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Join us for a strolling lunch in Midtown or the Financial District to sample an international buffet of offerings, observe the constructive genius that crams full kitchens into improbably small carts, learn about debates over public space and street vendor advocacy efforts, and hear the stories of their proprietors–from immigrants to restaurant chefs. A portion of all ticket sales go to support the vendors’ respective businesses, as well as The Street Vendor Project, a membership-based project of the Urban Justice Center, a non-profit organization that provides legal representation and advocacy to various marginalized groups of New Yorkers.


Food Cart Tour of Midtown

Get a taste of Midtown Manhattan on this tour that explores the history of New York’s food cart industry and the challenges of running these thriving but feverishly demanding small businesses. While the menu rotates from week to week, tastings may include falafel and lamb off the bone, chicken and rice with tamarind sauce, Korean short ribs, kati rolls, Belgian waffles with toppings, and/or Mexican chocolate brownies. Adapted menus available for a wide range of dietary restrictions. You will never look at street carts the same way again once you see – and taste – the delectable dishes that are crafted in these curbside kitchens.

Schedule: Regular public tours are offered on Fridays from 2:00PM-4:00PM.  Private tours offered on other weekdays, subject to availability.

Admission: $48/person (Click here to view schedule and purchase tickets.  Admission includes guide, six tastings, bottle of water, and map postcard. see below for additional details)
2 hours
Near Bryant Park, close to the corner of 42nd Street and 6th Avenue. Exact meeting location provided with reservation. Advance reservations required.
$48/person. Tickets must be purchased for all tour attendees, including children (ages 5 and up).  Advance ticket purchase is required. Price of ticket includes six food tastings, a bottle of water, a tour map of the neighborhood, and your tour guide.  In addition to supporting the businesses of local street food vendors, 5% of each ticket goes to support the Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center.
We offer a rotating menu from day to day to represent the wide variety of delicious options that are available from the food carts and trucks.  Tastings on your tour may include (but are subject to change) falafel and vegetables, chicken and rice with tamarind sauce, Korean short ribs, Belgian waffles with toppings, kati rolls, and/or Mexican chocolate brownies.
The Food Cart Tour of Midtown is fully accessible for individuals and groups who use wheelchairs.  We will walk approximately one mile on this tour.  Please call (347) 903-TOUR (8687) for more info.
If you’d like to book a tour for a private group, we offer regular private Food Cart Tours of Midtown on Thursday afternoons from 2:00-4:00PM (click here), or for other dates, times, etc. please contact us directly at info@turnstiletours.com.

Food Cart Tour of the Financial District

Get a taste of the Financial District on this tour that explores the history of New York’s food cart industry and the challenges of running these thriving but feverishly demanding small businesses. While the menu rotates from week to week, tastings on your tour may include falafel, a banh mi sandwich, pizza, jerk or stewed chicken, souvlaki with tzatziki sauce, meatball sliders, and Korean-Mexican tacos. You will never look at street carts the same way again once you see – and taste – the delectable dishes that are crafted in these curbside kitchens.

Schedule: Regular public tours are offered on Wednesdays from 12:00PM-2:00PM.  Private tours offered on other weekdays, subject to availability.  See below for details

Admission: $48/person (Click here to view schedule and purchase tickets.  Admission includes guide, six tastings, bottle of water, and map postcard. see below for additional details)

View Schedule and Buy Tickets
2 hours
At a public plaza located half way between the South Street Seaport and Battery Park. Exact meeting location provided with reservation. Advance reservations required.
$48/person. Tickets must be purchased for all tour attendees, including children (ages 5 and up).  Advance ticket purchase is required. Price of ticket includes six food tastings, a bottle of water, a tour map of the neighborhood, and your tour guide.  In addition to supporting the businesses of local street food vendors, 5% of each ticket goes to support the Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center.
We offer a rotating menu from day to day to represent the wide variety of delicious options that are available from the food carts and trucks.  Tastings on your tour may include (but are subject to change) falafel and vegetables, banh mi Vietnamese sandwiches, pizza, jerk or stewed chicken, and/or lamb or chicken with tzatziki sauce, meatball sliders, Korean-Mexican tacos, and waffles with toppings.
The Food Cart Tour of the Financial District is fully accessible for individuals and groups who use wheelchairs.  We will walk approximately one mile on this tour.  Please call (347) 903-TOUR (8687) for more info.
If you’d like to book a tour for a private group, we offer them most days of the week subject to availability. Please contact us directly at info@turnstiletours.com.