NoLita, short for North of Little Italy, is a small Manhattan neighborhood of narrow streets, low brick buildings, independent boutiques and cafes. It sits between SoHo, the Lower East Side and Chinatown, and it is best explored slowly on foot. This guide covers what to see, where to eat and how to fit NoLita into a day downtown.
Key Takeaways:
- NoLita is a walking neighborhood. Its appeal is in the streets themselves: shops, cafes and historic buildings packed into a few blocks.
- The Butcher's Daughter is a plant-forward restaurant, cafe and juice bar with a NoLita location.
- Pietro NoLita, on Elizabeth Street, is a cocktail bar and Italian bistro known for its pink decor.
- Cha Cha Matcha is a matcha cafe known for its lattes and soft serve.
- NoLita is easy to combine with SoHo, Chinatown and the Lower East Side.
What is the fastest way to get to NoLita from JFK or Newark airport?
BLADE offers scheduled helicopter flights between JFK or Newark and Manhattan. Flights take about 5 minutes and start from $195 per seat. BLADE's Manhattan lounges are BLADE Lounge West at the West 30th Street Heliport, BLADE Lounge East at the East 34th Street Heliport and BLADE Downtown at the Wall St. Heliport. From Manhattan, you finish the trip to NoLita by car or subway.
All BLADE flights in the US are operated by FAA-licensed carriers. LaGuardia is available by charter only.
Historical Sites
NoLita grew up as part of Little Italy, and the Italian immigrants who settled here shaped its food and traditions. Many of its blocks are lined with historic brick and cast-iron buildings, which give the neighborhood its traditional look.
A short walk north, in NoHo, the Merchant's House Museum on East 4th Street preserves a landmark house built in 1832. It is worth the detour if you want to see how a 19th-century New York family lived.
Mixed Cultural Lifestyle
NoLita mixes its Italian roots with the restaurants, cafes and shops that have opened here in recent decades. You can find plant-based food, matcha drinks and Italian dishes within a few blocks of each other.
Picturesque Streets
Much of NoLita's charm is simply walking around. Window shopping in the independent boutiques, stopping for coffee and looking at the old buildings is a good way to spend an afternoon.
The Butcher's Daughter: A Plant-Based Delight
The Butcher's Daughter describes itself as a plant-forward restaurant, cafe and juice bar. Its daily cafe menu includes seasonal dishes, housemade breads and pastries, and organic cold-pressed juices. The NoLita location is one of five, and the restaurants serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. It is a good choice for a sit-down brunch before you start walking.
Cha Cha Matcha: A Trendy Tea Place
Cha Cha Matcha is a cafe built around matcha, a powdered green tea. Its menu centers on matcha lattes and matcha soft serve, and its pastel pink look has made it popular for photos. It is an easy stop for a drink while you shop.
Pietro Nolita: A Pink-Themed Italian Restaurant
Pietro NoLita is a cocktail bar and Italian bistro at 174 Elizabeth Street. It is known for its pink decor, which runs through the room. It suits a relaxed dinner or a drink with friends. Reservations can be made through its website.
Plan a day in NoLita
- Late morning: brunch at The Butcher's Daughter.
- Midday: walk the neighborhood's streets and boutiques.
- Afternoon: a matcha at Cha Cha Matcha, then a detour north to the Merchant's House Museum.
- Evening: dinner and cocktails at Pietro NoLita.
NoLita is next to several other downtown neighborhoods. See our guides to fun things to do near NYC's SoHo, Chinatown and the Lower East Side.
FAQs about Fun Things To Do Near Nyc'S Nolita
Q: What are some fun things to do near NYC's NoLita?
A: Browse the independent boutiques, eat at the neighborhood's cafes and restaurants and walk north to the Merchant's House Museum in NoHo.
Q: What does NoLita stand for?
A: NoLita is short for North of Little Italy.
Q: Where can I find soft serve ice cream in NoLita?
A: Cha Cha Matcha is known for its matcha soft serve.
Q: Can I find Italian food in NoLita?
A: Yes. Pietro NoLita, on Elizabeth Street, is an Italian bistro and cocktail bar, and the neighborhood's Italian roots show up in many of its restaurants.
Q: Where can I eat plant-based food in NoLita?
A: The Butcher's Daughter, a plant-forward restaurant, cafe and juice bar, has a NoLita location.