Always the best - You can sample cheese before you buy it. Recommendations are so helpful. The Di Palo family is still behind the counter- Wonderful people! And now you can go next door for great wine selections It's my favorite place to shop! read more

MISSION: PROTECT THE MOZZARELLA (AND THE CARBS). ​Had to pull up to Di Palo's Fine Foods in Little Italy because these legends have been holding down the cheese game since 1925. A whole century of absolute dominance. 100 years of pure, unadulterated dairy power. ​Walked in for "just a few things" and left feeling like I'm officially part of the family. The counters here are waist-high on purpose--basically an extension of their dinner table. Fourth-gen owner Lou Di Palo is behind the counter dropping ancient Italian food wisdom on you like a culinary godfather. ​Secured the absolute holy trinity... plus an audible at the buzzer: ​Fresh buffalo mozzarella (so fresh it should be illegal) ​Their famous prosciutto (thinly sliced perfection) ​One immaculate Italian roll ​The freshly made to-go lasagna ​Listen to me: they were real ones and sliced the roll open to build the prosciutto sandwich for me right on the spot. Absolute respect. ​But we need to talk about this lasagna. I took it to go, and it is hands down one of the best fresh lasagnas I have ever had in my entire life. Perfect layers, elite cheese-to-sauce ratio, pure magic. ​If you need me, I'll be recovering from this food coma. Salute. read more

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I'll Migliore!! The finest source for amazing cheeses from around the world and still family owned for over 100 years. It is a throwback to when customers were treated like royalty and life was like a wonderful meal with friends and family. read more

I hesitated to write this review because I was concerned I wouldn't be able to provide enough context and superlatives. This 99.9 year old family run Italian deli deserves all the accolades and more! I had read about it and just had to visit so I did! Luckily, I picked a quieter time, 3pm and didn't have to wait long. Marie, a 4th generation family member, kindly helped me make numerous selections of rare delicious incredible Italian meats and cheeses. Her daughter, 5th generation and educated in Bologna, was helping other customers! The entire experience was unhurried, gracious, friendly, unique, memorizable, delicious and wonderful! We chatted. Marie shared stories snd I shared one myself from journeys through Italy. Marie gave me a personal heartfelt tour showing me each family photo. The whole experience will certainly be the highlight of our visit to NYC! I found Lou, Maries's brother had written a book on Italian food and life so I had to purchase it. Marie offered that I could get it signed if I came back while Lou was there! Joe jokingly told me he'd quiz me next time I return! I'm reading this fascinating book cover to cover! The forward is by Martin Scorsese who was a regular customer as was his family! In fact, Marie was his favorite server when she began working at 12! Life is exceptionally good with an incredible immortal family run business. Please come here if you visit New York City. Come often if you live here. Grazie mille! read more

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I got so ill and had explosive diarrhea from their prepared foods. The meatballs and balls of mozzarella are just sitting there on the counter, and the food-safety temperatures must have been all out of whack! Really disappointing and sickening. NOT RECOMMENDED. read more

The best of the best when it comes to Italian food in Manhattan. Service is always outstanding!

I dont write reviews, and at the moment I dont have funds for dipalos. They are not rude, they have a vibe ,and a way of doing business we might not agree with. You shouldn't go if you don't understand. When I first stated shopping at DiPaols I was 19. There Dad or Mom would help me. It was slow but always rewarding. Educational. Yes extremely challenging when you just need to come in and out. But not there thing. Accept it or not. You will always learn about cheese, get samples before you purchase, they have your back. There product is superior. Make no mistake about it. read more

Italian heaven - it's a definitely the coolest place to buy all Italian food. There are different cheeses and meat options (you can choose weight needed or buy already packed), freshly made pastas, milk products and ready-to-eat options like sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, olives etc. Sausages and meat for grill are also available. Inside there is a block with groceries - you'll see many variations of olive oil, pastas (gluten free ones are presented), sauces and jams, different cookies. Prices are fair, staff is very helpful. read more

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I came here to pick up some cold cuts, cheese, and bread. The quality of everything was good, and items are priced accordingly. The staff were so helpful and friendly. I'd definitely come back! read more

