For first-time visitors to New York, a food tour is a must-do. This city has always been a culinary destination, from street foods to luxury dishes the likes of which some of us will never experience. Almost every well-regarded chef has spent some time in New York to learn and hone their craft.

I was born in California, but like many families who immigrated in the early 1900s, my roots are in New York. So I always make a stop in these two popular neighborhoods in Manhattan when I am here. Because there are so many great places, you could spend so much time here and never eat at the same place twice.

Choosing where to eat here is a real hassle, and sometimes I don’t want that pressure of being “The Decider,” especially on a nice getaway to the Big Apple. So when given the opportunity, I chose to go on one of Ahoy New York City Food Tours iconic eating walkabouts. And I was pleasantly surprised not only by what I learned, but also by how full I was by the end.

Ahoy Food Tours New York

Operating since 2008, this food tour has been top-notch in showcasing the food scene to both locals and visitors. Focusing on smaller groups (which is much easier when walking the streets of New York), I took the time to finally participate in this immersive 3-hour experience, which has numerous five-star reviews and TripAdvisor awards.

Centered around three tours that also include Nolita (North Little Italy) and the Market 57 on the pier in Chelsea, the signature tour that put them on the map takes you through Chinatown and Little Italy, with stops at four locations in each area. Each location serves a distinct regional cuisine from its country of origin, ranging from Northern Italy to Hong Kong.

These are two of the most popular and historic neighborhoods in Manhattan, sitting side by side. It’s not just about the cuisine, as you’re taken through several locations in each neighborhood, but also about the authenticity and cultural history of these blocks, with some establishments operating for decades by multi-generational families.

Your Tour Guide

Every tour will be led by one of six licensed guides, each with their own style and personality. But they are all either native New Yorkers or transplants who have been living here for several years. As Ahoy runs only three food tours focused on Chinatown and Little Italy, these guys are experts in the area. Each is knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the history that really influenced how the city evolved.

They also provide a handy booklet containing a grid map, some general facts, and other recommendations from years of eating and research. It’s a lovely little keepsake you can use repeatedly on every visit to check off a new spot.

Chinatown

The tour will begin on the well-known Mott Street. This is one of the main streets in Chinatown, where all the shops and restaurants are. You will get your first history lesson of the tour as you learn about Chinese immigration to the U.S. and how this area was second in population only to China.

Taking a nice walk through Columbus Park, where the infamous Five Points is located, as so aptly shown in the movie “Gangs of New York”. From Mott to Doyers Street, use your imagination to picture some of the historic gang (known as Tongs) activity that used to take place here early in the 20th Century.

Silk Road Cafe

It’s the first hidden gem you will be taken to in Chinatown. This cute tea house and coffee shop combination has really kept the spirit of the community alive by hosting art shows, open mics, and other events—a great place to cozy up by the window for some people-watching.

First up on the food tour is some house jasmine green tea. The tea will help prepare your stomach for what is coming. If you aren’t used to a typical New York day in the fall and winter, this is a perfect coffee-less start to warm yourself up. With a sweet pork bun pastry afterwards to really kick off this tour, you are going to be fired up to see what comes next.

Noodle Village

While the pork and vegetable dumplings served on the tour are tasty, I was not that impressed by them. Yes, they were good, but they didn’t shatter my expectations. This place is particularly known for its soup dumplings, which are phenomenal. It’s worth considering switching them on for future tours, as they’re guaranteed to be a big hit.

Hay Hay Roasted

Here, we focus on flavorful roasted meats prepared with traditional Cantonese techniques, with a focus on pork, chicken, and, of course, duck. I’m one of those types who thinks it must be an authentic place if you see roasted ducks hanging in the window, so I knew I was in for a real treat. It’s a cozy location with quick turnaround, popular for takeout. Foodies love coming here as part of a Chinatown food crawl with friends or during the tour.

You’ll get to sample several pieces of roasted duck over rice. Since this is a pretty uncommon dish for most people, you really need to savor the meat’s flavor and tenderness. Just watch out for bones as you eat, since chefs don’t usually remove them before cooking.

Kam Hing Bakery

You wouldn’t know it from its appearance as just another hole-in-the-wall establishment in Chinatown, but this place has some of the best sponge cakes in all of New York, if you can believe it. Both delicious and straightforward, it’s a perfect way to end this part of the tour.

