A culinary journey through Arthur Avenue, the Bronx’s own Little Italy

Lower Manhattan’s Little Italy has long been known for its pizza joints and gelato cafes. However, with gentrification, the area has diminished in size, and many of its residents have moved to other parts of New York City or beyond.

One of the standout locations is Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, which offers a more authentic Little Italy experience that may be harder to reach for tourists, but ultimately delivers a more satisfying and genuine destination.

It feels like home here

Christian Galliani, a first-generation American, grew up in Washington Heights, a northern Manhattan neighborhood, raised by Italian parents—his father’s family hails from Milan, and his mother’s from Piacenza.

The neighborhood lacked a strong Italian-American presence, and Galliani often felt like an outsider—until his family would visit Arthur Avenue on weekends to gather cheese, wine, sausages, and other Italian staples that reminded them of home.

Galliani eventually became a certified sommelier, working alongside chefs like Mario Batali. While employed at a wine shop, he recommended an affordable yet exceptional wine to an art historian named Danielle Oteri. Her friends were so impressed by the selection that she returned to thank him.

It turned out that Oteri’s grandfather had once owned a butcher shop on Arthur Avenue, and soon after meeting, Oteri and Galliani had their first date in the Bronx. After they married, they combined their passions to create Feast on History, a New York City-based tour company.

One of their most sought-after tours is a food crawl through Arthur Avenue, where they visit some of the shops Galliani has known since childhood. This isn’t just your typical tour—it’s interactive, with guests stepping into tiny shops to sample food, chat with owners, and even get a behind-the-scenes look at how things operate.

Oteri also delves into the finer details of Italian culinary traditions. For instance, the tour starts at the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, where guests enjoy fresh cannolis while learning that authentic Italian cannolis must be made fresh on the spot, never stored overnight or frozen.

Here’s another tip: Don’t mix up your bread and pastry stops. In Italy, bread shops and pastry shops are two very distinct places, each offering its own unique specialties.

The couple, now running food and cultural tours in Italy (including a Naples tour inspired by the widely beloved Elena Ferrante novels), feel incredibly lucky to have been able to turn their passions into a global adventure.

But there’s one place that truly feels like home – Arthur Avenue.

Top Spots in the Bronx’s Little Italy

Calandra Cheese: Whether you're craving parmigiano or burrata, this charming cheese shop is generous with its samples. 2314 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY; (718) 365-7572

Joe’s Italian Deli: Oteri mentions that seven shops along Arthur Avenue make fresh mozzarella daily, but if she had to choose, her favorite would be Joe’s Italian Deli. 685 E 187th St, Bronx, NY; (718) 367-7979

Addeo & Sons Bakery: Just off Arthur Avenue, this third-generation bakery is worth the small detour, especially for its incredible breads. 2372 Hughes Ave, Bronx, NY; (718) 367-8316

Egidio Pastry: Known among locals for its cakes, sfogliatelle, and fresh cannolis, this is the go-to pastry shop for insiders. 622 E 187th St, Bronx, NY; (718) 295-6077

Calabria Pork Store: A true shrine to all things pork, don’t forget to snap a selfie beneath the iconic 'sausage chandelier.' 2338 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY; (718) 367-5145

Mario’s Restaurant & Catering: For a sit-down meal, head to Mario’s for their legendary pizza. This spot was a favorite of Mario Puzo, author of 'The Godfather.' 2342 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY; (718) 584-1188