On the wonderful island of Manhattan nestled between the Flatiron building and Madison Square Park sits a palatial Italian cuisine kingdom known as Eataly [1] — and trust me, both locals and city visitors should have this on their itineraries. For Italophiles and those who regularly turn to pasta for therapy, this heavenly cultural opportunity (think Disneyland for Italian food) is one of the finest and most authentic Italian experiences to be had in New York City. Why? Well, andiamo . . .
The Grocery Shopping — Italian Style
Freshly made pasta, a fresh loaf of ciabatta, gourmet Italian cheese, cold-pressed olive oil from every region, gorgeous heirloom tomatoes that would put any Italian foodie in a perpetual daydream of sauce possibilities: these are just a few offerings from Eataly's grocery store. Whether you're taking it back to your apartment or hotel room, a few Italian gourmet indulgences never hurt anyone.
The Aperitivo Hour
This daily tradition usually takes place between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Italy and is a trifecta of refreshing Italian cocktails, crunchy snacks, and socializing with friends and family. You can re-create this beloved Italian social hour at Eataly's indoor and rooftop bars.
La Birreria's Rooftop
Aside from scoping out a friend with a house in the Hamptons, the Summer priority for New Yorkers is to find a few go-to rooftops that offer prime Manhattan views featuring boozy delights and tantalizing bites. Enter La Birreria, Eataly's year-round rooftop restaurant and microbrewery that will make anyone swoon. La Birreria also boasts over-the-top seasonal pop-up restaurants and events. This Summer's current Riviera-themed escape is called Sabbia, a buzz-worthy hot spot with a coastal, Mediterranean theme and the perfectly made Aperol spritz (every time).
The Authentic Gelato
When flying into Italy, the first priority of a traveler largely guided by common sense is to find the nearest gelato shop. Now, imagine having access to authentic dreamy Italian gelato year-round, and it's only a quick subway ride away. Thanks, Eataly, for having an entire culinary inlet within your kingdom dedicated to serving gelato. If you're visiting Eataly during the Summer, be sure to transport those scoops to Madison Square Park for prime people-watching views (as pictured). Pro Eataly patron tip: order an affogato. This entails three wondrous scoops of gelato drenched in freshly brewed espresso.
The Coffee and Pasticceria
Italians have la vita bella on lock. They drink coffee, and to make this heavenly daily ritual even more glorious, they shamelessly devour something sweet along with it. Order a cappuccino or espresso at the bar and dolci from the in-house pasticceria. Do yourself a favor and swim outside your tiramisu safety zone. Life is too short to not try every Italian pastry imaginable. The cannoli are mandatory.
The In-House Restaurants
As long as you love Italian food, Eataly has the restaurant to fit every foodie's cravings, from butcher-focused Manzo for devout carnivores to La Pizza & La Pasta (best fusion ever) to Le Verdure for vegetarians. Eataly showcases every Italian summit of culinary splendor. Oh, and above all, there is a Nutella Bar [2] — this is not a drill.
The Cookbooks
Fusing your love of Italian food with your love of bookstores, Eataly displays the crème de la crème (pardon the French) of Italian cookbooks like the most prized recipes of Puglia and the art of the Italian aperitivo. Enrich your Italian food knowledge by bringing one home to your kitchen bookshelf.
La Scuola's Classes
From learning to make Sorrento-style limoncello to ricotta cheese and fresh gnocchi (a true culinary survival skill), La Scuola [3] at Eataly offers New York's most enriching Italian cooking lessons and culinary experiences — and you'll automatically enter the ranks of "best cook" in your social circle.
The Kitchen Goods
If you think your heart beats fast for an all-black KitchenAid mixer [4], you'll swoon over the never-ending array of espresso pots and Italian imported kitchen swag. Eataly is a great spot to stash your kitchen with serious tools or pick up a few souvenirs or gifts. Psst: if you haven't heard of the Italian kitchenware designer Alessi [5], prepare to discover your new kitchen obsession.
The Travel Inspiration
Eataly is one of New York's most innovative and successful culinary concepts — and it just keeps getting better. It all started with a rough sketch and a dream to bring all of Italy's incredible culinary traditions under one roof. They did it, and once you experience the magic, you may just be inspired to travel to Italy [6].