Best Food Cities in Italy

This webpage contains affiliate links. See more details here.

When you think of Italy, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is its incredible food. This country is the birthplace of countless culinary treasures, from pizza and pasta to burrata and gelato.

It's a true paradise for food lovers, who come from all corners of the globe to experience these gastronomic wonders in their authentic setting. There's something special about tasting famous Italian dishes right where they originated - and it's not an overstatement to say that everything tastes exponentially better here.

What makes Italian cuisine so remarkable is its diversity. Throughout Italy, you'll find fantastic food everywhere you go, but it's important to note that it varies greatly from city to city and region to region. Each area has its own unique specialties and culinary traditions, making every part of Italy a new adventure for your taste buds.

What are must-try foods in Italy?

Every part of Italy has its own food specialties you really should try. In the text below, we named most of them with info where to find each one. Here are some of the most famous food in Italy:

  • Pizza - You'll find the best in Naples
  • Gelato - Try it in Florence, the birthplace of gleato
  • Spaghetti alla Carbonara - Rome does it best
  • Tiramisù - Treviso is the place to go
  • Tagliatelle al ragù - Bologna makes it right
  • Arancini - Sicily is famous for these
  • Risotto alla Milanese - Of course, it's best in Milan
  • Burrata - Head to Puglia for this
  • Fiorentina steak - Tuscany is the spot
  • Cannoli - Another Sicilian favorite
  • Porcini and truffles - Umbria is known for these

Bologna - Tortellini, tagliatelle ragu, parmigiano...

Bologna is for reason one of the best cities for food in Italy. It doesn't lack amazing food places - this lively city is home to a huge number of restaurants, enoteca and food shops specialising in mortadella, balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano from neighbouring region as well as prosciutto di Parma. 

The surrounding region of Emilia-Romagna is also the biggest producer of lambrusco, a sparkling red wine that pairs excellently with tagliatelle al ragu bolognese. For the ultimate food experience, join one of many guided food tours and visit great places with your guide. Or take a trip to the producers in the surrounding area.

Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna region is home to ragù alla bolognese, a meat-based ragu which is served with tagliatelle pasta. You should try here also lasagne verde and tortellini in brodo, as well as tigelle (bread pockets filled with cured meat and cheeses). 

You can spend weeks trying delicious food here - don't miss Cotoletta alla Bolognese (delicious fried breaded veal cutlets, topped with prosciutto and Parmigiano and covered with broth and butter).

Many of the historic dairies, farms, vineyards and artisanal botteghe (workshops) that produce these ingredients are open for tours and tastings, making it perfect for foodies who want an educational, behind-the-scenes experience.

Many delicious food products, such as Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan cheese), Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham) and Aceto Balsamico di Modena (balsamic vinegar), originate from here. Many of the historic dairies, farms, vineyards and artisanal botteghe (workshops) that produce these ingredients are open for tours and tastings, making it perfect for foodies who want an educational, behind-the-scenes experience.

Bologna is the place to go for pasta dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù, lasagne verde and tortellini in brodo, as well as tigelle (bread pockets filled with cured meat and cheeses).

You can spend weeks trying delicious food here - don't miss Cotoletta alla Bolognese (delicious fried breaded veal cutlets, topped with prosciutto and Parmigiano and covered with broth and butter).

While staying in Bologna, make a train trips to wonderful little cities such as Parma (Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Culatello), Modena (do a Balsamic Vinegar tour) or Ferrara (try cappellacci alla zucca and salama de sugo).

While in Emilia, try passatelli in brodo, consisting of a meat broth filled with dumplings made from cheese, bread and eggs. Another great dish is gramigna al sugo di salsiccia, curly-shaped pasta combined with a simple sausage ragù made with pork sausage, tomatoes and wine.

We'd also recommend heading a little off the beaten track to visit the cities like Ravenna, Ferrara, Piacenza and Cesena for equally fabulous food in a quieter and more authentic setting. 

