Toasted ravioli got its start in St. Louis, and this crispy, breaded, fried pasta has become one of Missouri’s most beloved appetizers. If you love this crunchy little bite as much as I do, it is worth pointing your car toward the places that do it best.
Some are old-school spots on The Hill, while others are newer names putting their own spin on the classic. Here are nine Missouri restaurants where the toasted ravioli alone makes the trip pay off.
1. Mama’s On The Hill, St. Louis, MO
Homemade toasted ravioli with a crunchy exterior is the appetizer that draws people through the door here, and it lives up to the reputation The Hill built for the dish.
Mama’s is a longtime red-sauce Italian restaurant with an old-school cafe setting and kitschy accents. Beyond the famous ravs, the menu leans into comfort classics like seafood linguine, baked lasagna, manicotti, and lobster ravioli, with stuffed mushrooms as another popular starter.
The dining room can get lively and dark, and there is basement seating along with an outdoor option when weather allows. Sunday nights tend to fill up fast, so a reservation is a smart move if you want a smoother visit.
You will find it at 2132 Edwards St in St. Louis, open seven days a week from 11 AM, with later closing on Friday and Saturday. Portions run generous, which makes it easy to start with ravioli and still leave full.
2. Charlie Gitto’s On the Hill, St. Louis, MO
Few places tie their name to toasted ravioli the way this one does, with the dish standing as a St. Louis staple that dates back decades.
Charlie Gitto’s is an old-school choice for Italian dining, delivering pizzas and toasted ravioli in an old-world, elegant atmosphere. The kitchen turns out crowd favorites like veal parmigiana, lobster spaghetti, lobster bisque, scallops, and manicotti, with cannoli and carrot cake waiting at the end.
The interior carries a dark, refined feel, and the service leans polished and attentive. Bar seating up front gives you a spot to settle in while you wait, and reservations are strongly recommended since the rooms fill up.
Located at 5226 Shaw Ave, it opens at 5 PM most evenings, with earlier 4 PM seating on Sunday and later hours on Friday and Saturday. Prices feel fair for the quality, and the toasted ravioli comes out crispy outside and flavorful inside, exactly the way a first course on The Hill should.
3. Anthonino’s Taverna, St. Louis, MO
A stop that landed on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, this Macklind Avenue spot blends Italian classics with Greek flavors in a way you do not find anywhere else on The Hill.
Anthonino’s Taverna is an easygoing eatery serving hearty plates from both traditions. The toasted ravs are a must-order starter, and they get a boost from house marinara that regulars rave about.
On the Greek side you can order saganaki, spanakopita, baked goat cheese, and a gyro, while the Italian menu runs from pizza to pasta and cannoli.
Bread arrives soft and fresh, and there is both bar seating and outdoor seating available. The restaurant sits right in the neighborhood, surrounded by homes and small businesses, so street parking and a short walk are part of the charm.
Find it at 2225 Macklind Ave, open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM and closed on Sunday. If you cannot decide, the toasted ravioli and saganaki make a solid opening pair.
4. Favazza’s on the Hill, St. Louis, MO
Brick walls and a family-owned history give this trattoria a warm, familiar feel that keeps people coming back trip after trip.
Favazza’s on the Hill is a longtime family-run spot serving Italian classics. The toasted ravioli reads as the real deal, and it pairs naturally with an order of fried cheese to start.
From there the menu spans Sicilian chicken, steak mudega, cannelloni, chicken limone, and tutto mare, along with the popular Favazza’s house salad and tortellini alla panna.
There is a patio for warmer days, and a gluten free menu is available if you need it. Bread and side salads come out strong, and portions on the pastas run large.
You will find it at 5201 Southwest Ave, open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM, with Sunday and Monday closed. It makes an easy dinner stop before an evening out in the area.
5. Trattoria Marcella, St. Louis, MO
Toasted ravioli shows up here as a starter in a more refined setting than the neighborhood corner spots, which makes it a nice change of pace.
