NYC: Original Astoria Queens Guided Food Tour w/ 5 Tastings

Discover the vibrant flavors of Astoria, Queens, on this 3-hour guided food tour offered by Unscripted Tours. With a rating of 4.7, this experience takes you through one of New York City’s most diverse neighborhoods, sampling food from five different countries. The tour includes five tastings at locally owned restaurants, and you can enhance your experience with an optional drinks add-on featuring two alcoholic drinks and a boozy dessert. This tour is ideal for food lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking to explore Astoria beyond the usual tourist spots.

The tour begins at Dar Lbahja, a Moroccan restaurant, and is capped at fifteen participants to ensure a personalized and engaging experience. It’s perfect for travelers who want insider access to chefs and small, authentic eateries, rather than the crowded, overpriced venues often found in Times Square. The small group size encourages lively banter and a relaxed pace, making each stop memorable and informative.

Key Points

• Duration: 3 hours of immersive food exploration
• Start Point: Inside Dar Lbahja restaurant in Astoria
• Number of Tastings: Five, representing five different countries
• Tour Size: Limited to 15 people for a more personal experience
• Optional Drinks: Available as an add-on, including two alcoholic drinks and a boozy dessert
• Guide: Licensed professional, guiding you through Astoria’s culinary landscape
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible and private groups available

You can check availability for your dates here:

Starting at Dar Lbahja for Moroccan Flavors

The tour kicks off at Dar Lbahja, a local Moroccan restaurant where you get to enjoy a Chicken Pastilla as your introduction. This welcoming start offers insight into Moroccan cuisine and sets the tone for the diverse culinary journey ahead. As the guide introduces the neighborhood’s multicultural vibe, you feel ready to explore the rich tapestry of flavors awaiting you.

This initial stop is convenient and inviting, making it an easy entry point into the world of Astoria’s food scene. The guide’s knowledge and storytelling help deepen your appreciation for Moroccan dishes and their significance in the neighborhood.

Sampling Italian Classics at a Vintage Deli

Next, the group moves to an old-school Italian deli filled with sandwiches named after celebrities like Robert De Niro and local references such as the Q18 bus. Here, you get a taste of Astoria’s Italian heritage, browsing the deli’s shelves and sampling a representative dish. The deli, characterized by its vintage charm, offers a glimpse of local life and culinary traditions.

This stop is a favorite for its authentic atmosphere and the chance to chat with the staff about the neighborhood’s Italian roots. The tasting provides a delightful contrast to the Moroccan start and highlights the neighborhood’s cultural blend.

Exploring Egypt’s First Restaurant and Its Stories

A highlight of the tour is a visit inside America’s first Egyptian restaurant, a menu-less, hole-in-the-wall spot that remains under the radar on Google Maps. Here, the chef teaches you about Egyptian cooking while serving a sampler platter. The hotel’s story and its place in Astoria’s history make this stop especially meaningful.

Guests appreciate the insider access and the chance to see a working kitchen in a small, authentic setting. Hearing about Egyptian cuisine directly from the chef enriches the tasting and helps you understand the cultural importance behind each dish.

Greek Street Food on Main Street

Following Egypt, the tour takes you down Astoria’s main street to experience Greek street food. This lively stop allows you to sample popular bites favored by locals. The vibrant atmosphere and the flavorful offerings showcase the neighborhood’s Greek influences, which are a significant part of Astoria’s identity.

Sampling Greek street food here highlights the neighborhood’s rich culinary diversity and provides a casual, energetic environment to enjoy your food.

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A Sweet Finish at a Brazilian Café

The tour concludes at a Brazilian café, where you indulge in a chocolatey dessert that caps off the day. This sweet treat is a perfect way to savor the flavors of South America and round out the international tasting experience.

The Brazilian stop offers a comforting and flavorful end to your culinary journey, leaving you with a lasting impression of Astoria’s multicultural palate.

Optional Drinks Add-On for Extra Flavor

For those seeking a more spirited experience, an optional drinks add-on is available. It includes two alcoholic drinks and a boozy dessert, adding a celebratory touch to your food adventure. This option enhances the social aspect and allows you to toast to the neighborhood’s diverse culinary heritage.

The drinks complement the tastings and give a relaxed, festive feel to the tour, especially fitting if you’re celebrating or simply want to enjoy an extra layer of flavor.

Logistics and Meeting Point Details

The tour starts at Dar Lbahja, located at coordinates 40.760921478271484, -73.90906524658203. The guide greets guests inside the Moroccan restaurant, making it easy to find and enter with no hassle. The group size is kept small to foster interaction and personalized attention, and wheelchair accessibility makes it suitable for a range of travelers.

Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes and bring weather-appropriate clothing to stay comfortable during the walk around Astoria’s streets.

Tour Pacing and Experience Style

This three-hour tour balances walking and tasting, covering about fifteen blocks of Astoria. Each stop lasts between 30 minutes and an hour, allowing enough time to savor each dish and chat with restaurant owners. The pacing is relaxed but engaging, with the guide providing stories and insights at every turn.

The small-group setting ensures a friendly, intimate experience, perfect for casual food lovers or those eager to learn about Astoria’s cultural melting pot.

The Guide and Personalization

Unscripted Tours employs licensed professional guides who bring enthusiasm and local knowledge to the experience. The option for a private group caters to special occasions or family outings, offering a tailored journey through Astoria’s culinary scene.

Guests consistently appreciate the guides’ storytelling skills and their ability to provide insider access to hidden gems and beloved eateries.

Value and Flexibility

Priced with the flexibility to reserve now and pay later, this tour offers a straightforward way to plan your day. Guests can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, making it a convenient choice for flexible travel plans.

The three-hour duration and diverse tastings make it a good value for those interested in exploring multiple cuisines without the hassle of planning individual visits.

Who Will Enjoy This Food Tour?

This tour suits foodies eager to taste authentic dishes from five different countries. It’s also ideal for cultural explorers who want to learn about Astoria’s diverse communities through their cuisine. Travelers seeking a personalized experience with small groups and insider access will find this tour especially rewarding.

It’s accessible for wheelchair users and offers an optional drinks upgrade for those wanting to add a festive touch. The pace and variety of stops make it suitable for a wide range of ages and activity levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Where does the tour start?
It begins inside Dar Lbahja restaurant, located at coordinates 40.760921478271484, -73.90906524658203.

What is included in the tastings?
You enjoy five tastings representing five different countries: Morocco, Italy, Egypt, Greece, and Brazil.

Can I add drinks to my tour?
Yes, the drinks add-on includes two alcoholic drinks and a boozy dessert.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

How many people are in each group?
The group is capped at fifteen participants to ensure a personalized experience.

What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Is there an option for private tours?
Yes, private groups are available upon request.

What makes this tour different from others in NYC?
It emphasizes local, small business eateries and offers insider access to chefs and owners, avoiding the tourist traps.

How flexible is the booking?
You can reserve now and pay later, with full refunds available if you cancel 24 hours in advance.

This Astoria food tour offers an engaging, flavorful glimpse into New York City’s most diverse neighborhood, making it an excellent choice for those eager to explore global cuisines in a relaxed setting.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby