Discover the incredible layers of cultural heritage spanning the Lower East Side bite by bite through new and original family-run eateries.
Lower East Side Food & History Tour
Summary Description
Highlights
- Take a tour of the flavors of the Lower East Side
- Soak in the story of the neighborhood’s transformation
- Taste international cuisine and American classics
- Visit the oldest delicatessen in New York
Description
Take a morning to uncover the rich layers underpinning the vibrant Lower East Side. You’ll sample everything from classic dishes like bagels and authentic Jewish deli meats to the international food that continues to be introduced to the neighborhood and keeps its food scene thriving. By meeting with the local shop owners, you’ll learn more about the family traditions passed down through generations which combine to make this one of the most in-demand food destinations today.
One of the best ways to get a sense of a neighborhood’s identity is through its food. On this comprehensive tour of the tastes of the Lower East Side, you’ll get a true reflection of how its past has influenced its vibrant present. Nowhere is this more visible than through its local dishes. To begin, step inside one of the Lower East Side’s cultural institutions run by the same family for over 100 years. Katz's Delicatessen serves up classic American breakfast foods and perfecting giant sandwiches since the 1888. Here you'll bite into their signature pastrami with mustard sandwich.
Breakfast foods are an art in New York, so you’ll stop by a Dominican breakfast counter next to get a variety of what’s on offer in the locality.
Then, you're off to a historic local market for a stop at a popular cheese shop, named the best in the US by Food and Wine magazine. You'll taste a selection of handmade cheeses and cured meats from around the world. You’re sure to see many bodegas dotted along corners of New York—a visual reminder of its history brought over by the Jewish community in the early 19th century. You’ll visit a new twist on the classic bodega and sample a modern interpretation of a New York style bagel sure to impress. With Chinatown right around the corner, it would be impossible to pass by the delicious aromas infusing the streets. That’s why you’ll stop by one of the newer additions to Chinatown and sample some of their specialties such as Fujian peanut butter noodles or thin-skinned pork dumplings.
This stop pays homage to another food brought over by Jewish immigrants that made the Lower East Side their home in late 19th century. Try the delicious family pickle recipe passed down for generations. For the final stop, you’ll get a taste of some of the Lower East Side’s delicious baked goods at a beloved artisanal doughnut shop. Prepare yourself for a doughnut unlike any other you’ve had before with their innovative flavors.
Included / Excluded
- Local guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- 7+ tastes at 7 family-run businesses (enough for breakfast and lunch)
- Small group of 12 people max
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
Start / End Locations
Start Location: East Houston Street, Peretz Square, New York, US
Start Location Notes: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a red bag or Devour Tours sign. This tour meets at Peretz Square, on the corner of East Houston Street and 1st Avenue (across the road from the One and One restaurant located at 71 East 1st Street).
Start Location Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KKocR3w4Bu7fXXQGA
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- The tour is in English.
- Guests with serious food allergies will need to sign an allergy waiver at the start of the tour.
- This tour is not recommended for vegans, and, due to the risk of gluten cross-contamination, this tour is not recommended for those with celiac disease.
- This tour is adaptable for: Vegetarian, Gluten free (not celiac), Dairy free, Pescatarian, and Pregnant women, however, please note that you may not have a replacement food option at every stop.
- Those with dietary restrictions need to contact us before joining the tour so we can arrange your food, or we may not be able to accommodate you.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- We can accommodate gluten free but cannot guarantee that were will be no risk of cross contamination in the case of celiacs.
- This tour covers a full meal.
- Walks / Devour complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- Despite being in the former Jewish Quarter and visiting Jewish businesses, the establishments visited are NOT kosher.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time for check-in. Out of fairness to punctual guests, we don’t wait for latecomers. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows.
- This tour covers a full meal.
- We recommend you bring a water bottle (to protect the environment we don't provide plastic bottles). You'll be able to fill your bottle on tour.
- Tips/gratuities (for your guide) are always appreciated.
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- Those with dietary restrictions or food allergies need to email our Guest Experience team at [email protected] after booking the tour so we can arrange your ingredients.
- This tour is not recommended for vegans, and, due to the risk of gluten cross-contamination, this tour is not recommended for those with celiac disease.
- We can accommodate gluten free but cannot guarantee that were will be no risk of cross contamination in the case of celiacs.
- Walks / Devour complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
- Despite being in the former Jewish Quarter and visiting Jewish businesses, the establishments visited are NOT kosher.
- Guests with serious food allergies will need to sign an allergy waiver at the start of the tour.
Cancellation
Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours
Cancellation Notes: Cancellations received greater than 24 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 24 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.
Options and Pricing
| Lower East Side Food & History Tour | RETAIL PRICE |
|---|---|
| Adult (15 - 99 years) | $79.00 |
| Child (2 - 14 years) | $69.00 |
Points of interest
About operator:
Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.
In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.
Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...
Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.
Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...
Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.
Basic Information
- Duration: 3 hours
- Trip difficulty: Easy
- Max Group Size: 12
- Category: Tours & Sightseeing
Other products
