Brooklyn Food Tour by Bus: Pizza, Pierogies & Local Tastings

Summary

Greenwich Village to DUMBO tasting Brooklyn’s classic eats

You’ll board a comfy bus in Greenwich Village and taste your way through Brooklyn’s neighborhoods—pierogies in Greenpoint, pizza in Gowanus, sweets in DUMBO—with a local guide sharing stories along the way. Expect laughs over lunch, new friends, and small moments you’ll remember long after you leave New York.

What’s the experience like?

“You can’t call it a real Brooklyn slice unless the crust crunches,” our guide Tony said, waving his hand like he was making pizza dough in the air. I’d barely settled into my seat on the minibus before he started tossing out stories about growing up in Carroll Gardens. There was this faint smell of garlic and something sweet from someone’s breakfast bagel as we rolled out of Greenwich Village. I didn’t expect to feel so at home so quickly—with strangers, on a bus—but there it was.

The first stop was Williamsburg, and Tony pointed out the old Hasidic bakeries tucked between new coffee shops. He told us how the neighborhood keeps changing but still feels like its own little world. We tried these flaky Mediterranean pastries (I forgot what they were called—Tony tried teaching me but I definitely mangled it), and then wandered down Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint where Polish signs hang above delis selling pierogies that taste like someone’s grandma made them. The dough was soft and warm, kind of comforting against the cold outside. I’m not usually a big fan of pickled things, but somehow it worked here.

There was laughter on the bus after someone dropped their chocolate bon-bon in DUMBO—right under those massive old warehouse windows that look out at Manhattan’s skyline. The light felt different there, almost silvery bouncing off the river. In Park Slope we ate empanadas that left my fingers oily (in a good way), and Tony introduced us to the guy behind the counter who’d moved from Ecuador twenty years ago. Everyone seemed to know each other or at least acted like it. Maybe that’s just Brooklyn.

I still think about that coal oven pizza in Gowanus—the crust really did crunch—and how we ended up sharing cannoli in Carroll Gardens with powdered sugar dusting our jackets. Someone asked if we wanted to walk back across the Brooklyn Bridge or ride back to Greenwich Village; I hesitated because my feet were tired but honestly didn’t want it to end yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Brooklyn food and culture bus tour

• Meet in Greenwich Village
• Drive through Old Williamsburg
• Explore New Williamsburg art scene
• Visit Polish neighborhood Greenpoint
• See restaurants in Gowanus area
• Tour Carroll Gardens Italian district
• Visit DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Walk across Brooklyn Bridge or return by bus

Top questions

How long is the Brooklyn food tour by bus?

The tour is a half-day experience, typically lasting several hours including stops for tastings and short walks in each neighborhood.

Where does the Brooklyn food tour start?

The tour begins in Greenwich Village, where you’ll meet your guide and board the climate-controlled minibus.

Are vegetarian options available on this Brooklyn food tour?

Yes, vegetarian options and dietary restrictions can be accommodated with prior notice when booking.

Is transportation included during the Brooklyn food tour?

Yes, all transportation is included via a comfortable climate-controlled bus between neighborhoods and tasting stops.

Do I need to bring anything special for this food tour?

If traveling with children under 6 years old, you’ll need to bring your own child seat; otherwise just bring your appetite!

Can I walk back across Brooklyn Bridge after the tour?

Yes, you have the option to walk back across the Brooklyn Bridge or return by coach to Greenwich Village at the end of your tour.

What foods are included on this Brooklyn tasting tour?

You’ll try pierogies in Greenpoint, Mediterranean pastries in Williamsburg, empanadas in Park Slope, coal oven pizza in Gowanus, chocolate bon-bons in DUMBO, and cannoli in Carroll Gardens.

What’s included

Your day includes multiple food tastings from different cultures—pierogies, pizza, empanadas, sweets—plus all transport by climate-controlled bus between neighborhoods. You’ll have a licensed NYC sightseeing guide leading you through each area with stories and history along the way. Pickup starts from Greenwich Village; luggage storage is available onboard if needed; vegetarian options can be arranged ahead of time; plenty of chances for photos are built into each stop before returning by coach or walking across Brooklyn Bridge if you wish.