The 8 best Little Italy neighborhoods in the U.S.
Today, DePasquale is one of the 5.5 million Italians who immigrated to America between 1820 and 2004. He runs eight eateries in Boston's North End. In the Italian community, families (like his) pass down their beloved recipes. From Philadelphia's South 9th Street Italian Market to San Francisco's North Beach renaissance, and all the Chicago pizza in between—these are some of the most iconic Italian neighborhoods, with the best Italian restaurants, delis, markets, and bakeries in the United States. Mozzarella stretching, sausage stuffing, and a ceiling full of meat! Jo Franco is discovering what makes New York's Little Italy so authentic. Stream National Geographic's "Big Little Italy" now on YouTube.
Click here to see the YouTube playlist for National Geographic's Big Little Italy. Little Italy, New York City
Lower Manhattan's Little Italy was once the primary American settlement for Italian immigrants, reaching 10,000 Italians in 1910. After Chinatown moved in, Little Italy was pared down to five blocks on Mulberry Street. This is where travelers can still visit America's oldest pizzeria, (Gennero) Lombardi's (1905), the first Italian cafe, Ferrara Bakery (1892), and one of its original Italian restaurants, Barbetta (1906), serving Piemontese cuisine. Stop by the Scognamillo family-owned Patsy's (1944) in Frank Sinatra's old stomping grounds. The neighborhood hosts the annual Feast of San Gennaro in September with parades, live music, and street food like calzones and zeppole (fried dough).
Meanwhile in the Bronx, often dubbed New York City's 'Real Little Italy,' Italian shops and restaurants—like Mario's—have lined Arthur Avenue for a century. Italian Americans shop at Arthur Avenue Market, developed by former Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1940. In New York City, revelers hang out at the San Gennaro Festival in Manhattan's Little Italy neighborhood. The feast celebrates the life of San Gennaro of Naples, the Bishop of Benevento, Italy, who was martyred in 305 A.D. Photograph By Joe Buglewicz/Redux In NYC's Little Italy, a cook grills sausage at the annual Feast of San Gennaro on Mulberry Street. The Neapolitans pray to him for protection from fires, earthquakes, plagues, droughts, and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Photograph By John M. Mantel/Redux During the Feast of Gennaro, contestants compete in the zeppole-eating contest. The Italian pastry is a deep-fried dough ball with powdered sugar. Photograph By John M. Mantel/Redux North End, Boston
Pillowy gnocchi baked with sweet marinara, buffalo mozzarella, and basil in a wood-fired oven is worth the indulgence at DePasquale's Bricco restaurant—especially when paired with pepperoncini juice in a hot and dirty martini topped off gorgonzola-stuffed olives.'My whole goal is to keep the traditions going, like the feast of the seven fishes the way we celebrated in Italy and Sunday dinners,' says DePasquale, who opened his first restaurant, Trattoria Il Panino, in 1987. 'It's keeping this neighborhood the way it was.'
In the historic North End, between the 1680 home of Paul Revere and the Old North Church, there are over 100 Italian restaurants, most of which are still run by generational Italian immigrant families. With newcomers, some still occupy brick apartments above touristy outdoor eateries, like Boston's first Italian cafe, Caffé Vittoria, brewing since 1929; oldest Italian restaurant, Cantina Italiana; and first pizzeria, Pizzeria Regina, open since 1926. New restaurants, including renowned Italian chef Tony Susi's Little Sage, maintain old-world flavor. Bova's, Mike's, and Modern bakeries still compete in Boston's 'cannoli wars' for bragging rights, while Parziale's has been serving pizzelle since 1907. Take it all in on Prince Street, where Prince Spaghetti was first made by Sicilian immigrants in 1912 and later filmed for the famous commercial; on a North End Boston Food Tour by life-long North End resident Bobby Agrippino; or at the annual Saint Anthony's Feast in August. Boston's North End, a working-class Italian-American neighborhood, showcases an array of architectural styles including Italianate, colonial revival, Romanesque, and Renaissance revival. Photograph By Marcio Jose Bastos Silva/ Shutterstock North Beach, San Francisco
The California Gold Rush drew Italian American stoneworkers to San Francisco to build mansions for the rich who'd struck gold. Sicilian anglers found blue seas off Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco Bay, and Italian businessmen opened anchors like Ghirardelli chocolate. After the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, Italian Americans brought into the city's North Beach neighborhood their legendary eateries, including Liguria, the city's oldest bakery with the best focaccia.
