Pizza, dumplings, and knishes are just a few of the delicious foods you’ll get to savor on Untapped New York’s new walking tour of Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side. Over the course of 3 hours, long-time Lower East Side resident and tour guide Richard Soden will take you on a cultural and culinary journey through what was once New York City’s most densely populated and diverse areas. On this New York food tour, you’ll learn about the city’s immigration history and how each of the three groups – Italian, Chinese, and Jewish people – helped shape New York.
A Taste of New York Food Tour
On this tour, you will:
- Discover how the historic buildings of these areas have been transformed and repurposed into art galleries, churches, and event spaces as well as restaurants and more
- Sample traditional Chinese, Italian, and Jewish foods
- Learn about the history of immigration in these areas and the impact that each group played in this part of New York City, once the most densely populated district in the world
- Uncover the history of what tenement life was like in Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side, and find out where immigrants shopped, banked, and how they obtained news of the times
- Stop by significant Lower East Side landmarks including the Synagogues, the Jarmulowsky Bank, old movie theaters, Old Saint Patrick’s Basilica, the Bowery, Doyers Street, and many more
This walking tour is a resourceful glimpse into the past with stops at off-the-beaten-track locations. The tour will focus on the remaining vestiges and surviving structures related to immigrant life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and offer a taste of the delectable flavors of each neighborhood.
We will start at Columbus Park in Chinatown which was the initial site of the famous “Five Points.” After exploring Chinatown and eating tasty dumplings, we’ll move to Little Italy to see some sites and sample some traditional dishes. We’ll then move on to the Lower East Side to learn its history and sample authentic Jewish food.
A Taste of New York Food Tour
Join seasoned tour guide and long-time Lower East Side resident Richard Soden will speak about what transformed the neighborhood and share fascinating historical facts. The tour will conclude with a discussion of several food establishments that still exist today, some of Richard’s fond childhood memories, and a look at Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side of the present day.
If you’re an Untapped New York Insider, you can join a free preview run of this tour on Saturday, April 8th. Not an Insider yet? Become a member today to gain access to free members-only in-person and virtual experiences.
Insiders Taste of New York Tour
Next, check out 10 Jewish Sites on the Lower East Side, 10 Secrets of Little Italy, and 10 Secrets of Chinatown!