It’s easy to understand the allure of Little Italys in New York City and beyond. With the simple turn of a corner, bustling metropolitan streets transform into age-worn neighborhoods, ones in which the Italian history and tradition of a nation thrive. Along the well-loved sidewalks, scents of freshly made bread fill the air, mingling with cornerstone coffee shops that dole out espresso and sfogliatelle to passersby in need of a midday pick-me-up.
That same Italian spirit echoes in the Hudson Valley, too. It thrives inside the region’s specialty markets, where families share time-tested recipes alongside imported ingredients and locals in the know head for stacked panini and freshly stuffed cannoli. From Albany to Congers, the aura of old-world Italy lives on strong in a way that honors the flavor of tradition while adapting to the communities of the present.
Scroll below to find where to experience the best of Italian food and history in the Hudson Valley, then get ready to hop in the car. It’s time to taste la vita bella!
Bella Vita Deli
Congers
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An under-the-radar deli in Congers, Bella Vita is a delight for Italian food lovers in the region. Not only does it serve heroes, panini, and wraps, but it also whips up mains like chicken francese, eggplant parmigiana, and sausage and peppers. With options for half or full platters, the eatery is a mainstay for catering.
Pro tip: Love antipasti? Swing by the refrigerated section to pick up a few blocks of cheese, salami, and San Pellegrino before your next dinner party at home.
Cardona’s Market
Albany
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Open since 1945, Cardona’s is a family business that keeps the spirit of Italy alive in Albany. The market is a community staple for Italian grocery essentials, with shelves lined with imported pastas and oils and refrigerators stocked to the brim with fresh ravioli, ground lamb, and cheese. Need a sweet treat to pair with the savory stock? Just grab a panettone or a box of sweet torrone for an authentic taste of Italy.
Pro tip: Cardona’s is the place to go for showstopping crown rib roasts and imported chocolates that will put your favorite candy bar to shame.
Del Forno’s Market Place
Poughkeepsie
Tucked quietly into a strip plaza in Poughkeepsie, Del Forno’s is a hidden gem for Italian grocery brands like Mulino Bianco, Rao’s, and San Pellegrino. It also stocks a wonderful selection of cheeses, with harder-to-find specialties like Piave and Locatelli sitting alongside fontina and both fresh and smoked mozzarella. Keep an eye out for specialties like pizza rustica and stuffed shells, which make even the most humdrum of days delicious.
Pro tip: Stop by Del Forno’s for cold cuts, antipasto peppers, and a bag of Pan di Stelle cookies, then head to Locust Grove for an impromptu picnic.
Frank’s Village Market & Deli
Marlboro
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A mainstay in the heart of Marlboro, Frank’s has been up and running in the Hudson Valley for more than 25 years. The market is known for its homemade sausages, which come hot, sweet, or stuffed with cheese and parsley. Stop by for lunch — the panini and wraps are top-notch — then pick up a box of the Italian cookies that appear on every nonna’s kitchen table to go.
Pro tip: Whichever sandwich you order, make sure it’s on the Italian semolina bread. Trust us, the right bread makes all the difference.
Italian Food Center
West Haverstraw
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Don’t you love when the name says it all? Italian Food Center is a veritable paradise for Italian specialties in Rockland County. The sensory experience begins the moment visitors enter the shop, with a landscape of dried prosciutto and soppressata hanging from the ceiling and scents of tangy antipasti and rich cheese in the air. Prepare to do a bit of ogling at the prepared foods counter. Depending on the day, anything from cavatelli pasta salad to stuffed pork loin could be waiting to tempt taste buds. The meat counter is quality stuff as well, making it an excellent pitstop during grilling season and the holidays.
Pro tip: Italian Food Center goes all out for the Italian holidays, stocking massive Baci eggs for Easter and St. Joseph’s pastries for the saint’s day in March.
Mario’s Brick Oven Bread
Hopewell Junction
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Don’t let the name deceive you! Mario’s may be known for its bread, but that’s not all the store stocks. In addition to the freshest ciabatta and rolls around, the Italian panetteria prepares its own cookies, pasta, and ravioli. If you don’t spend all your money on bread and pizzette, save a few coins for the killer zeppole, the Italian fried dough balls made more addictive with a featherlight dusting of powdered sugar.
Pro tip: Mario’s is a cash-only operation, so stop by the ATM before you visit.
Munno’s Italian Deli
Pearl River
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With more than 40 years to its name, Munno’s has Italian eats covered for the Pearl River crowd. The no-frills location specializes in classic hot dishes like eggplant parm, sausage and peppers, and penne a la vodka, although its tiered cold cut paninis are equally delicious. Love the sauce? Munno’s sells its marinara and vodka sauces separately as well.
Pro tip: On its catering menu, Munno’s dishes up craveable platters like chicken cacciatore, stuffed shells, and manicotti along with Italian subs stacked with salami, ham, pepperoni, capicola, and provolone. In other words, it’s the perfect solution for what to eat on game day.
Noto’s Italian Deli & Catering
Newburgh
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For an authentic Italian deli experience in Newburgh, Noto’s is a one-stop shop. The local favorite stocks Italian imports and homecooked dishes, making it just as ideal for picking up lunch to go as for stocking up on homemade sauce and marinated olives. Need a delicious dinner idea? The deli’s in-house ravioli, which come stuffed with everything from porcini mushrooms to butternut squash, taste just like your favorite restaurant rendition and take about five minutes to prepare at home.
Pro tip: Not a fan of the ravioli fillings on offer? Call ahead to pre-order the perfect pasta for you.
Rosticceria Rossi & Sons
Poughkeepsie
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Arguably the most iconic Italian market in the Hudson Valley, Rossi’s is the type of place that you almost don’t want to share with others. The corner rosticceria has been up and running on South Clover Street, in the heart of Poughkeepsie’s Little Italy district, since 1979. Inside, a perpetually bustling deli counter churns out expertly prepared panini, chicken parm, and imported antipasti. If you find yourself in Poughkeepsie’s Eastdale Village, stop by the new location, dubbed Alimentari Rossi & Sons, for the same great options, albeit with a fair bit more space.
Go for the homemade burrata and imported cans of tomato polpa, then stay for the paper-thin prosciutto piled atop homemade ciabatta rolls. If they’re available, the stuffed breads — loaded with everything from cheese to prosciutto — are heaven in loaf form.
Pro tip: Don’t let the long lines deter you from placing an order. The wait is 100 percent worth it, we promise.
Vinny’s Deli and Pasta
Pawling
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Featured twice on Food Network, Vinny’s Deli and Pasta in Pawling serves up traditional Italian salads, dishes, and sides along with inventive plates with classic ingredients. Don’t miss the mozzarella cakes, piled high with hand-stretched, fresh mozzarella, marinated peppers, balsamic, and much more, or try the steak margherita sandwich that locals in the know never skip. Shop for fresh Italian produce that you can’t find elsewhere as well as fresh pasta for your dishes at home.
Pro tip:Â If mozzarella is mundane to you, Vinny’s Deli also makes fresh burrata daily that’s perfect for your cheese plates and charcuterie boards.