Little Italy in New York is one of Manhattan’s most iconic neighborhoods. In this neighborhood, you can enjoy Italian specialties you can’t find anywhere else in New York.
Little Italy New York
By the 1900s, as many as more than half of all Italians who emigrated to New York City lived in Little Italy. At the time, the neighborhood stretched from East Houston to Chambers Street, and from Broadway to the Bowery. But alas, Little Italy is not what it used to be. Because it has been taken over bit by bit in recent years by Chinatown, which is actually expanding. Also, over the years, more and more Italians have moved to other Italian neighborhoods, where in turn small Little Italys have sprung up such as in The Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Italian specialties in Little Italy New York
“Welcome to Little Italy” is the first thing you read when you walk into Little Italy from Chinatown in new York. It is much smaller than it used to be, but it has retained the Italian atmosphere thanks to the many restaurants, cheese stores, bakeries and cafes opened years ago by Italian artisans. But Italian culinary tradition has also evolved in recent years from pure authentic Italian recipes to Italian-American recipes such as pasta Alfredo, spaghetti with meatballs and chicken Parmesan.
Little Italy in The Bronx and Brooklyn in New York
Many like to call Arthur Avenue in the Bronx the authentic Little Italy of New York. The area bustles with markets, restaurants, pastry shops and bakeries. You can find pasta, good espresso, meat, Italian bread and talk to residents who have lived in the area for decades. In Brooklyn, Bensonhurst is the neighborhood that keeps Italian heritage alive. A walk through Dyker Heights in December is also incredibly fun; the Italian community decorates its homes with every Christmas decoration imaginable!
Eating and drinking in Little Italy
If you are in New York and want to eat real Italian food, you should definitely go to Little Italy. Here you can still find nice restaurants where you can enjoy authentic Italian food while enjoying a delicious glass of Italian wine. Here are a few of our favorite culinary addresses.
1. Lombardi’s
Lombardi’s in Little Italy New York was founded in 1905 and was the first pizzeria in the United States. Many of the best pizza bakers including Totonno’s, Patsy’s and John’s learned the trade here from Gennaro Lombardi. So if you want to enjoy a truly authentic Italian pizza, you really should head to Lombardi’s in Little Italy. One of Lombardi’s tastiest pizzas that tops the list of absolute favorites with many New Yorkers is the lightly charred pizzas with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.
2. Ferrara Bakery and Café
Ferrara Bakery and Café Little Italy opened its doors in 1892 and is America’s first espresso bar. From real Italian cannoli to cream puffs, gelato to Pignoli cookies, you’ll find it all at Ferrara Bakery and Café. So if you like Italian espresso and sweet treats, you should definitely take a coffee break here when you’re in Little Italy.
A Guided Tour of Little Italy
If you prefer to walk through Little Italy with an experienced guide, there are a number of tours to choose from. We recommend the 3 Neighborhoods Tour. With this great tour, you will visit Soho, Chinatown and Little Italy. More information about this tour can be found at the link below.
New York Advantage Passes
Want to save money when visiting sights and attractions in New york? Then buy a benefit pass. Whether you plan to visit New York for a week, a month or even longer, it is almost always worth buying a New York Pass. Even if you only see a few attractions, it can save you money, especially if you are visiting new York for the first time and want to see everything. Which benefit pass is best for you depends on the length of your stay in New York, the number of attractions you want to visit.