Trattoria Marcella is a renowned venue that pairs elevated Italian cuisine with classic cocktails and a wine list. The toasted ravs stand alongside dishes like lobster risotto, chicken spedini, stuffed artichoke, halibut, rigatoni, and shaved Brussels.
Bread arrives fresh and comes with a hummus that stands out as a starter.
The layout puts a bar area up front and opens into a dining room toward the back that fills quickly at dinner. Despite the elevated feel, the room is family-friendly, and there is a happy hour worth timing your visit around.
Located at 3600 Watson Rd, it opens at 5 PM and closes on Sunday and Monday, so plan accordingly. Because it stays popular, booking ahead helps you avoid a later time slot.
6. Cunetto House of Pasta, St. Louis, MO
Decades of regulars have kept this Magnolia Avenue institution a fixture on The Hill, and the toasted ravioli ranks among the best many people have tried.
Cunetto House of Pasta is a long-standing family-owned restaurant serving homey Italian meals in an old-fashioned dining room. The menu is deep, with tortellini alla Bolognese, seafood cannelloni, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parm, and garlic cheese bread, plus cannoli to finish.
Portions are large, and warm bread lands on the table early.
The decor leans dated in a way that adds to its character, and the room stays busy while still allowing normal conversation. Parking can be tricky, and a line often forms before the doors open.
It sits at 5453 Magnolia Ave and opens at 4:45 PM Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. Show up when the doors open and the wait is easier to beat.
7. Rigazzi’s, St. Louis, MO
Celebrity memorabilia lines the walls of this Italian-American stalwart, giving it a clubby personality all its own.
Rigazzi’s is an old-school joint known for its pizza and a menu that runs from chicken spedini and cannelloni to veal parmigiana, chicken parmesan, and shrimp scampi. The toasted ravioli earns high marks as a starter, and potato skins round out the appetizer lineup.
There is a happy hour and a fully covered, dog-friendly patio, which makes it a comfortable stop with company on four legs.
The atmosphere carries Italian decor and background music kept at a reasonable volume. A banquet room handles larger gatherings, and kids pizza keeps younger diners happy.
You will find it at 4945 Daggett Ave, open daily from 11 AM with later Friday and Saturday hours and a Sunday start at 11:30 AM. If you are building a Hill food crawl, this one adds a bit of playful character to the mix.
8. Vetta – Italian Eatery, Lee’s Summit, MO
Proof that great toasted ravioli is not just a St. Louis thing, this downtown Lee’s Summit addition has brought the dish across the state in style.
Vetta is an Italian eatery where the ravioli appetizer draws strong praise. The rest of the menu covers chicken spiedini, angel hair pasta, fried gnocchi, vodka sauce dishes, prime rib, and chicken parm.
Live piano music plays in the background, and the space fits the elevated feel of downtown Lee’s Summit.
Service tends to be quick and efficient, and there is a happy hour to keep an eye on. The garlic oil is offered as a small add-on that regulars recommend alongside the bread.
Located at 219 SE Main St, it opens daily at 4 PM, closing at 8 PM most nights and 9 PM on Friday and Saturday. For Kansas City area diners craving the classic, it is a far shorter drive than The Hill.
9. STL Toasted, St. Louis, MO
The name says it all at this small corner spot that has turned toasted ravioli into the whole point of the visit.
STL Toasted keeps the concept simple and focused. The ravioli come plump and stuffed, with options like beef, five cheese, and even dessert versions such as carrot cake, gooey butter, and Oreo cheesecake, all served with house-made marinara.
Beyond the ravs, the menu features a porchetta sandwich, a chicken parm sandwich, a roast beef sandwich on homemade bread, mozzarella sticks, and garlic cheese bread. House-made ranch and specialty sodas add to the fun.
Space is tight, with little to no indoor seating and some outdoor seating, so many people order and go. Portions run large, and sandwiches can easily feed two.
Find it at 2201 Macklind Ave, open Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 3 PM, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Since the hours are short and it stays busy, aim for an early lunch.
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