Little Italy
Little Italy is situated between Canal Street and Houston Streets, adjacent to Chinatown,
the East Village, and the Lower East Side.
While the population of Little Italy has blended with its bordering neighborhoods, its character remains distinctly Italian, with numerous popular Italian restaurants and sidewalk cafes lining the famous Mulberry Street, host to the annual San Gennaro festival, a 10-day street fair dedicated to the patron saint of Naples.
Two of the most famous cafes are Caffe Roma on Broome Street and Ferrara's on Grand Street. Family restaurants include Luna and Sal Anthony's, both on Mulberry Street. Apartment listings are sparse here, and sleek and luxurious co-ops and condominiums are being offered at escalating prices. There are still walkups available, and some commercial buildings have been converted to lofts.
North of Little Italy is Nolita, which is situated partly in the lower East Village and partly in Little Italy, between Prince and Houston Streets and east from Lafayette Street to the Bowery. The neighborhood is undergoing a general uplift, as traditional tenement buildings are being updated with modern interior fixtures, and some have had elevators installed. The area is a popular draw for singles and young couples interested in the abundant nightlife and in such French style cafes as Café Gitane and Café Harbor on Prince Street. New galleries, pubs, and restaurants have made Nolita so popular that conversions are beginning to take place on the Lower East Side as well
See also transportation and schools for Little Italy.
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