The Little Italy in the Bronx on Arthur Avenue has a great collection of Italian restaurants & bakeries; the kind of neighborhood that once existed on Manhattan. Note that parking is always a problem in this crowded neighborhood, the 15-20 minute walk from the nearby Fordum Avenue train station may save you time & aggravation over circling looking for a parking space.

For many visitors to New York City, their only foray into The Bronx will be to visit Bronx Zoo or the nearby New York Botanical Gardens, to go to a game at The Yankee Stadium. It’s previous reputation as an area for gang activities and poverty stricken neighbourhoods has shifted considerable In recent years, and the borough has witnessed significant development. Still, visitors are wary, and very reticent to step away from these three main attractions and to explore a bit further afield. One area of The Bronx which should be visited is Little Italy which stretches along Arthur Avenue in the Belmont district of The Bronx. An authentic Italian culture thrives here, and creates a truly vibrant community within the wider area of The Bronx, and it deserves a visit. Little Italy sustains a thriving business district that includes excellent restaurants, high-quality artisanal food shops, and specialty stores carrying handmade local and imported items that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Charming old-world ambiance emanates from the generations of Italian families who continue to give the area a welcoming small-town character that is unique for an urban setting. Just wander the stretch between E Fordham Road and E 183rd Street. There are some great coffee shops serving excellent coffee (unlike many other parts of New York City), some decent bakeries for your ciabatta and focaccia , and numerous restaurants for a bite to eat. You’ll find some really good fish and meat markets, as well as a number go delicatessens for your olives, preserved meats and cheeses. Explore some of the side streets Arthur Avenue and you you’ll discover other things, such as the lovely Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. As with visiting any new area, you need to use the same "street smart" mentality and common sense you would use where you come from. I really enjoyed seeing and experiencing this vibrant neighbourhood; I found it more authentic than the ‘Little Italy’ neighbourhood in Manhattan.