Bustronome Gourmet Meal Double Decker Trip in New York

New York becomes the dining room on this glass-roofed double-decker bus. You’ll have a multi-course dinner by chef Ashley Kim while the city rolls past, with the panoramic terrace giving you a broad view without the walk between sights.

I like two things here: the chance to pair a proper meal with city views, and the restaurant-style service that makes the ride feel different from a standard sightseeing loop. The trade-off is that there are no stopovers, so this is a view-and-dinner outing, not a way to visit attractions inside.

At a glance

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• A six-step dinner on wheels: The adult dinner sample includes ricotta pasta, tuna tartare, salmon, beef, Brie, and an Opera-style dessert.
• Views from a glass-roofed bus: The panoramic terrace is made for seeing the city from your seat, though the route may change with traffic or weather.
• A two to two-and-a-half-hour evening: The tour runs from 19:15 to 21:45, a scheduled span of two and a half hours.
• Audio commentary on your phone: Download the digital guide before boarding. The information describes it as English-language in one place and available in different languages in another, so check the current options.
• No attraction admissions or sightseeing stops: The bus passes landmarks rather than stopping for visits.
• Dinner drinks are non-alcoholic: Wine, beer, and other alcoholic drinks are not included or served onboard; the listed drink choices include water, soda, tea, and coffee.

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Dinner with New York rolling past the windows

The main appeal is the combination. You’re not choosing between sitting down to dinner and seeing the city; the bus lets you do both at once. The glass roof and panoramic terrace are central to the experience, bringing the streets and skyline into view while you eat.

This is a different pace from a walking food tour. You stay on the bus, dinner arrives in courses, and there are no stops to get out and explore. That can be a treat after a full day on your feet, but it also means you should not book this as a substitute for visiting specific sights.

The dinner is presented as a six-step meal prepared by master chef Ashley Kim. The sample adult menu starts with ricotta Girasole and parmesan cream, followed by tuna tartare with honey-soy vinaigrette and pickled vegetables. Salmon with sorrel, bulgur, and spring vegetables comes next, then beef confit with sweet potato purée, glazed carrots, and a spicy jus.

The final savory course is Brie with onion jam and mesclun salad, followed by a dessert described as Like an Opéra. That menu gives you a more formal, restaurant-style meal than a quick snack between sights. But menus change with the season and ingredient availability, so treat these dishes as examples rather than promises.

The meal is part of the sightseeing, not a separate restaurant reservation followed by a bus ride. If you like lingering over several courses, this format may suit you. If you prefer to choose your own restaurant, stop for photos, and move at your own pace, the fixed route and meal schedule may feel restrictive.

What the evening feels like, from departure to return

Departure is listed for 19:15. Arrive 15 minutes early, since late arrivals and no-shows are not refunded. The meeting information gives 258 W W 58th Street, while the return point is listed as 40 W 57th Street. Those addresses are close by, but confirm the exact boarding location on your voucher before heading out.

Once aboard, you settle into the restaurant-style service and begin the meal as the bus sets off. The tour is described as lasting two hours in the general details, while its departure and return times span two hours and thirty minutes. Plan around the stated 19:15 to 21:45 schedule, and allow some flexibility because traffic and weather can change the route or timing.

The city portion is a guided sightseeing tour, but the guide is digital rather than a live tour leader. Download the audio app to your phone before the trip. The available information gives mixed details about language options: one section says commentary is available in different languages, while another specifies English. If you need a language other than English, check before booking.

You won’t leave the bus at scenic spots. That makes the tour easier if you want to stay seated and enjoy a continuous evening, but it limits your chance to take close-up photos or spend time at a particular landmark. The route can also shift with traffic and weather, so don’t count on a fixed sequence of sights.

At about 21:45, the bus returns to the listed area at 40 W 57th Street. The evening gives you a city overview, not a set of visits. Admission to attractions is not included, and the tour only passes them.

The menu, including vegetarian and children’s meals

The adult vegetarian sample keeps the same six-step structure. It begins with ricotta Girasole and parmesan cream, then avocado tartare with crunchy vegetables. Spring risotto with sorrel sauce is followed by tofu prepared Han bock-style with honey, sweet potato purée, and carrot confit; the meal finishes with Brie, onion confiture, mesclun, and the Opera-style dessert.

