Taste Harlem Food & Cultural Tours
Taste Harlem Food & Cultural Tours
Taste Harlem Food & Cultural Tours
4.5
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About
Taste Harlem Food and Cultural Tours is tour company created to offer unique tours of Harlem, by introducing NYC residents and visitors to Harlem culture by way of its food, art and history. Daily tours will allow food, art and history enthusiasts to “taste Harlem”. No other tour companies are offering art gallery tours or food tasting tours in Harlem. We explore the unexplored spaces and places that are not typically in the tour guide books.
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Taste Harlem Food & Cultural Tours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
279 reviews
Excellent
230
Very good
32
Average
9
Poor
4
Terrible
4
sueandsunsets
Ottawa, Canada3 contributions
Mar 2020
I had the pleasure of experiencing this tour. The tour host, Jacqueline was knowledgeable and personable. She gave us a very interesting history of the area. The food stops were great and provided a good variety of food. My friend and I were full by the end. Jacqueline is known by the locals and it was interesting to stop and chat with them along the way.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CocoaMom
Greenwood, MO110 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
We recently spent a hot & humid Tuesday morning/afternoon with Jackie, and her fabulous food & cultural tour of Harlem. Our group consisted of six - a family of three from New Zealand, and our family of three (including a 13-year old).
We found our meeting place with no problem - it was very close to where we exited the subway - and what followed was a four-hour adventure filled with food, stories, tips, and history. We visited several restaurants for various tastings, as well as some of the shops that make Harlem so unique.
Jackie was a delight - she loves her home, and her passion shows. She entertained all questions and made sure that the group was getting a bang for their buck.
My one suggestion for this tour would be for Jackie to cut it down to three hours...four hours was long, especially on a very hot and humid summer day. There's not a lot of shade in Harlem - and our group was wilting noticeably by the end of the tour.
Tips for visitors:
1. Wear good walking shoes - there is a LOT of walking!
2. Drink water - especially on the hot days! Jackie provides some water, but have some of your own, if you can.
3. Go hungry. There is a LOT of food - and it's all very delicious!
We found our meeting place with no problem - it was very close to where we exited the subway - and what followed was a four-hour adventure filled with food, stories, tips, and history. We visited several restaurants for various tastings, as well as some of the shops that make Harlem so unique.
Jackie was a delight - she loves her home, and her passion shows. She entertained all questions and made sure that the group was getting a bang for their buck.
My one suggestion for this tour would be for Jackie to cut it down to three hours...four hours was long, especially on a very hot and humid summer day. There's not a lot of shade in Harlem - and our group was wilting noticeably by the end of the tour.
Tips for visitors:
1. Wear good walking shoes - there is a LOT of walking!
2. Drink water - especially on the hot days! Jackie provides some water, but have some of your own, if you can.
3. Go hungry. There is a LOT of food - and it's all very delicious!
Written June 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keraug
New York4 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
This tour was excellent. My friend, on leave from her tour of duty in Afghanistan, came to NY to visit and I thought this would be something different. Everyone loves to eat!! Well this tour did not disappoint. Jacqueline (my name sake but no bias here) was very knowledgable about the history and nuances of Harlem. The venues she chose for the tastings were excellent. We were full at the end of tour. My friend and I had lots of questions and at a couple of the stops folks started interjecting their personal stories. Jackie was very patient with us; responding to all our questions and professional in responding to them yet curtailing the discussion and keeping us on schedule. In a couple of reviews people commented that everyone knew her. That is no lie. It is not just people. We ran into a dog that knew Jackie. This is a tour not to be missed by visitors and locals alike!!!
Jacqueline was at the meeting place when I arrived and I arrived early. You definitely should wear comfortable shoes. It is not necessary to eat breakfast as you will have more than enough food. Water is available at enough of the venues unless you drink a lot of water and would need more.
Do bring extra cash. There are several stops that you may want to make purchases.
Jacqueline was at the meeting place when I arrived and I arrived early. You definitely should wear comfortable shoes. It is not necessary to eat breakfast as you will have more than enough food. Water is available at enough of the venues unless you drink a lot of water and would need more.
Do bring extra cash. There are several stops that you may want to make purchases.