I miss Di Palo's very much! I once lived just two blocks away from Di Paulo's and even so, I always bought too much with each visit. It was such a treat to have this gem nearby. I mean, how could you not buy too much?! Everything was so great! The Porchetta right out of the oven on weekends was amazing, the panini sandwiches, the-made-a-second-ago-in-front-of-you mozzarella, fried chicken cutlets, meatballs, any fresh pasta on the counter, just sautéed broccoli rabe; you couldn't possibly walk in without smelling and seeing what just came out of the kitchen on the counter and not grab a little of everything that was ready made to eat. Everything was always on point and delicious. That porchetta though, was the best! The grocery cold section was just as great. The ready made sauces could amp up any of your personal creations at home and make you a star! The ready to be reheated pasta entrees, like the better the second day, eggplant lasagnas were so filling and perfect for a quick meal. If you needed more time between servings, the raviolis in the frozen section contained plenty of varieties to satisfy your tastes at a much later date of your choosing. It doesn't get any easier than a box of frozen pasta and a container of homemade gravy/sauce. Once you get to the counter, you'll see refrigerators with some of the best aged Proscuitto and Speck ready to be sliced with care, whole salami's, mortadella & culatello cold cuts and finally the cheeses including the ricotta. A few drops of honey with this ricotta is a delicious snack. Lastly the pantry section is stocked with only the best best varieties of olive oil, balsamic, dried pastas, dried herbs, cookies straight from Italy,.... If you had any questions about any of the products, just know that the owners would be none to happy to engage with you, and provide you any details because they've personally tried everything they sell, and know best how it is to be used. Finally, I remember when it was just one long narrow aisle with a counter, they have renovated for a few years now, and the store looks great, but how they operate is still the same, whoever was at the counter was the king/queen of the moment and had all the attention of the server. One customer at a time is how it used to be done which is still how it is done today even it if takes just a bit longer to get your order. Even though the pandemic has eliminated tastings and samples for the time being, hopefully we get back to the way things were and I get another slice of that porchetta someday soon. read more

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An incredible family-owned and operated cheese shop! I was showing visiting family around Chinatown and Little Italy when we came upon this cute local business that has been around forever. My mom loves places like this, so I recommended we head inside to check it out. First of all, cheese EVERYWHERE. All Italian. There are also meats, salads, cookies, crackers, olives, and other charcuterie/cheeseboard accoutrements. We opted for one cow's milk cheese and one goat's milk cheese. Both were really fragrant and delicious. We also bought some salami, which was absolute perfection. The lady who helped my mom was one of the owners, and she was so kind and patient with all my mom's questions. She gave us all samples of everything as well, which is always a welcome treat. Highly recommend this shop for your Italian cheese, meat, and grocery needs! read more

A family run business for generations and 10 decades. It started out very slowly, but the best prosciutto I've ever had in my life great wines by the glass and incredibly reasonable they have a supermarket next-door that has been around also for 100 years.. The prosciutto was so good. We ordered it again with some more cheese, and the Burrata was delicious with the roasted peppers. Sam, the son, Luigi and Sal the brothers really know their food will definitely come back. read more

Di Palo's - Cheese Shops Near Me - New York, New York

This is the best Italian food shop in New York! Family run very friendly and cheeses, raviolis, sauces and everything else are fresh and delicious and very authentic! ! I've been shopping here over 20years! Thank you Di Palo for keeping your store open and running! read more

Simply the best! This family owned business excels at demonstrating pride of ownership to their customers! The courteous and product knowledgable family staff members proudly answer their customers' inquiries regarding their ultra fresh products. It is the hope of this reviewer that Di Palos' passion to providing the finest Italian products to their customers will continue for another 100 years! We wish the DiPalo family members and their valued staff continued good health! read more

