We’re headed to New York to visit Little Italy in the Bronx, known for their mouth-watering bakeries, pastry shops, meat and cheese markets, and restaurants. Bronx Little Italy is accessible in under a three-hour drive from anywhere in NEPA. The popular Facebook page Bronx Little Italy serves as a great guide in building itineraries for newcomers. Arthur Avenue serves as the center of Little Italy, as well as our main destination for this excursion.

Make sure you bring a few insulated shopping bags on this day trip, because you’re definitely going to want to take goodies home. Once you arrive, there’s plenty of street parking in the area and the entirety of Arthur Avenue is walkable.

Rich history makes the culture shine even brighter

Bronx Little Italy began to take shape at the same time as the well-known Manhattan Little Italy. The waves of late 19th and early 20th century Italian immigrants built the community brick by brick. Back in it’s day, this neighborhood was bustling with hard working people that reveled in Italian culture. This area has developed a very special, under-the-radar alcove of quality Italian restaurants, markets, bakeries, and shops thanks to the generations of Italian immigrants who lived there. The current community is keeping the neighborhood as lively as ever and continue to fill it with Italian shops, restaurants and traditions.

Eight City Blocks of Delicious Italian Heritage

Start your morning off right by stopping into Delillo’s Pastry Shop to fuel up with cornetti, cappuccinos, and so much more. This shop has been whipping up their family recipes since 1925 just off Arthur Avenue on E. 187^th Street. Their display cases are always packed with decadent treats of all kinds, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Don’t fill up there though, because the food tour is just beginning.

A highlight of Bronx Little Italy that is a must-try is Madonia Bakery. If you want to take home a loaf of bread (or two, or three) or just something sweet, dash into this family-run bakery on Arthur Avenue. The shelves are lined with goods, baked fresh daily and some will probably still be warm when you get there. The cannoli is the classic go-to here, both small or large, along with their famous olive bread. As soon as you smell this shop, you’ll be eager to try everything lining the walls and windows.

Your next stop before having to drop off bags at the car should be Cerini Coffee & Gifts, a family-owned store selling nearly every imported good you can image. From cookies, coffee, and espresso necessities, to cooking utensils and nonperishables. You’ll find the cutest home goods, gadgets, and trinkets that will make your daily life feel a little more European. There’s no shortage of stores selling imported goods in this community, so take a peek in all the others as you stroll as well.

If you still have any room in those insulated shopping bags you brought, Tino’s Delicatessen is a must-stop before the day is done. This half-century-old grocery, coffee shop, and prepared foods store offers imported cheeses, charcuterie, pasta and pasta sauces. Entrées such as chicken cacciatore, eggplant rollatini, and lasagna are all ready to take home.

Grab a quick lunch at Enzo’s Of Arthur Avenue. This local spot’s menu is entirely homemade, from their pastas and sauces to soups and salad dressings. Opening in 1999, Enzo and his wife Maria have put their heart and soul into this establishment and it shows. People organically become regulars and you’re sure to have one of the best meals ever in this elegantly casual restaurant. They even have their popular items available for purchase in local shops around town. Their pasta fagioli soup a must-try.

Hit The Most Beautiful Tourist Attraction Ever

You can’t go to the Bronx without visiting the beautiful New York Botanical Garden, just a few minutes drive from Arthur Avenue. This garden museum is located on a 250-acre site that contains a curated landscape with over one million living plants. Admission for the day is $35 for adults and $15 for children (kids under 2 are free). The garden is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has plenty of walking paths that will take your breath away. You can spend as much or as little time in the botanical garden as you see fit, due to having the option to do a self-guided walk-through or a guided tour.

End Your Little Italy Tour with a Scrumptious Meal

One of the most charming ways to experience the uptown Little Italy is stopping by Zero Otto Nove. There’s not much that can top traditional Italian dishes and drinks served in a vibrant setting with a bustling old-world aesthetic. The pizzas here are just as good as the pastas and they come topped with as much fresh mozzarella as your heart desires. You can’t go wrong with the eggplant parmesan or a delectable seafood dish.

A day trip to Bronx Little Italy promises an adventure steeped in rich history and delicious food every step of the way. From the tantalizing aromas of bakeries to the savory treats found in meat and cheese markets, every corner of Arthur Avenue offers a taste of authentic Italian heritage. The legacy of Italian immigrants upheld by the modern-day community is a cherished part of New York City. Beyond the culinary delights, a visit to the nearby New York Botanical Garden provides the perfect complement to a day filled with sensory delights. As the sun sets and it’s time to go home, you’ll thank us later when you get to mentally revisit all your stops through the goodies you’ve brought back with you.