In the past decade, St. Louis, Missouri, has transformed its culinary and food department. It’s a melting pot of the most sumptuous cuisines; the city has become more refined, and there is an improvement in the quality of food available. There are now more options for dining out, and the city has become more welcoming to new cuisines and restaurants. Italian restaurants have proliferated in recent years, and there are many excellent options to choose from. Today, more and more tourists and locals are flooding the many Italian restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri, to enjoy a good meal.
The chefs at these establishments know how to cook authentic Italian dishes that will tantalize your taste buds. Their setup, usually a brick oven pizza place, is the perfect place to sit down and enjoy a meal with family or friends. You can also get takeout if you’re in a hurry.
Here are our top 10 Italian restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri:
# 10 – Ultima Cucina
If you’re ready to taste some of the best Italian cuisines in St. Louis, Missouri, you need to head to Ultima Cucina. This casual eatery offers everything from wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes to meat plates and cocktails, sure to please your palate. The restaurant represents the finest Italian cuisine St. Louis has to offer and doesn’t disappoint. The menu at Ultima Cucina features a wide variety of classic Italian dishes and some unique twists on familiar favorites.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting the area, you’ll want to check out this restaurant – you won’t be disappointed. One of their most popular dishes is the mixed Italian salad, which comes with romaine, arugula, kalamata olives, tomato, mozzarella, red onions, pepperoncini, croutons, and Italian vinaigrette. If you’re looking for something a little heartier, you can’t go wrong with their wood-fired pizzas or homemade pasta. And no Italian meal is complete without a good glass of wine, so be sure to check out their wine list before you leave.
Address: Restaurant, 1501 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103
Website: https://ultimacucina.com/
# 9 – Eleven Eleven Mississippi
Some might argue that Anthonino’s Taverna is the best Italian restaurant on The Hill in St. Louis. The addition of Greek specialties to the menu sets Anthonino’s apart from other authentic Italian restaurants. When brothers Anthony and Rosario Scarato opened Anthonino’s in 2003, they wanted to create a perfect mix of their favorite dishes from Italian and Greek cultures.
Their goal was to take the best from each cuisine and craft a unique dining experience. The menu features classic Italian dishes like pizzas and pasta and Greek favorites like Dolmathes and yogurt tzatziki. The restaurant space perfectly blends old world-class and fresh, modern style. The front portion of the restaurant was built in 1939 as a neighborhood bar, and many of the original details remain, including the bar, hardwood floors, and ornate tin ceiling.
Address: 2225 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Website: https://anthoninos.com/
# 8 – Sauce on the Side
Sauce on the Side is a fast-casual Italian restaurant chain founded in 2013 by CEO and Executive Chef Tony Gemignani. The restaurant’s concept is centered around made-to-order pasta dishes, with the customer being able to choose their own sauce and pasta combination from a selection of both classic and innovative options.
Calzones are their most popular dish, and each one is made fresh to order with house-made dough and various fillings. Other popular menu items include the Mac Daddy (mac and cheese dish with different toppings) and the signature meatball sandwich. Two of their popular calzone dishes are the Costanza and the Pancho Villa. Sauce on the Side currently has multiple locations in St. Louis, and they are all doing well.
Address: 411 N 8th St, St. Louis, MO 63101
Website: https://sauceontheside.revelup.online/store/3
# 7 – Cunetto House of Pasta
In the early 1970s, the Cunetto family opened a small pasta shop on “The Hill” in St. Louis, Missouri. The Hill is an area of the city known for its large Italian population. The Cunettos were originally from Sicily and brought their love of Italian food to America. The pasta shop quickly became a local favorite, and it wasn’t long before the Cunettos opened a full-fledged restaurant. The restaurant soon became known for its homey Italian meals and old-fashioned dining room.
Today, the Cunetto House of Pasta offers both lunch and dinner services. The lunch menu features a variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups, while the dinner menu offers a selection of pasta dishes, meat dishes, and seafood. One of the dishes that set them apart is their Chicken Spiedini; a chicken dish served on a skewer. The Cunetto House of Pasta has been voted one of the best Italian restaurants in St. Louis on multiple occasions. They use Italian names for their menu items to show that they are an authentic “Italian style” restaurant.
Address: 5453 Magnolia Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139
Website: https://www.cunetto.com/
# 6 – Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas
Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas is not an average pizzeria. It’s a family-owned business serving St. Louis, Missouri, area for over 30 years. The Carretero family takes great pride in their food and customer service. They offer a unique menu that features Italian and Spanish cuisine, bringing their customers the best of both worlds.