Written September 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew C
Boston, MA771 contributions
Guide was great. Very friendly and informative. She certainly knows her way around Harlem and knows most of the locals. Main problem with the tour was that there was 2 hours of walking between the first and second stop. Left very tired and hungry by then. Food was pretty good although wish we could have had stops at some of the more classic Harlem eateries like Sylvia’s or red rooster (didn’t really enjoy the chicken and waffles at the first stop). Also wish there was more Southern food at BLVD bistro as the portions were small. Overall a good tour but could be improved. Rougelash was really really good.
Written September 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking your time to write this review! We give so much food at the first stop I thought is was too much to have a stop too soon afterwards so we try to get to the next stop with in 1.5 hours. Sometimes we have gone to Sylvia's or the Red Rooster. They are locations that are not always available to our schedule. Our restaurants can possibly change depending upon availability. If you are in NYC again and want a try it again contact me in advance and we will do something different to accommodate you. I look forward to seeing you again in the future. Please plan to come again there is so much more to see and do in Harlem! Check out the website.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Orange Owner
Taste Harlem Food and Cultural Tours
212.866.7427
202.262.8840 mobile
You haven't experienced New York until you Taste Harlem!
Written October 11, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DWH
St. Albans, UK35 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
Booked and paid for trip and made the long trip up to 137th street for the start of the tour at 11am. 11am came and went without anybody from Taste Harlem turning up. I tried calling them but got no reply. We waited around for about 20 minutes then decided to abandon ship. We did get out money back but absolutely no explanation as to why they completely wasted our time
Written January 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello David,
Unfortunately, I was traveling when you made the reservation to do the tour for the very next day and I did not see the reservation. It was a mistake that we did not remove the date from the calendar and it usually drops off when we have less than the minimum of 4. Some how your reservation was allowed to go through the system. I am totally sorry you had a disappointing day and did not get what you expected to get.
If you are in the NYC area again in the future please contact me prior to your visit and I would like to accommodate you on an experience that will provide just what you were looking to experience.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Orange
Owner
Taste Harlem Food and Cultural Tours
212.866.7427
202.262.8840 mobile
You haven't experienced New York until you Taste Harlem!
Written February 11, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
halfofberternie
Manchester, UK2 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
"Right, this is how works, I talk a lot, you eat a lot"
When this was the opening gambit from the wonderful Jacqui I knew instantly we had booked on the right trip.
She and her friends provide an entertaining insight and context to life in New York & Harlem, one which you can not gain from guidebooks or by wandering around Manhattan skyscrapers. I knew of Malcom X, of the Harlem Drug scene and some of the history of Jazz, but for her to tell stories of how they impacted on the area in the past and the present was fascinating.
We visited 5 or 6 different food vendors and she ordered a wide variety of foods and in sensible portions. Now, don't get me wrong, we ate a lot, but not in the kind of "man vs food" way i was fearing.
If you have got as far as reading reviews for this trip, then i would not hesitate to book.
And Jacqui- if you read your own reviews- the 5 Rugelach that we bought from Mr Lee- John had eaten 4 before we got out of Central Park !!!!!!
Many thanks- a great day
When this was the opening gambit from the wonderful Jacqui I knew instantly we had booked on the right trip.
She and her friends provide an entertaining insight and context to life in New York & Harlem, one which you can not gain from guidebooks or by wandering around Manhattan skyscrapers. I knew of Malcom X, of the Harlem Drug scene and some of the history of Jazz, but for her to tell stories of how they impacted on the area in the past and the present was fascinating.
We visited 5 or 6 different food vendors and she ordered a wide variety of foods and in sensible portions. Now, don't get me wrong, we ate a lot, but not in the kind of "man vs food" way i was fearing.
If you have got as far as reading reviews for this trip, then i would not hesitate to book.
And Jacqui- if you read your own reviews- the 5 Rugelach that we bought from Mr Lee- John had eaten 4 before we got out of Central Park !!!!!!
Many thanks- a great day
Written June 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen J
Brisbane, Australia20 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
We booked this tour because my husband and I are keen foodies and have seen a range of shows on tv showcasing soul food from Harlem. Word of warning - don't eat too much before the tour! I was quite curious as to how I could possibly spend 4 straight hours just eating but Jackie had organised the tour so that you do a bit of walking in between to work off the food.
