When I started looking into eating in New York City’s Italian neighborhoods, I found that the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue is often called “The Real Little Italy.” It seems like a place with a very strong Italian heritage, with bakeries and restaurants that have been around for a long time and are still popular today. I’m interested in discovering places that feel authentic and have a sense of history.
Bronx Arthur Avenue
Bakeries and Sweets
When I think about Italian bakeries, I imagine cannoli and cookies. In the Bronx, Egidio Pastry Shop is said to be the oldest, opening in 1912. Artuso Pastry Shop, which started in 1946, apparently looks quite modern inside and out. They have great cannoli and cookies, but I also saw it mentioned that their red velvet cake is the best you can find outside of Manhattan. Even someone famous, like actor Chazz Palminteri, reportedly likes Gino’s Pastry Shop nearby for its simple cannoli and bomboloni that can be filled to order.
Classic Italian Dining
For meals, I found that restaurants near Arthur Avenue are known for being really good. Antonio’s Trattoria has a big menu, and people say everything on it is worth trying again. Not far away, Borgatti’s is a pasta store that has been around since 1935 and is very popular. If you like veal, Pasquale’s Rigoletto is mentioned for having very tender veal dishes, and I also noticed it has a lot of New York Yankees memorabilia, which might be fun for sports fans.
Exploring this area is made easier by Bronx Historical Tours, which offers three-hour walking tours. I think having a guide can really help you see and understand the neighborhood better, especially if you haven’t been there before. It’s a good way to find the most interesting spots.
Manhattan’s Little Italy
Mulberry Street’s Heart
If there’s one Little Italy that most people know, it’s likely the one in Manhattan. This neighborhood runs along Mulberry Street, between Canal and Broome Streets. It’s packed with more than two dozen restaurants and bakeries. I found that because so many places are close together, it’s usually easy to find a table no matter when you visit.
Some restaurants here have been around for a very long time, like Grotta Azzurra and Puglia, both over 100 years old. Two very famous spots, Caffe Palermo and Umberto’s Clam House, opened in the early 1970s. Ferrara is noted as New York City’s oldest Italian bakery, but Caffe Palermo has a personality named John “Baby John” DeLutro, who calls himself the “Cannoli King.”
Seafood and Celebrity Spots
Umberto’s Clam House is known for its fried calamari, with sauces ranging from mild to hot. They also have popular dishes like baked clams and linguine with clam sauce. They even have a thin-crust clam pizza that people say is as good as the famous clam pizzas found in New Haven. If you’re looking for a place that celebrities like and regulars don’t need to look at a menu, Il Cortile is a good option. It has different dining rooms, and some tables are where actors from “The Sopranos” used to sit.
When planning a trip to New York, it’s helpful to think about how you’ll get around. Public transportation like the subway is a great way to see many parts of the city. You can find more tips on navigating the city and its attractions at our guide to getting around NYC.
Other Notable Little Italys
Boston’s North End
Boston’s North End is often considered one of the best Little Italy neighborhoods in North America. The area is famous for its cannoli, with a big friendly competition between Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry Shop. Lines can be long at both places, and you’ll see lots of people carrying pastry boxes. Mike’s Pastry offers 18 different cannoli flavors, while Modern Pastry fills theirs to order, which helps keep the shells from getting soft. For dining, Tresca is noted for its Italian restaurants, offering unique dishes like chicken parmesan egg rolls. Hanover Street is the main street, and a special table, Table 77, at Tresca is very popular because it’s on the balcony and named after a famous Boston Bruins player.
Philadelphia’s Italian Market
Philadelphia’s Italian Market, located along South 9th Street, is a smaller but unique place for Italian-American culture. It’s filled with butchers, cheese shops, bakeries, and produce stands, making it a great spot for food lovers. Angelo’s Pizzeria has a strong local following, and Sarcone’s Bakery is a fifth-generation establishment known for its tomato pie. Ralph’s, which opened in 1886, is recognized as the oldest Italian restaurant in the United States and is famous for its red sauce dishes, especially its veal parmigiana. Villa di Roma is another spot in the market, which was even featured in the movie “The Irishman.”
