Italian food is my favorite type of cuisine, and when I lived in Italy, I was able to sample the best of the best. I can go on and on for hours about the delicious pasta, scrumptious desserts, and fine wines that I was able to experience overseas, but that would only make me long to return even more. Fortunately, I don’t need to make a trip across the ocean to enjoy a great meal, because there are some great places right here in New England where I can get my Italian food fix. You have probably heard of the North End section of Boston, but do you know that the city of Providence, Rhode Island, also has its own “Little Italy?”
I myself was not aware of this lovely little neighborhood until my husband and I took an overnight trip to Providence several years back. When we stumbled upon Federal Hill, I was overcome with excitement. Interestingly, the area was first the home of Irish immigrants, but in the early 20th century, an influx of Italians came to Providence and established a rich community in this section of the city.
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Photo courtesy of Providence Warwick CVB
The heart of Federal Hill is DePasquale Square, which is reminiscent of an Italian piazza. People often gather here to mingle with friends, and visitors can often be seen making a wish at the quatrefoil fountain. If you come into town on the right night, you may be able to catch some live music.
Photo courtesy of Massimo
But where to eat in Federal Hill? There are so many great choices that it is hard to pick just one. If you desire a more upscale Italian meal, I suggest heading over to Massimo on Atwells Avenue. The trattoria hosts lunch, brunch, and dinner and has an authentic Italian menu featuring delicious signature dishes and a vast selection of fine wines.
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Or if you are in the mood for pizza, stop by Caserta on Spruce Street. This popular pizzeria claims to be the “originator of the whimy skippy,” which is a local spinach pie stuffed with mozzarella cheese, black olives, and pepperoni. They also have a menu full of lots of other fabulous signature pies.
And then it is onto dessert. You could either grab a tiramisu or a cannoli at your restaurant of choice, or grab a delicious gelato at one of the local gelaterias or ice cream shops. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
Photo courtesy of Providence Warwick CVB
While the best part of Federal Hill is the food, there is much more to experience. There are shops, bars, delis, and even an art studio called Gather Glass where you can try your hand at glass blowing. If this doesn’t remind you of the glass blowing studios in Murano, Italy, I don’t know what will.
If you want to sample a little bit of everything that the neighborhood has to offer, I suggest attending one of Federal Hill’s wonderful cultural events and celebrations. For some great Italian food, participate in the Al Fresco on the Hill outdoor dining event on summer Saturdays. The neighborhood additionally hosts an August Summer Festival with three days of food, vendors, and entertainment, and a Columbus Day Weekend Festival that features a parade, even more food, and games.
Have you visited Federal Hill? If so, please tell us all about your experience. To find out more information about this special neighborhood in Providence, please consult the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau website and the GoProvidence Facebook page. And if you are looking for a unique way to spend a few hours in Federal Hill, I suggest embarking on a Crime and Cuisine on Federal Hill tour, where you can sample some great local eats while learning about Providence’s dark history. Tickets to the event can be purchased through Viator.
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Dining and Cooking