Greenwich Village: Walking Food Tour & Washington Square Park

Summary

Walk historic streets eat legendary pizza and laugh in the park

You’ll wander Greenwich Village’s lively streets with a local guide, tasting famous falafel and double-crust artichoke pizza before relaxing in Washington Square Park. Expect laughter over Belgian fries and sweet endings at a quirky cupcake shop. This tour isn’t just food—it’s stories, history, music in the air—and you might leave feeling unexpectedly connected.

What’s the experience like?

We started off weaving through the side streets of Greenwich Village, our guide waving us over with a grin that made it feel like we were meeting an old friend. The city was already humming — you could hear someone playing saxophone from a window above, and I caught the smell of coffee drifting out from somewhere I couldn’t quite spot. First stop: falafel at this tiny place that’s apparently been here since the 70s. I’d had falafel before but not like this — crispy on the outside, warm and soft inside, and honestly I almost burned my tongue because I didn’t wait for it to cool down. Our guide told us stories about how the neighborhood changed over decades, pointing out murals and little details I’d never have noticed if I was wandering alone.

We cut through Washington Square Park right as a group of NYU students were doing some kind of improv thing near the arch — people clapping, pigeons scattering everywhere. There’s something about that space; it’s chaotic but kind of peaceful too? You can just sit on a bench and watch everyone go by: chess players hunched over their boards, a guy selling poems for five bucks, kids feeding birds (and then running away when they got too close). The Stonewall Inn was just around the corner — our guide paused there for a bit longer than usual, talking quietly about what happened in 1969. I didn’t expect to feel anything but… yeah. It sticks with you.

Food-wise, it’s basically impossible to pick a favorite stop. The artichoke pizza slice was so thick and creamy it almost felt like eating lasagna on bread (I know that sounds weird but trust me). At Faicco’s we tried these little rice balls and sopressata — salty, chewy, perfect with a sip of water because otherwise you’re just standing there chewing forever. Oh! And Pommes Frites had fries with more sauces than I knew existed; Li dared me to try the Vietnamese pineapple mayo which… actually worked? Beer was cold too if you wanted one. We ended up at this cupcake shop where everything looked like a school cafeteria from an old movie — swings instead of chairs, lunchboxes everywhere. My cupcake had way too much frosting but somehow I finished it anyway.

I still think about that afternoon sometimes — how walking those blocks felt different when someone pointed out all the layers underneath. Not everything made sense or fit together neatly but maybe that’s what makes Greenwich Village feel real.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Greenwich Village walking and food tasting

• Visit Washington Square Park and arch
• Pass by The Stonewall Inn and statue
• See Friends apartment facade
• Sample arancini and sopressata at Faicco's
• Eat falafel at Middle Eastern spot
• Try artichoke pizza slice
• Enjoy Belgian fries with sauces
• Try Nonna Maria pizza with drinks
• End at award-winning cupcake place

Top questions

How long is the Greenwich Village walking food tour?

The tour covers several stops throughout Greenwich Village and typically lasts around 3 hours.

Is lunch included on this Greenwich Village food tour?

Yes, lunch is included along with bottled water during your tour.

Are vegetarian options available?

Vegetarian options are available—just let your guide know when you meet them.

Does the tour include stops at Washington Square Park?

Yes, you’ll walk through Washington Square Park as part of the experience.

Can children join this food tour?

The tour is suitable for all ages; infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers.

Is beer or wine included?

You can purchase beer or wine at two stops during the tour if you wish.

Is this food tour wheelchair accessible?

The entire route is wheelchair accessible including transportation options nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through Greenwich Village with plenty of food tastings—falafel, pizza slices (yes, more than one), Belgian fries with sauce choices galore, arancini rice balls, sopressata salami—and bottled water plus lunch along the way. You’ll finish up at an award-winning cupcake shop before heading off on your own again.