As other reviewers have said, Jackie knows a great deal about the culture and history of Harlem and she's also very approachable and organised. At the beginning of the tour, she also asked us if there were any sights in particular we wanted to see (I liked how she was trying to be flexible to make sure we were getting our money's worth). The tour was really well organised and Jackie came equipped with hand sanitizer, cutlery, napkins, bottles of water and a little bag for mementos that you collect on the way.
You will do a lot of walking on this tour because Jackie will take you to the different cultural/historical sites around Harlem (including the Apollo theatre) in between going to the different eateries. Just a note, if you are expecting to go to Sylvia's then you may be disappointed because the tour doesn't go there. However, my opinion is that any place in Harlem that sells soul food is comparable.
ps: there were always leftovers at each place we went to so, so you might even want to bring a plastic container (I wish I did!)
As other reviewers have said, Jackie knows a great deal about the culture and history of Harlem and she's also very approachable and organised. At the beginning of the tour, she also asked us if there were any sights in particular we wanted to see (I liked how she was trying to be flexible to make sure we were getting our money's worth). The tour was really well organised and Jackie came equipped with hand sanitizer, cutlery, napkins, bottles of water and a little bag for mementos that you collect on the way.
You will do a lot of walking on this tour because Jackie will take you to the different cultural/historical sites around Harlem (including the Apollo theatre) in between going to the different eateries. Just a note, if you are expecting to go to Sylvia's then you may be disappointed because the tour doesn't go there. However, my opinion is that any place in Harlem that sells soul food is comparable.
ps: there were always leftovers at each place we went to so, so you might even want to bring a plastic container (I wish I did!)
Written April 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitri381
Antwerp, Belgium183 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
We were lucky to have Jackie as our tour guide. She was amazing. She knew so many stories about Harlem and many people came to her on the street and spontaneously started telling additional stories about the neighbourhood. The food was also great and diverse. We loved every minute of this trip.
Written April 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
That's Harlem for you everybody gets involved in telling the story.
Thanks so much for taking your time to write this review! I look forward to seeing you again in the future. Please plan to come again there is so much more to see! Check out the website.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Orange Owner
Taste Harlem Food and Cultural Tours
212.866.7427
202.262.8840 mobile
You haven't experienced New York until you Taste Harlem!
Written June 18, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cecilia D
Sydney, Australia7 contributions
Mar 2019
Jackie was a terrific guide. Having lived in Harlem for the last 17 years she has observed, investigated, learned about and experienced so much about Harlem. She was a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm about the area and its people, local history, art and architecture, and of course the food!
Written March 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking your time to write this review! I look forward to seeing you again in the future. Please plan to come again there is so much more to see! Check out the website.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Orange Owner
Taste Harlem Food and Cultural Tours
212.866.7427
202.262.8840 mobile
You haven't experienced New York until you Taste Harlem!
Written June 18, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DWHStAlbans
St Albans24 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
In short they took our money but then failed to turn up for the tour. Avoid at all cost, buyer beware. Never answered a single phone.call either
Written December 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Guest,
Please contact me to received a refund. We do not have a practice of collecting money and not providing the expected event/service. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Lets confirm if this was a Taste Harlem Tour you booked. If so, I will process a refund. I am totally sorry you had a disappointing day and did not get what you expected to get.
If you are in the NYC area again in the future please contact me prior to your visit and I would like to accommodate you on an experience that will provide just what you were looking to experience.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Orange
Owner
Taste Harlem Food and Cultural Tours
212.866.7427
202.262.8840 mobile
You haven't experienced New York until you Taste Harlem!
Written February 11, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have 1 vegan, 1 vegetarian and two gluten free in our group. Is it possible to accommodate us?
Written November 6, 2017
Your Tour Guide Jackie will ask if there are any diet restrictions at the beginning of the tour. She can accommodate everyone’s preference. Just clarify your preference at the beginning of your tour!
Written November 6, 2017
Hi, this tour is only about the Food or it also includes the Gospel Choir ? I,m arriving on Friday.
Written July 15, 2015
The historical food tour is a food and cultural tour. I can tell you where to go to hear gospel music on Friday night or Sunday morning. I hope this helps and I look forward to meeting you on Saturday.
Written July 15, 2015
I caught the last of this event on the news. However I didn't get the date can you please give me this info. Thanks
Written April 25, 2015
Stacey M
Washington DC, District of Columbia
What show participants wear to this tour?
Written April 16, 2015
Please dress casual, comfortable, and appropriate for the different seasons in New York.
Written April 16, 2015
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