A Locals Guide to NoLIta, New York

Photo of A Local's Guide to NoLIta, New York 3/4 by Megan Eileen — Cozy places to eat in NoLITA

Photo of A Local's Guide to NoLIta, New York 4/4 by Megan Eileen — McNally Jackson Bookstore

Nolita or North Of Little Italy is a small, trendy neighborhood in New York City. In contrast to the busy life of NYC, Nolita is a more relaxed town. But, relaxed doesn't mean modest. NoLita has a little bit of Soho (South Houston) spillover and a lot of personality. There are tons of restaurants, bars, designer boutiques and cozy bookstores to entertain anyone. To give you some perspective, Nolita is east of Soho, west of the Bowery, north of Little Italy and south of Houston Street. The lifestyle in Nolita is a mix of fashion and sophistication and gives out an alluring charm of its own. The sweet essence of this friendly town made it the subject of Vanessa Carlton's famous song, "Nolita Fairytale."

This town is picturesque with colorful buildings, cathedrals, sidewalk cafes, bookstores and a lot of fashion stores. This town is almost like a movie setting. You can literally shop till you drop here followed by a warm cup of Espresso at a beautiful little cafe. This is arguably my favorite area of Manhattan, although it’s really a toss up between here and the LES (Lower East Side). I guess it depends on the day or my mood.

A complete tour in Nolita includes some of the must do's along with some of the little pleasures that aren't very popular. Nolita is very fashionable neighborhood, so a visit to some of its vintage and trendy boutiques can't be escaped. Along with that, this little town has a lot to offer in terms of small cafes and bars (that serve great wine). A novelty book store that provides books on travel as well as other subjects that will make you never want to leave, and finally two beautiful streets that will take you on a NoLITA journey of its own.

There are so many amazingly fascinating neighborhoods in New York and each deserves a little praise once in a while. This tour is all about Nolita. This trip is an amalgamation of all the things and places. Since visiting all won't be possible in a single day, I will periodically select places we will visit. Send an enquiry to know the exact places we will visit.

Duration: 2 hours

Available dates:

March 13, 20, 27 (Thursdays) from 11-1pm.

March 8, 22, 29 (Saturdays) from 1-3pm

March 9, 23 (Sundays) from 2-4

April 10, 17, 24 (Thursdays) 11-1pm

Resurrection

Shopping is must in NoLITA. But, don't expect your bargaining skills to do the trick. Surely there sales here, but otherwise the prices are a bit high. However, Resurrection is one of the cool vintage stores that are worth the price you pay. If you can't get your self to buy the treasures that lurk inside, there are also a few shops that specialize in socks and pajamas. But, for any fashion lover, a visit to Resurrection is a must.

CONDOR

Condor has a handpicked collection of clothing, accessories and shoes. It is owned by Loriann Smoak who is quite the traveller. This becomes obvious when you see the merchandise. Everything showcased her is selected very carefully and thus you will surely want to buy everything you pick out. Go culture crazy in Condor!

Cafe Habana

A great mix of Cuban and Mexican cuisines, this restaurant is praised by everyone who visits it. Eating in Nolita is an experience in itself and this cafe brings in a great amount of variety to add to it. Mexican Corn on a stick and The Cuban Sandwich are two of the must-try's over here. It is a nice place to relax and indulge.

Lombardi's Pizza

Lombardi's was the first Pizzeria in the US and bought the Neapolitan Pizza from Italy to NYC. This place is popular amongst locals and tourists alike. A great place to devour the awesome New Style Pizza and much more. You are on your way to a guilt trip after this. It is one of the best restaurants in New York.

Delicatessen

This is my personal favorite for brunch because the sangria I order comes in a huge glass and the food is delicious. It’s also a prime people-watching spot because it’s right at the border of Soho yet far enough away to avoid the Broadway madness. The restaurant's a bit small but the menu is delightful!

Tacombi at Fonda Nolita

This indoor Taco truck adds a whole new experience to Mexican eating. The novelty is brought in through the ambience of a garage and eating out of a van/truck. The menu is a bit unconventional from your usual Taco experience and dollars have to be exchanged for the local currency (blue poker chips worth $4 each, the price of a taco.) You feel like you have entered into another dimension altogether.

Sweet & Vicious

NoLITA has equally fashionable happy hours. Sweet and Vicious is a stylish, medieval looking bar where you can get cheap margaritas and have a lot of fun. Try to snag a seat outside if the weather is nice, but the indoor experience is equally grand. It has candle-lit corners for a romantic dinner experience and a fine back garden to sit back and enjoy your meal in open air.

Epistrophy Cafe

Epistrophy is a charming wine bar with its white colored brick walls, large windows and European ambiance. It is a rustic and charming cafe. A small, pretty place with a reasonably priced menu, Epistrophy is a great start to the evening.

Y.N. Bar

A perfect place to curl up and have a nice drink, this is another wine bar just up the street from Epistrophy. They serve about 50 different wines and rotate these weekly. There are quite a few things to eat on the menu here but mostly it is known for its wine. It is small and offers an intimate drinking experience.

McNally Jackson Books

A quite and comfortable place to sit and read, the NoLITA experience is incomplete without a visit here. This little gem is not easily spotted but will compel you to come back on your next trip. You can sit here for hours and get lost in your own world. Their cafe comes handy when you feel like grabbing a quick bite. Travelers love it here because not only is there an extensive travel guide section but their two floors are arranged by geographic location.

Prince Street

This street is great for a lovely evening stroll coupled with some spontaneous shopping delight. If you take this tour on a weekend, spending a few minutes browsing through the designer market along Prince Street between Mulberry and Mott streets is a must. Even if you don't want to buy anything, just walking along Prince Street is a great experience watching the architecture and soaking in the ambience of this town.

Elizabeth Street

Another beautiful and refreshing walk is the Elizabeth Street where many of the boutiques are located. Even if you don’t feel like buying anything, the street is generally quiet and clean and those are two serious rarities in New York. In case you get hungry along the way, there are some great cafes already mentioned that you can hop into.