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Heading to NYC soon and looking for the best Chelsea Market food tours? You’ve come to the perfect place!
Chelsea Market is one of the most famous food markets in New York City. Located on 9th avenue in the Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market opened in 1997.
It offers some of the best food in Manhattan. From sushi to tacos, cheese and meat, you can find anything and everything food related here.
LOOKING FOR THE #1 CHELSEA MARKET FOOD TOUR?
This food tour of Chelsea Market includes loads of samples from the best spots in Chelsea Market and you also get to visit the high line with the guide.
There are so many places that are worth checking out in Chelsea Market and it can sometimes be overwhelming to choose.
Also, since it’s a busy place, you don’t always get to go to the spots you wanted to.
For this reason, joining a food tour of Chelsea Market is a great thing to do.
You will be with a local guide who will tell you everything you need to know about Chelsea Market but will also bring you to the best spots. Everything is arranged for you!
Also, you will get to sample so much more food than if you were to do it on your own.
So, with that in mind, it’s now time to discover what the best Chelsea Market food tours are. Let’s get started!
Our Top 3 Picks: Best Food Tours of Chelsea Market in NYC
#1 TOP PICK
Chelsea Market and High Line Food Tour
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✔️ Small group tour of Chelsea Market, High Line and Hudson Yard
✔️ Loads of food samples
#2 PICK
#3 PICK
Semi-Private Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market, and High Line Walking Tour
✔️ Semi Private
✔️ Discovery of important landmarks nearby as well
1. Chelsea Market and High Line Food Tour
⏰ Duration: 3 hours
🌱 Vegetarian option: Yes
For one of the best food tours of Chelsea Market check out this market and High Line tour.
This tour runs from Thursday to Monday with either 10am or 10:30 am time slots available.
The tour will start at 9th Avenue and 15th Street with the exact location confirmed when you book.
To reach this part of Manhattan you can take the A, C, E lines to the 14th Street and 8th Avenue subway station.
You will embark on a culinary and historical tour of Chelsea Market before heading to the High Line.
Perhaps you’ve been wondering where the Oreo cookie was invented? Well, on this tour you’ll find out.
You will try seven on-the-go tastings and one seated tasting.
The tour can accommodate those on vegetarian and nut-free diets.
The stops on this tour include Sarabeth’s for their award winning jam and buttermilk biscuits.
Try a yummy Japanese beef taco at Takumi Taco, a zucchini crostata at Buon Italia, cheese at Saxelby Cheesemongers, pizza at Filaga Pizza and a hot dog at Dickson’s Farmstand Meats.
If you want something sweet, then try some chocolates at Chelsea Market Baskets and scrumptious gelato at L’Arte Del Gelato.
You won’t just get to sample food but also learn about the history of the market, as well as some hidden Chelsea Market secrets.
Though the food shines through on this tour the guides are the real stars of the show.
Their knowledge of history and their added humour keeps the whole group continually engaged.
You will find that this isn’t one of those stuffy, boring tours, even kids can attend and find it fun.
💡MY OPINION: I absolutely loved this food tour of Chelsea Market. It was such a great way to explore this NYC landmark. Chelsea Market is very big and there are so many places with interesting food, it was great to be with a local who brought us to the best spot. Also, we didn’t have to wait as much as we would have on our own and we got to sample a lot more food than we would have by ourselves.
What are the reviews like?
⭐ Rating: 5 / 5 – See all reviews here
❤️ “We got to try so many delicious foods and learned about the history of Chelsea Market”
What is included?
- All food tastings
- Digital insider guide
- Tour guide
2. Chelsea Market + High Line + Hudson Yards Food & History Tour
⏰ Duration: 3 hours
🌱 Vegetarian option: Yes
This is one of the Chelsea food tours that gives you not just a look around Chelsea Market but also Hudson Yards Food and the High Line.
This tour runs daily from around 11am with some trips starting at 12pm. The trip around the Meatpacking District is a fun and alternative thing to do in NYC.
On this tour, you will be treated to six excellent tastings providing you with a well-rounded and delicious lunch!
The tour sizes for this group vary from a minimum of four to a maximum of 14. Throughout this fun and informative walk, you’ll cover a distance of around 2.4 km.
As you wander, you will learn the secrets of Chelsea Markets from its humble beginnings to its vibrant popularity today.
Food on the door includes local favourite pizza from Filaga Pizza, a yummy fusion taco from Takumi Taco, unique tahini ice cream from Seed + Mill, a Doughnuttery doughnut, an Asian bao bun from Mao’s Bao and hot chocolate and cookies from Eat Offbeat.
You will visit the beautifully peaceful High Line as well as visiting the Vessel at Hudson Yards.
