Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Foodies in the Bronx
Top Things to Do in New York City for Foodies in the Bronx
1. Arthur Avenue Retail Market
A bustling indoor marketplace anchoring Belmont’s Little Italy, packed with butchers, produce vendors, pasta makers, cigar rollers, and sandwich counters under one roof.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the quickest way to taste the breadth of Arthur Avenue—grab fresh mozzarella, an Italian hero, and pastries without leaving the building.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning on weekdays for easy browsing; Saturdays are lively but crowded.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order a classic Italian combo at Mike’s Deli, then browse produce and spices before finishing with an espresso at the back counter.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers praise the authentic, old-school vibe and the quality-to-price ratio across stalls; many call it a Bronx must-do for eating.
2. Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles
Family-run pasta shop since 1935 specializing in paper-thin egg noodles and pillowy ravioli made fresh to order.
✓ Why Go:
Watching sheets of pasta rolled and cut is a culinary time warp—and the take-home ravioli makes an unforgettable souvenir dinner.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early afternoon Tuesday–Friday when production is in full swing and lines are shorter.
✓ Insider Tip:
Ask for custom-cut widths on egg noodles and pick up extra semolina to cook them perfectly at home.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors rave about the delicate texture and remark that it ruins boxed pasta forever.
3. Madonia Brothers Bakery
Beloved neighborhood bakery turning out crusty breads, fennel taralli, filled cookies, and cream puffs from decades-old recipes.
✓ Why Go:
It’s where locals stock up for Sunday dinners—perfect for a carb-loaded walking snack or a bag to bring home.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Morning for warm loaves and fresh biscotti; evenings for still-warm cannoli shells.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order cannoli shells unfilled, then ask them to pipe to order so the shells stay shatter-crisp.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests gush over the freshness and the friendly counter staff; many call the cannoli and bread ‘destination-worthy.’
4. Casa Della Mozzarella
Tiny temple to mozzarella where curds are stretched by hand into silky, still-warm cheese and layered into overstuffed heroes.
✓ Why Go:
Few places let you taste mozzarella at peak freshness; sandwiches here are a Bronx rite of passage.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Before lunch rush (11 a.m.–noon) to avoid lines and get the freshest pulls.
✓ Insider Tip:
Try a simple mozzarella-and-roasted-pepper hero with a drizzle of balsamic—let the cheese shine.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Reviewers call it ‘life-changing mozzarella’ and applaud the made-to-order care.
5. Zero Otto Nove
Stylish Arthur Avenue trattoria known for wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and Southern Italian comfort classics.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the sit-down counterpart to Arthur Avenue’s take-away treats, ideal for a leisurely meal after browsing the shops.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late lunch (2–3 p.m.) for easier seating; evenings and weekends fill quickly.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order the La Circe pie and the pear-and-arugula salad; split everything family-style.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Diners love the lively room and call the pizza among the city’s best outside Manhattan.
6. The Bronx Brewery
Port Morris taproom and yard pouring house-made ales and lagers alongside rotating food pop-ups and community events.
✓ Why Go:
Craft beer meets Bronx creativity—great for pairing pints with bites and soaking up a neighborhood hangout vibe.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late afternoon Fridays or weekend early evenings for music and food pop-ups.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order a tasting flight to sample limited releases, then grab a seat in the yard for the best atmosphere.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests highlight friendly staff, easygoing crowd, and consistently solid brews.
7. Louie & Ernie’s Pizza
Classic neighborhood pizzeria famed for thin, crisp-edged pies and craveable sausage toppings baked in an old-school oven.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a pilgrimage slice for pizza obsessives and a delicious detour off the usual tourist map.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-afternoon between lunch and dinner to avoid lines and get a fresh pie fast.
✓ Insider Tip:
Order a half-sausage, half-plain pie to taste the house-made sausage and the purity of the cheese slice.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans call it a top-five New York slice and appreciate the no-frills, all-flavor approach.
8. Johnny’s Reef Restaurant
City Island icon at the water’s edge serving fried and steamed seafood with picnic tables overlooking the Sound.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a classic seafood feast with breezy views—a summertime Bronx tradition perfect for groups and families.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Warm-weather sunsets on weekdays for shorter lines and beautiful light.
✓ Insider Tip:
Bring cash for the cafeteria-style lines and head to the outdoor tables for seagull-watching with your shrimp basket.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the generous portions, nostalgic vibes, and waterfront setting.
9. Liebman’s Kosher Delicatessen
Riverdale stalwart slicing towering pastrami and corned beef sandwiches with all the proper deli fixings.
✓ Why Go:
One of NYC’s last classic kosher delis, it delivers old-world flavors without Midtown crowds.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday lunch before noon for quicker seating and freshest rye.
✓ Insider Tip:
Split a pastrami on rye and a bowl of matzo ball soup; ask for half-sour pickles on the side.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Regulars praise consistent quality and warm, neighborhood service.
10. La Morada
Family-run Mott Haven restaurant spotlighting Oaxacan cuisine—rich moles, tlayudas, and seasonal specials rooted in tradition.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a heartfelt, community-centered kitchen where bold flavors and activism share the table.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknights for a relaxed pace; weekends for a livelier scene and wider specials.
✓ Insider Tip:
Try a mole tasting by sharing different plates, and ask about off-menu seasonal aguas frescas.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests celebrate complex moles and welcoming hospitality; many call it a Bronx standout.
