Italy is a culinary paradise, renowned for its rich flavors, regional diversity, and time-honored traditions that have shaped its iconic cuisine. From the sun-soaked coasts of Sicily to the rolling hills of Tuscany, each region boasts its own unique dishes that reflect the local ingredients and cultural heritage.
Whether you’re indulging in a creamy risotto in Milan, savoring authentic Neapolitan pizza, or enjoying fresh seafood along the Amalfi Coast, the best Italian foods are a celebration of simplicity and quality. Join us on a delicious journey as we explore the must-try dishes that capture the essence of Italy.
1. Ossobuco
A name that translates to “bone with a hole,” this meaty main meal is braised veal shanks cooked with a broth and vegetables, similar to a stew. The sauce is usually a tomato and white wine-infused creation that makes the meat super tender. Finding its roots in the Lombardy region in Italy in the 19th century, ossobuco is a hearty meal perfect for a cold winter’s day.
2. Tortellini
Tortellini is a must-try item in Italy. These egg noodle creations come from the lush hills of the Emilia-Romagna region and are usually stuffed with an abundance of fresh ingredients. This includes various cheeses and meats. These tasty morsels should not be mistaken for ravioli, which has the same concept but comes in a square shape instead of the tortellini’s iconic ring form.
3. Gnocchi
Gnocchi is generally associated with northern Italy but can be found anywhere in Italy. It’s made primarily with potatoes. Much like other items on this list, these dumplings’ serving style varies from region to region. In Verona, they are served with a tomato-based sauce, while in Lombardy, it comes with a cheesy sauce. You can learn to make your own gnocchi on a cooking vacation in Tuscany. Or here’s our recipe to make it at home.
4. Eggplant Parmesan
Also known as parmigiana di melanzane in Italy, this dish is similar to a lasagna-styled construction with a vegetable-based twist. While its exact location is debatable, it can generally be found in southern Italy. This oozy main course is typically created in a casserole dish by layering fried eggplant slices with a cheese and tomato sauce and then baking the dish. The result is a rich and tasty meal that will be sure to haunt your gastronomic dreams.
5. Ragù alla Bolognese – Italy’s National Dish
Ragù alla bolognese is a saucy and meaty pasta dish from Imola near Bologna. ‘Ragù’ is a meat sauce used in various Italian dishes. Although this dish is also known as spaghetti bolognese,ragù alla bolognese traditionally has tagliatelle pasta. It is an exceptional example of good food in Italy and provides the perfect opportunity to pair with some Italian wine pairings.
6. Cacio e Pepe
One of the most popular pasta dishes in Rome is cacio e pepe. It’s incredibly simple – just pasta with Parmigiano cheese and lots of freshly ground black pepper. If you’ve had this dish at home before, it was probably made with cream, but that’s not the way the Romans make it. Just a little bit of hot pasta water helps the Parmigiano melt and make a deliciously creamy dish.
7. Florentine Steak
One of the most iconic meals you can have in Florence is a Florentine steak or Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This especially popular cut of beef comes from an ancient breed of Tuscan cattle called the Chianina. This breed has incredibly flavorful meat. If you’ve had a porterhouse steak, that is the cut of steak used for a Bistecca alla Fiorentina. It’s very thick, around 3-4″ and is prepared very simply with just some salt and pepper and grilled to perfection.
8. Antipasti (Appetizers)
The name comes from a Latin phrase that loosely translates to “before the meal”. Antipasti is seen as an essential part of the Italian dining experience and is said to prepare the individual’s appetite for the delicious main dishes to come. Whether you try the crispy pleasures of bruschetta in Florence or sample some battered artichoke hearts in Rome, you’re in for a flavorful treat.
9. Napolitano Pizza
From adding a multitude of toppings to sticking to the authentic no-trimmings vibes of a margarita, pizza in Italy is just an unbeatable experience. Italian pizza styles are often determined by their region. But none are as famous or beloved as the Napolitano pizza from Naples.