Tour participants rave about the food stops as well as the guide’s knowledge, not just of food or local history, but American history too.
What is included?
- 6 food stops
3. Semi-Private Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market, and High Line Walking Tour
⏰ Duration: 2 hours
🌱 Vegetarian option: Yes
Another of the food tours of Chelsea Market is the Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market and High Line walking tour. This tour starts at the corner of 15th Street and 9th Avenue close to Chelsea Market.
It’s easiest to get there by subway lines A, C, E to the 14th Street and 8th Avenue station.
The tour starts at 10am and you will be encouraged to meet your guide 15 minutes before. The tour ends at Gansevoort Liberty Market on 101 Liberty Street.
The tour starts with a look around the trendy Meatpacking District. You will then be guided through Chelsea Market where you can purchase food items at your own cost. You will spend around 15 minutes in Chelsea Market.
Next up it’s the High Line, a disused elevated railway that’s been turned into an urban park.
You will pass by the intriguing looking Whitney Museum of American Art before heading to 10th Avenue where you will learn about the area’s history.
You will end the tour in the Gansevoort Liberty Market, home of international cuisines.
This is a great tour for learning more about the history of this part of Manhattan and ideal if you only have a couple of hours to spare on your jam-packed NYC itinerary.
What is included?
- Local guide
4. Private Chelsea Market & High Line Food Tour
⏰ Duration: 3 hours
🌱 Vegetarian option: Yes
Searching for a Chelsea Market and High Line food tour for your group? Look no further. This is one of the Chelsea Market food tours which leave you with tons of interesting facts as well as a full stomach.
The tour starts at Buddakan on 75 9th Avenue. The closest subway is 14th Street/8th Avenue.
Learn how markets have been popular in the area since 1840 as well as what the area was like as the location of 250 slaughterhouses during 1900.
It’s hard to imagine what this part of New York looked like over 100 years ago, but your fun and informative guide will help paint a clear picture.
Some of the food on offer on the Chelsea food tour includes Sicilian pizza from Filaga, a pastry sampler at Las Delicia Patisserie, a Doughnuttery doughnut, pastry from the Fat Witch Bakery, halva from Seed + Mill, and honey from Zach & Zoey. You can also purchase beer, wine or sangria at an additional cost.
After all that food it’s time to head to the High Line and Hudson Yards (Manhattan’s new real estate development).
What is included?
- Local guide
- Lunch
5. Private Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market, and The Highline Walking Tour
⏰ Duration: 2 hours
🌱 Vegetarian option: Yes
Another of the best Chelsea food tours is this 3-in-1 combo walking tour. You’ll get to explore the Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market, and the High Line.
This private tour starts at the corner of 15th Street and 9th Avenue by Chelsea Market. Tours run between Monday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm so check what times they have available.
You will start with a tour of the now trendy Meatpacking District, then head to Chelsea Market where you can purchase food at your own expense.
Next up it’s the incredible urban park The High Line where you can take in the views of the city from above.
You will then pass by the Whitney Museum of American Art (an impressive and quirky modern structure).
Then you will stop at 10th Avenue and learn why it was once called Death Avenue. Finally, you will pass by the Diane von Furstenberg salon and Gansevoort Liberty Market where the tour ends.
Guides on this tour are super accommodating and because it’s private you can alter parts of the tour to suit your interests.
What is included?
- Local guide
- Private tour
Travel tips to make the best of your Chelsea Market tour
You can find below some travel tips for visiting Chelsea market with a tour.
Wear comfortable shoes
As you will be on your feet for a while, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
This way, you won’t feel uncomfortable during the entire tour and will make sure that your feet can take all the exploring of the Chelsea Market!
Remember that most of these Chelsea market tours also include the High Line which means there is quite a bit of walking involved.
It’s nothing too strenuous but high heels would be uncomfortable. I recommend wearing comfortable trainers.
Check the weather forecast
All Chelsea market food tours run regardless of the weather conditions. Whether it’s sunny, snowy or rainy, the tour will go ahead.
This is a great thing because you never have to worry about missing the tour due to an unexpected forecast.
However, it is important to check the weather ahead of time so that you can dress accordingly. The last thing you want is to be cold or wet during your tour experience!
Since you’ll be inside the market most of the time, you shouldn’t suffer from the weather conditions much but if it’s going to rain, having an umbrella will be better, especially for the part on the High Line.
Be on time
Chelsea Market food tours start promptly and don’t wait for late arrivals.
While the guide might give you a 5-minute window to arrive at the meeting point if you’re late, it’s not something you can expect them to do.
Remember that these are group tours and the guide has to put the group first.
As a general thing, it’s recommended to get to the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
Don’t eat before the tour
Since this is a food tour, you will be eating a lot during the entire experience.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid eating before the tour and save your appetite for all the delicious samples you’ll be trying.
