South Philly Among the Best Little Italy Neighborhoods in the U.S.
You don’t have to leave the U.S. to experience Italian culture and cuisine. There are vibrant Italian neighborhoods in various cities in the United States that offer traditional foods, music, festivals, and immersive cultural experiences.
Travel + Leisure magazine compiled a list of the best “Little Italy” neighborhoods in the U.S. Their choices span from New York, New York, to San Diego, California, and Providence, Rhode Island.
Philadelphia is number five on the list. More specifically, the magazine highlighted South Philly’s Ninth Street Italian Market.
“As one of America’s oldest and most expansive open-air markets, the Italian Market stretches across roughly ten blocks and offers an amalgamation of fresh produce, butcheries, bakeries, and more,” they wrote.
Travel + Leisure also spotlights the culinary offerings of Ninth Street Italian Market. This includes Italian-inspired dishes from Angelo’s Pizzeria, meats and cheeses from Di Bruno Bros., bread from Sarcone’s Bakery, and shopping family-owned businesses.
According to the Italian Market’s website, it holds a collection of nearly 200 individual businesses situated between two public parks and two churches. Their Market also spans over twenty city blocks including 8th, 9th, and 10th streets from Fitzwater Street to the north, through Wharton Street to the south. This year, they’re holding an Italian Market Festival on May 18 and May 19. Visitors can enjoy many festival events, including live music, arts and crafts, a Grease Pole contest, and food throughout the market.
For over 100 years, Philadelphia’s S. Ninth Street Italian Market Shopping District has been a community of immigrants, according to their website. “It is our hope that for the next 100 years, our market will continue to be a beacon of hope to achieving the American Dream for immigrants dedicated to serving the community, while continuing this unique shopping tradition,” they wrote.
Check out T+L’s full list here and find out where else you can discover Little Italy in the U.S.
