Top Seven Things to Do in Little Italy, New York City
Little Italy is one of the more fascinating neighborhoods in New York City and it has changed so much in the last few years. In addition, if you are a foodie, you are in luck! Food is a huge part of Italian culture and Little Italy. So without further ado, here are the top seven things to do in Little Italy.
Try the fresh mozzarella from Alleva Dairy
Whenever we are in the area, we always make sure to make our way to Alleva Dairy (188 Grand St). It has been a mainstay in Little Italy for decades (it is the oldest Italian cheese shop in the US) and their mozzarella is just amazing. It is always made fresh and we can’t stop snacking on it!
Shop at Di Palo’s Fine Foods
Just down the block there is also Di Palo’s (200 Grand St). Di Palo’s is stocked with authentic Italian essentials, artisan cheeses, cured meats, snacks and much more. Also stop by their wine shop Enoteca Di Palo, which is easily the go to place to get unique Italian wines in New York City.
Visit the Italian American Museum
The Italian American Museum (155 Mulberry St) is a tiny museum featuring exhibits on Italian American history, culture and heritage. The building in which it is located is a former bank, with its own rich history. The museum is in the heart of Little Italy (the cross streets of Mulberry St and Grand St) it is definitely worth stopping by.
Getting a slice of pizza for lunch
Pizza is an absolute must when you visit New York City and Little Italy. It is simply one of the main attractions. Some of our favorite spots in the area for pizza include Lombardi’s Pizza (32 Spring St), L’asso (192 Mott St), Margherita NYC (197 Grand St) and Sal’s Little Italy (384 Broome St).
Pick up a cannoli or two from Ferrara’s Bakery
Another staple of Italian cuisine is the cannoli. A bite of cannoli from Ferrara’s Bakery (195 Grand St) is like taking a bite out of heaven. This is worth taking a trip down to Little Italy alone so make sure you save room for dessert!
Check out Nolita
A little north of Little Italy is Nolita (which actually stands for North of Little Italy). It is home to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral (263 Mulberry St), a bunch of fun and interesting shops and top notch restaurants like Parm (248 Mulberry St) and Rubirosa Ristorante (235 Mulberry St).
Take a food tour with Ahoy New York Tours and Tasting
Finally there is so much more to Little Italy and Chinatown and a food tour with Ahoy New York is the perfect way to learn about the history and sample the local cuisine. You can try the best mozzarella, take a bite of a scrumptious cannoli and more. It is sure to be a memorable experience for the whole family!
