Settled by Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the best Little Italy neighborhoods are still home to traditional bakeries, cafes, and restaurants.Some cities, like Philadelphia and San Diego, have expansive Italian Markets, where you can buy meat, cheese, and other imported regional specialties.Plan your trip to coincide with an Italian festival, such as the Feast of San Gennaro in New York City or Saint Anthony’s Feast in Boston.
As a granddaughter of Italian immigrants, I have a penchant for immersing myself in Italian culture—namely, food, wine, and language—here in the United States. When I travel, I instinctively gravitate toward locally sourced restaurants, farmers markets, and family-owned pastry shops, a true testament to my heritage.
Now, as my family in Italy will attest, Italian-American cuisine and culture differ from those in Italy, but they are not mutually exclusive. The same undeniable sense of tradition persists here, especially in thriving Little Italy communities across the U.S. As a piazza, or plaza (square), is the meeting place and heartbeat of a city center in Italy, so, too, are America’s best Little Italy neighborhoods. Italian immigrants built them as such, creating a similar setting to preserve as much of their culture as possible, despite pressure to assimilate into their new surroundings.
These neighborhoods have long served as unifying spaces. Italian immigrants can enjoy the community of fellow paesani, while the inviting atmosphere draws locals and tourists alike. Each one is overflowing with the familiar sights of families taking a passeggiata (or stroll), the aromatic smells of fresh pasta and pizza napoletana, and the musical sounds of the Italian language and its many regional dialects. Beloved for their decadent food and rich history, these destinations across the country will transport you to the cobblestone streets of Italy and leave you craving more.
From coast to coast, here’s a look at the best and most authentic Little Italy neighborhoods in the U.S.
Boston
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In Boston, the North End is the city’s vibrant Little Italy, with dozens of restaurants, cafes, and a thriving Italian-American community that’s been here since the early 1900s. With lines winding down Hanover Street at Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry, this neighborhood is teeming with delicious desserts, including some coveted cannoli.
Enjoy Southern Italian-inspired pasta dishes and pizza napoletana straight from the brick oven at Antico Forno, sip a cappuccino at Caffé Vittoria—the first Italian cafe in the city—and taste the squid ink linguine at The Daily Catch, known for its Sicilian-style seafood and pasta dishes.
For a taste of an authentic Italian festa—a festival marking the occasion of a saint’s feast day—plan your visit over the last Sunday in August for Saint Anthony’s Feast. A quintessential Catholic celebration, this three-day event brings together vendors serving classic Italian-American foods, live musical acts, and a grand procession through the streets of the North End.
For a room with picturesque views overlooking the Public Garden, stay at The Newbury Boston, an elegant landmark hotel. Or, for a sophisticated waterfront room within walking distance of the North End, consider the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf.
San Diego
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San Diego originally attracted Italian fishermen who hoped to continue their trade in America—as a result, there’s been a major tuna fishing industry here since the early 1900s. Today, with 48 square blocks of Italian eateries, coffee shops, and local markets, the city is home to one of the best Little Italy neighborhoods in the U.S. The renowned Little Italy Mercato, a farmers market featuring local vendors, spans six blocks on Saturdays across West Date Street and three blocks on Wednesdays from Kettner Boulevard to State Street.
For an authentic Italian coffee shop experience, head to Pappalecco. Next, stop by Bobboi Natural Gelato on Kettner Boulevard for an artisanal treat (must-try menu options include California pistachio gelato and dark chocolate sorbet). Indulge in the bruschetta with burrata and artichokes and a Margherita pizza with fresh mozzarella di bufala DOP at Isola Pizza Bar, or taste the decadent short rib pappardelle at Civico 1845. If you’re shopping for items to take home, stop at Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Italian Market and The Market by Buon Appetito for their well-stocked delis and wine selections, all imported from Italy.
Stay nearby at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel for impeccable panoramic views of the bay and the city skyline, or The Guild Hotel for a luxurious boutique option within walking distance.
Providence
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Providence’s Little Italy in historic Federal Hill covers both Atwells Avenue and Spruce Street and has embraced Italian immigrants since the early 1900s. This bustling community has maintained its charm and continues to encapsulate the essence of a true Little Italy neighborhood through specialty stores like Venda Ravioli and Tony’s Colonial, its pastry shops, and its classic Italian-American restaurants.
No trip to Federal Hill would be complete without stopping by the Scialo Bros. Bakery for a sfogliatella (a traditional pastry from Naples) or other beloved Italian cookies. Dine at Il Massimo for Italian favorites like spaghettoni alla carbonara, or enjoy a fresh take on Southern Italian cuisine paired with a wine from the entirely Italian wine list at Pane e Vino.