From the tricolor crosswalks to the new Honor Walk celebrating local notable historic Italian Americans, what's clear is San Francisco's Little Italy is experiencing a renaissance. Find all pizza styles at Tony's Pizza Napoletana owned by Guinness World Record Holder pizza tosser Tony Gemignani, and visit Fior d'Italia, open since 1886 and touted as the country's oldest Italian restaurant.
Italian foodies have a lot to consider, from the rum-soaked St. Honore sponge cake at Victoria Pastry Company, the tiramisu at Stella Pastry & Cafe, and the Italian marionette show and pizza acrobatics at Festa Italiana. Although not located in San Francisco's Little Italy, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was founded by Italian chocolatier, Domenico Ghiradelli in 1852. Ghirardelli was born in Rapallo, Italy, and moved to California during the Gold Rush. Photograph By F11 Photo/ Shutterstock Little Italy, Chicago
While pizza was first rolled out around the 6th century B.C., Chicago gets credit for its sink-your-teeth-in pizza crust. Americans inspired by pizza-tossing Neapolitan-Italians created the first deep-dish 'Chicago-style' pizza at the original Pizzeria Uno in 1943. Italians who settled in the Windy City came looking for factory jobs in the 1800s and settled in the Little Italy neighborhood of the city's Near West Side, where Italian American heritage remains strong on Taylor Street at Conte di Savoia and the family-run Pompei. Chi-town's second claim to Italian food fame—the thin-sliced Italian beef sandwich with au jus—was invented at Al's Beef by Tony Ferreri in 1938. For a James Beard award-winner try Tufano's Vernon Park Tap; for the red-sauce joint go to Peanut Park Trattoria; and for little romance, it's been The Village at Italian Village since 1927. In Chicago, food lovers can try a delicious deep-dish pizza at several restaurants around the city, including Malnatti's Restaurant on Rush Street. Photograph By Robert Haidinger/laif/Redux Little Italy, Cleveland
Many Italians who came to Ohio via New York City followed in the footsteps of Joseph Carabelli. The stonecutter arrived from Lombardy in 1880, and today, the monuments he carved still stand proudly beside Cleveland's Little Italy. The original Italian neighborhood developed by Sicilian immigrants disappeared to urban renewal after World War II.
