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

22 Oct 2025

Secret Art Walks: Discover NYC’s Best Hidden Art Galleries & Private Museums

23 Sep 2025

Faicco’s Italian Specialties: A Taste of Old-School NYC

23 Sep 2025

What Makes Katz’s Delicatessen So Famous?

26 Aug 2025

Nice Guy Tours Honored with Two Prestigious Awards by LUXlife Magazine

1 Jul 2025

Essex Olive Oil & Spice: A Must-Visit Spot on the LES

1 Jul 2025

History of Chelsea Market: From Cookie Factory to Culinary Icon

1 Jul 2025

Things to Do in Greenwich Village: A Local’s Guide to NYC’s Most Charming Neighborhood

14 May 2025

Best Bagels in Manhattan: Where to Go Now

14 May 2025

The Best Sushi in Greenwich Village: Top Picks for Every Craving

28 Apr 2025

The Best Coffee Shops in Greenwich Village

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