The best bar in the world is Italian (but in New York)

The coolest bar in the world? It's Italian, but it's not in Italy. In fact, Dante, an Italian-American restaurant in New York, ranked first in The World's 50 Best Bars 2019. Founded over a century ago, in 1915, Dante is a historic bistro which, however, as explained in the motivation for the award, "is capable of weaving tradition and modernity together". Especially for a few years now, when the local of Greenwich Village, a historically poor neighborhood inhabited by mainly Italian immigrants, was on its way to falling out of favor after being the haunt of actors, artists and poets, and was taken over by Linden Pride partners, Nathalie Hudson and Naren Young.

While keeping the Italian character intact, starting from the name, and the suggestive Déco-style furnishings, the new ownership has refreshed the menu, focusing not only on the legendary cocktails and authentic espresso coffee (a rarity, especially in the past, in New York), but increasing the gastronomic offer. In the new Dante there is still an air of Italy, but in step with the times: and therefore refined and possibly healthy food, in line with current trends. The tavern of a century ago is now a gourmet bistro, which has grown over the years hand in hand with the neighborhood that hosts it, which over time has become the creative heart of the Big Apple, and made famous by the VIPs who frequented it.

Among the regular customers there have been personalities of the caliber of Al Pacino, who never failed to treat himself to a good cup of coffee when he happened to be in the area, but also Bob Dylan, great lover of Italian cuisine: his favorite dishes were pappardelle with meat sauce and meatballs with tomato sauce. Authentic Italian dishes, now partly replaced by refined delicacies such as tagliolini with crab and sirloin with porcini mushrooms. In the list of historical guests also Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldber, Jerry Seinfeld, and going a little further back also Ernest Hemingway, a true habitué who loved to stay until late at night to enjoy fine cocktails such as the Negroni or the classic Americano.

It is precisely on cocktails that the Dante in New York has built a good part of its fame. The offer is very rich, worthy of a trendy place in the Milanese or Roman nightlife, with different variations of Negroni, including the wrong one that has been very popular in Italy in recent years, and a great classic like the Garibaldi, as simple as it is effective: Campari with orange juice. Behind the Dante, the Connaught Bar in London and the Floreria Atlantico in Buenos Aires finished on the podium. In fourth place another NY bar, the Nomad. The first Italian in the standings is the "1930" of Milan, in the 5 Giornate area, in 44th place.