Rhode Island's Neighborhood That Feels Like Northern Italy Is A Food Lover's Dream

As you walk down Atwells Avenue in Providence, you'll see signs for Napolitano's Brooklyn Pizza, Bacco Vino & Contorni, Constantino's Venda Bar, Trattoria Appia, and Anthony's Authentic Italian Cuisine. If you love gourmet pizza and homemade pasta, the names alone will get your stomach growling, and most of us probably couldn't walk more than a block without checking random windows for fresh cannoli. This is Federal Hill, Rhode Island, a neighborhood that has raised generations of Italian-Americans since a massive wave of immigrants arrived here in the 1900s. Today, the dining scene here has garnered international attention; Il Massimo, a longtime favorite, is widely considered the finest restaurant in the state. Although it is small, Federal Hill is considered one of the best Little Italys in the world.

But it's more than the food: The centerpiece of Federal Hill is DePasquale Square, a colorful piazza that looks like it was transported here directly from Padua. On warm nights, the square is packed with bistro tables, aproned waiters, boisterous groups, and even live musicians. If you're not eating sliced confections from Pastiche's Fine Desserts or sucking down naked shellfish at Providence Oyster Bar, then you may very well be dancing on DePasquale Square's cobblestone. The Ocean State is best known for its breathtaking coasts, but once night falls, head inland for family-style meals in Federal Hill.

The neighborhood has also transformed many times over the past century or so. In past decades, Providence was infamous for its mafia presence — most notoriously the Patriarca crime family — and Federal Hill featured prominently in the popular podcast "Crimetown." The century-old buildings look very much the same, but Atwells is now a melting pot of different groups and a popular destination for tourists. Favorite new spots include Lucia's Mexican Restaurant and Opa The Phoenician. Federal Hill is still most renowned for its Italian cuisine, and customers swear by Caserta Pizzeria, "Originator of the Wimpy Skippy" –– a specialty spinach pizza with black olives, cheese, and pepperoni –– but the neighborhood has been further enriched by other international flavors. There's a reason Providence is considered one of the best U.S. cities for food lovers.

Federal Hill connects to many other exciting neighborhoods in Providence, and the city is refreshingly walkable. The eastern edge of Atwells Avenue is marked by a tall sculpture that hovers over the street, and its centerpiece is a pine cone. From there, you can drive over I-95 into "Downcity," the capital's high-rise-filled center, where you can find many hotels to accommodate you. Here you'll find gift shops, bookstores, and even more restaurants. Beautiful bridges span the narrow Providence River, and during the warmer months, you'll see gondoliers paddling couples and families down the water, adding to the Italian ambiance.

Rhode Island is the smallest state in America, and it's easy to overlook, even among travelers already visiting New England. Many are unaware that Rhode Island even has such a storied Italian-American community. If you came for the pizza alone, you'd be sampling different styles for weeks: Al Forno's grilled pizza, Providence Coal Fired Pizza, Fellini's impossibly diverse toppings, and those cheese-less, cold-served "pizza strips," which also happen to be Rhode Islanders' favorite snack — to name only a few. 

But the state has a lot to offer beyond the city, from beaches and sailing to seafood and quaint historic towns. Federal Hill is merely a toothsome punctuation mark on a larger Rhode Island road trip. The state has nearly 40 breweries, several of which are within walking distance of Federal Hill. In summer, the state is packed with food festivals, foot races, and WaterFire, one of the most unique public arts events in the country. And don't forget: Providence has one of the best airports in the country as well.