Vegetarian options and allergy accommodations are listed, but you need to tell the operator in advance. Use the checkout form or contact the provider at +1-332-456-2955. Do not assume that an allergy can be handled at the last moment, especially with a set menu served onboard.

The children’s sample is a shorter three-part meal with a drink: grilled cheese on ciabatta, chicken supreme with creamy mashed potatoes, and chocolate cake. Children aged 13 and older pay the adult rate. If you’re booking for a child under 13, check the booking details for the applicable price and age conditions.

The listed non-alcoholic choices include a bottle of sparkling or still mineral water, two glasses of non-alcoholic wine, or soda, tea, or coffee. Alcohol is not served onboard, though the tour information says drinks can be purchased directly on the bus. The legal drinking age in the United States is 21, and you should bring valid ID if you plan to ask about any age-restricted purchase.

Is the price worth it?

The stated starting price is around $207, while a dinner package is also shown from $180. Prices can differ by package and booking details, so compare the final total for your date rather than relying on a starting figure. At this level, you’re paying for both the meal and a sightseeing ride, not simply for transport around town.

The value is strongest if you want a special evening and would happily pay for a multi-course dinner in a distinctive setting. You get a six-step meal, restaurant-style service, a glass-roofed bus, and a digital audio guide in one booking. If the view and unusual dining format matter to you, that can make the price easier to justify.

The value is weaker if your priority is covering lots of attractions, taking time for photos, or getting a live guide’s commentary. There are no stops, admission fees are not included, and traffic may affect the route. You’re buying an evening experience, not an efficient way to see every corner of New York.

The available feedback is positive, but there is only one rating recorded. It specifically praises the comfortable double-decker ride, views through the panoramic glass, and the combination of city scenery with a special meal. That is encouraging, though one rating is too small a sample to treat as a guarantee.

Practical details before you book

The tour is wheelchair-accessible, though you should check the venue’s official accessibility information for details relevant to your needs. Dress for the day’s weather, since conditions can affect the route and the glass-roofed setting is part of the experience.

Your voucher is valid only for the date and time booked, and you can present it on your phone. Changes made at least 72 hours before the activity are free. For cancellations, a full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date in local time; late arrival or missing the departure is not refundable.

The activity requires at least one participant. If that minimum is not met, you can choose another date or request a full refund. You should receive confirmation within minutes; contact customer support if it does not arrive.

Who should book this dinner tour?

I’d consider it for a date night, a celebration, or an evening when you want to see the city without adding another walking-heavy activity to your schedule. It also suits diners who enjoy several courses and are happy to let the route unfold from the window rather than getting off at each sight.

Families can choose the children’s three-course meal, but remember that ages 13 and up are charged at the adult rate. Vegetarians have a sample menu, and allergy needs can be accommodated if shared in advance.

I’d skip it if you want a live guide, frequent photo stops, or time inside attractions. Book it for the meal-and-view combination, not as a full sightseeing plan. If that is the evening you have in mind, check the exact boarding address, current menu, and price for your date before reserving.

FAQ

How long does the Bustronome dinner tour last?

The schedule runs from 19:15 to 21:45, which is two hours and thirty minutes. The general duration is also described as two hours, so plan around the stated departure and return times.

Where does the bus depart from?

The departure information lists 258 W W 58th Street. The return point is listed as 40 W 57th Street. Confirm the precise boarding spot on your voucher before you go.

Are there stops to get off and visit attractions?

No. The bus passes scenic spots without stopovers, and admission to attractions is not included.

What food is served on the adult dinner tour?

The sample adult menu has six steps, including ricotta Girasole, tuna tartare, salmon, beef confit, Brie, and an Opera-style dessert. The menu may change by season and ingredient availability.

Can the tour accommodate vegetarian diets or food allergies?

Vegetarian meals and allergy accommodations are listed. Contact the operator in advance through the checkout form or at +1-332-456-2955.

Are alcoholic drinks served onboard?

No. The tour serves non-alcoholic beverages. Listed options include sparkling or still water, non-alcoholic wine, soda, tea, or coffee.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

Changes made at least 72 hours before the activity are free. A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date in local time; late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.