Katz's Deli and Lower East Side Food Tour Skip the Line Access

5.0 (one review) 2 hours Free cancellation

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Katz's Deli and Lower East Side Food Tour Skip the Line Access — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Katz's Deli and Lower East Side Food Tour Skip the Line Access, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Savor the Lower East Side's most iconic flavors on this 2-hour food and history tour. Bypass the famously long queues at Katz's Delicatessen with exclusive skip-the-line access. Enjoy 8oz of legendary pastrami, double the portion of most food tours. Relive its star turn in "When Harry Met Sally.

Built by generations of Eastern European Jewish and Puerto Rican immigrants, this storied neighborhood is packed with culinary heritage. Along the way, discover legendary Jewish institutions like Russ & Daughters (appetizing fish and dairy) and Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery.

Pass the Gothic Revival Angel Orensanz Center (NYC’s oldest surviving purpose-built synagogue), the Tenement Museum, and the iconic Bowery Ballroom. Cap off the experience with nostalgic sweets from Economy Candy, NYC’s oldest candy store, and a slice of classic NYC cheesecake from Eileen’s Special Cheesecake.

Private and Luxury Historical Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 25 people
People per booking: 1–25
Guide: English
Operated by: Empire Tours - NYC

Ages: Infants (0–6 years) · Youth (7–12 years) · Adults (13–64 years) · Seniors (65–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Expert tour guide
Included: Sweet treats from Economy Candy
Included: Savor 8oz of legendary pastrami at iconic Katz's Delicatessen - double the size of other food tours
Included: Exclusive skip-the-line access at Katz's Delicatessen
Included: Eileen's Special Cheesecake
Included: Soft drink

Not included

Not included: Additional food and drinks
Not included: Gratuities (optional)
Not included: Transportation to/from meeting points

Itinerary

Stop 1

20 min Admission included

Katz’s Delicatessen is an 1888 icon of the Jewish immigrant era, renowned for their legendary pastrami sandwiches. While the deli is famous for its long lines wrapping around the block, your experience includes VIP skip-the-line access so you can head straight inside without the wait.
Stop 2

Passing by

A beloved NYC landmark operated by four generations of the same family, Russ & Daughters specializes in world-class smoked fish, rich caviar, and traditional appetizing spreads paired with fresh bagels.
Stop 3

Passing by

Famous for its warm, traditional potato and kasha knishes, this Lower East Side landmark is the oldest family-owned knishery in America.
Stop 4

Passing by

Built in 1849 as the Ansche Chesed Synagogue, this striking Gothic Revival landmark is the oldest surviving building in New York City constructed specifically as a synagogue.
Stop 5

10 min

A colorful Lower East Side landmark since 1937, this is NYC’s oldest candy store, packed floor-to-ceiling with thousands of vintage sweets, classic treats, and international chocolates.
Tenement Museum

Passing by

Admire this historic 1863 tenement building, a preserved icon honoring generations of immigrants whose stories built the Lower East Side and NYC itself.
Stop 7

Passing by

Built just before the 1929 stock market crash, this iconic venue remains one of New York City's most celebrated historic music halls and indie live music spaces.
Stop 8

15 min

Finish on a sweet note at this beloved bakery, famous for serving light, airy, secret-family-recipe cheesecakes that have been a quintessential New York favorite for over 50 years.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide on Ludlow Street, near the corner with East Houston Street, down the side of “Il Laboratorio Del Gelato”, opposite Katz's Delicatessen.

End point

The tour concludes in the vibrant heart of Nolita at Eileen's Special Cheesecake, just steps away from world-class SoHo shopping, historic Little Italy, and convenient subway lines for easy onward travel.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour operates in all weather conditions, so please dress accordingly.
The walking tour covers around 1 mile (1.6 km) long.
The tour can accommodate diabetic and seafood/fish-free diets. It is not suitable for people who are gluten free/vegan/vegetarian.
The tour is free for children 6 and under, but does NOT include food.
The 8oz portion of pastrami at Katz is double the size of other food tours

Options

Katz's Deli & Lower East Side
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