Delve deeper into the food and multicultural history of Manhattan’s Lower East Side than you could alone on this small-group walking tour. Rather than guessing at eateries and foods to try, let a guide showcase local hotspots and specialties; and chart their European, Jewish, and other cultural roots. Taste snacks such as “knish” doughballs, “bialy” filled rolls, and more; and learn stories of 19th-century immigrant life that many travelers miss.

Explore the foods and history of the Lower East Side on a walking tour
Skip guesswork: let a guide introduce you to must-try eateries and snacks
Try “bialy” rolls, pickles, and more; and unpack the area’s immigrant past
Stop by the Tenement Museum and enjoy tastings that amount to a full meal

What's Included

Bottled water
Local guide
Lunch

Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, USA
This NYC institution is the home of the worlds greatest pastrami.

Start time

10:30 am

End point

Doughnut Plant
379 Grand St, New York, NY 10002, USA
They beat Bobby Flay in a throw down for good reason. These doughnuts are to die for.

What To Expect

Katz's Delicatessen

25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Lower East Side (Pass By)

Vanessa's Dumpling House

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Essex Street Market

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Pickle Guys

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Economy Candy

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kossar's Bagels & Bialys (LES)

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Rain or shine
Dress code is casual
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travellers can participate
Vegetarian option is available, please advise when you meet your guide
Please advise any specific dietary/allergy requirements when you meet your guide
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveller Photos

Featured review

Angie_S

Adam was a great tour guide! Not only did he take us to the some of the best spots, but we got a history lesson too! Adam took the time to speak with each person in our group individually, really making it a personal and memorable experience. I’d recommend his tour to anyone, and be sure to come hungry because you’re gonna EAT!

Reviews

5.0

472 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 472 reviews

Super fun and casual tour

Joanna_L, May 2023

The tour with Ian was casual and fun — a unique way to really get a taste for the neighborhood! Ian was knowledgable and easy-going. There was a good balance of walking and sitting, eating and learning about the foods, shops, and the place itself. And it was awesome to try delicious foods at classic spots (like Katz’s Deli) without having to wait in all the lines!

Pastrami, bialys, pickles and humor

Reuben_S, Apr 2023

Our guide David was awesome! There were 13 or 14 people on the tour and he remembered everyone’s name! He addressed all of us by name ever single time. Extremely knowledgeable and is a stand-up comedian (in his other life) so he has a very, very quick wit and a great sense of humor. Highly, highly recommend!!

Excellent tour!

Jeff_C, Apr 2023

Our guide was fantastic. Friendly, outgoing, and very knowledgeable. Made the tour so worth it. He did a great job.

Highly Recommend!

Tiffany_A, Apr 2023

Awesome tour and history! The food was so delicious. Adam was super friendly and fun. Can't wait to go on next tour.

Great Tour with a Great Host!

Angie_S, Mar 2023

Lower East Side walking tour is well worth it

Carla_G, Mar 2023

Tour guide Adam was great! Very informative and fun! Starting point at Katz’s Deli was delicious. He made the experience walking lower East side fun.

Fantastic Lower East Side Tour

Sue_G, Mar 2023

Dante was fun and knowledgeable about the places we visited and the history of the area. It gave us an understanding of a fascinating area of Manhattan. The tour included fantastic food and other fun participants. Dante’s tours are highly recommended.

Adam our tour guide was...

Bethany_D, Feb 2023

Adam our tour guide was amazing. We loved everything about the tour. Our favorite was Katz Delicatessen.

Excellent value. Food great.

Ted_P, Jan 2023

Guide was terrific knowledge and fun to talk with and very informative. Made the experience great. The food, history and overall interataas tremendous fun.

Awesome tour!

Conant_J, Dec 2022

Dante is super nice and is very knowledgeable about the area. The tour is filled with fun facts and tasty treats. 100% recommend this tour.

Dante is a Gem

Lisa_D, Nov 2022

Our guide Dante was knowledgeable, funny and knew a lot about the lower east side. We went to many places where he fed us well at each stop. Highly recommend Nice Guy Tours!

Two Thumbs Up

Shanice_S, Nov 2022

The food and the experience went above and beyond my expectations. The tour guide Adam gave a lot of insight on the food, the city, and was entertaining above everything else!

Best food tour ever

Suzi_B, Oct 2022

You can't beat pastrami from Katz's . But really each taste was so much fun . Dante made it a special tour . He learned everyone's name and before we knew it we were like a big family !

Awesome tour

Suzanne_S, Oct 2022

Adam is an energetic, wee-informed and enthusiastic guide. We went to distinctive and authentic places and he even supplied the perfect weather. Awesome tour!

A Taste of the Lower East Side!

PAMELA_W, Sept 2022

Dante was a fantastic Tour Guide! He was personable, knowledgeable and provided plenty of food during the walking food Tour. Thank you for such a wonderful time for my family and I.

Our tour guide Dante was...

Patrick_C, Aug 2022

Our tour guide Dante was very friendly and informative about the history of the sites we visited. I would highly recommend this tour.

Amazing

brid_h, Aug 2022

Nice food. Plenty to eat enjoyable experience . Would recommend it to everyone. Nice tour guide and informative

Awesome Time!!

Elissa_C, Aug 2022

A truly awesome experience! Dante was a fantastic and fun tour guide and all the food was incredible! Highly recommend and a great way to explore the Lower East Side! :)

Excellent taste of New York!

Stephen_B, July 2022

This was a great experience! The food was authentic and super delicious. Dante was very friendly and informative too!!

The BEST! Look no further!

Mark_G, June 2022

We have gone on several walking food tours around the country and this is now our favorite! The food is incredible, but Dante our tour guide was the real prize as he shares his passion for people, food, humor and his love and knowledge of NYC. BY FAR the best tour guide we’ve ever had on a walking food tour. So fun. Couldn’t have been better!

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