New York City Little Italy

Despite (or because of) Little Italy's transformation into a self-conscious theme park, its few blocks remain a go-to destination for seekers of delicious Italian cuisine. Pizza, pasta, freshly imported slabs of mozzarella, cannoli, gelato—they can all be had at your will (or the will of the waiters urging you inside). Some establishments proudly announce their late-19th or early-20th century origins. So swallow your in-search-of-the-genuine pride—and grab some pastries at Ferrara while you're at it.

Ferrara, 195 Grand St. (ferraracafe.com), Five generations of the same family have run this famous Little Italy institution since 1892, so don't even think about skipping it while in the area. Known primarily as a bakery serving small, delicious pastries, Ferraro also has a gelato stand out front that is almost always crowded in hot weather. If you don't want the stracciatella gelato outside, try some sfogliatelle inside. Capiche? Gelato $3.50-6.25. Pastries $1.50-4. Open M-F 8am-midnight, Sa 8am-1am, Su 8am-midnight. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has air conditioning.
Lombardi's Pizza, 32 Spring St. (firstpizza.com), Lombardi's is the nation's oldest pizzeria (founded 1905). Luckily, they never rest on their laurels, and they stick to the founding fathers' basics: a coal oven, brick walls, checkered tablecloths, and plenty of tomato and mozzarella. Crowds flock to this institution, so try to avoid standard lunch and dinner hours. Small (6 slices) $15.50. Large (8 slices) $19.50. Toppings $3. Calzones $12. Open M-Th 11:30am-11pm, F-Sa 11:30am-midnight, Su 11:30am-11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning. Has outdoor seating.
La Mela Restaurant, 167 Mulberry St. (www.lamelarestaurant.com), At merely 25 years old, La Mela isn't as ancient as some of its neighbors. It may outdo them all in cultivating a neighborhood feel, though. Shirking the fancy for the friendly, La Mela has lined its walls with photographs and lets its tables spill out onto the sidewalk. The menu is full of old standards like fettuccine alfredo and shrimp marinara—but you don't go to a place like La Mela, or Little Italy, for originality. Entrees $7-24. Open M-Th 11am-2am, F-Sa 11am-3am, Su 11am-2am. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning. Has outdoor seating.
Caffe Palermo, 148 Mulberry St. (www.caffepalermo.com), Palermo has been perfecting its pastries for over 35 years, no mean feat in a place where you can't adjust a camera without hitting some cannoli. Palermo rests most of its pride on that pastry, the mainstay of an extensive menu of small baked goods and larger cakes. Ferrara has the age and the reputation, but Palermo has become almost as famous; you better make visits to both. Pastries $4.50-5.50, cakes $6.50/slice. Open daily 10:30am-11pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has air conditioning. Has outdoor seating.