Hi friends — welcome back to the blog!
If you’re new here, I’m Flor — a thirty-something living in New York City with my husband, my daughter, and our French Bulldog, Oreo. Over the past few months, I’ve been documenting my Summer in New York City series on YouTube, and today’s episode is a special one. I’m taking you with me to Nolita — one of my all-time favorite NYC neighborhoods — for a day filled with food, vibes, history, and a little bit of heart.
Before we dive in, here’s the video that goes with this post. Hit play to walk the streets with me, then scroll down for all the extra details, stories, and recommendations I didn’t get to squeeze into the vlog 💛
So… what is Nolita?
Let’s start with some neighborhood trivia, because you know I love a good NYC backstory. Nolita stands for North of Little Italy — just like how Tribeca means Triangle Below Canal Street. It’s a small area, bordered by Houston, Bowery, Lafayette, and Broome, and even though it used to be part of Little Italy, it’s got its own identity now.
In the 1990s, the neighborhood started to change — the old-school Italian restaurants and shops gave way to trendier spots, and people began calling it Nolita. Fun fact: it was actually the New York Times that suggested the name back in 1996, and it just stuck.
These days, Nolita feels like a beautiful mix of history and new energy. It’s cozy, stylish, and so walkable. Think cobblestone streets, cute cafés, boutiques, and people walking around with matcha in one hand and vintage finds in the other.
The Vibe: Chill, Charming, and Soaked in Summer Light
One of the reasons I love Nolita so much is that it’s not trying too hard. It’s not as loud as SoHo or as packed as Chinatown — it just is. It’s a perfect neighborhood to explore when you’re craving a laid-back New York day.
This vlog wasn’t about rushing from landmark to landmark. It was more about soaking up the city — grabbing lunch, wandering through the streets, and spending time in a hidden green gem I’m very emotionally attached to now: Elizabeth Street Garden.
Elizabeth Street Garden: A Fight for Green Space in the Concrete Jungle
If you watch the vlog, you’ll see that I got a little emotional talking about this spot — and for good reason.
Elizabeth Street Garden is this peaceful, unexpected patch of green right in the middle of Nolita. It used to be part of a public school back in the early 1900s. After the school was torn down, the area stayed undeveloped for decades. Then, in the ’90s, an art gallery owner leased it and slowly turned it into this magical sculpture garden full of trees, art, and quiet corners.
It’s honestly one of the most peaceful places I’ve found in Manhattan.
But the garden is in danger. In 2012, the land was transferred to NYC’s Housing Authority, and now there’s a plan to demolish it to build affordable housing. As of now — late August 2024 — demolition is scheduled for early September. Locals are still fighting to preserve the garden, but it’s unclear what will happen.
I’ve signed the petition to help save it. If you feel like supporting it too, I’ll link it right here (and it’s also in my YouTube description).
My Favorite Food Spots in Nolita 🍴
Let’s talk about something a little lighter: food. Nolita is one of my go-to spots for cute cafés and delicious meals. If you’re ever in the area, here are some places I absolutely love:
- The Butcher’s Daughter – A beautiful vegan café with amazing food (and I’m not vegan, so that says a lot). So fresh, so bright, so good.
- Noodlelove – For fans of Asian comfort food. Ramen, noodles, flavorful broths — if that’s your thing, you’ll be obsessed.
- Little Ruby’s Café – One of my favorite “New Yorky” all-day brunch spots. I was here recently with my husband and it never disappoints.
- Café Leon Dore – Technically more of a fashion café, but they serve great coffee. It’s a whole vibe.
- Sant Ambroeus – Chic, elegant, and where I had my first-ever iced coffee that wasn’t a frappuccino. Life-changing, tbh.
- Café Gitane – The spot I went to for lunch in this vlog! Super charming and cozy with French-Moroccan flavors.
Nolita is small, but its food scene is huge. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick matcha or a long lazy brunch, this neighborhood delivers.
Two Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Before I wrap up, I wanted to leave you with two random but very “I live in NYC and love trivia” facts:
- San Gennaro Festival – You’ve probably seen it on TikTok or in movies. It’s that big Italian street fair that still happens every September. Even though Nolita isn’t technically Little Italy anymore, part of the festival still takes place here — because, back in the 1920s, it was all the same neighborhood.
- The First St. Patrick’s Cathedral – Yep, not the big one on Fifth Ave — the original St. Patrick’s Cathedral is right here in Nolita. It’s now called Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and you can still visit it!
Final Thoughts
This was Episode 6 of my summer vlog series, and I can’t believe we’re already here. I’ve had so much fun making these — and even more fun writing about them for you here. I hope this post gives you ideas for your next NYC visit, or simply a sense of what it’s like to wander these streets as a local.
Whether you’re a longtime follower or you just stumbled on this post while Googling “best Nolita cafés,” I’m so glad you’re here.
Don’t forget to check out the video above, leave a comment, and say hi over on Instagram @flopereira. I’ll see you in the next neighborhood adventure 🖤
xx, Flor.
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