Carabelli's neighborhood greets visitors with longstanding establishments, like Guarino's, established in 1918 and still family-run. Mama Santa's is the spot for a Sicilian slice and if it's chicken marsala you're after, go to La Dolce Vita, where you can still catch live opera performances. Cap off the meal with cappuccino and biscotti at Presti's, Cleveland's oldest bakery, or grab a cannoli from Corbo's. The West Side Market is considered the oldest operating market space in Cleveland, Ohio. Photograph By Sean Pavone/Shutterstock The streets in Boston's Little Italy are decorated for a religious festival in 1935. Photograph By B. Anthony Stewart, Nat Geo Image Collection In 1935, this 'while you wait' cameraman finds business profitable during a religious celebration in Boston's Little Italy. Photograph By Anthony B. Stewart, Nat Geo Image Collection Little Italy, San Diego
Italian families first came to San Diego in the 1920s for tuna fishing—a longstanding Sicilian tradition. This northwest Little Italy neighborhood went quiet for years, until its revival through Italian urban public art, waterfront green space, and events—thanks to its Little Italy Association. Tucked in among over 70 Italian food establishments is the award-winner that helped bring the neighborhood back to life in 2003, Market By Buon Appetito. Other gems include Enoteca Adriano, Pappalecco (serving Italian coffee, gelato, and paninis), and Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge and its pasta bar. There's also a farmer's market open twice a week and a European-style gathering space, Piazza della Famiglia. The Little Italy Association oversees and expedites the revitalization and beautification of the Little Italy neighborhood in downtown San Diego. Visitors will find trendy cocktail bars, restaurants with busy patios, upscale clothing boutiques, and indie music venues, but the weekly Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market draws crowds. Photograph By Gabriele Maltinti / Shutterstock Bella Vista, Philadelphia
Early Italian immigrants made Philadelphia's Bella Vista neighborhood a home. At the heart of this still-lively, charming neighborhood sits the country's oldest continually operating outdoor food market, South 9th Street Italian Market, established by early Italian immigrants living in Antonio Palumbo's boarding house. Two of the country's oldest continuously operating Italian restaurants reside in the market district: Ralph's (1900) and Dante & Luigi's Corona di Ferro (1899). Take an Italian American-led StrEATS of Philly Food Tour, and savor the sweet sfogliatelle (a flaky, shell-shaped, cream-filled pastry) at Isgro Pastries, and salty provolone and prosciutto at DiBruno Bros. market, opened in 1939 by Italian immigrants Dann and Joe Di Bruno. Philadelphia's South 9th Street Italian Market is the oldest working outdoor market in the U.S. Photograph By F11 Photo/shutterstock Federal Hill, Providence
Anyone who has visited Providence knows that Italian roots run deep in Rhode Island's capital city. 'Growing up with my Italian grandparents was a gift—their homes were always filled with the aromas of simmering sauce, fresh pasta, meats, baked treats, and stories told around a crowded kitchen table,' says Rick Simone.
Today, Providence's Federal Hill is still home to third- and fourth-generation Italians, feeding us like we're family at Camille's and Scialo Brothers Bakery. There's meat and cheese from the DiCicco family-owned Tony's Colonial Market, and Angelo's Civita Farnese—the city's oldest restaurant open since 1924. And don't forget the handmade pasta, kneaded for 80 years now at Venda Ravioli and fourth-generation meat market Antonelli Poultry.
'Italian food wasn't just a meal. It was a celebration of love, family, and tradition,' says Simone. 'Those early experiences taught me the deep value of connection, and they continue to shape everything I do today.' Travelers can enjoy a gondola ride on the Providence River in Providence, R.I. Photograph By Claudia G Cooper/Shutterstock Anna Fiorentino is an award-winning journalist of 20 years whose work has also appeared in Afar Magazine, Outside Magazine, BBC, Smithsonian Magazine, and Boston Globe Magazine. Follow her on Instagram.
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National Geographic
3 hours ago
- National Geographic
What is flow state? Here's the science behind top athletes' laser focus.
