Federal Hill, the traditionally Italian neighborhood known as Atwells Avenue, is full of authentic Italian restaurants, bakeries, cafes, butchers, and delis. The great food is not limited to Italian cuisine.
Costantino's Venda Ravioli
265 Atwells Ave.
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 421-9105
Costantino’s Venda Ravioli in Providence, Rhode Island is an Italian food
emporium that’s a deli, a cafe, and a specialty store all under one roof.
A huge four-sided deli case dominates the room, filled with prepared foods,
cold cuts, freshly butchered meats, an astounding assortment of olives, and
a hundred different cheeses. They process over two hundred fifty varieties of
fresh and frozen pastas. And, Venda serves lunch every afternoon at tables spread
out around the store.
Costantino's has another gem - Costantino's Restaurant, next door to Venda Rav, is owned by the same family. In addition to an elegant indoor restaurant ideal for small private parties, it offers outdoor dining in the courtyard of DePasquale Square.
Pastiche
Fine Desserts
92 Spruce St.
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 861-5190
Do not miss the fruit tart here! The space is warm and inviting with small, intimate tables and sophisticated European character. Pastiche is stocked with sweets like their unforgetable fresh Fruit Tarts, Orange Chocolate Bavarian Cake, Russian Teacakes, Biscotti, Rugelach, and Chocolate Walnut Truffle Cookies. Their many beverage options include deluxe coffee concoctions, tea, chai, and hot chocolate.
59 DePasquale Plaza, Federal Hill
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 331-8240
It must be summer – the French windows at Caffe Dolce Vita are open,
and al fresco dining is available on the adjacent sidewalk. Dine under sunny
skies on specialties such as salads, sandwiches, bruschetta and focaccia, as
well as fabulous homemade desserts and gelato imported from Italy, while people
watching in the plaza.
Caserta
Pizzeria
121 Spruce St.
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 621-3618
Caserta Pizzeria on Spruce Street is an old-school pizzeria. Their very own invention, the Wimpy Skippy, is basically a folded spinach pie, oozing with cheese, fat-studded pepperoni, and olives. Other variations include Pig in a Blanket with Italian sausage and gravy or Pepper Pigs with sausage, peppers, and red sauce. Orders are self-serve. Pizza toppings tend toward the traditional, and they even sell raw dough at 60 cents a ball for the home baker.
Mediterraneo
134 Atwells Ave.
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 331-7760
Mediterraneo offers fine Italian dining in a classy urban atmosphere. Giant
French doors and striking granite and cherrywood bars add to the trendy vibe.
Old World steaks, seafood, and pasta are plated with strikingly imaginative
presentation, but it’s the antipasti bar that makes the biggest impression.
A gorgeous spread changes daily, but might include Prosciutto, cipolline onions,
provolone, sautéed eggplant, red and yellow peppers, bean salad, potato
croquettes, arancini rice balls, olives, or mushrooms. Plus, on Friday and Saturday
nights, the second level transforms into Club Mediterraneo, a hip Latin dance
club.
L'Epicureo
238 Atwells Ave.
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 454-8430
Budgeting diners will blow the bank, but those in search of a memorable meal of creative Italian will not be disappointed. The restaurant is tastefully sponged and stenciled in dark and subtle tones. Focaccia and herb-infused olive oil kick of the evening, followed by culinary inspirations like Lentil Encrusted Halibut with Salmon Mousse or Mushroom Risotto with Portobello, Crimini, Porcini and Shitake varieties. Indulgent finales might include Tiramisu, Banana Gelato, or Flourless Chocolate Cake.
Angelo's
Civita Farnese
141 Atwells Ave.
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 621-8171
For three quarters of a century, Angelo’s Civita Farnese has been serving
homestyle Italian classics at incredibly low prices. Their eggplant parm is
out of this world, and so is the roasted chicken. Other Southern Italian fare
like spaghetti and meatballs, tripe, and veal parmigiana. Communal seating at
Formica tables is less than elegant, but service is quick and portions are huge.
Customers can even buy wine by the jug.