Experience the best travel stories for yourself! Join a local expert and uncover hidden gems on this Lonely Planet Experience. Stroll around the brownstone buildings of Brooklyn on a 3-hour neighborhood food tour, and discover the delicious mom-and-pop shops and restaurants of New York. Discover first-hand how food is the engine of the local ecosystem. Focused on Smith and Court Streets and the surrounding neighbourhoods, the tour uncovers a vibrant mix of locally-owned, artisanal food stores that are unlike almost any other neighborhood in America. You will visit old school haunts and new culinary entrepreneurs to experience traditional flavors and daring dishes. Pop into Italian and Middle Eastern shops that have long been the staple of the neighborhood, and explore the growing scene of cafés and restaurants specializing in New American cuisine. Learn about the neighborhood's rich history and changing character from local business owners and residents. Try artisan cheeses, breads, and Italian pastries. Meet coffee roasters, discover a modern soda fountain, and go to the oldest Middle Eastern bakery in New York City.