NYC Food Tour of Chinatown & Little Italy: 8 tastings

Eat your way through two neighborhoods in three hours

A 3-hour food tasting tour of Little Italy and Chinatown in New York City with eight tastings at neighborhood restaurants, led by a local guide. The tour includes 2–3 seated meals and 5–6 on-the-go tastings, plus water and tea. Vegetarian, gluten-free and most allergy accommodations available with 48 hours' notice. You leave with a recommendation list for navigating both neighborhoods on your own.

The experience

What makes this tour different from a typical sightseeing walk? You're eating at actual neighborhood restaurants instead of standing outside them. The day splits between seated tastings (a full Italian meal, a Chinese pastry with jasmine green tea, a sponge cake), and quick stops for dumplings, roasted duck, imported cheeses, fresh pasta with marinara, and a Sicilian cannoli. A local guide connects the food to the history of each neighborhood, so you understand why these dishes matter to the people who live there. Water and tea come with the tour. You just show up hungry.

The route covers about half a mile of walking across both neighborhoods in three hours, which means you're moving at a pace that lets you actually taste and talk instead of rushing between stops. The guide handles the restaurant introductions and the stories: the cultural shifts, the immigrant histories, the reasons a particular dumpling or pasta shape ended up here. You're not cooking or preparing anything. You're eating and learning, which is the whole point. Arrive 15 minutes early at the meeting location, where restrooms are available. The tour runs rain or shine, so dress for the weather.

Dietary needs are handled if you mention them 48 hours ahead: vegetarian tastings, gluten-free options, and most food allergies can be accommodated. Children from age 4 are welcome and will be served food at the restaurants. Kids under 3 can join but won't be fed. The neighborhoods have public transportation nearby if you need to get there by subway or bus.

What’s included

• Eight tastings at neighborhood restaurants including dumplings, roasted duck, imported cheeses, fresh pasta, and cannoli.
• a 3-hour walking tour with a local guide.
• bottled water and tea.
• a neighborhood recommendation list for future visits.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00, 11:30, 12:00 and 15:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 1)

GroupUp to 13 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Ahoy New York Food Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and delivers the tour in that language, so you follow the stories and history comfortably whether you're a visitor new to the city or a local looking to understand these neighborhoods differently. Children from age 4 are welcome and will be served food at each stop.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 1).

What exactly do I eat on this tour?

The eight tastings include a Chinese pastry with jasmine green tea, a sponge cake, authentic dumplings, roasted duck, imported Italian cheeses and olives, fresh pasta with marinara sauce, a seated Italian meal, and a Sicilian cannoli. Two to three of these are sit-down tastings at restaurants. The rest are eaten while walking between stops.

How much walking is involved?

The tour covers about half a mile across Little Italy and Chinatown over three hours, so you're walking at a relaxed pace between tastings rather than doing a long hike. Suitable for all fitness levels.

Can the guide accommodate my food allergies or dietary restrictions?

Yes, vegetarian, gluten-free, and most allergy accommodations are available, but you must mention them in your booking at least 48 hours before the tour date so the guide can arrange them with the restaurants.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes all eight tastings at neighborhood restaurants, a local guide, bottled water, tea, and a recommendation list for exploring both neighborhoods afterward. Gratuities are not included.

Do I need to arrive early, and where do I meet the guide?

Arrive 15 minutes before the tour start time at the meeting location, where restrooms are available. Public transportation options are nearby if you're traveling by subway or bus.