Food tours in New York City
A food tour is the quickest way to eat your way around New York City. The most comfortable months are April to June and September–October, with highs around 71°F (22°C).
Photo: Fred Hsu on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Top food tours in New York City
Ultimate Chinatown & Little Italy Food Tour in New York CityFrom $99View 
New York City Mafia and Local Food Tour led by NYPD GuidesFrom $110View 
NYC Chinatown & Little Italy Food Tour Full Portions, Great ValueFrom $59View 
Best of NYC Food Tour with Chinatown, Little Italy and LESFrom $80View 
Original NYC Food Tour of Chinatown & Little Italy- 8 tastingsFrom $111View 
New York Union Square Food Tour: Delicious Donuts & Sweet TreatsFrom $75View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
What to eat and drink in New York City
Expect to taste the local staples. Ones to look for:
- Pizza
- The New York slice: thin, wide and foldable, sold by the slice.
- Bagel
- Dense ring-shaped bread, boiled then baked, often eaten with cream cheese or salt beef.
- Pastrami
- Spiced, smoked, steamed beef, sliced thick and piled high on rye bread.
- Cheesecake
- New York-style baked cheesecake: dense and rich, on a graham-cracker base.
- Hot dog
- A street-stand classic; in Reykjavík (pylsur) it's lamb-based, with crispy onions and remoulade.
- Egg cream
- An old New York soda-fountain drink of milk, chocolate syrup and seltzer, with neither egg nor cream.
How to pick a good food tour
- Skip a big meal beforehand: most tours serve the equivalent of lunch or dinner across six to ten stops.
- Small groups of 12 or fewer get served faster and fit into tiny counters and bars.
- Check what's included. Some tours count drinks as stops, others charge for them on the day.
- Ask about dietary swaps before you book. Many tours can replace meat or gluten dishes if they know ahead.
New York City month by month
Averages for New York, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 40 (4) | 42 (6) | 50 (10) | 62 (17) | 71 (22) | 80 (27) | 85 (29) | 83 (29) | 76 (25) | 65 (18) | 54 (12) | 44 (7) |
| Low °F (°C) | 28 (-2) | 29 (-1) | 36 (2) | 46 (8) | 55 (13) | 64 (18) | 70 (21) | 69 (21) | 62 (17) | 51 (11) | 42 (6) | 34 (1) |
| Sunset (15th) | 4:53 pm | 5:30 pm | 7:02 pm | 7:35 pm | 8:06 pm | 8:29 pm | 8:26 pm | 7:55 pm | 7:06 pm | 6:17 pm | 4:38 pm | 4:29 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for food tours in New York City?
April to June and September–October. Expect highs around 71°F (22°C). The least comfortable months are January and February.
What food is New York City known for?
Pizza: the New York slice: thin, wide and foldable, sold by the slice. Bagel: dense ring-shaped bread, boiled then baked, often eaten with cream cheese or salt beef. Pastrami: spiced, smoked, steamed beef, sliced thick and piled high on rye bread.
Where can I book food tours in New York City?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
More things to do in New York City
Boat toursBest May–Sep
Helicopter toursBest Apr–Oct
Cooking classesAll year
Bike toursBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Sunset cruisesBest May–Sep
Walking toursBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Zipline toursBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Hot air balloon ridesBest Apr–Oct
Private toursBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Wine toursBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Segway toursBest Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Kayak toursBest May–Sep
