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Alleva Dairy
Category: Food Specialty Food Cheese Shops Cheese Shops [Edit]
188 Grand St(between Centre Market Pl & Mulberry St)
New York, NY 10013
Neighborhood: Little Italy
(212) 226-7990
- Nearest Transit:
-
Canal St (4, 6, 6X)
Canal St (J, N, Q, Z)
Bowery (J)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 8:30 am - 6 pm
Sun 9 am - 4 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
56 reviews for Alleva Dairy
Review Highlights
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"Excellent fresh mozzarella." In 11 reviews -
"...salami sharp provolone and roasted red peppers with oil and..." In 6 reviews -
"I can't wait to go back for rice balls and such." In 9 reviews
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56 reviews in English
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Review from Denise C.
2/21/2012
I have been stopping in here periodically for the past few years, and I am never disappointed.
The guys behind the counter are always super friendly and very helpful if you have questions. They cut big chunks of Parmigiano and Romano to order, and they will grate it for you if you want (I don't do that but it is nice to know the service is available). Of course, their fresh mozz is fantastic, and comes both salted and unsalted. The fresh ricotta is awesome and if you have only eaten supermarket ricotta, do yourself a favor and get yourself a container of the good stuff. They offer a variety of other cheeses, including non-Italian stuff like Gruyere. They have all the standard Italian deli meats, both imported and domestic. They also have a nice selection of olive oil, San Marzano tomatoes, taralli, balsamic, dried pasta, and all your other Italian pantry staples.
In addition to heroes and salumi, you can also get arancini, lard bread, stromboli, and other stuffed breads. The arancini are the size of a tennis ball and are some of the best I've ever had, stuffed with cheese and prosciutto. Their lard bread is also pretty awesome (it is hard to find a good loaf of lard bread these days, I feel), flecked with lots of salty prosciutto and flecked with black pepper.
Little Italy may have changed significantly over the years, but it is refreshing to know that Alleva has not. Fight your way past the camera-happy, culture-shocked mobs of tourists to get there, and you will be very happy you did. -
Review from Leslie D.
Lots of hanging meat around here....
Great little specialty shop near Little Italy. I need to come back on a day that isn't Good Friday and indulge in some prosciutto shopping. Also they had a great selection of cheeses that I need to sample ASAP.Listed in: Specialty Grub Shops
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Review from Jenny S.
came in to try the proscuitto balls 3 for $2 BUT they ran out since we went at 4pm & they closed at 6 pm.. IM COMIN' BACK EARLIER NEXT TIME
so we settled for the $3 rice balls instead! they heat it up for you since it's not freshly fried by the end of the day. SUPER FLAVORFUL & the saltiness of the yelow cheese melted perfectly w/ the rice inside!
found out about this place when i was waitin' for a seat at Nyona across the street & a lady in line said she had been going to Alleva since she was a kid & raved about the prosciutto balls! i'll be back for them -
Review from NY C.
New York, NY
4/13/2012
I love this place, we got truffle cheese that was GREAT - best one I've tried yet. my bf said when his gma lived in NY this was the only place she went to!
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Review from Alexandra C.
New York, NY
1/15/2012
Love the old school Italian stores I used to get dragged to as a child. Now I go to them just to browse around.
Alleva is a winner with great service. Always much less empty than the place that starts with a D down the street!
Pretty good fresh mozz, but the best is their fresh provolone. Salami and proscuitto as well - they will slice this razor thing for you. On top of these items, have only bought the imported pasta here and polenta (excellent), but have to someday try the prepared food. -
Review from Jonathan E.
Brooklyn, NY
12/27/2011
I was hungry but not waning a sit down place in Little Italy, ducked in here to grab a Hero to go. It was, as others have mentioned, quite massive. After pit stopping in a nearby park, I barely put a dent in it and carried the rest home.
The next day, I deconstructed the leftovers and basically had a giant plate of antipasta - good for another 2 meals. I wouldn't say it's among the best sandwiches in town in terms of flavors - it's pretty much salted meats and cheese. However in terms of volume, they are a good value. -
Review from Jeremy M.
Chattanooga, TN
9/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Stopped by here on Scott's Pizza Tour, I come to the city every 6 weeks and considered myself pretty fully aware of the must stops...this is now at the top of my list.
