One of the city’s smaller neighborhoods, Nolita—short for North of Little Italy—is only 16 square blocks. It was considered part of Little Italy until the mid-1990s when chic boutiques and diverse eateries began to outnumber the old-school bars and red-sauce restaurants that give Little Italy its distinctive flavor. Today Nolita has an ambiance: fashionable but far from pretentious, embracing the new while cherishing old landmarks and a timeless sense of community.
Combine vibrant with quaint, and you have Nolita. Imagine outdoor lounging at cafes during the day and plenty of late-night watering holes along narrow, picturesque streets with chic boutiques and galleries. Nolita is less commercial than much of Manhattan, has cobblestone streets, and is known for its historic brick and cast iron buildings. Nolita is excellent for people who like to poke in and out of shops or stop and sip coffee.
The area’s cozy cafés, stylish boutiques, and burgeoning bar scene make it a destination to put on your list.
Lifestyle
One of the city’s smaller neighborhoods, Nolita—short for North of Little Italy—is only 16 square blocks. It was considered part of Little Italy until the mid-1990s when chic boutiques and diverse eateries began to outnumber the old-school bars and red-sauce restaurants that give Little Italy its distinctive flavor. READ MORE
Culture
Much of Nolita’s culture centers on eating and drinking in style—easy to do amid the neighborhood’s wealth of restaurants and nightspots. Despite Nolita’s compact proportions, there are other things to see and do here, from visiting art galleries to viewing the original St. Patrick’s Cathedral. READ MORE
Nolita Attractions
- Bowery Ball Room –
- Museum of Ice Cream – Museum of Ice Cream is a company that develops and operates interactive retail experiences, or “selfie museums”
- New Museum – The New Museum of Contemporary Art, founded in 1977 by Marcia Tucker, is a museum in New York City at 235 Bowery.
- Storefront for Art and Architecture – Triangular exhibition space dedicated to the intersection of art and architecture, innovation and creativity
- Openhouse – You never know what is happening here; pop-up storefronts have featured food events, an indoor park, nail salons, fashion events, art, and more.
- St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral – Explore the only catacombs in Manhattan by candlelight.
- Elizabeth Street Garden – 1-acre community sculpture garden
- International Center of Photography Museum – contemporary works
- DeSalvio Playground – red, white, and green modular playground (in honor of the Italian flag)
Shopping
Beauty brand Aēsop, jewelry brand Gorjana, fashion labels Rag & Bone and Vince, and streetwear purveyor Supreme are among the international retailers that have helped make Nolita a Manhattan shopping destination. But numerous independent shops continue to thrive here, ensuring that Nolita retains its unique vibe. READ MORE
Unique Shopping in Nolita
- Bucketfeet – Hand-designed artwork for your feet (shoes)
- Buck Mason – Men’s clothing MADE IN USA
- Gorjana – Jewelry shop
- Erica Weiner – Jewelry made from antiques with stories behind it all.
- Faherty Nolita – A brick-and-mortar store that reflects the aesthetic inspired by their first love — the beach.
- Roots – a Canadian brand that built a following on comfy sweats.
- Scotch and Soda – Amsterdam men’s clothier; preppy with an edge.
- Still Here – Jeans Shop
- Vint and York – Vintage spectacles.
- L’Appartement Sezanne – French boutique strewn with artistic pieces.
- In God, We Trust – Support local artists selling clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
- The Sock Hop – Dress up your feet in all sorts of socks for men and women.
Dining
Nolita Foodie Destinations
- Pietro Nolita – It’s a pink Italian eatery
- Milk and Cream Cereal Bar – Cereal-infused ice cream complete with “treat yo’ self” neon sign
- Cha Cha Matcha – It’s all about green tea.
- The Butcher’s Daughter – Vegetarian and Vegan Eatery; sit indoors or out.
- Epistrophy – Brick walls & bookshelves lend character to this homey spot serving Italian fare & global wines.
- Estela – Living room ambiance with Mediterranean food
- Emilio’s Ballato – Thoroughly old-school Italian.
- Café Gitane – Pint-size French and Morrocan-influenced cuisine are big on brunch.
- Peasant – Wood-fired Italian dishes & wines are served in a rustic yet sophisticated space.
- Rice to Riches – Shop with spiffy space-age decor selling plastic bowlfuls of rice pudding in unusual flavors.
- Ruberoso Ristorante – Homemade pasta and a throw-back atmosphere
- Taim – Fast casual dining on falafel and salads.
- Mother’s Ruin – Rotating frozen spiked slushies along with snacks/small meals
- Eileen’s Special Cheesecake – Individual cheesecake portions in many flavors.
Real Estate
Nolita is situated in Lower Manhattan, bounded on the north by Houston Street, on the east by the Bowery, on the south roughly by Broome Street, and on the west by Lafayette Street. It lies east of SoHo, south of NoHo, west of the Lower East Side, and north of Little Italy and Chinatown. Nolita is bounded by Bowery to the East and Lafayette Street to the West, with North to South boundaries being E. Houston Street to Broome Street.
