NYC Chinatown & Little Italy Food Tour: Dumplings, Pizza, Sweets

Summary

Chinatown dumplings to little italy pizza in one tasty nyc walk

You’ll start hungry in Chinatown tasting fresh dumplings before wandering through hidden streets filled with art and history. Try pork buns, sponge cake with Thai tea, handmade ravioli in Little Italy, classic NY pizza, then finish with cheesecake or cannoli—all guided by a local who knows every shortcut and story. Expect laughter, new flavors, and moments you’ll remember long after you leave NYC.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the group at Tasty Dumpling because I got distracted by a woman arguing with a fruit vendor on the corner—classic NYC moment. Our guide, Sam (born-and-raised in Queens), waved me over with a grin and handed me a steaming pork & chive dumpling before I could even apologize. The first bite was salty, hot, and just chewy enough; I burned my tongue a little but honestly didn’t care. Sam started telling us how they fold the dough—he made it sound easy but when he tried to show us, mine looked like a wrinkled envelope. Nobody laughed except me.

We wandered down Mosco Street next—tiny street art everywhere, the kind you’d miss if you blinked. There was this whiff of incense from somewhere (maybe a shop nearby?) and then suddenly we were at Mei Lai Wah for pork buns. The place is older than my parents and packed even at 11am. The bun was sweet and sticky outside, spicy-salty inside—I still think about that flavor combo sometimes when I’m stuck eating sad desk lunches back home. Doyer Street came after that; Sam called it “Murder Alley” and told us stories about old gang rivalries while someone zipped past on an electric scooter blasting C-pop.

Spongies Café was next—a Hong Kong sponge cake so light it nearly floated off my fork, washed down with Thai tea that tasted like melted ice cream but better (I mean that as a compliment). Crossing into Little Italy felt abrupt; suddenly everything smelled like tomato sauce instead of five-spice powder. We took silly photos under the “Welcome to Little Italy” sign—Sam insisted we angle it so the Empire State Building peeked out behind us. Piemonte Ravioli had this older guy rolling gnocchi by hand in the window; he gave us a nod as we tried his potato gnocchi with marinara (simple but perfect). Mulberry Street Bar looked exactly like it does in those mafia movies—someone even quoted Goodfellas under their breath.

The mural of Audrey Hepburn on Mulberry Street caught me off guard—it’s huge and somehow elegant even though there’s graffiti all around it. By the time we hit Nolita Pizza for thin-crust cheese slices, I was full but couldn’t say no (it’s pizza in New York—you just eat it). Dessert was at Eileen’s Special Cheesecake; I picked cannoli instead because someone said it was “the real deal,” and yeah…they weren’t wrong. We ended up sitting on some steps finishing our sweets while Sam told us which subway lines to take home, joking about how nobody ever gets them right on their first try.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Chinatown and Little Italy food

• Sample pork and chive dumplings
• Visit Mosco Street for street art
• Try Char Siu pork buns at Mei Lai Wah
• Walk through Doyer Street (Murder Alley)
• Enjoy Hong Kong sponge cake and Thai tea
• Photo stop at Little Italy sign
• Taste handmade potato gnocchi at Piemonte Ravioli
• See Mulberry Street Bar filming location
• View Audrey Hepburn mural on Mulberry Street
• Eat cheese pizza at Nolita Pizza
• Finish with cheesecake or cannoli at Eileen’s

Top questions

How long does the Chinatown & Little Italy food tour last?

The tour typically lasts around 3 hours as you walk between stops in both neighborhoods.

What foods are included on this NYC food tour?

You’ll try dumplings, pork buns, Hong Kong sponge cake with Thai tea, handmade ravioli or gnocchi, New York-style pizza, plus your choice of cheesecake or cannoli.

Is lunch included on the Chinatown & Little Italy food tour?

Yes—lunch is included along with all food tastings during the tour.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Bottled water is included; Thai tea is served at Spongies Café as part of one tasting stop.

Is this NYC food tour suitable for vegetarians or people with allergies?

The tour is not suitable for vegans, celiacs or those with nut allergies due to menu limitations.

Does this food tour include pickup or transportation?

No hotel pickup is provided but public transportation options are nearby for easy access to the starting point.

Can children join the Chinatown & Little Italy food tour?

Yes—the tour is suitable for all ages and infants can ride in strollers or prams.

What are some landmarks visited during this NYC food tour?

You’ll see Mosco Street art spots, Doyer Street (Murder Alley), Mulberry Street Bar from The Sopranos/Goodfellas, Audrey Hepburn mural and more.

What’s included

Your day includes all seven food tastings—from dumplings and pork buns in Chinatown to ravioli and pizza in Little Italy—with bottled water along the way plus your choice of cheesecake or cannoli for dessert. Lunch is covered throughout the walking route led by a local guide who shares stories at every stop before helping you find your way home again.