Federal Hill is Providence's Italian-American neighborhood, built around Atwells Avenue west of downtown. The arch over the avenue's entrance carries a bronze pinecone — the traditional Italian symbol of abundance. The neighborhood is most compelling as a food destination: the street and its side streets hold Italian bakeries, delis, cheese shops, and red-sauce restaurants that have been serving the same community since the 1920s.
The social character of Federal Hill is still tied to its Italian roots in ways that have faded in most American cities. The delis sell imported Italian products at reasonable prices; Angelo's Civita Farnese has been open since 1924 and shows no sign of changing. On warm evenings, the restaurant patios fill early and stay busy.