New York City might best be remembered by its flavor. The city easily has the most available dining in the United States, not to mention the widest variety of cuisines to choose from. No matter what kind of food you are looking for, New York has an option. Since NYC is home to the third largest Puerto Rican population in the states, along with large communities of Japanese, Italian, Chinese, and Ethiopian peoples, ethnic food is widely available and served up authentically.

Food tours of New York City are a great way for visitors and tourists to enjoy all that New York has to offer in terms of cuisine. These tours afford visitors a chance not only to sample many of the city’s best restaurants, but also to see the varied neighborhoods that host each restaurant. Two kinds of NYC food tours may be appealing to guests, depending on how they enjoy traveling.

One way to sample the food of the Big Apple is to sign up for programs like New York Food Tours, which create an itinerary. These programs allow you to select the ethnic varieties that appeal to you—Indian, American, French, quintessential New York, Vegetarian or Southeast Asian, and more. The company schedules trips to restaurants that feature the best sampling of these foods for their guests. The upside to this style of tour is its ease of use; you don’t have to plan out where to go and when; the schedule is taken care of for you. Just browse the calendar for a tour that appeals to your taste buds at a day/time that works for you. The downside of these kinds of tours is generally cost and inability to make spontaneous changes.

People who think that the downsides of a third-party-led NYC food tour outweigh the upsides likely would prefer to arrange their own food tour. Touring the local diners, bistros, cafes, and delis might take weeks, if not months, of preplanning. In a city of such great size, comparing food reviews, setting a budget, and planning a route takes time. Most French food will cost a good deal, while some other ethnic choices may cost under ten dollars a plate. Knowing how to vary the tastes in the trip will also be a challenge. Nevertheless, for those who like to change plans and go as their taste buds dictate, a free-flowing tour is the best way to go.