Pro climber Steph Davis climbing "Hidden Gem" near Moab Utah. The athlete often experiences a flow state during her intensive free climbs. Photograph by Chris Noble Steph Davis had reached the halfway point in her ropeless climb up the Sister Superior—a slim, 6,037-foot-tall natural sandstone tower. Surrounded by miles of red rocks, there was nothing but her grip strength keeping her from falling thousands of feet down into the open desert. As a professional rock climber, Davis often does free solo climbing, which means leaving her harness and ropes at home. Her plan on this climb, which took place in 2010, was to reach the top, then jump off with a parachute. As she climbed the tower in southeast Utah, the holds for her hands started getting smaller, and she was getting tired. She felt mentally distracted, and took a moment to pause. Suddenly, a feeling of calm energy washed over her. Her body seemed to take control, bringing her to the top. (Why a pair of adventurers decided to make their treacherous climb much harder.) Davis had entered a flow state, an experience that athletes, musicians, scientists, and artists say they tap into when they're confronting challenging situations. In this state, a person becomes completely engrossed in what they're doing and achieves a loss of self-consciousness while also feeling completely in control—a mindset that actor Chris Hemsworth leverages in Limitless: Live Better Now (currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, and on National Geographic starting August 25). In episode two, the 41-year-old enters a flow state while ascending the Luzzone Dam, an artificial climbing wall in the Swiss Alps that, at approximately 540 feet tall, is the world's highest. Though most of us likely don't find ourselves hanging onto a rock or a climbing wall hundreds to thousands of feet in the air, life's daily challenges can feel equally insurmountable. Can entering a flow state help push through all the difficulties you might encounter daily? While the mindset is a rewarding experience that comes from taking on life's hardest tasks, it also requires a certain set of conditions in place in order to be activated. What is flow state? In 1975, Hungarian-American psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi became fascinated with how artists lost themselves in their work. His research found similar experiences reported by chess players, dancers, mountain climbers, athletes, and musicians. Csíkszentmihályi called the engrossed attention he observed a 'flow state' after many people he interviewed said they felt like they were floating and being carried by the flow. (Your body changes in fascinating ways during the first 10 minutes of exercise.) Regardless of profession or hobby, the states of mind these people entered all sounded similar. They lost their sense of time, became impervious to pain or fatigue, and achieved a laser focus on what they were doing. One later report from 1996 asked professional athletes what flow was like. 'You're just so absorbed in what you're doing that you're not really aware of what is happening around you,' one tracker runner said. A javelin thrower experienced time slowing down, saying, 'When I went to throw it, it was like things were in slow motion, and I could feel the position I was in, and I held my position for a long time." Based on his interviews, Csíkszentmihályi determined that to enter a flow state, a person first had to have a clear intention in mind; then, they had to be put under pressure, but not too much or too little. People entered flow states when they were pushed to their limits and had the expertise to accomplish their goal. 'It's a balance between your skills and the challenge,' says Abigail Marsh, a neuroscientist at Georgetown University who worked with Hemsworth on the show. The science behind the flow state Over the years, scientists have come up with different theories about what happens in the brain during the flow states. These theories fall into roughly two camps, says John Kounios, a cognitive neuroscientist at Drexel University. Some believe that flow states happen during periods of intense focus, when the brain is exerting more attention and greater effort to exclude everything but the task at hand. An alternate view argues that the brain calms down during flow, rather than ramps up, allowing a person's skills to take over. In 2024, Kounios and David Rosen, another cognitive neuroscientist, brought 32 jazz guitarists to a lab to study the location and intensity of electrical activity in the brain while they were in flow. Some of the guitarists were newer at playing, and some had played at an expert level for years. The researchers asked them to improvise solo performances and report back whether they fell into flow states, all while being measured by an electroencephalogram (EEG), which records electrical activity in the brain. The experienced musicians had a higher number of flow states that were also more intense. The scientists then compared what was happening in the brain when musicians said they had high-flow performances versus low-flow ones, and the difference was notable—there was less activity in the frontal lobes during flow states. The frontal lobes are responsible for executive processing, which organizes thoughts and behaviors, focuses attention, and forms goals. 