Our guides at Like A Local Tours are more than just walking encyclopedias. They are part entertainer, part concierge, part stand-up comic, part friend, and whatever else you might need on tour! Our tour guides bring destinations to life through the art of storytelling and leave lasting impressions with top-notch customer service.
We asked a few of our guides some of the biggest questions they are asked on tour. We love how unique each of their answers are! Part of what sets our guides apart here at Like A Local is their individual personality and their own perspectives they bring to the tours they give.
Take a chance to get to know a bit more about some of the shining faces you’ll see while out on tour!
Real Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen is great for pre-theatre, because even though they have Michelin Stars on several of their menu items, you can usually get a seat without a reservation no problem! It’s got a casual atmosphere, fast service, and some of the best Chinese food in NYC near Times Square.
How long have you lived here & what brought you to the city?
I’ve lived in NYC since 2015, and I was drawn here by my love for Broadway plays and musicals.
Where do you love to take people visiting you from out of town?
I like taking people to Clinton St. Baking Company in the Lower East Side, because I work there baking sourdough bread.
If you could only eat one food/meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
Omakase at Saito’s Sushi on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. (Now closed)
Favorite thing about being a tour guide?
Getting to see the city through new eyes. Every time I introduce a guest to a neighborhood, I imagine I’m discovering it for the first time. I never get tired of the look of wonder NYC puts on people’s faces.
DINERS!!! They are slowly dying out here in the city, but I just love being able to sit down, open that huge menu and order pancakes at 6PM or a cheeseburger deluxe at 3AM. The possibilities are endless, and there’s something for everybody. Plus I just love the vibe of an old-school diner!
How long have you lived here & what brought you to the city?
13th generation New Yorker here, my mom’s family came over from Utrecht, a province in the Netherlands, in 1653 and we’ve never left!
Where do you love to take people visiting you from out of town?
We try to hit every borough when we have visitors from afar: Brooklyn Bridge and the Promenade, Roosevelt Avenue in Queens for some great food and maybe a NY Mets game, a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, a stroll through the northern end of Central Park, and a trip up to Wave Hill in the Bronx.
If you could only eat one food/meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
This a tough one, but I would have to choose the Iskender Kebab from Taci’s Beyti here in Brooklyn on Avenue P, with their kazandibi (brown top pudding) for dessert. Then I’d be off to Junior’s for a chocolate egg cream. They really do make the best one around!
Favorite thing about being a tour guide? Sharing obscure tales of my gritty-but-pretty city and having people be really engaged in the narrative.
That’s hard to answer! There’s so much here it really depends on the mood or craving. But I love Casellula in Hell’s Kitchen for a little wine and cheese. It’s a great place for small plates to share and the service is consistent and inviting.
How long have you lived here & what brought you to the city?
I moved here 15 years ago and came to pursue an acting career.
Where do you love to take people visiting you from out of town?
The Lower East Side/East Village/ Alphabet City area
If you could only eat one food/meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
Mexican food! Specifically a three course meal of tacos, ceviche, and chilaquiles!
Favorite thing about being a tour guide?
It blends so much of my interests and natural talent. Plus every group and tour can be so different, which keeps things fresh and interesting.
Ready to see these guides in action? Book one of our award-winning food tours here! You’ll walk away with a belly full of delicious grub and a mind full of fantastic stories of this incredible city!
Dive into the history of Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO, with tastes of the neighborhoods best spots! Plus spectacular vistas of the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan skyline as well as incredible Brooklyn history and a partial walk on the Brooklyn Bridge! Tours run Thursdays & Saturdays 11am-2pm
Combine your love of food + famous NYC landmarks! Visit Chelsea Market, the High Line and Hudson Yards (including the Vessel) on this VERY popular foodie tour! Available 7 days a week 11am-2pm + Noon-3pm Saturday & Sunday.
From Eataly to NYC’s best bagel, this tour is enough food for lunch with incredible history and architecture along the way. Recommended by Fodor’s! Tour runs Fri, & Sat 10:30am-1:30pm.
Delve into the rich culinary history of Brooklyn as you visit iconic restaurants to sample tasty treats, like pizza, pastries, pierogies, bagels and more! Tours run Thursdays 1pm – 4pm, Sat & Sun / Noon – 3pm.