You don’t want to fill yourself up before even starting as you won’t get to enjoy all the food that the tour has to offer!
Let the guide know if you have any dietary requirements
If you have any dietary requirements, it’s important that you let the guide know in advance so they can arrange everything.
Most of the tours will be able to cater for vegans, vegetarians and people with gluten intolerance.
However, if you don’t let them know in advance, there is a chance that the samples of food wouldn’t be appropriate for you.
Don’t forget to bring your camera
During the tour, you’ll have a lot of opportunities to take great pictures.
From stunning views of Manhattan to food stalls and unique sights, there’s no shortage of amazing things to photograph.
So don’t forget to bring your camera so that you can capture all these moments!
Chelsea Market Food Tours: Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know everything about the best food tours in Chelsea Market, it’s time to answer all of the questions you may have.
How long does it take to tour Chelsea Market?
A food tour of Chelsea Market usually lasts about 3 hours and that’s the perfect amount of time. Chelsea Market is rather big and there are plenty of spots to check out.
If you are visiting on your own, you will also need at least 2 hours but the downside is that you will be spending more waiting in line to get your food and figure out what to eat.
With a food tour, you will spend the actual 3 hours exploring Chelsea Market in the most efficient way.
Is it worth it to go to Chelsea Market?
Absolutely! Chelsea Market is one of the most famous markets in the world and for good reason! It’s absolutely fantastic.
Here you can find all sorts of food and the prices are usually reasonable, especially for New York City.
It’s also a historical market and a very interesting place to discover if you love learning more about the history of the cities you visit.
Finally, it’s conveniently located near the High Line and Little Island so it will be naturally included in your itinerary.
How do you get around Chelsea Market?
You get around Chelsea Market on foot.
You can get there by taxi or public transport and go through one of the entrances from 15th or 16th street. Once you’re in the market, you can simply walk around and explore.
There are various screens around the market where you can see where the stalls are located compared to your location and how to get there.
If you are joining one of the Chelsea market food tours, you won’t have to worry about where to go because your guide will bring you to all the best spots.
What stop to get off for Chelsea Market?
With the subway, you can take the A, C, E, or L train and get off at 14th street. From there, make your way on foot to 9th avenue and 15th street and you will find the entrance.
If you take the M11 bus, get off at 15th street.
Why is Chelsea Market famous?
Chelsea Market is a historical market in New York City. It’s located in the Meatpacking district and used to be the factory of National Biscuit Company, one of the most important food companies in the United States.
The factory was converted into a market and is now a famous foodie spot in Manhattan. It’s famous for its numerous food stalls and diverse cuisine options.
What day is Chelsea Market NYC?
Chelsea Market is open every day from 7AM to 10PM making it a good spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Is Chelsea Market indoor or outdoor?
Chelsea market is indoor, making it a great spot to explore on a rainy day but there are also some tables outside so you can grab some food and go eat outside. That’s always a nice thing to do in summer.
Are there bathrooms in Chelsea Market?
Yes, there are bathroom on the ground floor and downstairs. They are actually located not too far from Takumi Tacos which is one of the most visit spots in Chelsea Market.
Please note that there can be a long line at the restrooms in Chelsea Market so it’s better to go before food time.
Do you have to pay to get into Chelsea Market?
No, it is free to visit Chelsea Market. There is no entrance fee to enter the market but you will need to pay if you want to buy food or drinks.
If you opt for a food tour of Chelsea Market, you will also have to pay for this tour but the entrance to Chelsea Market itself is free.
Where can I get breakfast at Chelsea Market?
Friedman’s is known as the ultimate breakfast spot in Chelsea Market. They have an extensive breakfast menu that includes all the classics such as French Toast, avocado toast, omelette and more.
El Donkey is also a good option. It’s a Mexican restaurant that offers breakfast burritos.
Are there things to do near Chelsea Market?
Of course! Chelsea Market is ideally located in the Meatpacking District and there are many other attractions you can visit nearby.
The best ones are the High Line, Little Island and the Vessel.
Greenwich village is also only 15 minutes walk so you can easily head there after visiting Chelsea Market.
Final Thoughts: Best Food Tours of Chelsea Market NYC
Chelsea Market is one of the best food halls in New York City. It’s set in a historic building and ideally located near famous landmarks such as the High Line and Little Island.
There are so many amazing places to eat in Chelsea Market and a lot of interesting facts to learn.
As a reminder, the best food tour in Chelsea Market is this one:
This food tour of Chelsea Market includes loads of samples from the best spots in Chelsea Market and you also get to visit the high line with the guide.
Make sure to book in advance and be on time at the meeting point.
You’re going to love the experience so have fun and enjoy!
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