Skip to content

Photo Essay & Tips for Little Italy, New York

little italy new york

Little Italy, New York

If you want to fully experience Little Italy in New York make Mulberry St. your focus and begin walking down it starting at Broome St. and heading towards Canal St. Nearest subways:
  • Take the 6 to Spring St. and walk east 2 blocks to Mulberry
  • Take the N or R to Prince St. and walk east 3 blocks
  •  Take the F or V to Broadway/Lafayette and walk east 4 blocks then head south).
Note: The closer you get to Canal St. the more it begins to blend with Chinatown and Asian communities and influences. You will notice this if you walk down the side streets off Mulberry in Little Italy, as well. In fact, Little Italy appears to be wrapped in a cocoon of Asian influence.
https://jessieonajourney.com/category/new-york/

Italian and Asian markets right next to each other

Do not eat before visiting Little Italy and try to go around lunch time if possible. The area is almost completely comprised of ambient Italian bakeries, cafes and restaurants (many with outdoor seating or backyard gardens/patios). Friendly, Italian waiters will call to you and try to persuade you to come into their eateries with price specials, free wine, and compliments (I didn’t mind this! haha). Some specials around lunch time that you can find include:
  • Amici II- $7.95 pasta lunch special
  • Crudo Wineria con Cucina- $12.95 pasta lunch including a glass of wine or a Sam Adams beer
  • Grotta Azzurra Ristorante- 2-course prix fixe meals which includes a pasta dish and as entree: Monday-Friday Lunch: $9.95; Sat-Sun Lunch $12.95; Dinner: $19.95
  • Novella- lunch and dinner special is a $10 pizza, pasta or panni which includes a glass of wine
And, many, many more. Some bars even offer happy hour specials, such as Grotta Azzurra Ristorante, which offers 1/2 price drinks from 4-6PM.
Little italy, new york

Some of the street cafes in Little Italy

I didn’t eat until around 5PM and just wanted to have something light to eat before I went to a dinner part at 7PM, so I chose Il Piccolo Bufalo because they have enormous bowls of soup for $5, which included garlic bread and oil. And, I was able to add a delicious side salad with a creamy balsamic for only $3. This I found to be a lot cheaper than the other restaurants because I didn’t want to get a pasta, pizza, or wine special.
little italy, new york

Salad and bread

little italy, new york

Spinach and sausage soup

Here are some other recommendations on things to do in Little Italy:
  • Go to the free wine tasting at Mulberry Wines (daily from 7-9 PM). While they feature Italian varieties such as Castle Venus Chardonnay and Monte Degli Angeli Pinot Noir, there are wines from all over the world, specially South America.
  • If it’s a Friday or a Saturday, visit the Italian American Museum to learn more about life for Italian Americans and their contributions to society. Hours are Friday from 4-9PM and Saturday from 12-6PM.
little italy, new york

Exhibit at the Italian American Museum

  • Browse the gift shops. While aimed at tourists, it can be fun to look at all of the Italian-inspired bibs and t-shirts, Jersey Shore references, and common New York souvenir type stuff (my personal favorite is the old black and white photos, which you can find here!)
little italy new york

Nicer market

littel italy, new york

One of the many extremely touristy markets

  • Get a cannoli at Cha Cha’s In Boca al Lupo. Big, delicious portions and you can sit out in their garden patio to drink or smoke.
Jessie Festa standing in front of grafitti wall

Hi, I’m Jessie on a journey!

I'm a conscious solo traveler on a mission to take you beyond the guidebook to inspire you to live your best life through travel. Come join me!

Blogging Courses

Want to live your best life through travel?

Subscribe for FREE access to my library of fun blogging worksheets and learn how to get paid to travel more!

.

Leave a Comment