The Carreteros is originally from Spain but moved to Italy before eventually making their way to the United States. They settled in St. Louis and opened Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas in 1988. The restaurant has been a hit with locals ever since. The family’s Spanish roots are evident in their menu, which features traditional Spanish dishes like tapas and paella alongside Italian classics like pizza and lasagna. This unique combination has earned Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas many accolades over the years, including being named one of the best pizzerias in St. Louis by the Delicious Directory and winning the Reader’s Choice Award from Sauce Magazine eight times.
Address: 5046 Shaw Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Website: https://guidosstl.com/
# 5 – Charlie Gitto’s On the Hill
It might be #5 on our list, but this next restaurant is definitely number one in many locals’ hearts. Charlie Gitto’s On the Hill has been a St. Louis staple since 1981, and it all started with an accidental dish. In 1947, a chef at Angelo’s (the restaurant’s original name) dropped a ravioli in hot oil instead of water, and the toasted ravioli was born.
The dish quickly became a signature of St. Louis and helped put the restaurant on the map. It has become a St. Louis tradition and a must-try for any visitor to the city. The restaurant has an old-world atmosphere and serves classic Italian dishes like pizzas and toasted ravioli. And if you’re worried about dressing the part, don’t be – the dress code is business casual.
Address: 5226 Shaw Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Website: https://www.charliegittos.com/
# 4 – Favazza’s on the Hill
Unlike many restaurants that come and go, Favazza’s on the Hill has stood the test of time. In fact, it’s become something of a St. Louis institution, known for its delicious Italian food and warm, inviting atmosphere. But how did Favazza’s become such a beloved St. Louis eatery? It all started with a man named Vito Favazza. In the early 1970s, Vito left his native Italy and moved to St. Louis, Missouri. He had always dreamed of opening his restaurant and saw potential in the city’s historic Hill neighborhood, home to a large Italian-American community.
With the help of his wife Ellen and son Tony, Vito opened Favazza’s in 1978. The restaurant quickly became a favorite among locals, who came for authentic Italian food and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. Today, they’re still coming—and in droves. Favazza’s has grown to become the largest restaurant on the Hill, showing no signs of slowing down. The Favazza family is proud to continue Vito’s legacy, serving delicious Italian food and creating lasting memories for their guests.
Address: 5201 Southwest Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139
Website: https://favazzas.com/
# 3 – Mama’s On The Hill
Mama’s On The Hill is another beloved restaurant serving St. Louisans for decades. The restaurant is the premier of the historic Hill neighborhood and is home to the toasted ravioli. Having started as Oldani’s, the restaurant was renamed and reopened by Mama Campisi in 1982. The restaurant has since been passed down to John and Frank Campisi, Mama’s sons. Lance and Andrea Ervin currently own the restaurant.
The toasted ravioli at Mama’s On The Hill is their most popular dish and is known nationwide. Even though the original dish came to be an accident, it has become a staple at the restaurant. The restaurant’s long history has made it a beloved part of the St. Louis community. The veteran red-sauce Italian dining style gives this spot its family feel, but the menu is also full of modern dishes. Starters like crispy eggplant chips with house-made blue cheese dressing and classic entrees like chicken parmigiana are all available. Newer items, such as the salmon puttanesca, show that this spot keeps up with the times.
Address: 2132 Edwards St, St. Louis, MO 63110
Website: https://www.mamasonthehill.com/
# 2 – Zia’s Restaurant
We have another ‘On The Hill’ in St. Louis – this one is a northern Italian restaurant that has been around for generations. It contributes to the neighborhood’s casual, comfy setting with imported wine and classic Italian dishes. The restaurant has established itself as a top-level Italian spot in the 50-square-block area of South St. Louis and the city as a whole. Zia’s On The Hill has received multiple awards since 1994, with the latest being the 2013 Hill Business Association’s Business Of The Year. They offer lunch and lunch menus and a wine menu with a variety of reds, whites, sparkling, port, grappa, and house bottled beers. You can also enjoy martinis and frozen drinks.
Address: 5256 Wilson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Website: https://www.zias.com/
# 1 – The Old Spaghetti Factory
In the first place, we have the popular family-friendly chain eatery, The Old Spaghetti Factory. The restaurant has won a spot in many St. Louis residents’ hearts with its affordable and delicious 3-course meals. The Old Spaghetti Factory is also unique in its setting. The restaurant looks like it did during the turn of the century. Guss and Sally Dussin founded The Old Spaghetti Factory in 1969. It’s still a family-owned and operated restaurant. With the long list of restaurants behind its name, The Old Spaghetti Factory has become a well-loved establishment in St. Louis. Here you can find almost anything you’re looking for on the menu, whether it’s a classic spaghetti and meatballs or something more unique like their mizithra cheese ravioli.
Address: 727 N 1st St, St. Louis, MO 63102
Website: https://www.osf.com/location/st-louis-mo/
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