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Boston, Massachusetts
The North End in Boston is the city’s unofficial Little Italy, emblematic of the enduring legacy Italian-American cuisine and culture have created. With lines winding down Hanover Street at Mike’s Pastry or Modern Pastry, this neighborhood — the oldest one in Boston — is teeming with delicious pastries, including some coveted cannoli. Enjoy southern Italian-inspired pasta dishes and pizza Napoletana straight from the brick oven at Antico Forno, sip a cappuccino at Caffé Vittoria, the first Italian cafe in Boston, and taste the squid ink linguine at The Daily Catch, known for its Sicilian-style seafood and pasta dishes. For an authentic Italian festa, plan your visit over the last Sunday in August for the North End’s St. Anthony’s Feast. Stay at the Newbury Boston for picturesque views overlooking Boston Public Garden or at the Boston Harbor Hotel for sophisticated waterfront accommodations within walking distance to the North End.
San Diego, California
This coastal destination attracted Italian fishermen who hoped to continue their trade in America, and there’s been a significant tuna fishing industry here since the early 1900s. Today, with 48-square blocks of eateries, coffee shops, and local markets, San Diego is home to the most expansive Little Italy in the U.S. The renowned Little Italy Mercato, its farmers market with local vendors, spans six blocks on Saturdays across West Date Street and three blocks on Wednesdays from Kettner Boulevard to State Street. For an authentic Italian coffee shop experience, head to Pappalecco. Stop by Bobboi Natural Gelato in the Little Italy Food Hall for artisanal gelato or indulge in the bruschetta with burrata and artichokes at Isola Pizza Bar. Stay nearby at Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel for impeccable panoramic views of San Diego Bay or visit The Guild Hotel for a luxurious boutique option within walking distance.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence’s Little Italy in historic Federal Hill covers both Atwells Avenue and Spruce Street and has embraced Italian immigrants since the early 1900s. This bustling community has maintained its charm and continues to capture the essence of a true Little Italy neighborhood through specialty stores like Venda Ravioli and Tony’s Colonial Foods. No trip to Federal Hill would be complete without stopping by Scialo Brothers Bakery for a sfogliatella or other beloved Italian cookies. Dine at Il Massimo for Italian favorites like spaghettoni alla carbonara, or enjoy a fresh take on southern Italian cuisine at Pane e Vino. Book your stay close by at Hotel Providence for a modern experience and polished rooms, or visit Graduate Providence for stylized accommodations in the downtown area.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
South Philadelphia’s Ninth Street Italian Market is the city’s Little Italy, and it has been a local fixture for more than a century. As one of America’s oldest and most expansive open-air markets, the Italian Market stretches across roughly 10 blocks and offers an amalgamation of fresh produce, butcheries, bakeries, and more. Make your way to Di Bruno Bros. for a classic Italian-American marketplace with an impressive array of high-quality meats, cheeses, and imported specialty foods. Grab a piping-hot, delicious pizza at Angelo’s Pizzeria, and stop by the landmark Sarcone’s Bakery to pick up some bread before meandering the family-owned shops lining Ninth Street. Stay at The Rittenhouse for luxe accommodations in historic Rittenhouse Square or visit The Logan Philadelphia for an upscale hotel in Logan Square, both within a few miles of the Italian Market.