Book your stay close by at Hotel Providence for a modern experience and polished rooms, or visit the Graduate by Hilton Providence for stylized accommodations in the downtown area.
New York City
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When the influx of Italian immigrants from Southern Italy began in the late 19th century, a great number of them came to America through Ellis Island and made New York City their home. Though Lower Manhattan’s Little Italy is today just a fraction of what it was in its glory days, it remains widely known.
One not-to-miss tradition here is the Feast of San Gennaro, an iconic 11-day event that stretches across many blocks of Mulberry Street with incredible food, lively entertainment, and a grand procession. Stop by Di Palo’s Fine Foods, a trusted and family-owned shop that’s been selling a wide selection of imported prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and assorted antipasti since 1925.
Many Italian-Americans also consider Arthur Avenue in the Bronx to be the “real” and best Little Italy neighborhood of New York. It is wholly worth making the trek from Manhattan to spend time in this thriving Italian-American community, which is home to authentic and long-standing mainstays, including Mike’s Deli (inside the legendary Arthur Avenue Retail Market), Egidio Pastry Shop, and Mario’s of Arthur Avenue, to name a few. Arthur Avenue is also near the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden, so you could easily make a day trip of it.
For a chic hotel that melds historic architecture with modern flair, stay at The Beekman, a 10-minute drive from Manhattan’s Little Italy. Alternatively, The Dominick Hotel is conveniently located within a mile of Mulberry Street and known for its floor-to-ceiling windows and breathtaking views.
Philadelphia
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Philadelphia’s Little Italy, the Ninth Street Italian Market, has been a South Philly fixture since the late 19th century. As one of America’s oldest and most expansive open-air markets, it stretches across roughly 10 blocks and offers an amalgamation of fresh produce, butcher shops, and bakeries.
Make your way to Di Bruno Bros. for a classic Italian-American marketplace featuring an impressive array of high-quality meats, cheeses, and imported specialty foods. Grab a piping-hot, delicious pizza at Angelo’s Pizzeria, and stop by Sarcone’s Bakery to pick up some bread before meandering the family-owned shops lining Ninth Street for the full Italian market experience.
For a luxe stay, opt for The Rittenhouse in historic Rittenhouse Square. Another upscale option is The Logan Philadelphia Hotel in Logan Square, close to many of the city’s most popular museums, galleries, and attractions. Both properties are within a 10- to 15-minute drive of the Ninth Street Italian Market.
Baltimore
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One of the most underrated Little Italy neighborhoods on the East Coast, Baltimore’s is set just a few blocks east of the city’s famous Inner Harbor. This part of downtown, with its smattering of Italian cafes, restaurants, and bakeries, has been an Italian enclave since the late 19th century. You might even see locals playing bocce ball at the courts in D’Alesandro Park.
While you really can’t go wrong with any of the Italian restaurants, Sabatino’s stands out with its old-school vibes and delicious fresh pasta, as does Cafe Gia, with its Sicilian-centric menu and house-made limoncello. No matter where you dine, be sure to grab dessert at Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop, a Little Italy standby since 1956, offering everything from cannoli and Italian cookies to cakes and tiramisu.
For a luxurious getaway, book a few nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. A 10-minute walk from all the Little Italy action, it has an on-site spa to help you unwind after a long day of sightseeing. Also nearby in the Fells Point neighborhood, the Pendry Baltimore is known for its classy vibe and outdoor pool offering incredible views of the river.
San Francisco
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San Francisco’s Little Italy is situated in the North Beach neighborhood and home to several popular pizzerias (Tony’s Pizza Napoletana and Golden Boy Pizza typically attract the largest crowds), gelato shops, and Italian bakeries.
Movie buffs can stop by Cafe Trieste, where Francis Ford Coppola famously penned his screenplay for “The Godfather,” or sip Coppola wine at Cafe Zoetrope, housed in the building he bought in 1972 to launch his production company. Pick up delectable deli sandwiches, made with the freshest Italian ingredients, from Molinari Delicatessen, a go-to San Francisco spot since 1896, and have a picnic in Washington Square. Or, for a more formal dining experience, head to Fior d’Italia, the oldest Italian restaurant in the U.S., serving Northern Italian classics since 1886. Save room for dessert at Victoria Pastry Company.
All five of T+L readers’ favorite San Francisco hotels—including the posh Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco and the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel, both in Nob Hill—are within walking distance of North Beach. It really just depends on which neighborhood you want to spend most of your time in.
Dining and Cooking