From food and shopping to bars and bocce, explore The Hill neighborhood in St. Louis

Known as St. Louis’ Italian-American neighborhood, The Hill features more than 75 unique restaurants and small businesses.

The Hill’s official boundaries are Manchester Avenue to the north, Columbia and Southwest avenues on the south, South Kingshighway Boulevard to the east, and Hampton Avenue on the west.

From sandwich shops, pizzerias, and sushi spots to retail stores and bocce courts, explore all that the historic neighborhood has to offer.

Breakfast, Coffee Shops and Dessert

There are plenty of ways to start your day in The Hill neighborhood. Fill up on breakfast favorites at Chris’ Pancake & Dining, grab donuts at O’Fashion Donuts, or get coffee and bites at Cafe Dolce, Park Avenue Coffee, or Shaw’s Coffee.

For sweet treats, head to local favorites Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company for chocolates and candy or Gelato Di Riso for gelato, coffee or espresso, and bakery treats.

Restaurants and Bars

The title of the oldest restaurant on The Hill belongs to Rigazzi’s, dating from 1957 and home to the 32-ounce Frozen Fishbowl, its signature drink. Other longstanding Italian restaurants include Cunetto House of Pasta (1972), Dominic’s on the Hill (1971), Favazza’s on the Hill (1978) and Charlie Gitto’s (1981). All of these spots serve classic Italian-American cuisine in warm and welcoming spaces ideal for a long lunch or hearty dinner, as do other favorites Anthonino’s Taverna, Bartolino’s The Hill, Gian-Tony’s Ristorante, Lorenzo’s Trattoria, Mama’s On the Hill, or Zia’s “On The Hill.”

For a more casual meal or just a few drinks, stop into Carnivore STL, Collina Eatery, Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas, Joey B’s on the Hill, or Milo’s Bocce Garden, where you can pre- or post-game food and drinks with a round of bocce.

Newer restaurants are beginning to leave their mark on The Hill, too. In recent years, new neighborhood destinations include Marconi Mercato, Pizzeria da Gloria, Nicky Slices Pizza Club, Sado and Pavillion (both owned by James Beard-nominated chef Nick Bognar), and STL Toasted.

Sandwich Shops

Some of the neighborhood sandwich shops go back even further than the sit-down restaurants. Amighetti’s was founded in 1916. Since 1971, Charlie’s Market & Deli on the Hill has produced a line of fresh meat and pizza toppings it sells wholesale and at its market and deli, which also serves salads, sandwiches, and pizza. Gioia’s Deli, across from Berra Park, is still located in the same building where Italian immigrant Charlie Gioia opened a grocery store in 1918. 

Another longtime neighborhood favorite is Adriana’s on The Hill, opened by Adriana Fazio and her daughters Suzanne and Diana in 1992. Newer classics include Eovaldi’s Deli & Catering, Joe Fassi Sausage & Sandwich Factory, Southwest Market Cuisine, and STL Toasted.

Retail and Grocery Stores

From Italian-American bakeries and grocery stores to retail shops specializing in everything from kitchen cutlery and artisan cured meats to rock climbing gear and all-natural soap and skincare, there’s plenty of shopping on The Hill.

Stop in Bertarelli Cutlery to shop for kitchen knives or to get knives sharpened, then head to DiGregorio’s Italian Market or Urzi Italian Market to shop for Italian ingredients, including prepared foods and wine. Grab freshly baked Italian bread and sweet treats from Vitale’s Bakery and Missouri Baking Co., and then artisan cured meats from Volpi Foods, a global brand that’s been based on The Hill since 1902.

Round out a day of shopping with visits to all-natural soap and skincare shop Herbaria, antique store The Marketplace On the Hill, and rock climbing and athletic wear shop So iLL. Meanwhile, at Daily Disco, you can pick up custom embroidery orders, from denim jackets and clothes to bags and children’s clothing.

Recreation, Experiences and More

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of St. Louis’ Little Italy, visit The Hill Neighborhood Center, which features photos from decades gone by as well as historic news clippings. Walk through Piazza Imo and take in the beauty of its fountain and the grandeur just across the street at St. Ambrose, which also includes the bronze Italian immigrants sculpture. 

Drop in Milo’s Bocce Garden for food, drinks, and a few rounds of bocce on its courts, or head to Berra Park with a picnic made up of items from the nearby markets and bakeries. Or if you’d like to knock back a couple of pints in a family-friendly space, stop into 2nd Shift Brewing on the edge of the neighborhood.

Curious to learn more about the history of The Hill? Read our profile of how its past has helped shape its present here.