Italian

Kristin P., M1

While I personally love Imo’s, I assure you there’s way more to the pizza scene in St. Louis than just thin crust and provel cheese. If you’re craving pizza, you’ll have many delicious options, no matter your pizza style preference.

You have to give St. Louis-style Italian a try while you’re here, and besides Zia’s, there are so many great options on the Hill. For more pasta, check out Cunetto’s or Anthonino's. For St. Louis-style Italian sandwiches, try the hot salami at Gioia’s or Adriana’s. Not sure if you’re craving Spanish or Italian? Check out Guido’s.

Fairly upscale Italian restaurant that is a favorite for special occasions for many St. Louisans. It’s Hill-style Italian, but upgraded. For pasta, try the baked spaghetti with meatballs or the penne borghese, but their meat entrees are also delicious.

Fresh pizza with lots of veggie topping options.

Go-to pizza delivery option for many a St. Louisan, give Imo’s Pizza a try while you’re here. Order some salad with Imo’s house dressing and t-rav while you’re at it, if you want the full St. Louis experience. See STL Food Quirks for more info about St. Louis’ unique, often controversial pizza style.

Artisan Italian pizza (with fancy toppings), pasta, craft cocktails, watermelon/ricotta salata salad, and also a fried artichoke salad that is not to be missed.

Craving killer East Coast-style pizza? Pick up a pie at La Pizza (carry out only).

Gluten-free noodles can be substituted into any of their dishes.

This locally owned company is known for their deep dish, cornmeal crust pizza (though they also have gluten-free, whole grain and thin crust available, if deep dish ain’t your thang). The Western Addition, the Kirkwood, and the Southside Classico are great options to try. Obama liked Pi so much on his visit to St. Louis in 2008, he personally called the restaurant and invited the owners to the White House to cook for the first family, making Pi the first restaurant to prepare food for the White House. This prompted the owners to open a branch in D.C.

If you’re not typically a calzone fan, Sauce On the Side will make you a convert. Tons of filling options, plus a rotating special (e.g., a turkey dinner-filled calzone called “The Mayflower” each November).

Union Loafers is *the* place to buy a loaf of bread here in town (Companion Bakery is also locally owned!), but their pizza is to die for. Ian Froeb of the STL Today magazine describes it as, “New York-ish, but with an airiness and aggressive blistering more reminiscent of Neapolitan pies.”

The true St. Louis-style Italian experience. Baked mostaccioli (mostaccioli al forno on the Zia’s menu) is a St. Louis classic, and get t-rav as an app.