FOUNDER · LICENSED NYC SIGHTSEEING GUIDE

Dante Mercadante

Chief Eating Officer at Nice Guy Tours

Dante has been a licensed New York City sightseeing guide since 2012. In the fall of 2014 he founded Nice Guy Tours to prove that New Yorkers really are nice, and that the best way to meet the city is one bite at a time. A Yonkers native with a background in stand-up comedy and acting, he has led thousands of guests through the Village, the Lower East Side, Astoria and beyond.

“You will leave full, learn something, and have fun.”

DANTE'S THREE GUARANTEES

2012

Licensed NYC guide

2014

Founded Nice Guy Tours

150+

NYC pizza shops tasted

3

Game shows as a contestant

MEET THE NICE GUY

The guy behind the tours

Dante became a guide by chance and stayed for the joy of sharing great food with people from around the globe. He folded what he learned on stage into a sightseeing license, and in 2014 Nice Guy Tours was born: a company built to celebrate the city, its people, its culture and its food.

“Prior to having this job, when people would say ‘I really love my job’, I didn’t believe them or think it was possible. Now, I look forward to work every day.”

His favorite route is the Greenwich Village tour, winding through the West Village with stops for the food and the stories behind it. Off the clock you will find him with his kids, or cheering on the Yankees, Knicks and Bills.

“There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t met yet.”

Fun facts about Dante

AS FEATURED IN

CNBC

Tasting Table

lohud

TravelAge West

Travel Off Path

Channel 13

FROM THE BLOG

Articles by Dante

20 Feb 2026

Taylor Swift’s Old House on Cornelia Street in Greenwich Village

11 Feb 2026

Best Italian Food in Greenwich Village: Where to Eat Authentic Italian in NYC

11 Feb 2026

A Local’s Guide to NYC’s Best Neighborhoods for Visitors: What to See and Experience

11 Feb 2026

Things to Do in the Lower East Side of NYC: A Local’s Guide

2 Dec 2025

Best Jazz Clubs in Greenwich Village: Where to Hear Live Music in NYC

2 Dec 2025

The Folk Music Roots of Greenwich Village

4 Nov 2025

Top Museums in Greenwich Village: Your Guide to the Best Stops

4 Nov 2025

Trendy Restaurants in Greenwich Village: Your Ultimate Dining Guide

22 Oct 2025

Ultimate NYC Culture & Entertainment Guide: Museums, Theater, Neighborhoods, & More

22 Oct 2025

Iconic Music Venues in New York City: Where History and Live Performances Collide

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