Federal Hill, Providence: Restaurants and Things to Do

Federal Hill is Providence’s Italian neighborhood, centered on Atwells Avenue just west of downtown. It’s the classic dinner-before-WaterFire plan: eat on the Hill, then walk down to Waterplace Park for the lighting. Besides restaurants, the Hill still has family bakeries and Italian grocers that have been here for generations.

Where to eat

• Camille’s, 171 Bradford Street: classic Italian dining on the Hill since 1914. Book a table through its website.
• Angelo’s Civita Farnese, 141 Atwells Avenue: Italian comfort food since 1924. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Andino’s, 171 Atwells Avenue: old-school Italian with an outdoor patio.
• Massimo: a seasonal menu drawn from Italy’s regional cooking, with brunch, lunch, dinner and a gluten-free menu.
• Trattoria Appia (formerly Trattoria Zooma): pasta made daily in its own pastificio, wood-fired pizza and vegan options, plus pizza classes on Thursdays and gnocchi classes on Sundays.
• Harry’s Bar & Burger: sliders, burgers, craft beer and boozy milkshakes.

Bakeries, desserts and Italian groceries

• Scialo Bros. Bakery: family-run since 1916, baking from scratch in brick ovens that date to the 1920s.
• Pastiche Fine Desserts, 92 Spruce Street: desserts since 1983, known for carrot cake, tiramisu and fresh fruit tart. Pre-order up to two weeks ahead.
• Venda Ravioli: an Italian grocery with Costantino’s Venda Bar & Ristorante and The Cafe under the same roof.
• Tony’s Colonial Food, 311 Atwells Avenue: an Italian specialty grocery.

Hours change, so check each place’s own site before you go; addresses and links are in our Providence restaurant guide. After dinner, it’s a short walk downhill to WaterFire on lighting nights, or to the shows at PPAC and The VETS.