Came back the next day for a sandwich...legendary!
I got the italian but subbed Mozzarella for provolone...AMAZING.
Sandwiches are comparable to Graham Ave for you true yelp afficianados.
But I'd rank this one overall ahead of any other italian Deli for location and the fact that you can get the fresh mozzarella that they make on site on your sandwich!!
Stop reading...GO
NOW! -
Review from Malia R.
Camarillo, CA
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fresh mozzarella and prosciutto. It doesn't get any better.
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Review from caroline e.
New York, NY
6/25/2011
I was walking through Little Italy and was feeling a little hungry. I wandered into Alleva cause it looked more authentic than anything else. Everything looked (and smelled) yummie, but I just needed a quick bite so I ordered Prosciutto and Ricotta Balls (3 for $2). HOLY CRAP. By the time I reached the corner of Grand and Mott I had totally inhaled these shockingly delicious treats.
True Story: I'm pretty sure this is where the term "amazeballs" came from.Listed in: Cheese-tastic Goodness
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Review from Monique R.
Kew Gardens, NY
11/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
When i stopped in here to inquire about some olives that I had nearby in a restaurant, i was hit in the face with the aroma of cheese and smoky meat.
Dried sausages hang on the walls.
BLOCKS of cheese sit on random counters waiting to be hacked up and devoured.
A humble counter with endless possibilities from the front to the back of the house waiting for you to satisfy your hunger.
Rice balls. MASSIVE. $2.99 a pop is a ball of fried rice with cheese and proscuitto. its heavenly. The proscuitto balls, 3 for $2 are also quite tasty. My friend opted for two giant meatballs in marinara with a giant slab of bruschetta. The bruschetta had the perfect crunch. The meatballs were so tender. They literally dissolve on your tongue.
I, with a weakness for fresh mozzarella, opted for a soft and flaky semolina roll with fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers and a healthy drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
The prices here are great. For the lovely oldschool deli feel of it and its cuisine just "like grannie used to make it", the cost of my amazing sandwich was $6.75. I threw in a rice ball and had a massive lunch for $10.
My kinda deal. I really wish there was seating available here- then i would never leave! It seems they have picked up a lot of the old Food Center Customers ever since Food Center closed. (oh how i miss the $3 wine at Food Center)
This place also has an array of amazing olives and other yummies by the pound.
Dont go there hungry- you might buy the whole store! -
Review from Sarah C.
2/22/2011
I wandered in here on my lunch hour because it looked old school and you can't go wrong with REAL old school Italian. This was an excellent choice, as my intuition did not prove me wrong. I got a giant ass sandwich with peppers and salami and fresh mozzarella and it was like $8 and awesomely delicious. I can't wait to go back for rice balls and such.
I lived for years on Arthur Avenue, the REAL Little Italy, so it was incredibly cool to discover a place like this downtown. They don't make Italian delis like this anymore! -
Review from Mike L.
New York, NY
7/3/2011
Old school Italian deli in what remains of Little Italy.
Plenty of delicious Italian classics including proscuitto-mozzarella stuffed peppers.
The Italian Combo is a great sub on a semolina hero with balsamic vinegar, roasted red peppers, proscuitto, mortadella, soppressata and provolone. Tasty and simple. -
Review from Elaine W.
Manhattan, NY
3/13/2012
The ricotta is absolutely the best--yes, I know that's a sweeping statement--but in Alleva's case, their ricotta it is drained several times and thus the taste is more dense. I love this place. Oldest cheese shop in Manhattan and old word courtesy and charm.
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Review from Alicia M.
Brooklyn, NY
6/10/2011
Alleva is leftover from an era during which The Italian Deli still reigned supreme in Little Italy. The kind of leftover that just gets better with time. Mmm.
I almost always get the grilled eggplant with roasted red peppers, enough mozzarella cheese to top 3 pizzas, and oil/vin/salt/pep. Every aspect of this sandwich is outrageous. Bread, nice n crusty n sesame seedy. Eggplant, grilled is a wonderful (and light) alternative to breaded and fried. Red peps, a pro-take on a classic condiment. I don't need to comment on the perfection embodied by all of Alleva's cheeses (it is, after all, a dairy shop).
