FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes, advance ticket purchase is required. Tours typically sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the date, time, and number of tickets you prefer, please book well in advance.

Our curated alcohol pairing is meant to add another layer and perspective to your culinary experience. Even if you are not drinking on the tour, you will still learn about the pairings, how to pair alcohol and food, and awesome ingredients in the cocktails.

The alcohol pairing is two small tasting sized drinks – we do not want our guests to get drunk or buzzed, so we keep them appropriately sized.

If you purchased your tickets but didn’t add the alcohol pairing, you can email us at info@avitaltours.com to upgrade before the tour or tell your guide at the beginning of the progressive meal that you would like to add it. Your guide can process your credit card for the upgrade while on the tour.

New York City is an expensive place to eat and drink, so our tour guides appreciate recognition for a job well done, so they can fuel their foodie habits. 15%-20% is customary in the tourism industry. That’s about $15 per person.

Yes, please email us at info@avitaltours.com

We currently do not offer discounted tickets for children and seniors.

The tour content is not geared toward children, though many older children may definitely enjoy trying new foods and learning about them! Our progressive meals do allow for children, though the experience requires a good attention span and walking, so the tour may be appropriate for older children. You know your children best and if they’re foodies, curious and excited about learning, they are welcome. Babies are allowed if you are mindful of other guests and pull the baby away if they are disruptive to the experience. If you are bringing a stroller, please give us a heads up by leaving a note in the comments section of the booking process.

Our Williamsburg and East Village Tours are 3 hours. Flatiron may run a bit longer. Occasionally, tours will end 15 minutes early or late, depending on the group size. We do try to end exactly on time, but we don’t recommend making plans right after our tours. Give yourself some buffer time to get to your next activity.

Yes, unlike cheaper food tour companies, there is ample time to sit and eat at each restaurant since tables are reserved for us throughout. However, please be prepared to be on your feet since we get to each restaurant via walking.

Our tours are held snow, rain or shine regardless of weather conditions. This is a great activity to do in the snow and rain since you’ll be spending the majority of your time seated inside the heated restaurants eating and drinking. Please bring an umbrella during the winter months for walking between restaurants and do dress warmly. This may be a great time to try on those Wellies that have been sitting in the closet.

Most reasonably active people should be able to handle our walks. All our tours are flat and range from half a mile to approximately a mile and half.

Yes, we can. Please email us to let us know beforehand so that we can make sure to reserve the appropriate tables at restaurants.

Yes, bathroom breaks are available throughout the tour though it is recommended to use the restroom facilities before the tour begins.

No, they do not. The tours end within a few blocks of the starting point at our dessert course, so you may need to walk back to the starting location, if that’s where you parked. Your culinary guide will be happy to assist with directions at the end of the tour or walk you to the start location.

Yes, there are paid parking lots convenient to all our tours. Your confirmation email will include some suggestions.

We definitely encourage using public transportation as all of our tours are nearby subway stations or a short taxi, Via, Lyft, Uber ride away. Please allow enough time to arrive at the meeting location, as our tours do begin promptly.

No, due to restaurant laws, pets are not allowed.

Yes, in fact the tours are geared toward locals since we hope to introduce you to hidden gems in your own backyard, while meeting the chefs, owners and industry experts. Locals have a great time on our tours and often attend when family is in town or when celebrating a special occasion.

Our Progressive Meals provide a generous amount of tasting and is considered a full lunchtime meal for an average eater. Please keep in mind though that unlike cheaper food tour companies, our tours focus on quality over quantity and the overall storytelling experience.

Additionally, the amount of food that you are eating is spread out over 3 hours, so you won’t feel overly stuffed… Its like going out for an incredible sushi meal. You leave happy and content but don’t end up in a food coma.

One of our core values at Avital is Breathe Curiosity. We enjoy introducing you to new foods and old favorites in new ways. We very much encourage guests to be adventurous and try something new – we’ve even had an 80-year old man try his first oyster with us!  Thus, while we love the diverse ways our guests choose to eat, we can accommodate the following restrictions.

• Vegetarian
• Pescatarian
• Gluten-free
• Pregnant Guests
• No Pork
• No Seafood

You will be asked for your dietary restrictions during your booking process. If you are unsure if we can accommodate your restriction, please email us at info@avitaltours.com. Please note that this tour may include nuts, dairy, seafood, spicy food and pork.

Please note that we don’t put our brand behind substitutions. There is not always an option that is equal to the original tasting, but we don’t want you to be left out, so we will serve you a substitute dish. This substitute may not tie into the overall experience as seamlessly or you may feel that you did not get as much value as those who had the dish that was curated and chosen for the tour.

A lite lunch beforehand is recommended. Our evening food tours should be considered a lite dinner, so don’t skip all your meals early in the day and arrive ravenous.

Your gift certificate should have a number on it. Once you click on your desired tour date and time, enter the gift certificate number exactly as it appears on the certificate into the box that says “Promo code or gift certificate?” during checkout.

Email nycgroups@avitaltours.com with your contact information, and desired date and time and we will get back to you.