The Hill’s roots are interspersed with the history of St. Louis, generating two of the region’s proudest exports – world-class athletes and Italian cuisine. Baseball’s Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola grew up here, and today it maintains a traditional collection of authentic Italian bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants and mom-and-pop trattorias. Everything is colorful here – even the fire hydrants are painted red, white and green. Twenty first century additions include coffee houses, studios, retail and small businesses that create additional energy in the cozy enclave. Its epicenter is one intersection that sums it up perfectly, with St. Ambrose Catholic Church on one corner, an Italian bakery/restaurant on another, an import shop across the street, and a neighborhood tavern/bocce garden on the fourth corner. The Hill is famous for its Italian markets and restaurants. Visitors and locals alike flock to this historic part of the city to explore the family-friendly, tight-knit neighborhood and feast on the flavors of Italy right here at home.