This sub sets me back only $3.50. WHAT!!?!?? That's because it's so enormous that I absolutely have to share it, so it goes from an already a-o-k $7 to a Chinatown-cheap $3.50.
Buon appetito. -
Review from Marissa M.
Mira Loma, CA
9/15/2011
visitng fam, walked by after lunch so All i had here was Proscuitto and Rocotta balls. but they were to die for. SO delicious! And the man behind the counter was pretty yummy as well.
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Review from Henry S.
Alexandria, VA
3/28/2011
"I want your best sandwich" she said. And with that appeared one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten in my life. This place is totally awesome.
So maybe I've led a sheltered life. And in NYC, yes I am an effing tourist. But Alleva in NYC and Molinari's in SFO, they just blow me away. I could go on and on, but you gotta see it, smell it, and experience it for yourself. -
Review from Kate B.
Brooklyn, NY
9/16/2010
I love this place. I wish I'd visited sooner.
I got some bad news earlier today and was pretty bummed out. And it was my turn to do grocery shopping. Rather than face the sickly green glare of my neighborhood market's flourescent lighting, I headed out for Piemonte for porcini ravioli. As I left with my 50-count box, I noticed bread in the window of Alleva and doubled back.
The guy at the counter was really friendly and counted off the different types of fresh loaves they had. I went with a semolina baguette, studded with golden sesame seeds. It's a beautiful loaf -- the high protein flour makes for a chewy crust and dense interior almost like spongecake, but with more bite. I'm a fan. And for $2? Hell yeah.
I got some of their house prosciutto to go with it. Paper thin slices that fall apart if they're not ice cold when I pull them off the cello. Salty, earthy flavor that's a hell of a lot better than many of the house prosciuttos I've sampled from other places around town.
I'm kicking myself for not buying a hunk of fresh mozzarella. Oh well. There's always next time. -
Review from Chrissy C.
Dayton, NJ
2/22/2012
Delicious spinach bread, mozzarella cheese and rice balls. Very reasonable prices, fast service. A don't miss in Little Italy.
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Review from Christina M.
New York, NY
5/4/2009 ROTD 11/26/2009
Ah, this place is so amazing.
1. Paper thin coldcuts - check
2. Homemade Ricotta made on the premises - check
3. Mini rice balls to go (2 for a dollar) - check
4. Prosciutto - both local and imported - check
5. Fresh mozarella and sun-dried tomato salad - check
6. Credit card accepted for a purchase over ten dollars (all the more reason to buy another quarter pound of sopressata) - check
7. Cute Italian guy and his like grandfather working together - check
8. Italian spoken on the premises - check
9. 117 years of NYC tradition - oh yeah!
10. I'll get back to you on the homemade pasta but I'm sure it's great.Listed in: Sooo New York, NYC On The Go!
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Review from Yee Gan O.
6/21/2009
Having been a frequent visitor to New York's Chinatown many a time on my New York trips, I was surprised to find out from my sister recently that Little italy is literally right next door to Chinatown.
I was saddened even further by my previous failure to visit little Italy when I came across Alleva. This is a foodie's heaven with the freshest and wonderful looking and smelling produce everywhere in this store. they make their own cheese and I learnt the difference between salted and unsalted mozzarella. The staff were very helpful and the mini rice balls I bought for a snack were yummy.
If I lived in New York and not London, I would have been leaving the shop with cheese, pancetta, fresh pesto sauce and pasta. I regret not having discovered Little Italy earlier -
Review from Darina H.
10/12/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I fell in love with Little Italy the moment I stepped into this place.
Loved all the pictures of Alleva Dairy from when they first opened. Brings light to history of the small little dairy market. It boasts itself for being the oldest market in Little Italy (Established and opened its doors in 1892). The moment you walk in your nasal senses are filled with the aroma of milk, dairy, cheese, meats. Delicious and instantaneously feel like having a great big sandwich filled with their best items.
I had the turkey, swish and sun-dried tomato sandwich. Superb. Simple. The man at the counter was friendly and we had our sandwiches made in no time.
My advice: Pick up the sandwiches, take them to central park and enjoy a great picnic lunch with your loved ones. Love this place and can't wait to go back! -
Review from Miles G.