Don’t get discouraged by the distinct green color inside; the cake ingredients have not gone bad, which is the result of the pandan used to add flavor. Enjoy a sweet, floral aroma before finishing your dessert.

Tip: If you plan to come back to Chinatown for dinner or another day, I suggest eating at Wo Hop. It’s the second-oldest restaurant in this neighborhood, having been operating since the late 1930’s. I’ve never missed a stop here on any of my visits to New York. But do expect a wait with a strong following of regulars and limited seating. You also don’t get to linger and enjoy every bite. It’s known for quick service so that the next customer can take your place.

Little Italy

There is no official line, but you will now be crossing over into what remains of Little Italy for the rest of the tour. It’s been slowly getting smaller since the 1970s as the community has evolved, and adjacent neighborhoods like Chinatown have grown and are slowly taking it over. With only a few blocks left now, there is still a noticeable difference, but it’s more symbolic than anything of what this place used to be. There are still annual festivals, and everyone maintains a strong cultural identity here, not a stereotypical one.

The history lessons here will involve its height during the 1900’s as an Italian haven, its progression through Prohibition and the resulting power struggles of the emerging mafia, World War 2, and its decline from a residential area to a tourist attraction for cultural preservation.

Piemont Ravioli

The first stop will be a historic Italian pasta shop established in 1920. They are a staple of Little Italy, offering us artisanal, multi-colored pastas and handmade ravioli in various fillings. It also has a small grocery store inside if you want to buy items like sauces and cheeses to cook at home. Have yourself a weekly Italian family dinner.

Here you’ll enjoy some fantastic gnocchi (potato pasta) with a rich, sweet marinara sauce. It’s second to the kind of sauce an Italian grandma will make in the kitchen from her personal garden of tomatoes, and let you sip from the wooden spoon for being well-behaved.

Di Palo’s Fine Foods

As soon as you walk in, the aroma of this place will fill your senses. Another old-school market that is legendary in these parts for featuring at least one item from each of Italy’s 20 regions. Opening as a latteria (dairy store), they specialize in a variety of Italian cheeses, olives, meats, and other items. Some of these are brought to us directly from the motherland with a focus on care and quality. Make a point of coming back around so you can make some purchases instead of just window shopping.

With a pairing of olives for sweetness that balances nicely with the fresh cheese (you will get to sample cow and sheep, so see if you can notice the difference), it’s like a palate cleanser for what is next. Ask a question, and these generational know-it-alls will give you firsthand knowledge of the region the item comes from, how it’s made, and maybe even the farm it originated from.

Benito One

Now it’s time to take a seat and enjoy a proper Italian meal. This small restaurant will remind you of the old-fashioned, local way of Italian life, as portrayed in numerous movies and television shows for as long as you can remember. With a simple decor of family photos strewn along the walls and a friendly staff, it’s fun but small, so you might feel squeezed in at the table.

You will be served a traditional eggplant rollatini that pairs well with an Italian Morretti or a nice wine from their selection. The time is now to get off your feet and relax a little bit from all the walking.

Ferrara Bakery

Holy Cannoli, you’re now at your last stop of the tour, and you probably felt that it went by quickly. What better way to end than in this famous Italian bakery? With some of the finest desserts on this side of the ocean, it’s a hub for cake, cookies, and other Italian pastries.

My only complaint was the size of the cannoli. These felt like travel size, the way you go to Target for travel size toiletries. It could have been bigger for a grand send-off to end the tour.

This ends the three-hour tour. We learned, we ate, and we laughed. You can keep hanging out and exploring more of the neighborhoods, go back to any of the stops, or have your guide help direct you to the nearest subway station or wherever else you want to go.

Is Ahoy New York Worth the Cost?

At $110 plus a fee charged per person, you might find it a little pricy. Some of these places have been hyped online and on social media, leading to higher prices that you might find unwarranted. The portion sizes should be larger, but these are mostly grab-and-go tastings, so maybe it’s because you are working off what you eat as you explore. Also factor in the drinks, including the water bottle during the tour, hot tea with the sweet pork bun, and beer or wine with your eggplant rollatini. So it is not as bad.

You also have to remember that these are New York prices, as it’s always been a costly city to live and eat in. Gratuities are included for the tasting partners at the sit-down stops. And of course, our knowledgeable guides deserve a little something for their services. I also like that you are helping support these long-standing neighborhood institutions. Overall, Ahoy New York is a food tour worth experiencing.