10. Risotto
A sublime rice-centered dish that hails from northern Italy, risotto is one of the most famous Italian foods in the world. In the 14th-century, during Arab rule, rice was introduced to Sicily and slowly spread to the rest of Italy. Risotto can be created by cooking short-grain Italian rice, usually Arborio, in a broth to create a creamy, almost sticky texture. Common ingredients include parmesan, butter, wine, and seafood. A classic risotto has a specific consistency, not too dry or too runny. The Italians have dubbed this balanced ratio as all’onda.
11. Pizzoccheri
It sounds like some form of pizza. But it’s not. In fact, it’s a buckwheat pasta cooked with Valtellina Casera PDO, which is a hard, semi-fat local cheese, and served alongside potatoes and greens. You’ll find this regional dish on just about every local menu, especially in the winter. It’s a hearty dish to be sure. It’s the American Mac ‘n Cheese or French Tartiflette equivalent in Italy. It can be served as dumplings or strands of pasta.
12. Porchetta
I’m still thinking about the porchetta. You won’t believe how flavorful this slow cooked pork is. It’s a savory, fatty, and moist boneless pork roast that is a true specialty in Italy. The pig is deboned and stuffed with aromatics, then roasted over a spit or in a wood oven, with the skin and fatty bits still intact, so it all cooks into this tremendously flavorful meat that is sliced and served over bread or on sandwiches.
13. Arancini
Arancini is a traditional Sicilian dish consisting of deep-fried rice balls that are typically filled with ragù, mozzarella, and peas. The name arancini comes from the word “arancia”, which means orange in Italian, due to its shape and color resembling an orange. You can find arancini all over Sicily, but the best place to eat them is in Taormina. The balls are often served as an appetizer or snack, and they can be found at restaurants around the city.
14. Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a traditional pasta dish from Sicily that has become a favorite of food-lovers around the world. It is made with cooked pasta, fried eggplant, tomato sauce, and ricotta salata – a cheese which has been cured, pressed, and aged. The name “alla Norma” is said to have been given to the dish as a tribute to Vincenzo Bellini’s opera, Norma.
15. Pesce Crudo
In Sicily, one of the most popular appetizers to start your meal with is Pesce Crudo. Even if you’re not a huge fan of raw fish or haven’t tried it before, you really have to try it here. The fish is so fresh, straight out of the sea, and it’s amazingly sweet and succulent. The variety of fish served in Sicily is incredible, from fresh local sea bass, swordfish, tuna, gold bream, clams, scabbard fish, squid (calamari), octopus, mussels, prawns, sardines and anchovies.
16. Zeppoles
These soft and doughy treats resemble a doughnut hole – deep fried with sweet powdered sugar coating covering each bite. These scrumptious sweets are made even better with a side or drizzle of chocolate or fruit sauce. Everyone loves a zeppole, especially hot out of the fryer. They are most typically found in Southern Italy, where they’ve perfected the art of fried dough.
17. Cannoli
Another popular dessert all around the world is cannoli – a traditional Sicilian dessert – which is a cylinder-shaped fried dough filled with ricotta cream and often dipped either into miniature chocolate chips or crushed pistachio. With Arab influence, traditional cooking techniques, and locally sourced Italian ingredients like ricotta, sugar, and preserved citrus fruits, cannoli quickly won its place in the Italian dessert landscape.
18. Panettone
Although most of Italy’s renowned sweets originated in Naples and Sicily, the buttery, delicate panettone was created in Milan before spreading around the country and, finally, the rest of the world. Panettone is Italy’s delectable, circular rendition of a brioche bun, and is significantly less sweet than most Italian pastries.
19. Sfogliatelle
Although Naples is, perhaps, most known for being the origin of everybody’s favorite savory Italian treat – the pizza – it was also the birthplace of the delectable sweet treat, the sfogliatelle. The crunchy, multi-layered, lobster-tail-shaped casing of light pastry filled with ricotta cheese, semolina, and citrus flavors is a delicious treat for any time of day.
Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.