The Hill St. Louis Restaurants: Italian Classics Guide

The Hill St. Louis restaurants are the heart of a compact Italian American neighborhood on the city's south side. Families from Lombardy and Sicily settled there in the late nineteenth century, and their descendants still run bakeries, groceries and red sauce restaurants on the same blocks, where fire hydrants are painted in the colors of the Italian flag.

Streets on The Hill are lined with Italian bakeries, delis and groceries as well as restaurants, so build a walk that includes a bakery stop. Call ahead on weekends, since the red sauce rooms fill.

Which of The Hill St. Louis restaurants should you try first?

The Hill is a neighborhood of long-running pasta houses, casual rooms with a bar and family dining rooms. Read each menu on the door, since hours vary from place to place.

Menus change, and a family restaurant may close for a week at a time, so check hours before you go.

When you choose among Italian restaurants on The Hill, think about the kind of evening you want. Some rooms are quiet and formal, and some are casual with sports on the screens. Order the dishes that Hill kitchens grew up on, such as baked pasta, veal parmigiana and a plate of sausage and peppers.

What is St. Louis toasted ravioli?

St. Louis toasted ravioli are breaded, fried ravioli, usually filled with meat or cheese and served with marinara for dipping. They are the city's signature appetizer, and nearly every Italian restaurant in town serves them. The Hill is where most people go to try them in the place they belong.

A good plate is crisp outside, tender inside and served hot. Order a plate for the table, and share. If you are visiting with children, the appetizer is a safe first bite.

What is St. Louis style pizza?

This style has a thin, cracker-like crust made without yeast, a layer of sweet sauce and a topping of Provel cheese, a processed blend that melts smoothly. It is cut into squares or tavern style, rather than wedges. A Hill pizzeria serves St. Louis style pizzas alongside Spanish style tapas, according to listings.

The pizza divides visitors. Some love it and some do not, so try a slice before you commit to a whole pie. The thin crust means a pie is lighter than it looks, and a table of four can often finish a large one.

It is worth asking where the pizza is baked and whether the crust is made in house. Neighborhood places often take pride in the answer, and a short conversation can lead you to a favorite.

Which bakeries and shops belong on a Hill walk?

A walk through The Hill is a chance to see the groceries, delis and bakeries that give the neighborhood its character. Look for bread, cannoli and cookies, and for shops selling cured meats, cheese and pasta. A Hill bakery is a good place to buy a box of Italian cookies for the road. A loaf of crusty bread, a wedge of cheese and a link of sausage make a picnic, and there are parks within a short drive.

Take a bag or a cooler, and buy things you can enjoy later. Streets are quiet in the morning, and small shops often close for lunch or Sunday, so check ahead.

How does The Hill compare with other St. Louis neighborhood food?

St. Louis neighborhood food spans barbecue, frozen custard, bakeries, pizza and corner taverns, and each neighborhood has its own character. The city rewards a day of driving from one to another.

The Hill is the Italian anchor. After lunch you can drive to a different neighborhood for a second meal, or to a park for a walk.

How should you plan your visit?

Go for lunch or an early dinner, and make a reservation if the restaurant takes them. Weekends are busy. Wear comfortable shoes, since you will want to walk the blocks.

Order family style, the way Hill families have eaten for generations. A good table meal might include toasted ravioli, a salad, a pasta dish and a main course to share, with a cannoli to finish. Ask your server for recommendations, and be patient, since traditional kitchens cook to order. Save room for dessert, because cannoli, spumoni and tiramisu are staples of the neighborhood, and a coffee after dinner is part of the ritual.

What else should you eat around St. Louis?

For a day with children, read family friendly restaurants in St. Louis. For a trip beyond the city, food worth a drive in Missouri covers wine country and barbecue towns. The St. Louis markets guide covers the weekend stalls. The US guides page lists more.

How can Mosey help with Hill restaurants in St. Louis?

The Mosey app does not say a place or a dish is free of anything and does not check allergens. If it matters, use the Hide dishes that list filter as a first pass in St. Louis and then ask the kitchen directly.

Red sauce is a flavor you either love or compare. Download the Mosey app, rate every plate by its sauce, its crust and its portion, and keep a St. Louis list that settles the argument between pizza and pasta.