This review of DiPalo's is looking overdue. I have been to DiPalo's several times over the past ten years or so and one should not pass this gem up. DiPalo's will transport you back to another era, another time, another place when and where people shop frequently for their needs with freshness and quality at a premium. If you are looking for your charcuterie or wish to entertain folks, stop by and let your palate realize an explosion of flavor. The last time I was at DiPalo's a few weeks ago, I fortunately stopped in before the crowd and line formed behind me. When you come in, pull a number to get your place in line. This is cheese, salami and ham heaven in here. The aroma greets you. The selection is incredible and they will let you try a slice if you're not sure. This is old school and old world at its best to the extent one can find it here in the US. Taste that sharp cheese and salami and ham of choice explode on your palate with a beautiful focaccia underneath; heirloom tomato, olive oil and Italian seasonings on top. A simple pleasure readily available for your delight here. Pair it with your red of choice and repeat, each time your palate is rewarded anew. Old world and old school service await you here too. They aim to please, but not to a fault. Respect the folks here and the respect comes back. This is one of those places in NYC that is irreplaceable. It's special and a well deserved four and a half stars. read more

Always friendly. Best cheese in NY. Easy to find, every time I'm in NY i stop in an get the cheese packaged to take home

COVID report: You can shop inside Di Palo's again (they were doing order-ahead only for a while during the pandemic)! Di Palo's is definitely an institution. They have a great selection of meats and cheeses, as well as a small variety of pantry items. I picked up some pork sausage, parmesan, pasta and prosciutto in early February. The parm was way better than whatever you get at Whole Foods, which is to be expected. Prosciutto was also a standout, though nothing compares to the stuff you get in Italy (import restrictions and all that). Employees were friendly and the line moved pretty fast! read more

Di Palo's - Prosciutto Di Parma - Cheese Shops Near Me - New York, New York

I got 0.25lb of prosciutto. It was the best I've ever had. The flavor was incredible and it was quite literally melting from the heat of my skin as I pulled it off the plastic wrapping it comes in. It's also dirt cheap for the quality. I believe I only paid $6-7 for the meat. Which is about what you'd pay for a fraction of that quantity at Walmart. Expect to wait in line for a while, the service is slow but it's because the siblings who run the shop *love* to talk to their customers. Expect to hear some corny jokes while they take your order. There is plenty of Italian foodstuff to look at while you wait. I was pleasantly surprised by the small-town feel of this big city store. read more

I Family has been coming to this location since it opened nearly 100 years ago. My mom tells stories about waking up early with my grandmother to go down and get cheeses for the holidays. Despite getting there early, there would already be a line outside the door, that's how popular this place has been, and remains to this day. The market itself isn't anything mind blowing - you have very good specialty foods, but it's not a huge shopping space. However, you simply cannot find better artisanal cheeses in the city. When you hear families talk about the difference, they can taste and smell with the highest quality cheeses they're referring to the type of offerings you will find here in addition, you're plenty of choices with smoked meats, a selection of pastas, and other ingredients. After market hours, a wine bar upstairs offers an excellent opportunity to pair drink selections with some of their finest cheeses and meats. It's unpretentious, approachable, and dang good. This is the type of place you take friends to when they're visiting the city for the first time and you want to avoid the tourist trappings. The ambience of the market and the wine bar are modern, with an old world feel. It's worth noting these aren't the cheapest offerings you'll find, but in my opinion, they represent some of the best. read more

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I live across the street from DiPalo's and I've been shopping there since I was old enough to cross the street on my own and do some shopping for my mother....more years than I can remember. Everything we've purchased over many decades has been delicious and fresh .... a hot, just-made mozzarella is my all-time favorite. The only 'negative' I can think of is the long wait during holiday times; however, it's always worth the wait. The staff is eager to offer explanations for anything anyone asks about and they are more than generous with offering samples. I've met some truly interesting and lovely people while waiting in line and if you're lucky, you'll get an "excellent plus!" from Sal when you ask how he's doing....always guaranteed to put a smile on my face. Great place and a "must visit" when in Manhattan's Little Italy! read more

I have been going there since I was kid. I'm still go there now when I am in NY. Its probably one of the few things I miss in NY. Living in Nevada and Florida you can't find any pork stores like this one. The best one ever. Lou, Sal and Marie are wonderful people. Love this place. read more

What a find ! This place is a true gem - so glad I am staying near this deli it has all the goodies for the perfect charcuterie at half the price you would pay at a restaurant. read more