'If the flow state was a matter of heightened concentration [and] focus, we would have seen greater activity in the frontal lobes when a person was in a state of flow,' Kounios says. The more experienced musicians also had activity in brain regions associated with hearing and vision during their flow states, while the less experienced musicians didn't show this activity. Kounious says it was as if the seasoned jazz players had their own brain networks for improvising that they relied upon, while at the same time releasing conscious control in the frontal parts of the brain. Kounios believes the study's findings show that flow takes place when the brain lets go and expertise takes over. 'It doesn't become something you have to consciously, deliberately do,' he says. How you can achieve a flow state Some amount of expertise is required for flow, whether it be during something thrilling like rock climbing, or a less intense activity, like building model ships or putting up drywall. As long as a challenge you're confronting demands that you utilize your expertise, that's when the flow state can be activated. If you're attempting a task that you're not skilled in at all—playing a concerto at Carnegie Hall as a beginner, for example—then you're more likely to experience frustration or fear instead. (Here's what fear does to your brain and your body.) However, there's no way to rush a flow state—it's something that comes on its own time. When you first learn a new skill, it's unlikely you'll experience flow; but if you turn away at the first sign of challenge or stress, you won't be able to increase your expertise to tap into those flow states later on. 'The flow state is the reward you get for tackling a difficult challenge,' says Marsh. You can still be highly focused and engaged in activities without needing to be an expert, however; Kounios calls this absorption. When you see a beautifully shot movie, read the end of a thrilling novel, or even clean out your garage, you might find yourself absorbed. Rather than chasing after flow, Marsh recommends thinking about what hobbies you genuinely like to do, keeping in mind that flow states are an eventual pleasant side effect of doing these activities that you find valuable and rewarding. (Your brain shrinks after 40. Learning a musical instrument can reverse it.) After all, the best way to gain expertise is to take on new and difficult experiences. It's not satisfying when a climb is too easy, Davis says. 'The goal in climbing is to get into the flow state,' though climbers call it 'sending.' When she's climbing at her limit, there's nothing better than entering flow and reaching her goal. In Utah, when she reached the top of that summit, 'I just had this incredible sense of well-being: Everything's right with the world. Everything feels good," she says. "It's a very euphoric feeling—you want to stay in that feeling for as long as you can.' "Limitless: Live Better Now" is currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu and on National Geographic starting August 25. Check local listings.
National Geographic
3 hours ago
- National Geographic
This Mexican beach town offers a laid-back vibe
The Mexican Caribbean—the strip of the Yucatán Peninsula that borders the Caribbean Sea and includes resort towns like Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen—has seen a tourism boom in recent decades, welcoming some 20 million visitors annually. Meanwhile, a little over 100 miles south of Tulum, Bacalar offers an experience like that of the Mexican Caribbean during its early days. The laid-back, waterfront town founded in the 5th century features wellness experiences, historical sites, boutique hotels, and outdoor recreation, with its local flair still intact. Traveling to Bacalar, Mexico? Add a trip to the Kohunlich Ruins, a large archaeological site of the pre-Colombian Maya civilization, to your itinerary. Photograph by vale_t, Getty Images Top 5 attractions in Bacalar 1. The Ichkabal Ruins This ancient Mayan site, comprised of grand plazas and pyramids hidden in the jungle, opened to the public at the end of 2024. Since the ruins are about an hour away from Bacalar, the best way to get there is to book a tour from Bacalar or the nearby city of Chetumal. 2. The Kohunlich Ruins Within this 20-acre Mayan city outside Bacalar, howler monkey calls ring through the air. Its grand Temple of Masks is the most significant structure in the complex, thought to have been built in 500 C.E. Plan to spend about half a day in the area and book a tour from Bacalar or Chetumal. 