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Neighborhood Guide
Little Italy & Nolita
Where American pizza started. America’s first pizzeria, the line for the pepperoni square around the corner, and a slice on Kenmare when everything else is closed.
Why Little Italy?
This is the corner of the city where American pizza starts. Lombardi’s was licensed on Spring Street in 1905 and is long credited as the first pizzeria in the country, and the men who worked its coal oven went on to open most of what New York now thinks of as old-school. Little Italy has shrunk to a few blocks of Mulberry Street, so this guide takes in Nolita too. Every spot is within a five-minute walk of the next.
Read the full neighborhood guide
Antonio Pero left Lombardi’s in 1924 and started Totonno’s in Coney Island, the one branch its own family still attests to. Patsy’s in East Harlem and John’s of Bleecker Street are always named alongside it, though neither of their own histories makes the claim; the family tree sets out what is documented. All of them are still running.
Rubirosa is the one actually on Mulberry, thin-crust and known for the Tie-Dye. Prince Street Pizza is around the corner from Lombardi’s and does the spicy spring pepperoni square that draws the permanent line. Ceres on Mott is the quiet one, wood-fired with a natural wine list, and Nolita Pizza on Kenmare is the late-night slice.
Editor’s Choice
Lombardi's
Licensed on Spring Street in 1905 and long credited as America’s first pizzeria. Coal oven, whole pies only.
Prince Street Pizza
The spicy spring pepperoni square, curled and crisped at the edges. It’s the reason for the line.
Rubirosa
The one actually on Mulberry. Thin crust, Italian-American classics, and the Tie-Dye pie.
Ceres
The quiet one, on Mott. Wood-fired, seasonal, with a natural wine list.
Explore Little Italy Pizza
Beyond Pizza
Not pizzerias, but you’re in Little Italy. Don’t leave without these.
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Ferrara Bakery Since 1892
195 Grand St
Cannoli and espresso, five generations in the same family.
Directions to Ferrara Bakery (opens Google Maps) -
Caffè Roma Since 1891
385 Broome St
An old-world café that looks like it hasn't changed since. Sit down for a cappuccino.
Directions to Caffè Roma (opens Google Maps) -
Di Palo's Since 1925
200 Grand St
The family cheese shop. Take a number and get the fresh mozzarella.
Directions to Di Palo's (opens Google Maps) -
Old St. Patrick's Cathedral Since 1815
263 Mulberry St
New York's first cathedral, and a basilica since 2010. Walk the churchyard.
Directions to Old St. Patrick's Cathedral (opens Google Maps) -
Feast of San Gennaro Since 1926
Mulberry St
Eleven days every September, when Mulberry Street closes for sausage, zeppole and the procession.
Directions to Feast of San Gennaro (opens Google Maps)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start?
For the history, Lombardi’s: the coal oven, whole pies, and the date every other pizzeria in the country gets measured against. For a slice, the pepperoni square at Prince Street Pizza. For a sit-down dinner, Rubirosa on Mulberry. Late at night, it’s a slice at Nolita Pizza on Kenmare.
When is the Feast of San Gennaro?
Every September, for about eleven days, Mulberry Street closes to traffic for the feast, which Neapolitan immigrants started here in 1926. It’s sausage and peppers, zeppole and a procession. The pizzerias get slammed, so go early or pick a night off the weekend.
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