New York City is filled with legendary places to eat, but few indoor food destinations capture the feeling of Italy quite like Eataly in the Flatiron District. Located just steps from Madison Square Park and directly across from the Flatiron Building, Eataly offers visitors a grand Italian marketplace filled with restaurants, counters, fresh pasta, pizza, cheeses, meats, seafood, baked goods, coffee, and gelato. For tourists looking for a memorable New York City food experience, or locals searching for a place that feels both practical and exciting, Eataly remains one of Manhattan’s most enjoyable stops.
Photo: Brian Kachejian 2018
Ever been to New York City on a stormy day and just didn’t feel like walking around in the rain? Have you ever planned a trip to walk around Little Italy, and then it begins to pour? Who wants to eat a cannoli that’s soaking wet? Well, we discovered an alternative to the Little Italy walking experience. That alternative is an amazing marketplace called Eataly.
Don’t get us wrong, we love Little Italy. However, New York’s Eataly is an amazing shopping and dining experience that you don’t want to miss. Furthermore, it does not have to be a rainy day to enjoy this intoxicating food extravaganza. The New York Eataly, located directly across from the Flatiron Building on Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street, first opened its doors in 2010. Many people in the New York area are still unfamiliar with the place. That is a shame, because it is breathtaking from both culinary and cultural perspectives.
The Smell Of The Old Neighborhood
Upon first entering the Eataly marketplace, I was struck by a smell that reminded me of the old neighborhood pork stores. It was that smell that one could never quite put a finger on. The aroma of dried meats hanging from the ceiling, fresh mozzarella, imported cheeses, simmering sauces, and baked goods blended into a scent of complete happiness.
The Restaurants Inside Eataly
New York’s Flatiron District Eataly marketplace features a combination of restaurants and counters. Riso e Risotto features Northern Italian cuisine. Manzo centers around brilliant cuts of beef. Baita is located on the rooftop level, offering an amazing view of New York City. La Pizza & La Pasta features luscious pasta dishes and pizza to die for. Il Pesce is for seafood lovers, featuring the catch of the day and assorted seafood sold from the fresh seafood marketplace housed at Eataly. La Piazza is one of the most interesting restaurants because it is located in the heart of Eataly. The restaurant serves food from its surrounding counters, much like a piazza in Central Italy.
La Pizza & La Pasta Restaurant. Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2018
The Counters And Quick Bites
One does not have to sit down at a restaurant in Eataly to enjoy some food. The New York Eataly marketplace also features many sit-down counters that offer quick and incredibly delicious Italian food and pastries for those who want something quick but life-changing, at least for the moment. Specialty counters at Eataly include Rosticceria e Panini, featuring chicken, ribs, fresh breads, and everything else under the sun. Other great counters at Eataly include I Cannoli Di Eataly, which speaks for itself. I had a cannoli with chocolate filling, chocolate-iced sides, and hazelnuts on top. Simply indescribable, and definitely something that would put an end to your New Year’s diet.
I Cannoli Di Eataly chocolate filled and hazelnut cannoli. Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2018
Pizza At Eataly
The La Pizza market dining room experience is extraordinary. There were so many different varieties of pizza and toppings. The sauce was incredibly fresh, with just the right amount of sweetness and spice. New Yorkers know good pizza. This place does it right.
Photo: Brian Kachejian 2018
La Focaccia And Fresh Bread
One of our favorite counters at New York’s Eataly was La Focaccia. One smell of the baked breads and you will not be able to resist trying one of the flatbreads or pieces of focaccia.
Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2018
The Macelleria Counter
If you love fresh beef, pork, or chicken, Eataly has a wonderful supply of choice cuts at the Macelleria counter. The sale of these meats showed that many customers at Eataly were local residents doing their grocery shopping.
Macelleria Counter. Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2018
The Il Pesce Seafood Counter
There is nothing like buying fresh fish with a view of the Mediterranean in the background, even if it is only a picture. This seafood looked pretty fresh. It is also the seafood served in Eataly’s market restaurants.
Il Pesce Seafood Counter. Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2018
Italian Groceries And Specialty Foods
If you’re not a local resident and want to bring home canned or bottled items featuring Italian delicacies, Eataly offers an abundance of grocery items for both locals and tourists.
Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2018
Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2018
Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2018
Baked Goods, Coffee, And Gelato
The most crowded region of the Eataly market experience was the section selling baked goods, fresh coffee, and, above all else, gelato. From our experience sampling many of the food items and speaking with people who both worked and shopped at Eataly, one of the most popular items was the gelato.
Baked Goods Section at Eataly. Photo: Brian Kachejian © 2018
Visiting Eataly In New York City
There are two Eatalys in New York City. The one that we visited is located in the Flatiron District across from the Flatiron Building at 200 Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street. Eataly’s other New York location is housed downtown at 4 World Trade Center.
The easiest way to get to Eataly is by public transportation. The New York City subway stops right at the location. You literally walk out of the subway station, and the doors to Eataly are only a few feet away. Just take the N or R subway line and stop at 23rd Street. There are also plenty of parking garages in the area. Other subway lines, such as the Second Avenue Subway Q train or the Lexington Avenue 6 train, will drop you off a few blocks away.
If you are visiting New York City for a short trip or live in one of the boroughs, we highly recommend visiting the Flatiron District and stopping at Eataly. There is nothing like having dinner, buying a gelato, and then sitting outside in Madison Square Park staring at the Flatiron Building on a beautiful sunny day.
More New York City Places To Explore
If you enjoy discovering classic New York City destinations, take a look at our features on Little Italy, the Flatiron Building, Grand Central Terminal, and the Second Avenue Subway.
Article updated June 27, 2026.
