Bronx's Arthur Avenue: The Biggest Little Italy

Addeo's Bakery

Arthur Avenue is the heart of the Bronx's Little Italy, its epicenter being at Arthur Avenue and 187th Street in the Belmont-Fordham neighborhood of New York City--and even going a bit beyond to Prospect Avenue. Although not as Italian in terms of the local residents as in years past, it is a haven for all sorts of Italian restaurants and many types of purveyors of Italian specialty foods. The lively, tight streets are lined with delis, bakeries, fish markets, green grocers, cookwares, butchers, cheese shops and more. This is not a tourist trap, as is the "Little Italy" in downtown Manhattan. This is the real deal.

Arthur Avenue was named after President Chester A. Arthur in the 1800s. Many Italians settled in the neighborhood while being employed to build build the Bronx Zoo. Once the word got out about how nice the neighborhood was (more like the country than down on the Lower East Side) and with the added convenience of the recently built Third Avenue elevated train ("The El"), Italian immigrants from lower Manhattan migrated north, swelling the Italian population of the neighborhood to 100,000 in the early 1900s.

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Calabria Pork Store

Gino's Pastry Shop

Biancardi Meats

You'll recognize names of the rich and famous who grew up in Bronx's Little Italy: actor Chazz Palminteri, rock idol and blues singer star Dion (DiMucci) whose group's name, Dion and the Belmonts, refers to Belmont Avenue. Joe Pesci was discovered here by Robert DeNiro while working at a local neighborhood restaurant. The film A Bronx Tale was filmed here.... so was the 1955 film Marty (Hey, Marty, so... whatya wanna do?" "I dunnu, Ange... whatya wanna do?"). Tha character Marty even worked in a meat market on Arthur Avenue.

There are special events held in the neighborhood that are well worth attending. One is the “Dancing of the Giglio” and the Feast of St. Anthony. This ancient tradition originated in Nola, Italy in 409 A.D. and is still celebrated today. The giglio is a custom, hand-made wooden structure, measuring 50 feet high and weighing several tons. It takes over 100 paranza (lifers) to hoist this enormous structure up on their shoulders as they carry it through the streets while performing various ritual maneuvers.  The Feast of St. Anthony is held in early June every year and features live music, carnival games, rides, and fantastic Italian food.

Mike's Italian Deli

Joe's Italian Deli

And although Ferragosto (the end of summer holiday and celebration) in Italy is in August (Agosto), in the Bronx, they celebrate in early September. It's another chance to feast on Italian delicacies and enjoy the festive atmosphere of Arthur Avenue.

Cosenza's Fish Market

Vincent's Meats

Zero Otto Nove

Calabria Pork Store

Calandra Cheese Shop

Casa Della Mozzarella

Cosenza's Fish Market

Randazzo's Fish Market

Terranova Bakery

Delilo Pastries

Teitel Brothers

Cerini Coffee & Gifts

Mike's Deli

Arthur Avenue Market

While on Arthur Avenue, don't forget to walk through the Arthur Avenue Market, an indoor market with a dozen or so vendors, purveyors and green grocers.  Then after you're done buying your cheese, fish, meats and deli specialties, take in a dinner at one of the many Italian restaurants... the offerings here are authentic and far better than the cheap tourist menus in downtown Manhattan's Little Italy. Personally, I'd recommend Emilia's Restaurant. Try their brasciole!

Use the interactive map below to find your way around the neighborhood.

Happy eating!

--Jerry Finzi