Neapolitan Food in New York

A few years back, my mom and I visited Southern Italy. It was my first time there. Not hers. She lived in Florence in the eighties and spoke the language. It came in handy when ordering at cafes and yelling at motorists, both of which we did quite often. We rented a little apartment in Naples and took day trips to Sorrento, Pompeii and Capri. In all their glory, these tourist destinations had nothing on the fresh, cheap food we ate on the busy streets of Naples every evening. In addition to a suitcase full of olive oil and cheese, I brought home a newfound appreciation for Italian food. I learned rather quickly that it’s more than just a meal, it’s a lifestyle.

It sounds extremely cliche and I will try my best to avoid the American abroad routine. But there is something so special about shopping for fresh produce and cheap wine every day. In an effort to bring the a taste of the dolce vita back to home, I created this restaurant guide. Join me today as I uncover Naples in New York.

Porto Rico Importing Co.

Starting off strong (literally), we’re heading to Porto Rico Importing Co. Run by the Longo family for over three generations, they have been a staple of the Village since 1906.

Walking in, you’re greeted by bags upon bags of coffee beans and the warm smell of espresso. The small shop operates as both a retail and a made-to-order location. You can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu. I opted for a cappuccino on this visit. But they strike a great balance between Italian classics and American alternatives.

While sipping, you can browse their impressive selection of bulk beans, loose leaf teas and other imported goods. They have a few locations across Lower Manhattan, but their original spot on Bleecker Street is a real institution.

Olio e Più

In an unpopular take, pasta is rarely my first choice at an Italian restaurant. Fresh antipasti and a brick oven pizza will always have my heart. Luckily, Olio e Più does it all quite well. 

Danilo Galati, the executive chef behind this trattoria grew up cooking with his grandma in their coastal town of Imperia. It’s clear these cherished moments are incorporated into every dish at Olio e Più. 

On this cool night, I shared a table of spaghetti carbonara, a beautifully cooked ribeye and two pizzas: bufalina and san daniele. Family style of course. Conversations flowed like wine. And of course wine flowed like wine. What more could you ask for? 

Dessert.

Ferrara Bakery

Arguably the best dessert item I had in Naples came in a jar. The rum baba. It’s a tricky little thing to find in New York, especially at a sit down restaurant. Enter Ferrara Bakery.

Nestled amongst the inevitable tourist traps of Little Italy, this spot is the ideal distance to walk off dinner and re-button your jeans. Ferrara is another family owned addition to the city’s rich pastry scene. They are still running the same Grand Street location they opened in 1892 and boy do they deck the halls during the holidays.

If you try anything in this guide, let it be their rum baba and sfogliatella. Brioche soaked in rum and pastry shell filled with ricotta and candied fruit, respectively. Don’t fret, they also have the other classics like tiramisu, cannoli and a lovely selection of gelato.

Now, it’s worth noting that there is no shortage of incredible Italian food in New York City. My choices today barely scratch the surface.

The Bronx’s Little Italy deserves its own guide. Neapolitan pizza alone deserves its own guide. And these are coming as soon as my wallet and waistline can afford it. Until then, let’s take the time to sit and sip and savor together.

Sincerely, the Itinerary New York Team