L&B Spumoni Gardens, a beloved Brooklyn institution known for its Sicilian-style pizza and namesake spumoni, is set to open a new location in DUMBO, bringing a slice of its 80-year legacy to the waterfront neighborhood. The anticipation for this expansion has been building since the announcement in 2019, with residents and fans eagerly awaiting the moment they can enjoy the thick, square slices of pizza that have become synonymous with the L&B name that made them a New York hallmark.
The new outpost, located at 46 Old Fulton St., is rumored to open its doors this fall, much to the delight of pizza aficionados across the city. This expansion represents not just a new dining option, but a continuation of the rich history and tradition that L&B Spumoni Gardens carries with it—a history that began with horse-drawn carriage deliveries by founder Ludovico Barbati back in 1939.
Barbati was an immigrant from Italy who started the business as a humble ice and spumoni stand before World War II. Soon it blossomed into a full-scale pizzeria, known for its unique square slices where the cheese is snugly tucked beneath a layer of rich sauce, creating a deliciously distinct experience unlike the traditional “pie”. The restaurant’s spumoni, a creamy blend of Italian ice cream, is just as famous as its pizza.
The charm of L&B Spumoni Gardens extends beyond its food; it’s a slice of New York history, a place where generations of families have gathered to enjoy good food and create lasting memories and where the promise is still that you will always be served by a “family member.” It’s this combination of culinary delight and nostalgic atmosphere that makes L&B Spumoni Gardens a cherished attraction in the city’s gastronomic landscape.
The restaurant has not only earned a loyal local following but has also drawn visitors from all over, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking for an authentic taste of New York’s Italian-American heritage. Florida “snowbirds” regularly beg for deliveries of the unique pizza they enjoy when in New York, and according to The Brooklyn Eagle, “very nostalgic former Brooklynites have been known to fly in just to eat a slice.”
The journey to opening day has been a long one, with various construction and permit-related delays that go back to 2021, but now the hot gossip is that the end is finally—and really– in sight. According to a manager from Grimaldi’s, the equally popular pizzeria across the street from the L&B Spumoni Gardens location, “every day, people walk in and ask me when are they going to open?” However, he can only answer “I have no idea!”. The Spumoni Gardens people are keeping mum, saying only that it will be “soon,” and fans and devotees are staying hopeful that this time the hot rumors are really true.
