Steps from the trendy crowds of SoHo and the nightlife of the Lower East Side, the charming blocks of Little Italy and NoLiTa – which stands for North of Little Italy – provide a pleasing counterpoint to the often frenetic pace of downtown.

Tourists flock to the old-school red-sauce and checkered tablecloth Italian restaurants whose al fresco tables line Little Italy’s sidewalks – and while delicious and authentic meals can be had in many of them, locals have their own hidden gems in the neighborhood.

Easy access to the rest of downtown, but a quieter atmosphere with a distinctly European feel, make real estate in NoLiTa particularly desirable.