Italy isn’t just a country — it’s a feast for the senses. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sparkling waters of Sicily, every region tells its story through food. Italian cuisine is more than recipes; it’s tradition, passion, and a deep respect for fresh, local ingredients.
Whether you’re twirling pasta in Rome, savoring pizza in Naples, or sampling sweet cannoli in Palermo, each bite captures a piece of Italy’s soul. Listed below are the 30 best things to eat in Italy — the iconic dishes you simply can’t miss on your journey (in no particular order):
1 Pizza Napoletana
(Naples)
The world’s most famous pizza originated in Naples. Cooked in a wood-fired oven, its soft, chewy crust is topped with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, fresh basil, and olive oil. Simple, authentic, and unforgettable.
2 Ravioli al Limone e Basilico
(Tuscany)
Ravioli in a sauce made with butter, lemon, and basil
3 Pasta alla Carbonara
(Rome)
Creamy without using cream, this Roman classic combines guanciale (cured pork cheek), Pecorino Romano, egg yolks, and black pepper. Each bite is rich and flavorful.
4 Lasagna alla Bolognese
(Bologna)
This layered masterpiece features pasta sheets, a slow-cooked ragù, béchamel sauce, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bologna is the birthplace of this indulgent dish.
5 Risotto alla Milanese
(Milan)
A golden, velvety risotto flavored with saffron, butter, and Parmigiano. It’s often paired with ossobuco for a traditional Milanese meal.
6 Tagliatelle al Ragù
(Emilia-Romagna)
Fresh egg pasta ribbons topped with a rich meat sauce — the true version of what many outside Italy call “Bolognese.” It was one of my favorite things to eat in Italy!
7 Arancini
(Sicily)
Crispy fried rice balls stuffed with ragù, mozzarella, or peas. These handheld treats are perfect street food.
8 Focaccia
(Liguria)
Soft, olive-oil-rich flatbread, sometimes topped with rosemary, onions, or olives. A simple yet heavenly snack.
9 Tortellini in Brodo
(Bologna/Emilia)
Tiny pasta stuffed with pork or cheese, served in a flavorful broth — comfort food at its finest.
10 Ossobuco
(Milan)
Braised veal shanks cooked with wine and vegetables, served with gremolata (lemon zest, garlic, parsley).
11 Porchetta
(Central Italy)
Succulent, slow-roasted pork stuffed with herbs and spices, wrapped in crackling skin. Often served in sandwiches.
12 Caponata
(Sicily)
A sweet-and-sour eggplant dish with tomatoes, olives, and capers. It’s both rustic and elegant.
13 Pesto alla Genovese
(Liguria)
Made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano, and olive oil, this vibrant green sauce is best served with trofie pasta.
14 Parmigiana di Melanzane
(Naples & South Italy)
Layers of fried eggplant, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Parmigiano, baked until bubbling. Comforting and hearty.
15 Cacciucco
(Tuscany/Livorno)
A fisherman’s stew made with mixed seafood, garlic, chili, and red wine. Best enjoyed with toasted bread.
16 Truffle Dishes
(Umbria & Piedmont)
Black and white truffles are prized delicacies shaved over pasta, risotto, or eggs. A luxurious Italian experience.
17 Bistecca alla Fiorentina
(Florence)
This iconic Tuscan T-bone steak, grilled over fire and served rare, is a carnivore’s dream. Usually shared between two or more people.
18 Gelato
(Everywhere)
Italian gelato is silkier, denser, and more flavorful than regular ice cream. Flavors range from pistachio to stracciatella.
19 Tiramisu
(Veneto)
Coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone cream and cocoa powder. A Venetian dessert that’s famous worldwide.
20 Cannoli
(Sicily)
Crunchy pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta cream, often with chocolate chips or candied fruit. Irresistible! One of my favorite things to eat in Italy!
21 Limoncello
(Amalfi Coast)
This sweet, tangy lemon liqueur is the perfect way to end an Italian meal. Best sipped chilled along the coast.
22 Penne Alfredo
(Italian-American Favorite)
While not a traditional Italian dish, this creamy pasta has become beloved worldwide. In Italy, you’ll find similar butter-and-cheese sauces (like “pasta al burro e parmigiano”), but Alfredo, as known abroad, is a delicious Italian-American twist.
23 Calamari Fritti
(Coastal Italy)
Crispy golden rings of squid, lightly fried and served with lemon. A must-have by the sea.
24 Gnocchi
(Various Regions)
Soft potato dumplings that can be served with butter and sage, tomato sauce, or creamy gorgonzola. Comfort food at its finest.
25 Caprese Salad
(Capri)
Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt — a colorful dish that mirrors the Italian flag.
26 Spaghetti alle Cozze
(Coastal Italy)
A seafood pasta featuring tender mussels cooked with garlic, olive oil, white wine, and parsley — light yet flavorful.
27 Veal Parmesan
(Central & Southern Italy)
Breaded veal cutlets baked with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella — a comforting, cheesy classic.
28 Veal Scaloppine
(Northern Italy)
chicken steak with peppers sauce
Thin veal cutlets quickly cooked in lemon, wine, or mushroom sauce — tender, elegant, and classic.
29 Bruschetta
(Tuscany)
Toasted bread drizzled with olive oil, often topped with fresh tomatoes and other ingredients.
30 Cichetti
(Venice)
Small appetizers or snacks found in Venice.
31 Aged Meats
(Emilia-Romagna)
Italian delicacies like Prosciutto di Parma, Capicola, and Speck — thinly sliced and served with bread, cheese, or arugula.
32 Tagliolini Verdi Speck-Gorgonzola
(Alpine Region)
Thin, green egg noodles tossed with a sauce made from Gorgonzola cheese, a creamy and tangy Italian blue cheese, and speck, a smoky, cured ham.
33 Fettucini alla Napoletana
Aka pasta al pomodoro, it is a simple dish prepared with fresh tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, basil, and salt.
NOTE: Many of these delicious things to eat in Italy I had during my Italy Solo-ish Tour with G Adventures.
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About the Author
Patti Morrow
is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
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