepared Peking Duck, and Malaysian Roti Canai, before ending with a classic Chinese pastry. All food is included in the tour price. From $69 per person.
Hell’s Kitchen: Walking Food Tour
Formerly the mainstay of poor, working-class Irish Americans, the story of how Hell’s Kitchen got its nickname is as fascinating as the neighbourhood itself. This 2-hour tour will shed light on the history behind the famous moniker, as well as how, despite its history of crime and gang violence, it’s since become a gentrified, metropolitan area home to some of the most expensive properties in Manhattan. The tour also takes you to some of the district’s best restaurants, with the chance to taste ethnically diverse dishes from empanadas to custom-made donuts to exotic curry puffs. The tour price is inclusive of all food samples. From $99 per person.
By Paul Joseph