Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York’s Sweetest City Tour

REVIEW · NEW YORK CITY

Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York’s Sweetest City Tour

  • 5.0265 reviews
  • 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.)
  • From $70.00
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Operated by Underground Donut Tour - Brooklyn, Downtown, Times Square, & East Village · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 5.0 (265)Duration1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.)Price from$70.00Operated byUnderground Donut Tour - Brooklyn, Downtown, Times Square, & East VillageBook viaViator

Donuts plus city stories in one smart walk. This small-group donut tour mixes personalized guide time with complimentary samples at standout bakeries, then threads in real NYC context as you walk. One thing to plan for: you’ll be on your feet a lot between stops, so comfy shoes matter.

You start at 124 4th Ave and finish at Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery at 28 Greenwich Ave. Expect about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, with up to 10 people in the group, so it feels more like a guided food walk than a big bus-style tasting.

Key things to know before you go

  • Max 10 people keeps the vibe intimate and makes it easier to ask questions mid-bite
  • Bombolone-style start at Unregular Bakery sets the tone with Italian doughnut energy
  • Union Square and Greenwich Village walk pairs donut stops with street-level landmarks
  • Mah-Ze-Dahr finale ends at a Tom Colicchio–backed bakery/cafe with more than just doughnuts
  • Donut choices can vary by stop, but the overall goal stays the same: several full tastings

What the $70 Price Tag Really Buys in Union Square

Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York's Sweetest City Tour - What the $70 Price Tag Really Buys in Union Square
This tour is $70 per person for roughly 1.5–2 hours, and the value comes from the combo: multiple bakery stops plus a guided walk that’s meant to help you see why these neighborhoods feel the way they do.

You’re not just eating. You’re getting a guided route through Union Square and Greenwich Village, and the guide’s job is to explain what you’re walking past in plain language. That matters in Manhattan, where it’s easy to stroll without noticing the buildings, street layout, and historic details.

Also, the donuts themselves are a big part of why people keep repeating this route. Multiple stops means variety: not the same exact sweet thing three times in a row.

A quick heads-up from what I see in the tour pattern: you should be ready to pay attention. The better you engage with the guide, the more the walk becomes more than just a sugar break.

You can also read our reviews of more city tours in New York City

Meeting at 124 4th Ave: Simple Start, Real Walking

Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York's Sweetest City Tour - Meeting at 124 4th Ave: Simple Start, Real Walking
The meeting point is 124 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003, and the tour ends at Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery at 28 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011. It’s set up so you can find it without a scavenger hunt, and you’ll have a mobile ticket.

The group size is small, with a maximum of 10 travelers, which changes the whole pacing. You don’t get shoved along. You get time to stop, taste, and listen.

One practical consideration: the route includes a lot of walking across two different areas of Manhattan. A review that complained the walk between stops felt longer than expected isn’t rare in this kind of format. If you’re planning this while also doing a full day of sightseeing, build in buffer time.

Stop 1 at Unregular Bakery: Bombolone-Style First Bite

Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York's Sweetest City Tour - Stop 1 at Unregular Bakery: Bombolone-Style First Bite
Unregular Bakery is your opening stop, about 15 minutes, with admission ticket free. The focus here is Italian-style doughnuts, specifically bombolone.

What I like about starting with bombolone: it’s not the same doughnut mindset as the classic chain doughnut you might already know. You’ll get that soft, Italian bakery feel—more like a pastry moment than a grab-and-go square.

This start also tends to set expectations for the rest of the walk. If the first stop nails texture and flavor, you’ll enjoy the tour more when you hit the more familiar American-style doughnuts later.

One extra detail that shows up in reviews: you may be given water at the first stop. That’s the kind of small thing that makes a tasting tour feel more comfortable, especially if you’re walking in warm weather.

Union Square Stop: Landmarks While You Snack

Next up is a 40-minute stop around Union Square. Admission ticket free. This is where the guide connects your food break to the neighborhood’s story.

Union Square works for this format because it’s a real crossroads. You can point your eyes at landmarks, then keep moving without it feeling forced. The guide typically points out major landmarks and shares history along the way, so you’re not just eating in a vacuum.

This section is also where the group dynamic matters. Because it’s small, you can ask questions when the guide mentions a building, street detail, or local tidbit. In a bigger group, that moment passes. Here, it doesn’t.

And yes, you’ll eat plenty of donuts while walking. This isn’t a single-cookie moment. It’s built to keep you fueled for the second half of the stroll.

Greenwich Village Walk: A Longer Taste Stint in a Classic Block

Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York's Sweetest City Tour - Greenwich Village Walk: A Longer Taste Stint in a Classic Block
Stop 3 moves you into Greenwich Village for another 40 minutes. Admission ticket included.

This is one of the most logical pairings in NYC for a walking food tour: Village streets give you actual visual variety, not just sidewalks and crosswalks. The guide points out major landmarks and history here too, and the pace usually feels like a stroll with stops built in.

Here’s the one nuance you should expect. In at least one version of this tour, the bakery selected a donut for the group rather than letting everyone choose from multiple options. In other versions, you can pick what you want and share plates.

So what should you do?

  • If flavor choice matters to you, go in with the mindset that you might be able to select at some stops, but not every stop.
  • If you don’t control every selection, don’t panic. That’s usually how these tours keep things efficient and keep the tasting rolling.

Either way, the goal remains: multiple donut experiences across distinct bakeries.

