One of the most popular NYC food tours is the West Village tour which takes you to beautiful Greenwich Village, also known simply as the Village. Located on the lower west side, the Village was once home to artists and beatniks.  It was the East Coast’s birthplace for the entire Beat Movement –think berets, black sweaters, and bad poetry. Today the artists have moved onto SoHo and Williamsburg. But what stayed is beautiful architecture, some art galleries, and the liberal attitude.

The Village is home to Washington Square Park, Off Broadway shows, jazz clubs, a plethora of bars and nightclubs, and the famous Halloween Parade. Naturally it’s also bustling with some amazing food like Mamoun’s Falafel and Magnolia Bakery. Besides hearing about the good eats on this New York food tour, you’ll make some famous stops like the Washington Irving house (where “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” was written) and the buildings used for both Friends and Sex and the City. Of course Carrie “lived” on the Upper East Side but you couldn’t tell the difference, could you?

There is much to see in the Village, so much so that we’ll continue our discussion about this hotspot next week.

Last week I mentioned what an awesome idea it is to purchase a gift certificate for friends and family members. But what if mom, dad, siblings and their spouses, and some of your favorite cousins want to come too? What if you’re looking for a field trip of sorts for your office or theater company? You don’t want them to be separated into different groups. You want everyone to enjoy NYC food tours together, so you can all share in the experience.

Luckily for you, Sidewalks of NY actually offers private group tours. They can accommodate groups up to 54 people. However, each group can only have a max of 18 people. You will still go at the same time and see the same establishments, but each will have a different tour guide. It’s the perfect option for corporate events or family gatherings. Even if you’re all native New Yorkers, it’s fun to spend time together while eating absolutely delicious food. One tour goer gave some positive feedback,

The food sampled were a great mix of the tried-and-true NY establishments as well as some newcomers.  A number of my colleagues, including myself, are local to NYC, and we all agreed that this tour provided us with a fresh look at the city we’ve all been calling home for years!

So muster up your hungry troops and take them on a wonderful New York food tour. Learn more about private groups at the main website.

Many, many months ago I was on my way to a bar over on Stanton. But before I could indulge in the delights of good beer, I needed some dinner and sadly there was no food in the area to be had. My friends led me all the way up to St. Marks Place in search of some quick eats. It was there that I informed about the savory falafel. I knew of them but never partook. I kept it simple, I ordered a falafel sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce. Needless to say, falafels have made burrowed their way into my heart.

The place I’m talking about is Mamoun’s, one stop on a New York food tour. The restaurant first opened its doors in 1971 and is actually the oldest Middle Eastern establishment in the city and one of the first in the United States. The flagship location is in Greenwich Village and a sit-down place is in New Haven. They welcome their newest addition across the Hudson in Hoboken, NJ.

You can find traditional Middle Eastern food like hummus, baba ganouj, shawarma, chicken kebob, and spinach pie. The food is authentic, flavorful, and just darn good. It’s sure to become a favorite of yours so stop by when you sign up for NYC food tours.

Sidewalks of NY challenges you to finish a mouthwatering sandwich from the famous Katz’s Delicatessen. If you’re a native New Yorker, there is a good chance you’ve been there, but if not, this is one deli you can’t afford to pass up on NYC food tours. You know it’s good when there is a photo gallery of all the celebrities who’ve stopped by for a visit. Unlike the other million delis you’ll find scattered around the city, this joint is keeping it traditional, freshly preparing all their meats just like they did decades ago.

And oh boy are their sandwiches scrumptious. What kind of deli sandwich would it be if they didn’t stack about 10 pounds of pastrami on rye?! Whether you crave corned beef, brisket, or just simple turkey, you’ll receive a massive sandwich that’s too good to pass up…and too big to finish! If you’re not in the mood for a triple decker, sample their soups, salads, and sides. They have everything you expect at a deli, only it tastes ten times better!

When you sign up for the Lower East Side New York food tour, you can stop by for a *big* bite to eat. You won’t receive a special award if you finish the sandwich, but we will give you a high five and bragging rights.

Can you believe that pushcart food in New York actually dates back to 1691? That’s way back in the day when the Dutch first settled here, back when it was actually called New Amsterdam. Now jump ahead to the present where the food truck market has exploded, not only here in New York City, but in major cities across the country. I still remember not too long ago when “street meat” wasn’t viewed too kindly and all you got was some chicken and rice (with the delicious magic white sauce) or hot dogs.

Now you can enjoy full gourmet meals –everything from French toast to tacos to dumplings. The main reason why I think food trucks rock the casbah is because you can get the same high quality (mouth watering) food that you can receive at a restaurant but on the go. Food trucks are ideally meant for the lunch crowd because New Yorkers don’t all have time for a formal business lunch. We need to grab, eat, and go! Of course you can find them throughout the day, sometimes still at night, for a satisfying meal.

You’ll know you’ve picked a good food truck when the line is wrapping around the corner, but oh man is it totally worth it. If food trucks tug at your heart, and your stomach, make sure you book the NYC food tours that solely focus on food trucks. Sidewalks of NY offers three so don’t pass up this New York food tour!

Besides some of the most amazing food and a happy/full tummy, there are numerous things to expect on your New York food tour adventure. For starters, expect to walk…everywhere! There’s no time for taxi cabs so wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Tours are given rain or shine so check the weather report before heading out. Will you feel so stuffed you’ll wonder if you’re in a food coma? Not really. You will taste food from five different shops/trucks/restaurants and it will be sample sizes. We’re not going to feed you two slices of pizza, an entire sandwich, and a three scoop sundae! If you have a large appetite, feel free to order something extra.

Don’t expect to be taken to Time Square and lots of “touristy” areas. Tourists aren’t the only ones who enjoy NYC food tours. What makes our tour so special is that we purposely take you to the places you wouldn’t otherwise go or know about. Come with an open mind and expect to actually learn some cool stuff. It’s not just about the food. The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable so I hope you like a little history lesson with your meals. Don’t worry, there are no pop quizzes and we only tell you about the interesting and fun facts you want to know. Feel free to show off to friends afterward.

Expect to walk, listen, learn, meet friendly people, and of course, eat!