The Sopranos was supposed to be based in Newark, but when the show was filmed, they utilized a lot of different cities in New Jersey and NYC. If you’re a Sopranos fan like me, every film spot is a nugget or gem to explore. I have visited all three places cited in this article and try to share my experience as authentically as possible. We aren’t sponsored by any of the locations; we are just sharing spots to visit that might fly under your radar.
1. The ‘V.I.P. Diner’
The VIP Diner is still a place you can eat today. It looks identical both inside and outside in 2024, as it did during filming in 2006. We sat in the same seats as Christopher and Juliana, but we didn’t have a movie crew to commemorate it, unfortunately. We moved anyway because there is quite the AC draft right above the table. No wonder they had long sleeves during the filming.
If you’re going to the diner because you want to have an authentic Sopranos tourism destination experience, then I would recommend it. If you’re looking for decent diner food, I would probably keep driving. The prices are low, but somehow not low enough.
2. The Sopranos ‘Home’
https://gty.im/899948
Tony’s house is one of the most popular tourist destinations for hard-core fans. On a Costco trip to Wayne, NJ, we popped over to the Sopranos household in Caldwell, New Jersey. The house is referred to as a ‘historical landmark’ and was sold most recently in 2019, hitting the market at over $3 million.
This is a great site to see (you’ll probably see other people viewing the house at the same time) if you’re a huge fan. There is a sign at the base of the driveway reminding people to stay off their lawn, driveway, and anywhere else because it’s private property. You can see it and take photos from the street level, though, and you can get a decent view from there.
Caldwell, NJ, is generally a beautiful city. The neighborhoods you drive through to get to Tony’s home are breathtaking. Keep an eye out, because there are deer everywhere. We counted six (seven if you count the roadkill on the way), including two babies. As an animal lover, it might be hard to pick out whether the wildlife or the house was cooler. I can totally buy a black bear being in the backyard.
3. The ‘Gangsters and Ghosts’ Tour
So the Gangsters and Ghost Tour is technically in New York City, but there is a lot of crossover between the cities during filming, and because Northern New Jersey is so close, it’s basically an extension of the city. As you start in China Town, go through Little Italy, and end in the West Village, you get the scoop on the mob, ghosts from the mob, and other spirits along the way.
You end up walking by the restaurant ‘Da Nico Ristorante‘ where they had the 25th anniversary for the series on Mulberry Street in 2024. Nothing in the show was specifically filmed at Da Nico, but different parts of the show were filmed on the same street close to the restaurant. The guide also pointed out a popular place where real New Jersey gangsters would meet when they ventured to NYC. This is a must-see tour if you ever get the chance!
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