Little Italy is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan in New York City, once known for its large Italian population. It is bounded on the west by Tribeca and Soho, on the south by Chinatown, on the east by the Bowery and Lower East Side, and on the north by Nolita.
Little Italy is worth visiting for the opportunity to enjoy delicious imported Italian specialties and to see the Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You will also glimpse some of the restaurants and bars made famous by gangsters and members of the Rat Pack. Mulberry Street is probably the neighborhood’s most famous street.
Unlike Little Italy in Lower Manhattan, which has shrunk to little more than a kitschy tourist strip, New Yorkers know Arthur Avenue as the Big Apple’s “real Little Italy” – a neighborhood where more than two dozen Italian shops and restaurants have been in business for 50 to 100 years
This is Little Italy in Manhattan. Once home to thousands of Italians and Italian-Americans, Little Italy has long since shrunk to a name on a street map and — at most — a three-block stretch of red-sauce joints on Mulberry Street patronized almost entirely by tourists.
The best Italian restaurant in Little Italy NYC
- Emilio’s Ballato.
- Parm.
- Rubirosa.
- Lombardi’s.
- Piacere NYC.
- Di Palo’s Fine Foods.
- Ferrara Bakery.
- Aunt Jake’s.
Little Italy is about one block long and yes it’s very safe. The entire neighborhood is comprised of restaurants and a dessert place, so don’t expect the Little Italy of 100 years ago. If you go, expect that no one there is local.
Things To Do And See In Little Italy
• The heart of Little Italy is Mulberry Street, b/w Broome, and Canal (2 blocks)
• National Shrine of San Gennaro (113 Baxter, Canal) – a replica of the grotto at
Lourdes church, and sponsor of the Annual Feast of San Gennaro
• DiPalo’s Fine Foods – the amazing market for fine meats and cheeses, make sure to
ask for samples.
• Old St. Patrick’s Church (263 Mulberry St, Mott/Prince) – beautiful Gothic revival
church from 1809, as seen in the Godfatherin the Baptism scene and the original
home to the new diocese of New York before the larger St. Patrick’s on 5th Ave. Note:
Prince St. is 2 blocks north of Broome
• NYC Police Headquarters Building (240 Centre St, Broome/Grand) – beautiful
white building with a copper dome, was headquarters until 1973, and also seen in
Gangs of New York. Today it is apartments.
• Annual Feast of San Gennaro is in September – 10 days of food and festivities
The cost of living in Little Italy is 32% greater than the New York average and 123% greater than the national average. A one-bedroom apartment runs between $3095-$4485 per month, even though apartments run on the small side. People who dwell in this neighborhood do so for the location.
