The Spirit of Giuseppe Garibaldi in the Heart of the South Village

In the southeast corner of Washington Square Park stands a bronze figure whose legacy quietly shaped both a nation across the Atlantic and a community right here in New York. General Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882), the fiery 19th-century patriot who helped unify Italy, is immortalized in this statue — a tribute not only to his revolutionary vision, but to the Italian immigrants who saw in him a symbol of resilience, identity, and hope.

The Italian community dedicated the statue on June 4, 1888. The New York Times reported: “Our adopted citizens do not forget the illustrious [sic] of their native lands, and feel a pride in associating their renown with this city of their choice.”

Ironically, the unification Garibaldi championed also sparked waves of migration, as economic hardship and political upheaval drove millions of Italians to seek new lives abroad. Many of them settled in Lower Manhattan, especially in what came to be known as the South Village. Here, a vibrant Italian-American enclave took root, one that would give rise to iconic restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and social clubs that still echo the traditions of the old country.

Garibaldi himself briefly lived in New York City in 1850–51, not far from the Village. His statue, unveiled just six years after his death, was funded by donations gathered by Il Progresso Italo-Americano, a leading Italian-language newspaper. Sculpted by Giovanni Turini — a former soldier who had fought under Garibaldi during Italy’s struggle against Austria—the monument became a point of pride for the growing Italian-American community of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Lower Manhattan.

When the statue was relocated slightly in 1970 to make way for a new promenade, workers discovered a time capsule beneath its base. Inside were newspapers detailing Garibaldi’s death, records of the committee that commissioned the statue, and clippings from the dedication. These relics are more than historical curiosities —they’re a testament to the deep ties between Garibaldi’s legacy and the neighborhood that revered him.

As we trace the footsteps of those early immigrants through the South Village’s historic eateries and gathering places, we find that the story of Garibaldi is also the story of a community — its struggles, its celebrations, and its enduring contributions to the cultural fabric of New York City.

Revolution to Restaurant: The Italian-American Culinary Heritage of the South Village

Walk just a few blocks south of Washington Square Park, and you’ll find yourself in the South Village — a neighborhood where the scent of espresso mingles with garlic and simmering tomato sauce, and where Garibaldi’s ideals of community and identity have long taken root in the everyday lives of its Italian-American residents.

Beginning in the late 19th century, Italian immigrants transformed this part of Greenwich Village into a tight-knit, bustling enclave. They brought not just their labor and languages, but also their culinary traditions and social institutions. Over time, the South Village became a cultural stronghold, where family-owned restaurants and cafes were as central to community life as churches and mutual aid societies.

Historic Eateries: A Taste of the Old Country

The South Village’s culinary history is inseparable from its immigrant past — where storefronts doubled as meeting places and kitchens carried the soul of southern Italy. Here are some of the enduring establishments that have helped define the neighborhood’s character. These and many other Italian-American establishments remain today, serving as living links to the past. Many of these wonderful places have been named as a Village Preservation Business of the Month and/or have received a coveted Village Award!

• Raffetto’s Pasta Shop (Since 1906) – Located at 144 West Houston Street, this unassuming storefront has been making fresh pasta by hand for over a century. When the patriarch of the family, Marcello Raffetto, opened M. Raffetto & Bros. in the heart of the South Village in 1906, it’s hard to imagine he would have expected his little pasta shop to last into the next century. Throughout these 119 years, many dedicated family members and relatives have kept the business going and thriving through all the changes that time brings. Raffetto’s is a cornerstone of the neighborhood’s culinary heritage and a symbol of old-world craftsmanship.

• Caffè Reggio (Since 1927) – Tucked away at 119 MacDougal Street, this café introduced the cappuccino to America. Inside, you’ll find antique espresso machines, Renaissance-style art, and a timeless atmosphere that speaks to generations of Village life. It remains a gathering place for artists, students, and locals — a spiritual descendant of the Italian cafés where revolutionaries once plotted change.

• Monte’s Trattoria (Since 1918) – A family-run red-sauce institution, Monte’s, at 97 MacDougal Street, is the kind of place where time slows down. With its wood-paneled walls and classic Italian menu, it reflects the enduring values of hospitality, tradition, and community.

• La Lanterna di Vittorio (Since 1977) has been a beloved neighborhood institution since its opening at 129 MacDougal Street and is a winner of this year’s Village Award! Its longstanding presence and commitment to quality have earned it a loyal following among locals and visitors alike, further solidifying its status as a quintessential Village restaurant. La Lanterna opened in 1977 by Carlo “Vittorio” Antonini, an avid sailor and sportsman with a passion for food and drink, who immigrated just a decade before from Liguria, Italy, along with his wife, Marisa. It started out in just the front dining room with a small menu of strong Italian coffees, perfectly toasted tramezzini, and classic pastries like Baba Rum and Tiramisu. It has expanded over the years, now offering a large range of lasagne, pizza, panini, salads, an extensive bar menu, with a total of four dining rooms, including a fully glass-enclosed backyard garden!

• John’s of Bleecker Street (Since 1929) – A legendary pizzeria still in operation at 278 Bleecker Street, John’s was founded by a Neapolitan immigrant, John Sasso, in 1929. It was originally located on Sullivan Street until they lost their lease, and in the early 1930s moved to their current location at 278 Bleecker Street. The neon sign in the front reads “Port’Alba” which was allegedly the pizzeria’s name before it became John’s. In 1954, Sasso sold the pizzeria to Joe Vesce, and he brought his brother Augustine (Chubby) into the business. They passed the pizzeria on to their nephew, current owner Bob Vittoria, in 1984. With its coal-fired brick oven and no-slices policy, it remains a shrine to old-school pizza and an anchor in the neighborhood’s food culture.

Preserving the Culinary Landscape

These eateries and cafés aren’t just places to eat — they are institutions where generations of Italian-Americans have preserved language, culture, and a sense of home. Family recipes were passed down alongside stories of migration and memory, many rooted in towns and villages from Naples to Palermo.

Even as demographics have shifted and gentrification reshapes the neighborhood, the presence of these historic establishments—whether still open or fondly remembered—keeps the legacy of the Italian South Village alive.

Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village Awards will take place on June 11th at the historic Great Hall at Cooper Union, and we are proud to honor the La Lanterna di Vittorio as a 2025 Village Awardee! Join us in recognizing La Lanterna and the five other remarkable awardees at Village Preservation’s Annual Meeting and Village Awards. Registration is free and open to all. Click here to register.