Di Palo's - Cheese Shops Near Me - New York, New York

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Great ty Italian cheese t meats,good service and courteous. Prices are ok We have been shopping there over 30 years Prosciutto bread is on the money! read more

My first time here. I saw products I have never seen in regular supermarkets. I purchased some salami and cheese and they were both out of this world delicious. I found the staff friendly and helpful. Look forward to trying my Italian tuna, too! read more

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Di Palo's is a wonderful stop if you are looking for some wonderful Italian delicacies. The lines can get a bit long, but there is a reason for this, the place is wonderful. read more

I was taken aback by the "joke of the day" shared with me. Obviously, I am no longer used to not being in a rush to get here and there. The man at the counter was very warm, congenial, and was very willing to take his time with the customer. Gave me something to think about on my way home. It's not my first time shopping here. They have some of the best Italian cheeses and meats. read more

Full disclosure: 11 Little Italy stores participated in the Netflix promotion of the Irishman that happen this past Friday and Saturday, it became a treasure hunt/food tour for me. Haven't been in this store in ages since my parents used to come here to buy meat and cheeses to make daily sandwiches every day. With this promotion, this was definitely a walk down memory lane. If you are buying an item, you take a number from the ticket dispenser by the door. You wait for an employee to call your number and put in your order request. Since this is a promotional item, I didn't want to waste a ticket and stood patiently on the line. When one of the employees ask who are friends of Jimmy, I raised my hands along with a handful of people. The employee quipped that Jimmy has a lot of friends...yes, he does! He goes to the back and comes back with some containers to pass to each participant. It's fresh mozzarella balls. How cool. Love their cheeses! Thank you Di Palo and Netflix for the treat! read more

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Prosciutto and cheese here are great, but I wish the management was better at crowd/line control. You often have to wait a very long time, even if there are only 5-6 people in front of you. But authenticity and quality of food is amazing here, so if you can avoid the rush while getting stuff here, you're in good hands. read more

Favorite prosciutto: 1) Prosciutto Specks; smoky, thin, fatty, a little chewy because of the fattiness, flavorful, mouth-wateringly delicious! $28.99/lb 2) Prosciutto di San Danielle; so thin it's see-through, pink, breath-taking aroma, melts in your mouth, sweet, moist! 3) Prosciutto di Parma; also very thin, rosy pink, breathe in the aroma before eating it, it will melt in your mouth. Also very sweet and moist, and absolutely delicious! 4) Truffle Prosciutto Cotto; dry, the smell of truffle is superb, salty, delicious. $20.99/lb 5) Rosemary herbs prosciutto cotto; dry, tastes like the American herbal turkey that they sell. $17.99/lb read more

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This place is the Italian cheese store of my dreams. This is an old school Italian grocery store, stocking imported Italian goods ranging from cheeses and cured meats, housemade pastas and sauces, olive oils, and small Italian sweets. When you enter the store, you take a number and wait for one of the staff to call your number. I came in on a Friday afternoon around 5pm, and didn't have to wait very long. The staff were friendly, and they give you samples of the cheese that you want to buy. The prices are comparable to regular cheese in grocery stores, but the experience is much nicer, and more authentic here. read more

Di Palo's - Fresh ricotta - Cheese Shops Near Me - New York, New York

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This place is seriously amazing. They have everything to fulfill your Italian dreams. From seriously the best cured meats to an array of fresh and aged cheese. Look no further. Everything you need is right here. As of right now (covid times) they're only doing pick up, you have to call to place the order. Once you get there you have to go to the table outside of the shop and call them to let them know you're there. And voila! They were also fairly quick with preparing my items. Thank you graciously read more

Di Palo's - Fresh Mozz - Cheese Shops Near Me - New York, New York

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What could be better?! A wonderful late lunch picnic! I'll be back next trip to the city! read more

My first and only stop for Italian cheese and cold cuts and much more ! I've been going there since I moved to the City ( more that two decades ago, from Italy) because the quality is excellent and prices great. The Di Palo family is an institution in NYC with their several-generations shop and now wine bar, too, their knowledge and kindness. Tradition at its best, still the n.1 destination if you want to experience Italian flavors. Ask for advices, if you are not sure, their service is outstanding. read more

