15 Italian Restaurants In Missouri That’ll Make Your Taste Buds Explode

Florentina’s offers true family dining options with their family platters, menu items served family-style, with portions for groups of 4-6. Authentic brick oven pizzas, soups, salads, pastas, steaks and seafood are all made from original recipes by Chef Ron Kalenuik. Start out with freshly baked mini-loaves of bread served with Italian-spice flavored olive oil. Some of the favorites include the chicken or veal Marsala, Salmon Trattoria, and the Linguini Vongole which pairs linguini, clams, garlic and Parmesan topped with a lemon white wine cream sauce. For dessert, try Florentina’s Italian Wedding Cake, Spumoni Ice Cream, Crème Brulee, Tiramisu or the amazing Cheesecake Messaluna, an authentic Italian dessert made from cheesecake filled dessert raviolis.

Location: 2690 Green Mountain Drive

Hours of Operation: Sunday-Thursday: 11 am-8:30 pm, and Friday & Saturday: 11 am-9:00 pm

Website: www.florentinasristoranteitaliano.com

Vincenzo’s opened in 2003 and offers delicious, freshly made Italian food in a friendly, casual setting. From appetizers to full dinners, the best chicken, seafood, beef and veal, as well a variety of delicious pastas are available every day. Top it all off with one of their wine selections. Located in the heart of historic downtown Ferguson, with owner Mike Lonero a proud, active member of the Ferguson community, where he and his family run several other businesses.

Location: 242 S. Florissant Road

Hours of Operation: Tuesday-Thursday 11:00 am-9:00 pm, Friday 11:00 am-10:00 pm, Saturday 4:00 pm-10:00 pm, Sunday 4:00 pm-9:00 pm

Website: www.vincenzosstl.com

Located in the Heart of "The Hill", a place famous for great Italian food, Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas offers a huge menu not only full of classic Italian fare but also traditional Spanish Entrees and Tapas, delivering a "Taste of Spain in the Middle of Italy" Some the best of their made-to-order dishes include Guido’s Homemade Lasagna, and their amazing Seafood Ravioli made with shrimp, scallops and lobster prepared in a balsamic vinaigrette with tomatoes, spinach and Feta cheese. [authors note: my personal favorite place for Italian]

Location: 5046 Shaw Avenue

Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 11am – 11pm, Friday & Saturday 11am – Midnight, Sunday 11am – 11pm

Website: www.guidosstl.com

Bella Napoli is known for their delicious, fresh, and extremely satisfying Italian food. Pasta that melts in your mouth. Tomato sauce that is light and flavorful. Some of their signature dishes include the Melanzane Alla Parmigiana, Tagliatella Alla Bolognese, and the Puttanesca, made with Olives, capers, anchovies, pepper flakes, and tomato. Bella Napoli is also a deli, coffee shop and grocery.

Location: 6229 Brookside Blvd

Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 11am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am - 10pm, closed on Sunday

Website: www.kcbellanapoli.com

Gilardi’s Ristorante not only continues a long tradition of bringing authentic Italian cuisine to Springfield, they also feature the highest-quality ingredients, grown and obtained locally. Homemade ricotta noodles, changing ravioli specials, and an exquisite wine selection are just some of the reasons to stop in. The restaurant has been in business for the better part of two decades providing delicious food, great service, and a relaxing atmosphere, priding themselves on their relationships with local farmers, business owners, arts patrons, city government, and higher education. Purchased in 2013 by long-time employee, James Martin, who continues on with this tradition of community sustainability.

Location: 820 E Walnut Street

Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday 5:00 pm-10:00 pm Sunday and lunchtime available for scheduled parties

Website: www.gilardisonwalnut.com

Avanzare’s fine dining experience takes a modern, but delicious stand on Italian cuisine. The restaurant is owned and operated by five-star chef Tony Garcia, and offers an elegant atmosphere for your dining pleasure since its opening in 2002. Fresh, high quality food including delicious choices such as the Carre’ D’Agnello Alla Fungi, a grilled rack of lamb topped with sautéed mixed mushrooms in a sherry wine reduction sauce and served with mashed potatoes and spinach. Or try a pasta dish such as the Pasta Alla Tony, house pasta tossed with grilled chicken, portabella mushrooms, basil, and marinara, served with a Brandy tomato cream sauce.

Location: 1908 S Glenstone Avenue

Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 11:00 am-3:00 pm & 5:00 pm-10:00 pm, Friday 11:00 am-3:00 pm & 5:00 pm-11:00 pm, Saturday 5:00 pm-11:00 pm, Sunday 5:00 pm-9:00 pm

Website: www.avanzareitaliandining.com

Anthonino’s has gotten many accolades from the press including being voted "Best Italian Restaurant" in RFT's "The Best of St. Louis" in 2011 and 2015, as well as "Best Toasted Ravioli" for the past four years by the same publication, as well as "Best Pizza on the Hill." The Hill is a largely Italian-American neighborhood, and Anthonino’s proves it belongs there with a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere and delicious food. Besides delicious pasta dishes like the Tutti Mare, made with clams, squid, shrimp and crab claws with choice of sauce, they also offer pizza and burgers.

Location: 2225 Macklind Avenue

Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday 11:00 am-10:00 pm

Website: www.anthoninos.com

Lil’ Rizzos has two locations at Lake of the Ozarks and provide a unique Italian atmosphere with generous portions and a wide variety of menu items. Fresh, quality ingredients are used to bring you delicious Italian fare such as Chicken Modiga, chicken or veal parmesan, or delicious lasagna. In addition, several types of pizza are available as well as sandwiches, salads, wings and a kid’s menu with items like Gummy Bear Pizza and Chicken Strips and Fries.

Location: 929 Premium Outlets Drive, Osage Beach (also 2196 Horseshoe Bend Pkwy, Lake Ozark)

Hours of Operation: Sunday-Thursday 11 AM-9 PM Friday-Saturday 11 AM-9 PM

Website: www.lilrizzos.com

Another St. Louis gourmet Italian restaurant, Roberto's is tucked away in the Concord Plaza shopping center on Lindbergh, and is one of the best in St. Louis for traditional old country, Italian cuisine. While most St. Louis Italian eateries are found on "the Hill", Roberto prides itself with bringing Italian to South and West County residents. Elegant atmosphere, exceptional food, excellent service and reasonable prices are what you will find, along with traditional old country Italian menu options. Seafood is delivered fresh daily, and pasta, steaks, veal and chicken, along with other fresh ingredients are combined to create a variety of dishes created by Chef Roberto Zanti and his staff.

Location: 145 Concord Plaza

Hours of Operation: Lunch—Tuesday-Friday 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Dinner—Tuesday-Saturday 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Website: www.robertosstl.com

Bruno’s provides an authentic Sicilian dining experience with homemade Italian cuisine and exotic wines from around the world including Bruno's wine from his own vineyard in Sicily! Located in vibrant downtown Springfield, in a beautifully restored 1905 historic building, Bruno’s creates the feel of old Italy from the moment you step inside. Fresh Italian ingredients are combined to create truly authentic Italian entrees, seafood specials and the best Italian pizza in Springfield. Tasty appetizers, fresh Sicilian inspired salads, and amazing, freshly prepared desserts round out your meal. Signature dishes include Scaloppine Di Maiale Al Marsala and Grilled Zucchini Chicken Tenders.

Location: 416 South Avenue

Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 11:00 am-10:00 pm, Friday-Saturday 11:00 am-11:00 pm

Website: www.brunositalianrestaurantdowntown.com