3. Fuerte de San Felipe de Bacalar Italian architect Juan Podio designed this lagoon-front fort in 1733 to protect Bacalar from pirates. The structure was designated a National Historic Monument in 1975 and has been a museum since the 1980s. 4. Wellness experiences Bacalar is earning a reputation as a wellness destination, thanks to places like Our Habitas Bacalar, Kapok Bacalar, Mía Bacalar, and eco-resort Rancho Encantado. In these retreat centers rooted in Mayan tradition, you can try treatments that range from massages and ancient Mayan skin therapies to aromatherapy, cupping, and a traditional temazcal sweat lodge. 5. Wander the downtown Bacalar's downtown has a relaxed hippy vibe, much like that of Tulum a few decades ago. Wander its colorful streets lined with murals, sit in quaint cafes, visit local artisans' shops, and stop by the fort. The 30-room Hotel Quinta Las Flores is just one of many hotels where travelers can stay when visiting Bacalar. Photograph by Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Downtown Bacalar has a relaxed, hippy vibe with colorful streets lined with murals. Photograph by Chuck David, VWPics/Redux This Indigenous and Mayan-themed street art depicts a turtle with ruins rising on its back, located on a cinderblock wall in Bacalar, Mexico. Photograph by Chuck David, VWPics/Redux (7 of the best Maya ruins to visit in Mexico) Consider Bacalar as an alternative to Tulum and Cancún Bacalar is not located directly on the Caribbean but is home to a freshwater lake called the Bacalar Lagoon, or Lagoon of Seven Colors. Below the dazzling array of blues and greens at the lagoon's surface lie cauliflower-shaped stromatolites, three-billion-year-old microorganisms that store CO2. Unlike in overrun Mexican Caribbean towns that have been damaged by unfettered development, in Bacalar, the community has come together to protect its fragile resource that doubles as its greatest tourism attraction. Even so, development looms ever-closer, like the controversial Tren Maya that opened a station in Bacalar last year and has already dramatically altered the natural environment. Marco Jerico is a Cancún native who has been working with environmental organizations in Bacalar for the last decade. He founded Agua Clara Bacalar in 2016, an NGO dedicated to protecting the Bacalar Lagoon and sustainably managing tourism in the area, and currently serves as president of the Emerge Bakhalal Foundation, a social development and environmental organization in Bacalar. Jerico lists the decision to close the lagoon to recreation each Wednesday as one of the most important actions the community has taken, 'a day of respite' for the water and its fragile ecosystem. He also emphasizes the importance of focusing on tourism initiatives led by locals. Adrian Blanco is one of the cofounders of The Bacalar Collection, a group of local companies that have come together to sustainably manage tourism offerings in Bacalar—what Blanco calls a kind of neighborhood watch that creates social pressure to halt large-scale developments. 'As a group and as a community, we will do as much as it takes to make sure that we have the lagoon preserved for future generations,' Blanco says. Those seeking a wild spring break atmosphere may be disappointed by Bacalar. Jerico says, 'There are no parties or nightclubs here. In Bacalar, we have nature, culture, and a colony of the first living organisms that appeared on Earth.' Blanco has a similar take on how Bacalar stands apart from the rest of the Mexican Caribbean. 'Bacalar is focused on tourism with a lower impact,' he says. Cocalitos, also known as El Santuario de los Estromatolitos (The Sanctuary of the Stromatolites), is a natural spa in Bacalar. You can swim, relax on swings and hammocks in the water, and explore the cenote. Photograph by Gerard Puigmal, Getty Images Enjoying the Bacalar Lagoon as a responsible traveler The highlight of any stay in Bacalar is time on the lagoon. With calm, clear waters, it offers some of the safest and most ideal conditions for stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, and more. To protect the natural marvel, Jerico implores visitors to seek out experiences with a low environmental impact. That means skipping tours that use motorized boats. 