Do you like Italian food? Who doesn’t, right. Ever since we vacationed two summers in a row in Italy in places such as Rome and Tuscany, we’ve been craving Italian food more than ever. Which is why we love going to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx in New York City, the “real Little Italy” according to many New Yorkers.
When you talk to those who live in the Bronx, they’ll tell you the touristy Little Italy on Mulberry Street in lower Manhattan is for – you named it – tourists. Commercialized and Disney-ish, as some people refer to it. But I’m not going to get into that. What I do know is that Arthur Avenue, located further out in the city in the Belmont section of the Bronx, has shop after shop of Italian delicacies including meats, cheeses, pastas, breads and mouth-watering pastries. Restaurants are a plenty, and old-school barber shops and gelatarias can be found while strolling around. There is a lot to be said for exploring off the beaten path New York City, and Arthur Avenue is a prime example.
The popular Arthur Avenue Retail Market is here, an indoor market full of character, not to mention all sorts of goodies. Near one of the entrances is a cigar workshop, La Casa Grande, where you can see men hard at work making cigars. Walk a little further and you will find the very cool Bronx Beer Hall, the beloved Mike’s Deli, Pete’s Meats and Greco’s, just some of the vendors that make up the market. It’s great for food-shopping, as well as people-watching!
Outside on the streets (Arthur Avenue as well as the surrounding streets in Belmont), there are shops and restaurants one after the next. We recently had a delicious lunch at Tino’s Delicatessen, known for their enormous heroes as well as wood-fire oven pizzas. Other popular restaurants include Zero Otto Nove, Ann & Tony’s, Dominick’s, Pasquale’s Rigoletto and Enzo’s, just to name a few. To go grocery shopping, make sure to hit up famed Teitel Brothers, the amazing Italian market with Jewish roots. There are so many delicious food stores, so make sure to look at this merchant list for both shops and restaurants.
If you’re looking for good Italian food, both for dining and shopping, Arthur Avenue is the place to go. It’s a great spot to leisurely while away the morning or afternoon, snacking on pastries or drinking coffee while perusing the shops.
Tip: Arthur Avenue is hopping and in full swing on Saturdays, its most popular day of the week. Some places are closed on Sundays, so make sure to check ahead. Either way, it’s best to arrive in the morning so as to find parking. Spaces and lots fill up quickly! On Sunday, those vendors that are open tend to open later in the morning around 11 or so.
To read more about the Bronx, see Top Family Attractions in the Bronx
You may also enjoy Top Family Attractions in Manhattan
This article is available as an app through GPSMyCity if you want to read it offline wherever, and whenever. Click here to download the article, as well as for GPS coordinates of the locations listed.
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Yum!
Author
Hopping on over to your blog shortly, it’s been a while..;)
I hope my blog isn’t as big a tease to you as yours is to me! 😉
Author
Of course it is – I long for the days when I could watch any movie I want whenever I want, pre- kids!
I really need to expand my horizons in the Bronx more when it comes to eating, it’s where I was born…but I can never head in and NOT go to my favorite pizza joint!!!
Author
Oh cool! Which pizza joint??
Crosby Pizza right on Crosby Ave <3 🙂
Author
Good to know!
A few years back our American friends made a quick stop off here on the way to dropping us at the airport to get some Italian cakes for her granma back in Ohio. I had no idea there was so much more in the neighbourhood, I really wish I had cos it sounds fab! I’m going back if we’re ever in New York again. I remember sitting in the car waiting and watching the neighbourhood goings on and snapping some secret photos.
Author
Totally – it’s one of those places you can just sit and watch the world go by. Lots of character, lots of action, and so much good food!
Wow the food looks mouth watering! I love Italian food as well – so fresh and the tastes are wonderful! This looks a fascinating area to wander around in and soak up the atmosphere!
Author
Thanks Rosemary! It’s great atmosphere – no frills, old-school, friendly people. And great food ;).
Just love the look and sound of this area – the shops, the market, the food – I want to go now!!
Author
Haha – it’s a lot of fun, and very dangerous! I went crazy in the pastry shops..
I loved this place! My sister lives a few blocks away. We ate at Mike’s Deli and walk all around the neighborhood. We had tiramisu and cannoli at a bakery and those were delicious. I hope to go back. My sister says walking tours of the area are offered by certain associations. #citytripping
Author
Yes, I’ve heard about the walking tours. I need to go back for some tiramisu, sounds delicious!
This looks fabulous and I’m definitely saving this for next time I’m in the vicinity. One question, though… How does one decide which place to eat in first? #citytripping
Author
Haha – that’s a good question!
I confess I lived in NYC for 10 years and never really explored the Bronx. I love the sausages hanging from the ceiling and how this post highlights how cultures and communities create special little pockets in the city. #citytripping
Author
Truth be told, I never really explored the Bronx until I moved to a suburb that’s much closer to it than where I lived in Brooklyn and Manhattan. NYC is big, there is always something new to explore!
How can I get there from Jersey w/out driving? I would like to take a bus from here to Arthur Ave, but I don’t know if the bus will let me off at Arthur Avenue. Taking a train from Jersey to the Bronx lets me off too far from Arthur Ave. HELP!!!!!
Author
I’m sorry, Cindy, I’m not familiar with the transport from Jersey to Arthur Avenue at all – I’m sure if you google it you’ll find it. Good luck!!