Tastes of Little Italy Guided Walking Tour

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Duration: 2h
Location: Little Italy, New York City, NY United States | New York City, United States


Category: Food & Drink

Highlights:
Exploration of Little Italy's famed & historic eateries
Insight into the turn-of-the-century immigrant experience
Old World specialties like fresh-baked breads & cured meats
Stops include America's oldest pizzeria & first cheese shop
Prohibition-era landmarks & film sites from The Godfather

Inclusions:
Guided food tour of Little Italy
4 food tastings to constitute a lunch
Live tour commentary provided in English

Description:

Crisp dough crackling in a wood-fired oven, cured meats in a window display, and the garlicky aroma of Old World cuisine drifting from sidewalk cafes—you must be in Little Italy. Taste your way through one of New York's most vibrant and historic neighborhoods on this food-focused walking tour.

Meet your guide in front of the Church of the Most Precious Blood, a 19th-century parish that until recently still held mass in Italian, and set off down the street to the first stop on your culinary pilgrimage—Parisi Bakery. Opened by a Neapolitan immigrant back in 1903, this family-run establishment churns out rolls, loaves, and a prosciutto bread that was a favorite of crooner Frank Sinatra.

Next, make your way to Alleva Dairy. The oldest cheese shop in America, this lactose-lovers' delight is packed with creamy ricottas, house-made mozzarella, and imported parmesans. As you nibble a wedge (or 2), listen as your guide shares little-known stories about Little Italy's past and insight into what life was like here for early immigrants at the turn of the century.

As you stroll to the next eatery on your list, spot locations from films like The Godfather. See landmarks like the curb exchange, where bootlegging deals went down during the Prohibition era, and Petrosino Square, named for the Italian detective who took on the infamous Five Points Gang.

Skip the long line at Ferrara Bakery, which has been rolling cannolis and baking pignolis since 1892, and end your tour at none other than Lombardi's Pizza—America's oldest pizzeria—where artisan dough-makers have been serving up classic pies for more than a century.