'Sailing tours have a low impact and are the most beautiful way to explore the lagoon,' he says. Most tour companies also ask guests to follow guidelines for responsible recreation closely. Opt for a sun shirt and hat over sunscreen to avoid introducing harmful chemicals into the water. Be mindful of waste, respect buoys that designate protected areas, avoid loud music that may scare off birds, and exercise caution when paddling or stepping so as not to avoid disturbing fragile underwater formations. Getting to Bacalar The most direct way to get to Balacar is on the new Tren Maya, which makes stops in Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. Train tickets cost between $7 to $50 depending on the route. The environmental impact of the new railway continues to spark controversy, especially when it comes to the preservation of Mexico's International Airport is the nearest airport to Bacalar. After landing, you can take a 45-minute taxi ride to the town for approximately $20. If you choose to land at Cancún International Airport, plan for a six-hour bus ride to Balacar for about $40. Car rentals are also available at airports for travelers interested in making a road trip to the southeastern Mexico town. Where to stay and eat Thanks to Bacalar's dedication to sustainable tourism, you won't find massive hotels or all-inclusive resorts here. Instead, boutique hotels line much of the lagoon, and the hotels follow strict ecological standards. The stylish and adults-only Amainah Bacalar is located between two different cenotes and features private plunge pools in its suites. Another option is Casa Hormiga , just north of downtown, designed in harmony with nature and built with local materials. For those seeking a little bit more of the party atmosphere of Cancún or Tulum, there's El Búho Hotel and Beach Club . One of the best dining experiences in Bacalar is Nixtamal , where ingredients from the on-site garden take center stage. Dig into contemporary Mexican cuisine at lagoon-side Jaguara , stop by Latin fusion restaurant La Playita with its own beach club strung with hammocks, or head to Ixchel for breakfast. Zanny Merullo Steffgen is a Colorado-based freelance travel journalist whose work has appeared in Fodor's, Lonely Planet, OutThere, and other publications. Learn more and follow her work at
Buzz Feed
13 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
13 Must-Visit Food Spots in Montréal
It's the place for poutine, smoked meat and bagels, but Montréal is more than that. (But definitely don't skip those.) It's home to a growing list of top-notch restaurants and eateries and no matter how many times I visit, I probably won't get to them all. But I do love a challenge. As one of Canada's best food cities, I paid a quick visit with a little detour to Québec City to see if the good eating is province-wide (spoiler: it is.) Even if it's your first time or 100th time in Montréal, start by finding yourself an un-touristy tour guide to take you on a food tour of Montréal institutions and lesser-known gems. We did a walking food tour with Spade & Palacio and our guide, Danny, was a gem and excellent storyteller. First up, Danny took us took us to a less touristy spot, Resto Los Planes which is known for homestyle Salvadorian food like fresh cornmeal pupusas — choose from a list that includes: pork and cheese, cheese and beans, chicken, and some tasty vegetarian options (don't forget a generous pour of their homemade tomato sauce) — and wash it down with a refreshing horchata. This family-run restaurant serves up generous portions that are budget-friendly. It's also the kind of neighbourhood place where you feel like a local in-the-know just by being there. Next we popped into long-time Montréal establishment, Alati-Caserta bakery, an Italian hotspot opened by Vittorio and his wife Maria back in 1968. Now over 55 years later, their son Marco and his wife Linda have taken over the family business and have kept the old-school Italian bakery charm. The shop makes 30 different types of cannoli alone! Some flavours included salted caramel, strawberry, Skor and more. I CANNOLI imagine how much work it must be. Cue: applause. Then we hit the popular Jean-Talon market - a true local food-lover's paradise. Danny shared stories of Montréal producers and makers — like the two brothers who became accidental ice cream makers — while we tasted a variety of bites at the popular market, including cured meats, fresh cheese, gelato, and smoked fish. If you want a lot of options within very few steps of each other; this is the place for you. Our final stop on the walking tour was État de choc, a store for those who love the good stuff and hard-to-find bean-to-bar options. Attention: this is for chocolate lovers! They make their own bars and decadent spreads and carry a vast selection of chocolate bars from all over the world. Maple, miso, and toasted rice is an International Chocolate Award winner as is Chili Corn with dark chocolate. Don't come in here looking for your standard grocery store chocolate bar because you'll make a fool of yourself. Having trained extensively for back-to-back meals, I got ready for my first of several fancy-ish meals after the food tour. The Michelin Guide graced Québec during my visit and blessed several Montréal and Québec City restaurants with stars and recommendations that got eager eaters online to snag reservations as