Caffé Dante New York
Negronis in the Village
Many spots in New York have "cafe" in the name, but they don't look like their European counterparts: little tables on the sidewalk outside, a clattering of plates inside. The original Caffé Dante is the closest we have to the real thing. It opened in 1915, back when the Village was home to a large Italian immigrant community. Around this time, my ancestors arrived from Italy and lived two blocks away on Thompson Street. I don't know for sure, but I like to think they went at least once for an espresso and a reminder of home.
The Italians have since moved on, but their beloved cafe remains. While most New Yorkers head to happy hour, I go to Dante for aperitivo. Every day from 15:00–18:00, they have a selection of 13 different negronis for US$10 (an excellent deal for the city). I get the original, which is on tap. If you're more adventurous than me, you can try yours with chocolate, coffee, or mezcal.
I like to go on the earlier side when the sun is high in the sky, and it's easy to pretend I'm in Rome, at least until I finish my negroni.
About this spot
Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
L&B Pizza – Gravesend Italian/American
L&B in Brooklyn, famed for its plain square slices since 1939, is a must-visit. Enjoy outdoor dining in Bensonhurst, a haven for Italian-American cuisine. Iconic!
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Modern Bread and Bagel – Extreme gluten-free bagels
"Modern Bread and Bagel" in NYC has surfaced as exemplary, using criteria such as size and texture, seed and salt density. Here are some more top picks...
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Django – Tribeca jazz boîte
"Django" in NYC is proof that the city's jazz club world is recovering. I celler/cavern is intimate enough that after performances I walk over to engage...
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Dublin House – Irish Bar Centenarian
"The Dublin House" in NYC has been around since Prohibition and it still is neighborhood-sized. By the end of the night, everyone speaks Irish here...
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Pain d’ Epices – French / American patisserie
"Pain d' Epices" is a French bakery in NYC that makes croissants so flaky & buttery, the only way to avoid the crumbs is to 'put your back to the wind...'
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Pastrami Queen – Traditional kosher Jewish deli
"Pastrami Queen" in NYC has if not the best, among the very best pastrami sandwiches in the city. It's the kind of American excess you just can't miss...
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Grandma's Place – Inclusive Books and Toys
I stumbled across a store about which I had read but never visited—the very inviting and colourful playground of Dawn Harris-Martine), retired teacher, now famous—named Grandma’s Place.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Sisters Uptown Bookstore – African diaspora hub
"Sisters Uptown Bookstore" in NYC is a hidden shop/cultural center w/ an eye-opening trove of books by African diaspora authors. A true neighborhood spot!
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Color World – Curb Side BBQ
Color World sets up on the corner of 116th and 2nd Avenue, rain or shine. There they serve beef, pork, goat, oxtail, and chicken for $10 a plate.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Don Alejo Coffee – Coffee, toasts and burritos
Their prices are in keeping with the neighborhood: a plate of two eggs, two pancakes, 'home' fried potatoes and your choice of sausages or bacon, is $12.
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Icons' Homes – James, James & Dorothy
There are three houses not far from each other in NYC of three icons: James Dean, James Baldwin, and Dorothy Parker...
By
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heckscher Field/Central Park – Broadway show league
"Heckscher Field" in Central Park, New York, is used for softball. Here you can see games played for the Broadway Show League. Celebrity stars may be seen.
By