14 Missouri Old-School Italian Restaurants That Keep It Classic
Missouri’s Italian food doesn’t whisper politely; it belts out arias of red sauce, garlic, and bread pulled steaming from the oven. In St. Louis, the Hill neighborhood still feels like an open-air dining room, lined with trattorias where toasted ravioli is practically a birthright.
Kansas City holds its ground, too, with ristoranti that guard recipes like family heirlooms, serving veal parm and meatball subs stacked taller than the menu itself.
These fourteen spots aren’t simply restaurants. They’re time capsules of flavor, where tradition lingers on every plate and every table feels like it’s been waiting for you.
1. Rigazzi’s — St. Louis (The Hill)
Walk inside and the first thing you notice is the frosty “fishbowl” beer glasses clinking at tables, a Rigazzi’s trademark. The vibe is casual but buzzing, especially on game days.
This restaurant opened in 1957 and quickly became a cornerstone of The Hill, serving pizza, pasta, and that famous toasted ravioli.
Order a plate of spaghetti and meatballs and soak in the energy. It’s loud, unapologetic, and exactly the kind of old-school Italian atmosphere locals love.
2. Cunetto House Of Pasta — St. Louis (The Hill)
Cunetto’s entrance feels understated, but once inside the aroma of garlic and simmering marinara gives the welcome. Lines often stretch down the block, especially on weekends.
Since 1972, this family-run spot has built its name on generous pasta plates, particularly the famous house cannelloni.
The wait is part of the ritual. Locals shrug, knowing the payoff is worth it: heaping dishes of pasta served with an ease that feels timeless.
3. Zia’s On The Hill — St. Louis (The Hill)
The red awning at Zia’s signals you’ve found one of The Hill’s busiest corners, a place that thrives on foot traffic and regulars.
Family-owned since 1985, Zia’s blends Northern and Southern Italian styles, keeping toasted ravioli and chicken spiedini as menu fixtures.
The outdoor patio fills quickly on warm evenings. Sit there with a plate of tortellini in rich cream sauce and you’ll see why locals keep calling it a neighborhood staple.
4. Favazza’s — St. Louis (The Hill)
Favazza’s dining room feels like stepping into a family gathering, brick walls, wood accents, and an energy that never really quiets.
Founded in 1978, it’s known for recipes that lean hearty: Sicilian chicken, veal saltimbocca, and pastas that arrive steaming.
Regulars recommend the courtyard on summer nights. Eating under string lights with plates of pasta and red wine, you understand why it remains one of The Hill’s most beloved.
5. Mama’s On The Hill — St. Louis (The Hill)
This restaurant proudly claims the origin story of toasted ravioli, and its neon sign shines bright against The Hill’s row houses.
Mama Campisi opened the doors in 1939, giving generations of diners a place to return for house-made sauces and breaded pasta pockets.
Toasted ravioli here feels almost ceremonial. Dip them in marinara and you’re participating in a piece of culinary history that belongs entirely to St. Louis.
6. Dominic’s On The Hill — St. Louis (The Hill)
Step into Dominic’s and the mood shifts: white tablecloths, chandeliers, and a slower, more elegant pace. This is old-school fine dining on The Hill.
Since 1971, Dominic Galati’s restaurant has focused on veal, seafood, and fresh pastas with a northern Italian slant.
Reserve for dinner and expect a polished evening. Locals know it as a spot for anniversaries and special occasions, where tradition arrives plated with grace.
7. Anthonino’s Taverna — St. Louis (The Hill)
Greek and Italian flavors meet here, an unusual mix but one that works seamlessly. The exposed brick and dim lighting give it a cozy tavern feel.
Brothers Anthony and Rosario Scarato opened Anthonino’s in 2003, but it carries the weight of tradition through family recipes and toasted ravioli.
Try the gyro pizza alongside spaghetti carbonara. The blending of flavors feels playful yet rooted, making it one of The Hill’s most versatile restaurants.
8. Lombardo’s Trattoria — St. Louis (Downtown West)
Near Union Station, Lombardo’s welcomes you with polished wood interiors and a sense of timeless hospitality.
The Lombardo family has operated restaurants in St. Louis since 1934, and this trattoria keeps the tradition alive with pasta, veal, and steaks.
It’s the kind of place where travelers mix with locals, everyone sharing plates of lasagna layered tall and finished with sauces that taste perfected over decades.
9. Paul Manno’s Restaurant — Chesterfield
In Chesterfield, Paul Manno’s offers a quieter but no less classic Italian dining experience. The lighting is soft, the tables spread with care.
Since opening in the 1990s, it has built a reputation for veal dishes and seafood pastas, with service that feels personal.
Locals call it a hidden gem west of the city. Sit down with linguine and clams, and you’ll find the kind of comfort that lingers long after.
10. Adriana’s On The Hill — St. Louis (The Hill)
Adriana’s is smaller, with a deli-counter vibe and lines that wrap at lunchtime. The crowd leans heavy on sandwiches and quick pasta bowls.
The family opened in 1992, adding a more casual option to The Hill’s lineup without skimping on flavor.
The hot salami sandwich has a fan base all its own. Order it and watch the room buzz, Adriana’s proves not every legend requires white tablecloths.
11. Gioia’s Deli — St. Louis (The Hill)
The salami sandwiches at Gioia’s are so famous they earned the deli a James Beard America’s Classics award.
Opened in 1918, Gioia’s still serves from its original brick building, making it the oldest family-owned deli on The Hill.
The hot salami, sliced thick and layered onto fresh bread, is the essential order. One bite explains why this sandwich has become an icon far beyond St. Louis.
12. Garozzo’s Ristorante — Kansas City
Chicken spiedini is the signature at Garozzo’s, skewered and grilled with garlic and breadcrumbs. The dish has practically become Kansas City shorthand for Italian.
Michael Garozzo opened the first location in 1989, and the restaurant has since expanded while staying true to its roots.
The dining room hums with families, friends, and business dinners alike. The spiedini connects them all, carrying the flavor of Kansas City’s Italian pride.
13. Cascone’s Italian Restaurant — Kansas City (Northland)
Cascone’s has stood in the Northland since 1954, serving red-sauce Italian with a Midwest heart.
The Cascone family still runs it, keeping recipes alive across generations while expanding the menu with modern touches.
Expect veal parmesan, lasagna, and warm service that feels familial. The booths echo with decades of conversation, the kind of place where traditions never get lost.
14. Jasper’s Italian Restaurant — Kansas City (South KC)
Jasper’s began in 1954, founded by Jasper Mirabile Sr., and it has remained family-run ever since. The current chef, Jasper Jr., carries the torch.
The restaurant balances classic Italian with Kansas City character. Fresh mozzarella made tableside is a highlight, and pasta still arrives hearty and sauced just right.
Reserve for dinner and take your time. Jasper’s isn’t just about food, it’s about generations of Italian cooking meeting Kansas City hospitality.