I love this place. The cold cuts and cheese are the best in the city. Sal, Louie, and Marie are the nicest people. read more

Came here for some cheese to bring back to Miami as my bf and I love different goods from great delis here . This is an old school spot , cash only still used old school cash registers but that is the charm of this little deli. Ask for any cheese and you can get a sample and the sweet older lady that helped was very knowledgeable probably because she has been a long time worker and it shows ! Tasted some amazing aged Parmesan , pepper corn cheese (amazing bite) , truffle infused cheese which is so rich and some Asiago ended up probably walking out with 2 pounds of cheese super cool and we will be back to pack a ton back to Miami again! Overall fun market and if you want fresh olives , peppers and sweets gather those up then get some fresh bread and wine and you got a good night ! read more

Beautiful store with beautiful products. I love that this is a small business that has stuck around. I came for prosciutto because I am on the Whole30 and the prosciutto has no preservatives - just pork and salt! The people behind the counter are very nice and give you a piece of the prosciutto to try when you place an order. There could be a wait. Make sure you take a number as soon as you walk in. I would love to come back and try the other products once I start to reintroduce myself to foods. Everything looks so fresh and delicious! read more

Di Palo's - Cheese Shops Near Me - New York, New York

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My favorite italian deli! The have very high quality meats and cheeses that are hard to find elsewhere. Di Palo is one of the little gems of Little Italy. The staff are super nice and love to chat and answer any questions you have about how to eat each item or what to pair it with. This place does get super busy though, when there is a line, do expect to wait there for at least 30 minutes before getting in your order. read more

Grab a number as soon as you walk in. Prepare to wait. Enjoy what you see around and listen for the numbers because you may get missed if you only listen for yours specifically. ie. they jump to 24,26,27,28 and you're still number 18... better be ready to holler! There are a couple of seats but most people stand. A couple of the guys who work here that have a good sense of humor that adds personality to the place. People have really dinged this place for wait time and it's pretty accurate how it goes down here. Timing is everything and buffering for time would be in your best interest too. But it's similar to a place that's popular on a Friday night or weekend or grand opening where a longer wait is inevitable.. expect it and plan for it so you ain't mad about it when it happens. The customer service is nice, has that welcoming/we'll take care of you no problem vibe to it. If you don't know what you want/it's your first time in a place like this/ not sure what to expect, they'll help you figure it out and they won't rush you. They do get busy and you probably will feel like being speedier but these employees also take their time so goodluck rushin them on your clock. I come here for the prosciutto and salami. The prosciutto da parm is so velvety in texture you will really enjoy just for that alone. I found their speck and cotta to have more flavor and a dryer texture that wasn't as silky but very thinly sliced. They'll ask you how much and you can get different amount like a 1/4 lb or 1/3 lb, 1/2 lb etc. and they'll slice it there. The dry spicy salami was my favorite because it had a jerky like texture and delivered in flavor at the end with a peppery flavor to it that I really enjoyed. They'll slice it for you or leave it as a stick. read more

The best cheese ever! Every time I come here the service is impeccable! They are great at recommending cheeses and other items. Since covid they haven't been able to give out samples but prior to they would let you sample all types of cheeses so you could figure out what you like. This store is definitely an awesome experience and the homemade mozzarella is so fresh and creamy, you've got to try it! And they have a great wine store next door where they will help you pair your cheese to the perfect bottle of wine. read more

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As a former Rhode Islander who grew up eating food from the Italian family run markets and bakeries on "The Hill" in Providence, I am always impressed by this oasis of the original Little Italy among the tourist trap Italian restaurants and encroaching Asian and Millennial businesses. Di Palo's is not the only Italian specialty shop but it is one of, if not the best of them all! They are not inexpensive but they sell top of the line Italian meats, cheeses and other foods. As others have suggested, don't be staring in awe at all the wonderful products so traditionally displayed and after 10 minutes realize that until you take a number and it is called, you aren't going to be served! read more

Di Palo's - Cheese Shops Near Me - New York, New York