Forget Little Italy in Manhattan, if you want to eat your way through the REAL Little Italy, then head to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for a true Italian tasting.
Did you know that there is a four-block radius located in the Belmont Section of the Bronx called the Real Little Italy?
This tiny slice of heaven was formed back in the late 1800’s after Italian Immigrants were tired of living in the poor slums of the Five Points in downtown Manhattan.
They wanted to live in the country, similar to how they lived in Italy. They headed north to the Bronx and formed a neighborhood where people could speak Italian, practice their Catholic faith together, and come together as one big family.
The main street is called Arthur Avenue.
Fast forward to present day and this neighborhood has the most 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation owned businesses in all of Manhattan in one concentrated area.
These Italian owned establishments believe in 5 things: Family, Faith, Food, Friends and Forever.
Lucky for us, they are open for business 6 days a week to enjoy the homemade taste of Italy.
From the creamy sauces of Northern Italy to the spicy tomatoes of Southern Italy, let us take you on a food tour to tantalize the taste buds in the real Little Italy, Mangia!
Madonia Bakery
The original owner, Mario Madonia, arrived from Sicily to NYC in the early 1900’s. He and his wife opened up this bakery in 1918.Mario’s children still own and run the shop.
They specialize in breadsticks, biscotti and specialized bread such as cinnamon raisin and their famous olive loaf bread. Everything is baked freshly every day on premise, the average cost of a loaf is $4.50.
Add to google maps: Madonia Bakery
Teitel Brothers
Don’t let the name fool you, these Jewish Austrian immigrants arrived in 1915 to the states and moved to Arthur Avenue. Jacob and his brother loved the close knit community and decided to stay and open a business.
They even learned to speak Italian before they learned how to speak English! They are known for the Italian delicacy called Bakala – a dried and salted cod fish.
Add to google maps: Teital Bakery
Cosenza’s Fish Market
This fish market has been a staple in the neighborhood for over 80 years.
They sell fresh fish, clams, and oysters. Oysters used to be the number one exported item from the bays of Manhattan in the 1700s and 1800’s.
We cannot farm oysters in the waters surrounding Manhattan any longer due to pollution, but Cosenza’s get their shipments from the shores of Long Island and Nantucket. They have their oysters for sale outside of the store, and one will cost you about $2.50 each.
Add to google maps: Cosenza’s Fish Market
Calabria Pork Store
Another generational business, in the neighborhood for 80 plus years, they are a butcher shop, specializing in sausage.
They sell dried Italian meats, sausages, salami and they even have free samples of dried meats and cheeses for you to try before you buy. They are famously known for having a pork chandelier on the ceiling, so don’t forget to look up when you enter!
Add to google maps: Calabria
Calandra Cheese
My favorite stop on Arthur Ave, this cheese shop carries almost every single imported cheese from Italy. They have free samples for over 30 of their products, which is pretty incredible.
Everything is imported except for the homemade burino and burrata cheese which is similar to mozzarella cheese. Burrata has a tougher rind and gooey middle. Burino has a softer rind and a butter like center.
Add to google maps: Calandra cheese
Arthur Avenue Market
Originally a sheep meadow back in 1919, this market opened in 1940 when all of the pushcarts were ordered off the streets for cars to take over the roads.
Inside this market, you will find a handful of local businesses including a cigar rolling station, a bar serving locally brewed beers, a butcher, a bakery, and a deli. You can even buy a cheesy T-shirt that says: “I can’t keep calm I’m Italian”.
Mikes Deli in the rear is famous for winning a throw-down with Bobby Flay for their eggplant parmesan, so it’s a must-have when visiting the market.
Add to Google Maps: Arthur Avenue Market
Addeo Bakery
This family-run bread bakery has been in business for over 70 years with 3 generations of family members still working at the counters and in the kitchen.
The original location was in East Harlem and owned by two brothers. This location opened in 1944 after the two brothers had a dispute.
The original owner’s son Lawrence left his culinary career as a sous chef to help run the family business. You can usually find him in the back baking every day.
You must try their semolina bread, it’s divine. If Lawrence is there, he may even give you a tour of the kitchen!
Add to Google Maps: Addeo Bakery
Borgattis Ravioli
This homemade pasta shop opened more than 80 years ago in 1935.The son of the original owner has worked here since he was 16.
They sell fresh pasta, all made on-site. I suggest purchasing the cheese ravioli in a 12 pack to make at home.
Add to google maps: Borgatti’s Ravioli
Egidio Pastry shop
This bakery has been in business for over 100 years. The original owner came from Salerno in 1909 and bought this location in 1912.
It was family owned for many years until he passed. The new owners have recently renovated the location and still use the family recipes.
Try the Cannolis or Torrone (a nougat candy made of egg whites, honey, pistachios, and almonds). This confection is usually served around Christmas but they serve it all year here.
There is a very interesting article in the New York times called Love, Discord, and Cannoli which gives a detailed description of why it is not owned by a family member.
Add to google maps: Egidio Pastry Shop
DeLillo Pastry
Joe and Rocco DeLillo immigrated to New York in 1925 from Salerno and opened this pastry shop.
It is no longer family-owned, however. One of the bakers who has been in the kitchen for over 50 years, bought the bakery from the family and he still uses the family recipes.
The Italian cream horns called sfogliatelle in Italian, are delicious. It is a pastry shaped into a horn, filled with Italian crème pastry.
Another dessert not to be missed is the famous Italian flag cookies. They are otherwise known as the Venetian, Neapolitan or Rainbow cookies. This dessert was created in the United States by Italian immigrants, to show their love for their home country.
Add to Google Maps: Delillo
Even though the real Little Italy is now mostly Latino, Albanian and Fordham college student residents, these establishments still emote the Italian flavor of times past.
- Step back in time each time you enter one of the friendly food shops
- Ask to speak to the owner to hear stories of the old neighborhood
- Stop by Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church to immerse yourself in Italian Catholic traditions
- You may even get lucky and meet some of the residents who have yet to move away and are always welcome to offer up a few stories of what times were like back in the day.
I love Italian food and have yet to visit this neighborhood. As a proud Italian I need to go check it out soon. I can’t get enough Italian desserts.
Joe
You don’t need more then two hours, its a really small area. Just make sure you pay attention to the fact that it’s a hike from the train station, try not to go if it’s raining! Or make a day out of it and go to the Botanical Gardens after, its right there.
I’m hungry now 🙂 The Real Little Italy is going on my list of things to do next time I’m in NYC! The Bronx is somewhere I’m yet to explore extensively. Thanks, Gina.
You’re welcome Zoe! The area is super small so you only need max 2 hours to see and taste everything. Enjoy it when you do finally come back!