San Francisco, CA
9/18/2007
Three is my lucky number. I'm honored to write a raving review of this Little Italy landmark. Rob is one cool cat who knows exactly to drop whatever he's doing to help this San Francisco gal.
This is a usual stop for us when we're in New York City. You'd think that San Francisco would have similar deli items. Alas, Alleva's is still THE only place where you can buy the BEST hot soppresseta and homemade mozzarella. -
Review from Jacquelyn G.
New York, NY
1/28/2009
This is definitely one of my fav places to shop for so many reasons.
1) They have the mom & pop style but they still take credit which is hard to come by these days.
2) The service is always outstanding. The gentlemen in the back will give you samples and are patient if you have questions or need recommendations - always something I appreciate.
3) The imported food they carry is amazing. I will NEVER go back to buying regular pastas again. It's the same price 2..99-3.99 for a bigger bag of pasta and believe me, you CAN taste the difference. Another good thing is that they switch it up quite a bit. It makes shopping so much fun if there are new products to try. I love trying their different pastas, oils, cookies & crackers.
4) The fresh food is incredible. The quality of everything is wonderful and the flavor is powerful. Try one of their baked breads, with homemade pesto sauce & fresh - and I mean REALLY fresh - salted mozzarella. Makes for about 5 sandwiches for under $10. Also try the chopped spinach calzone...mmm so good for a quick lunch.
5) The price is definitely fair and actually even cheaper than a lot of what Whole Foods carries.
All in all, it makes for a great shop. It's definitely less crowded than neighboring tourist trap DaNico and has a much better vibe. -
Review from Christian L.
New York, NY
8/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
Friendly, great prices, knowledgeable staff.
Stopped in to check this spot out and walked out with a big bag of food. Marinated mozzarella is delicious here. They had the Pecorino Sardo I wanted to make my pesto. Sopressata is top notch and they slice everything expertly.
Definitely go, less busy and touristy then the spot down the street too. -
Review from Cheryl D.
12/16/2008
This is a beautiful italian shop. I tried the mozzarella and prosciutto - and it was humongous and loaded with quality ingredients. For only 7 or so bucks.
They sell other things, pastas, hams, and the rice balls are very good. I wish I got more and and bought enought to share.
The guy who sliced my things so beautifully was cute too. He asked me if I wanted it warmed up - and if I didn't have to catch a plane I would've. -
Review from Rob L.
Bay Area
9/7/2009
AN OLD-SCHOOL ITALIAN MARKET WHERE THEY SLICE THE PROSCIUTTO AND SOPRESSATA TO ORDER.
We were walking in Little Italy and the store was so inviting with cases of fresh mozzarella and prosciutto hanging from the ceiling. Amazingly there was no line and we were helped immediately.
Italian Sandwich
We ordered the Italian Sandwich and the guy behind the counter sliced the meat and cheese right in front of us. It was a large sandwich big enough to share filled with prosciutto, sopressata, mozzarella, and roasted peppers on a roll. The sandwich was a perfect blend of meat, cheese, peppers, and bread.
We found a bench to sit outside and enjoyed our sandwiches in the warm New York sun as people stared at our food with envy. -
Review from Alex J.
New York, NY
5/26/2010
I have been coming here since I moved to the neighborhood 13 years ago, and can attest the place only gets better with age. The speck, sopressata, pepperoni (be sure to grab a few sticks-great quality), fresh mozzarella are favorites. It's great to see them drop a block of parmesan into the grinder and watch the familar bag fill up with heavenly goodness.
I would also suggest grabbing your white truffle oil here. They usually have it on the top of the cheese counter, and it is unbelievable in quality for what you pay. When cooking with gruyere, this is also the place to grab it--quality is great and a lot less than many of the other neighborhood markets.
Be sure to also grab fresh artichokes and roasted red peppers, and pick up fresh pasta next door before hading home. This place is a jewel. -
Review from Karin G.
7/15/2010
Seriously, how can anyone walk by here without buying a thick chunk of old 'sean? I love lover Alleva.
Recently bought a tiny, but beautful bottle of truffled olive oil here. Just the most wonderful smell in the entire world.
Service is old world perfect and love flirting with the counter guys. Its just one of the few really authentic experiences left in Little Italy. -
Review from Brian D.