quickly as they could. We started our Michelin tour at Mastard. For a reasonably-priced five-course tasting menu at $90 per person, Mastard delivers a meal full of locally-sourced ingredients in an intimate room. It's fine dining food and service without the typical fine dining price. One of the first bites of the meal set the tone for the creativity that would follow: a bite-size cube of dense spice cake with a hint of black garlic and feather-light blanket of grated Québec cheese. Ok, but if you feel like getting splurge-y… and you lean towards a lively room of just 30 people, Le Mousso and its ever-changing 10-course $250 per person tasting menu can be described as hyper local, seasonal, creative, and adventurous. If you're an open-minded eater and like an element of surprise, you'll do just fine with the one-word menu descriptions like: crab, lobster, beef, lamb. Sea urchin fell under dessert and did I think I would like it? I was unsure. But did I actually like the custardy dessert with a hint of maple syrup? I sure did. It's hard to overlook a Montréal staple and the Michelin Guide couldn't ignore it either. They bestowed a recommendation to Schwartz's Deli where $16 will get you a hefty smoked meat sandwich. Pro tip: head to the takeout counter for faster service. Fine dining in this economy? Get good food and attentive service at almost student prices. Restaurant de l'ITHQ is run by students at Montréal's culinary school. They're cooking in the kitchen and serving you in the dining room. Save a few bucks by indulging in their Tuesday or Wednesday promotion where $62 gets you a 3-course meal. It's not student food; it's food by the next generation of chefs and restauranteurs. If you've ever been late to meet friends and used the excuse, 'I couldn't find the door! Where is the sign?' It's a legit excuse at The Cloakroom Bar. Recognized as one of Canada's top bars and even in North America, this hidden cocktail bar has graced many 'best of' lists. With only 25 seats, they famously don't have a sign (the entrance is hidden next to a men's suit store in case you feel like killing two birds with one stone) and also famously do not have a menu. You tell the staff what you like or don't like, your favourite spirits or cocktails and they'll shake up something for you. Non-drinkers can also partake in the choose-your-own-adventure style drinks. If you want to soak up some vitamin D while sipping on a cocktail, there's no shortage of stellar patios in Montréal. Bar Bello has a stunning interior but for good people-watching, grab a seat on the terrace in Little Italy. My group squealed at the nifty retro negroni vending machine where for $22, you purchase a token, pop it into the machine and a staff member retrieves the negroni of your choice. Rotating options include Fragola (strawberry, gin, vermouth, campari), Chocolato (with toasted cacao) and the Boulevardier with whiskey. Let's say you want to stay somewhere central with a good breakfast that consists of more than mini yogurts and a chafing dish of scrambled eggs made 4 hours ago. Le Germaine Hotel has a bright and airy restaurant with a great breakfast menu since I needed to pre-game before my days of sport eating. Bonus: They serve Fairmount bagels. If you've got a busy day and won't find time to grab the Montréal classic during your stay. After a few days in Montréal, we drove 2.5 hours to Québec City for more eating because it's our strongest skillset. In historic Old Québec City is the only restaurant in Québec (and only the second in Canada) to be awarded 2 Michelin stars, Tanière³. The most stars you can get is 3, so it's a big deal. The restaurant is located in the vaulted cellars of the Leber & Charest houses built in the late 1600's, which means they are very old and very cool. Chef François-Emmanuel Nicol has lifted the restaurant's Boreal cuisine to new heights focusing on locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients. The 15 to 20 course menu (depends on the season) runs about $300 per person. Every dish from the caviar with scallop and potato, to the oyster with dashi and the little tart with ricotta cheese, mushroom and apple, was inventive and delicious. The experience is full of surprises and thoughtful details that make it worth saving up for. And finally, if your travel checklist included a hotel, a museum, and farm-fresh produce, then Auberge Saint-Antoine in the Old Port of Québec City is the boutique hotel for you. Their restaurant Chez Muffy, also made it onto the Michelin Recommended list, no doubt largely due to the super fresh fruits and veggies grown on their farm located on Île d'Orléans about 20km away. I'm not sure how it happened but with these days of intense eating, I didn't have a single poutine. I guess I'll have to go back. The challenge lives on. And for even more food content, make sure you follow BuzzFeed Canada on Instagram and TikTok!
