Eataly, a global network of Italian food marketplaces, was founded in 2007 by Oscar Farinetti, a former electronics entrepreneur turned culinary visionary. The concept was born from Farinetti’s desire to celebrate Italian food culture by merging dining, shopping, and education under one roof. The flagship store opened in a repurposed vermouth factory in the Lingotto area of Turin, transforming a historic industrial space into a vibrant culinary destination. From the outset, Eataly aligned itself with the Slow Food movement, emphasizing sustainable practices and traditional food craftsmanship.

Following its success in Italy, Eataly expanded internationally, with its first U.S. location opening in Manhattan in 2010. Housed in the Toy Center near Madison Square Park, this massive, 50,000-square-foot venue became an immediate sensation, drawing crowds and media attention. Over the next decade, the brand continued to grow, opening stores in major cities across North America, Europe, and beyond. Notable openings included locations in Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, São Paulo, and Paris, each tailored to its local market while staying true to Eataly’s core values.

Eataly locations typically feature a mix of restaurants, market stalls, cafés, wine bars, bakeries, and cooking schools. This hybrid model offers customers a comprehensive Italian gastronomic experience—from shopping for regional ingredients to learning traditional cooking techniques or enjoying freshly prepared dishes.

In 2013, Eataly ventured into hospitality with a partnership to operate restaurants aboard MSC cruise ships. Leadership changes followed in 2016, with former Luxottica CEO Andrea Guerra joining, succeeded later by Nicola Farinetti, Oscar’s son.

In recent years, Eataly has continued to expand, with new stores in Stockholm, Dallas, and multiple Toronto locations. In 2022, the majority stake in Eataly was acquired by Investindustrial, an investment group, signaling a new chapter of growth.

The name “Eataly” was coined by branding consultant Celestino Ciocca, blending “eat” and “Italy” into a term that captures the brand’s essence. Today, Eataly stands as a global ambassador of Italian culinary heritage, blending tradition, innovation, and education in every location.

The Eataly location in the World Trade Center was announced in 2016 and continues to serve great food to their customers to this day. During my visit I was pleasantly surprised how (relatively) affordable the food was and how many great options there were. It might be easy to overlook this spot if you’re looking to grab a bite to eat in favor of a more traditional restaurant nearby, but if you do decide to stop in, you’ll see why this store is such a hit with its shoppers!