There are food tours—and then there’s The Bronx Experience. Set in the beating heart of Bronx Little Italy, it’s less a tour and more a deeply personal, flavour-packed immersion into one of New York’s most storied and soulful neighbourhoods. Hannah Tan explains why The Bronx Experience is a must-see for an authentic foodie experience in New York City.
On a sun-drenched morning this summer, I followed the Ramirez brothers—Paul and Anthony—on what can only be described as the best food tour in The Bronx, a guided love letter to their home, their heritage, and the community they’ve helped reframe for a new generation.
For those unfamiliar, The Bronx Little Italy is a neighbourhood tucked along Arthur Avenue in the Belmont section of The Bronx. It’s not the tourist-heavy enclave you might picture when you hear the words “Little Italy.” This is the real deal—still family-run, fiercely local, and brimming with the kind of authenticity that can’t be manufactured. Here, people know each other by name, recipes are passed down like heirlooms, and the scent of fresh bread and simmering tomato sauce is practically embedded in the pavement.
The Bronx Experience: Meet the Ramirez brothers
At the centre of it all are the Ramirez brothers, proud Puerto Rican New Yorkers and the founders of The Bronx Beer Hall and From The Bronx. Located inside the Arthur Avenue Market, their bar opened in 2013 with a mission that went far beyond craft brews. It was about changing the narrative. “We wanted to create a space that celebrated The Bronx in all its complexity—its food, its history, its people,” said Paul, handing me a cold pint of Bronx Little Italy Italian Pilsner. “This place isn’t just a beer hall. It’s a platform.”
That morning, their passion was palpable. With every step through the neighbourhood, they pointed out murals, shared memories, introduced us to lifelong locals, and offered insights into how The Bronx continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. It wasn’t a tour guide spiel—it was storytelling. Honest, vivid, and full of love.
The Bronx Experience: The real Little Italy
Our first stop was Joe’s Italian Deli, where we met Kurt, a mozzarella master with a quick smile and serious technique. Inside the small shop, lined with shelves of imported goods and deli counters overflowing with cured meats, Kurt showed us how to make fresh mozzarella by hand. Watching him stretch and twist the cheese with such care felt almost meditative. The scent of warm curds hung in the air like a nostalgic cloud, and when we sampled the final product—soft, salty, perfectly elastic—it was one of those “only in New York” moments you wish you could bottle.
Next, we wandered a few doors down to Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles, an Arthur Avenue institution since 1935. There, we met Chris, who runs the family business with the same quiet pride you see in artisan bakers and master tailors. He showed us how their legendary ravioli is still cut by hand using age-old tools and techniques. The pasta, soft and dusted with semolina, looked like it belonged in an Italian museum. And when I tasted it later, tossed simply with olive oil and parmesan, it confirmed what I already suspected: The Bronx Experience was the must-try food tour in New York.
But it wasn’t over yet. Our third stop was Madonia Bakery, where the sweet scent of anise and warm dough greeted us like a hug. Their bread—baked fresh daily in massive hearth ovens—has been a neighbourhood staple for over a century. We sampled slices of crusty Italian loaf still warm from the oven, and biscotti that crumbled delicately at first bite. As I stood in line behind locals picking up pastries for the weekend, it was clear that this place was more than a bakery—it was a cornerstone of The Bronx Little Italy life.
Back at The Bronx Beer Hall, we toasted the morning with another round of locally brewed beers. The market buzzed around us—fishmongers calling out orders, kids tugging on their parents’ hands, friends catching up over espresso. It felt alive, unfiltered, and completely welcoming. Paul and Anthony spoke about their other ventures—From The Bronx and Taste of The Bronx—initiatives designed to promote local makers and reshape outdated perceptions of their borough.
“The Bronx has always had a certain reputation,” said Anthony. “But now we’re making sure the world sees the beauty in it, too.”
By the end of The Bronx Experience, I understood exactly what he meant. This wasn’t just the best food tour in The Bronx—it was a story of resilience, flavour, and fierce community pride. It was a reintroduction to a borough often misunderstood, told through cheese, pasta, bread, and beer.
The Bronx Little Italy may not have the glitz of the Upper East Side, but what it does have is soul—and a community determined to share it. If you’re looking for a must-try food tour in New York, skip the selfie sticks and souvenir shops. Follow the scent of fresh mozzarella. Listen to the stories echoing through century-old storefronts. And let Paul and Anthony show you a side of the city that’s been here all along, just waiting to be rediscovered.
Because in a city of endless experiences, The Bronx Experience stands out—for its heart, its history, and yes, its ravioli.
Where to stay when visiting New York?
If you’re visiting New York City, there’s no better place to rest your head after a day of exploring than NH Collection New York Madison Avenue. Housed in a stately 1920s red-brick building, this a hotel that doesn’t just give you a base—it gives you a backdrop.
Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the property blends the elegance of Madison Avenue’s advertising golden era with the flair of a contemporary lifestyle hotel. It’s also a sign of the times: as NH Collection pivots from its business-hotel roots into resort and lifestyle offerings, its first U.S. location sets the tone beautifully. It’s stylish but unshowy, warm without being overbearing—and with a team that feels like old friends. Check out our full review here.
Rooms at NH Collection Madison Avenue begin from $209 in the low season and $379 in the high season, to book visit: www.nh-collection.com
Continue your journey with more House of Coco stays at NH Collection — from Florence’s artful charm to London’s design-led flair and the vibrant charm of Brussels.
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