New York, NY
3/31/2006
100ft from my apartment and I never went until someone told me about the rice ball. Oops. This Italian deli/specialty shop carries a decent selection of fresh cheese and meat, as well as imported Italian foods. Whenever I see the tag on the "Imported Provolone" I can't help but think of the shipment Tony lost.
Alleva is worth the trip to try the rice ball at only $1.50 (see Chris' review) and since you're there you may as well pick up a rather large, freshly baked focaccia for $3.49. -
Review from Mandy W.
Kitty Hawk, NC
8/2/2011
Every time I get to visit NYC, I always have to go by Alleva and stock up on goodies to take home. They have lots of fresh cheeses, the smoked mozzarella is mouth watering, plus stuffed peppers, meats, breads and pastas. Truly one of the last old school Italian delis probably anywhere, not just in NYC! The staff is super helpful and always takes the time to wrap everything up extra carefully me since I will be traveling with it.
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Review from Natalie H.
Rutherford, NJ
7/16/2011
Best Italian sub. No need to say more.
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Review from S K.
Hoboken, NJ
12/19/2011
I love this place! I hate new-ish yuppie shops so I really appreciate the old-world charm of this place. The sandwiches are delicious. For what you get the prices are also very fair.
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Review from Tony S.
Manhattan, NY
7/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
True Italian Food made by true Italians. Truly as good as it gets! I would take a train from uptown and back at lunch, just to get a Panini Sandwich and some Prosciutto and Ricotta Balls. Anytime I am even remotely close to the shop I need to stop! Don't waste your time or money at those restaurants catering to all the tourists. Stop in this place, grab a few items and just enjoy as you walk or go find a park, but I will bet you the food won't last that long.
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Review from Nikki M.
New York, NY
10/12/2009
The prosciutto ricotta balls are by far one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth.
Warm. Creamy. Robust. mmmmm...
And that's all I'm going to say, the whole ball theme is just too easy. -
Review from Formicas ..
New York, NY
1/27/2008
We will certainly be going back here! An authentic Italian shop full of Olive Oil, cheeses, sausages and just about any kind of Italian supplies you can think of. They even had truffle oil-delish!
We bought several cheeses which are very good. The Ricotta was delicious and reasonably priced.
The staff is friendly and there is a $10 minimum for credit card purchases. -
Review from Alan K.
2/12/2011
Today, I had a sampling of their premium prosciutto and mozzarella cheese. Oh boy, it was so delicious. This place has got to be where I have tasted the best prosciutto. I believe it was the San Danielle variety at 20.99 a lb. I think the mozzarella cheese is best ingested when combined with the tasty prosciutto. It looks like this place has all the premium Italian delicacies. BTW, they do accept credit cards!
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Review from louis w.
New York, NY
12/2/2008
My office comes here every week to pick up yummy sandwiches. Definitely go for the soprasatta or prosciutto with mozzarella and marinated (KILLER) roasted red peppers and balsamic. While your at it try the rice balls too.
Also have to mention this is a good all around authentic italian market. -
Review from alicia k.
Atherton, CA
12/3/2011
Delicious products and amazing service.
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Review from Chad T.
1/3/2011
If you want Prosciutto di Parma, Bresola, or fresh Mozzarella this is without a doubt the best place in Manhattan. It's one of those rare events in the universe where best price meets top quality. Check it out, and you can't go wrong.
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Review from FREDDIE M.
New York, NY
9/28/2010
There's a reason why Alleva was empty @noon & I found out by purchasing a italian combo sandwich,which was horrible,I've. Eaten better made sandwich's @ a yemenese bodeaga. brownsville in Bklyn .this old timer behind the counter handling money & making sandwich's is nasty I gently asked the old timer,if he could wash his hands before making my sandwich? It was comical he asked what's matter wit my hands there clean I didn't touch not thing dirty,I said you just handle money , so he reluctantly wash is hands. On the plastic bag states Alleva dairy is the oldest italian cheese store in america &it was the empties Italian store that I've ever walked inyo during the lunch hour & there's a reason why. ,if I. Had my bread knife I would cut the star in half for the old timer washing his hands~ oh by the way the itialian comboS+ -ked
