Nolita

A true residential neighborhood just North of Little Italy that has become a draw for young professionals seeking an authentically cool downtown experience without the crowds. Historic brick buildings typically cap out at six stories, and the narrow streets are refreshingly devoid of big-box stores. Instead, there’s an inspiring array of independent designer boutiques, cozy bistros, and intimate cocktail bars. Lombardi’s, the city’s first pizzeria, dating to 1905, is an old-school favorite, while the fashionable set sips Aperol Spritzes at Sant Ambroeus on Lafayette Street. When hunger strikes for more of a social or retail scene, the bustling streets of SoHo are mere blocks away.