Also, if you’re the kind of person who likes to compare neighborhoods, this middle stretch is a good mental reset. You’ll feel the shift from a plaza-centered area to a neighborhood streetscape.

Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery Finale: Tom Colicchio Flavor and More Than Donuts

Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York's Sweetest City Tour - Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery Finale: Tom Colicchio Flavor and More Than Donuts
The tour ends at Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, about 20 minutes, with admission ticket free. This place is a Tom Colicchio–backed bakery/cafe, and it offers cakes, brownies, cookies, plus sweet and savory pastries.

Why I like this ending: it widens the “donut tour” idea just enough that you don’t feel locked into one category. Even if your main mission is doughnuts, it’s nice to have a final stop where you can grab something else if your sweet tooth wants options.

In a few reviews, the final bakery is described as a spot you’re excited to reach. Others focus more on the last doughnut and the fact it’s part of the tour’s full set of tastings.

One caution to keep in your back pocket: one review mentioned staff at the last stop felt rude during a question about taking a donut for travel. Service can vary by shift, and one bad interaction shouldn’t define the whole experience, but it’s a good reason to keep your plans simple. If you want something to take home, handle it early and politely, and don’t expect staff to always give a detailed yes-or-no response on every special request.

How Many Donuts You Should Expect (and How You’ll Eat Them)

Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York's Sweetest City Tour - How Many Donuts You Should Expect (and How You’ll Eat Them)
Most people sign up for this because they want more than one donut bite, and the structure seems designed around several tastings. Reviews often describe three full doughnuts at different shops, with the option to choose at least some of the flavors.

Another detail that comes up: sharing setup. One family review described plates, forks, and knives being provided, which makes it easier to split big pastries and not eat everything awkwardly while walking.

The practical takeaway for you:

  • Come hungry. This tour is filling.
  • Expect big servings, not tiny samples.
  • Plan for water breaks and a slower pace if you’re sharing.

Also, if you end up with leftovers, you may be able to take them with you. At least one review says they packed up extra donuts and ate them later that day. That’s a great backup plan for finishing your sweet cravings without turning the walk into a sugar overload.

Guides Make the Difference: Names You Might Get

Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York's Sweetest City Tour - Guides Make the Difference: Names You Might Get
The best part of small-group tours is the guide. In reviews, multiple names come up as highlights: Sergio, Rob, Jenny, Jacob, David, Missy, Jared, and Dave. Different personalities, same core idea: facts mixed with food.

You’ll typically get:

  • NYC history tidbits linked to the streets you’re walking
  • quick pointers on architecture and neighborhood character
  • a lively conversation style that keeps the tour from turning into a lecture

One review specifically praised architecture details like windows and doorways as you walk. That kind of attention can turn a boring block into something interesting.

And since the group is small, it’s easier for the guide to adjust. If the group has kids, the pace usually feels accommodating. If you ask about a building or detail, you’re more likely to get a real answer instead of a generic one.

Pace and Distance: When the Tour Feels Perfect vs Too Much

Delicious Donuts in Union Square: New York's Sweetest City Tour - Pace and Distance: When the Tour Feels Perfect vs Too Much
The tour runs up to about two hours, and it can finish earlier. If your schedule is tight, that flexibility is a plus. One review mentioned the tour ended after about one hour instead of the full two, so you might not spend the entire time walking and tasting.

But the flip side is still real: you’re walking. A review called out that the walk between stops 2 and 3 took longer than expected, based on how the distance felt.

So here’s the practical rule:

  • If you’re doing this as your main morning activity, you’ll likely enjoy it more.
  • If you schedule it between two major museum blocks with subway transfers, build extra buffer. Manhattan blocks add up.

Also, dress for the weather. The experience requires good weather, and if conditions are poor, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Who Should Book This Donut Tour (and Who Might Skip)

I’d point this tour at you if you want two things at once: food variety and a guided walk with context. It’s especially good if you like discovering neighborhoods on foot and you don’t want to spend the whole day guessing what to look at.

It’s also a strong family option. Many reviews are family-focused, and the guide-driven pacing seems to work well with kids when you’re walking in manageable segments.

It might be less ideal if:

  • you hate walking long distances
  • you’re only interested in a very specific type of donut and want guaranteed choice at every stop
  • you’re extremely sensitive to service style, since food service can be hit-or-miss depending on the staff on duty

If you’re the kind of person who likes food tours that teach you what you’re seeing, this fits.

Should You Book This Underground Donut Tour?

Book it if you want a small-group NYC walk where the donuts are the headline and the neighborhood context is the side story. The route makes sense for first-timers who want an easy way into Union Square and Greenwich Village without planning every stop on their own.

Skip it if you’re dealing with limited walking tolerance or you’re expecting only tiny tasting bites. This tour tends to be filling, with multiple full doughnuts across different bakeries.

If you go, my best advice is simple: wear comfortable shoes, bring a snack-and-hydration mindset, and ask the guide questions. When you do that, the whole experience clicks into place.

FAQ

Where does this tour start and end?

It starts at 124 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003, and ends at Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, 28 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.

How many people are in the group?

This tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

How much does it cost?

It’s $70.00 per person.

Do I choose donuts, or are they handed to you?

You should expect a donut tasting across multiple stops. At least some stops offer choices, but at some points the bakery may select the donut you get.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Is it offered in good weather only?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What if I need to cancel?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

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