New York is famous for many things, but quality coffee is not always one of its greatest assets. The image of a New Yorker with a paper cup in his hands symbolizes the rhythm of the city rather than the true enjoyment of the drink. Personally, I don’t like this option. I don’t consider myself a coffee connoisseur, but I know for sure that the standard Starbucks flavor is not my thing.
One day, walking through Chinatown, which is gradually turning into the disappearing Little Italy, I came across a cozy cafe called Ferrara. Had I been alone, I probably would have just taken a picture of the pretty sign and walked on by. But that day I was out walking with friends who couldn’t imagine a morning without coffee, so we decided to stop by. It turned out to be a good decision! Inside we were greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries, and the drink was served not in paper cups, but in real porcelain cups.
History of Cafe Ferrara
Cafe Ferrara has been operating since 1892, which is a real antiquity by the standards of New York. The institution was founded by two cousins from Naples – Enrico Scoppa (Enrico Scoppa) and Antonio Ferrara (Antonio Ferrara). Their idea was to create a place where Italians – passionate fans of coffee and opera – could enjoy a drink before or after the performance, and at the same time play their favorite card game Scopa (“Broom”).
Antonio Ferrara, as an opera impresario, quickly realized that the café could be a profitable business. At the time, there were many Italian immigrants living in the neighborhood, and there were hardly any places for them to sit and relax. Singers frequented the café, and even Enrico Caruso himself – the legendary tenor who performed at the Metropolitan Opera from 1903 to 1921 – was a regular. He came here not only for coffee, but also for the traditional pastries – pignoli (almond cookies with nuts) and sfogliatelle (puff pastries with cottage cheese filling), which were prepared daily in the café’s own bakery.
Ferrara: five generations of family business
Over time, the cafe passed to Peter Lepore, husband of Enrico Scoppa’s daughter. Even during the Great Depression, the business managed to survive, thanks to the fact that baked goods were prepared in small batches several times a day to avoid wastage.
During World War II, Cafe Ferrara began sending torrone, a traditional Italian nougat made from honey, sugar, egg whites and almonds, to the front. This dessert has been known in Italy since the XV century, and each region makes it in its own way. The founders of the cafe are from Naples, so the Ferrara recipe is based on Neapolitan traditions.
What to try at Ferrara
I didn’t try Torrone, but I did try cannoli – a crispy tube with delicate cream, ice cream and, of course, coffee. The taste is simply amazing!
Today, Cafe Ferrara remains one of the few New York establishments still owned by the same family – the fifth generation to run the business. The cafe is located on the corner of Mulberry and Grand streets and is open every day from 8am to late night. If you want to feel the atmosphere of the real Little Italy and taste the best Italian desserts of New York, you should definitely come to Ferrara!