Cleveland’s Little Italy
Cleveland’s Little Italy has a special feel, with an Italian-American museum and shops like “Crazy Cannoli.” The cannoli rivalry here is between Corbo’s and Presti’s. A unique local dessert is Cleveland-style cassata, which is more like a strawberry shortcake than the typical Italian version. The neighborhood extends for five blocks east from the Little Italy-University Circle RTA station and has many bakeries, restaurants, and gelato shops. Guarino’s Restaurant, dating back to 1918, is noted as the city’s oldest restaurant and is a classic red sauce establishment.
Providence’s Federal Hill
Providence’s Federal Hill, often called “The Hill,” features restaurants, bakeries, and specialty stores along Atwells Avenue. Angelo’s Restaurant, in its fourth generation, dates back to 1924 and offers many items from its original menu, including eggplant parmigiana and veal and peppers. A local specialty to try is scungilli salad, made with chopped marine snails, which can be found at many restaurants and at Venda Ravioli, a large Italian specialty store. During the summer, half of Atwells Avenue is closed on Saturday evenings for a street festival called Al Fresco on the Hill.
San Diego’s Large Enclave
San Diego boasts the largest Little Italy in North America, covering 48 city blocks and featuring six public piazzas. India Street is the main thoroughfare, with many restaurants like Bencotto and Civico 1845. Unlike some other Little Italys that focus on Italian-American classics, San Diego’s restaurants often highlight dishes made with cheese wheels, and their pasta dishes are particularly noteworthy. Nonna, a Sicilian-owned bakery, is known for its cassata cake and cannoli shells with cocoa powder.
San Francisco’s North Beach
While San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood might not have the traditional look of a Little Italy, it’s a popular spot with places like Fior d’Italia and Caffe Trieste. The neighborhood’s main park is named after baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is highly regarded for its pizzas, and Caffe Trieste is a famous cafe where Francis Ford Coppola wrote the screenplay for “The Godfather.” Victoria Pastry Co. has been around since 1914, offering classic Italian pastries and a princess cake.
Toronto’s College Street
Toronto’s Little Italy is centered around College Street, with the 306/506 streetcar running through it. Sicilian Sidewalk Café, open since 1959, offers an old-world feel, espresso drinks, Italian crepes, and ice cream flavors. Cafe Diplomatico is known for its thin-crust pizza and for being a gathering place to watch soccer matches. Bella Vista is recognized for its rich and creamy gnocchi. The Taste of Little Italy street festival, held in mid-June, is a great time to visit.
Wilmington’s Local Feel
Wilmington, Delaware’s Little Italy, located west of downtown, offers a more local experience without heavy tourism. Union Street has established eateries like the fourth-generation Mrs. Robino’s, a casual red sauce restaurant, and Walter’s Steakhouse, known for its prime rib. Italian water ice is also a popular treat during warmer months from places like Fusco’s or Bernie’s.
When I think about planning trips for my family, especially with kids like Emma and Sofia, I always look for places that are easy to navigate and offer a variety of food options that everyone will enjoy. New York City, with its different neighborhoods like the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue and Manhattan’s core Little Italy, seems to offer a lot for families looking for an authentic Italian experience. I try to picture how we would move between these places, perhaps using the subway, and what kind of simple, approachable dining experiences would be best for the children. It’s important to me that they can try new foods but also have familiar favorites available to them.
It’s amazing how many different Italian neighborhoods there are across North America, each with its own special character and history. I’m always discovering new places and considering where we might go next. If you’re planning a trip to New York City and want a good overview before you dive into specific neighborhoods, check out our top things to do in NYC guide. It has lots of ideas for different kinds of travelers.
Overall, these Italian enclaves offer a rich tapestry of food, culture, and community. I look forward to exploring them further and finding the best spots for families to enjoy. Remember, it’s always a good idea to check operating hours and make reservations where possible, especially for popular restaurants, as things can change. Enjoy your culinary adventures!
