In the bustle of Lower Manhattan, Nolita is a low-key sanctuary. Here, buildings lay low and mingle with the sidewalk. Narrow, tree-lined streets encourage slow strolls and bicycle cruises. Pedestrians don’t rush to their destinations, they take their time. And in Nolita, there are plenty of ways to slow down — a shared bench, a cup of espresso, a stroll through the Elizabeth Street Garden, or a crafty cocktail in a hidden basement bar.
Though Nolita earned its distinguished name - a portmanteau of “North of Little Italy” - in the mid-1990s, strands of its southerly enclave live on in butcher shops and other Italian relics pinched between hip new boutiques and restaurants. Old-school residents still start mornings with a “buongiorno” and end conversations with a “ciao”; they aren’t budging from this place. The new guard, on the other hand, is young, cosmopolitan, and transient. But if one thing can get them to sit still, perhaps living la bella vita in Nolita is it.
View all Nolita spacesWhat do I like best about this neighbourhood? Thats a no brainer, it has to be the variety and quality of the restaurants.Leah, Events Coordinator
During the day I like sitting in the cafes and people watching, seeing all the different types of New Yorkers who pass by.Dionna, DJ
I'm the store owner at Mo: Vint. I chose this location because the area is home to a lot of cute stores so there's lots of passing traffic from shoppers.Kay, Store Owner