NYC Lower East Side: Walking Food Tour & Essex Market Tasting

Summary

Lower East Side flavors, stories & laughter on foot with locals

You’ll wander NYC’s Lower East Side with a small group and local guide, tasting iconic foods like pastrami sandwiches, pork dumplings, pickles, and classic bagels. Expect laughs over language attempts, surprise flavors at Essex Market, and stories from shop owners who’ve seen generations come through their doors. This isn’t just lunch—it’s three hours of real New York life under your feet.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I signed up for this Lower East Side food tour mostly because I was hungry and curious. There’s something about wandering around Manhattan with a local guide that makes you feel like you’re seeing the city’s insides, not just its face. The first stop was that famous deli from “When Harry Met Sally”—I thought it’d be overhyped, but biting into that pastrami sandwich (juicy, peppery, warm) made me go quiet for a second. Our guide joked about how everyone tries to recreate it at home and fails—he’s probably right.

We zigzagged through streets where old tenements lean into each other and the air smells like dough one minute and vinegar the next. At Russ & Daughters, someone behind the counter handed me a piece of smoked salmon so silky I almost dropped it. Then came Vanessa’s Dumpling House—my chopstick skills are tragic but nobody cared. Li (our guide) showed us how to say “thank you” in Mandarin; I tried and she laughed so hard she nearly spilled her tea. The pork dumplings were crispy on the bottom, soft everywhere else—I still think about those sometimes.

I didn’t expect to get schooled on olive oil at Essex Market, but Saad poured us little tastings and told stories about his family back home. The balsamic lingered sweet on my tongue longer than I thought possible. A few minutes later we were crunching pickles at The Pickle Guys—sweet, sour, garlicky—the kind of snack that makes your mouth wake up. Someone in our group bought a jar to take home; I just kept licking my fingers.

By the time we hit Economy Candy (which smells like sugar dust and nostalgia), I was full but grabbed some chocolate anyway—how do you say no to a place that’s been open since 1937? Kossar’s Bagels was our last stop: chewy bagels with cream cheese so rich it almost felt wrong eating it standing up outside. My shoes were sticky by then from all the snacking but honestly? Worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Lower East Side food and sights

• Visit Katz's Delicatessen for pastrami
• Walk through Lower East Side neighborhood
• Taste doughnuts and smoked fish
• Eat pork or veggie dumplings at Vanessa's
• Taste balsamic vinegar and olive oils
• Shop at Essex Street Market
• Try pickles at The Pickle Guys
• Buy sweets at Economy Candy
• Enjoy bagels and cream cheese at Kossar's

Top questions

How long is the Lower East Side walking food tour?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Is lunch included on this NYC food tour?

Yes, lunch is included along with bottled water.

Are vegetarian options available during the tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available; just let your guide know when you meet them.

Is the Lower East Side food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What are some stops on this NYC food tour?

The tour includes stops at places like Katz's Deli, Russ & Daughters, Vanessa's Dumpling House, Essex Market, The Pickle Guys, Economy Candy, and Kossar's Bagels.

Can children join this Lower East Side walking tour?

Yes, children can join as long as they’re accompanied by an adult.

Does the tour run rain or shine?

Yes, the tour operates regardless of weather conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes a small group walking tour led by a local guide through Manhattan’s Lower East Side with stops for tastings at seven iconic spots—think pastrami sandwiches, dumplings (vegetarian option if needed), pickles galore—and there’s bottled water plus lunch covered too before you wander off full and happy.