Alternatively, you can leave all the hard work to the experts and simple book organised week food tour. It includes everything from exclusive factory visits and cooking lessons, to museum visits, overnight stays in great hotels.

Where to stay in Bologna: Consider Savhotel, a modern place to stay not far from the city center by bus (or 20 minute walk). It has comfy rooms with big beds and lots of tasty breakfast choices. The staff is very friendly and ready to help.


Florence - lampredotto, steak, veggy dishes, wines...

The Tuscan cuisine uses simple, home-grown ingredients cooked just right in old-fashioned recipes. Some famous "poor" dishes are pappa al pomodoro, torta di ceci, panzanella, and crostini. Lampredotto sandwiches, made from cow stomach, show how they use every part of the animal. They're worth trying.

Be sure to visit the Mercato Centrale, Florence’s main indoor food market, to see the best produce from Tuscan region and to snack some cheese and prosciutto. Here you can grab a lampredotto panini or schiacciata sanwich with your favourite filling.

Wine lovers will be happy too, with lots of great local wines to choose from. If you want something more casual, try a big Fiorentina steak in one of Florence's old steakhouses. After that, take a walk by the river with some homemade gelato. It's the perfect way to enjoy Tuscan food!

The juicy T-bone steak traditionally made from Chianina beef. It’s often served with cannellini beans - another Tuscan staple. Robust chianti reds go perfectly with plates of pappardelle in a wild boar sauce. 

You'll find all these dishes in the local trattorias in the city of Florence. For finding the best ones, book a guided food tour! Or take a cooking class, and learn how to prepare something by yourself!

As for dessert, ice-cream fans will be pleased to know that gelato was invented here, so you know you’ll get some of the best scoops in Italy. We recommend La Gelateria La Carraia (close to Ponte Carraia), bright and cute gelateria offering amazing gelato (and less pricey than the other ones). Or opt for Venchi gelato, if you find yourself near Piazza della Signoria.

Where to stay in Florence: We recommend Casa di Chiara, the super comfortable and stylish apartment, with the best possible hosts. We're sure you'll love staying here!

Rome - a city of pasta, suppli and other amazing dishes

Roman cuisine (Cucina Romana) is simple but so tasty. One of the most famous Roman dishes is spaghetti alla carbonara, which is made with eggs, hard cheese, cured pork, and black pepper. Visit Alla Rampa dei Gracchi (Via dei Gracchi 90), near the Vatican to eat a fabulous plate of pasta carbonara and other delicacies.

You'll be surprised that Romans has their own version of pizza, called pinsa. Made with a mix of flours and oval-shaped, this baked treat is the same tasty as pizza. Visit Pinsa 'Mpò (Via dei Gracchi 7) to have freshly baked pinsa (ideal for a quick and cheap lunch).

Porchetta (that originates from Ariccia), the boneless pork stuffed with herbs and seasonings and slowly roasted, is another delicacies, you shouldn't miss in Rome. Grab ready-to-eat porchetta panini or made it by yourself (buy a slice of porchetta at Trionfale Market together with some freshly baked focaccia).

Testaccio food market will give you an authentic taste of cucina romana among its 100 stalls. Join the Romans for dinner in the laidback restaurants in the Trastevere, across the Tiber River or maybe in the Centro Storico or not so known Monti (near the Colosseum).

One of the most traditional Roman dishes is saltimbocca alla Romana, pan-fried veal cutlets wrapped in prosciutto and flavoured with fresh sage. Try also carciofi alla Giudia - deep-fried artichokes (their leaves are crisp and salty like potato chips and the heart is tender. Fiori di zucca fritti are zucchini flowers filled with ricotta or mozzarella.

Consider taking a food tour of Rome for a tasty exploration of the city. This foodie tour of Trastevere and this sunset food tour near the Vatican are among the best rated ones! Or have a fun while learning how to make fresh pasta from scratch on a cooking class!

Where to stay in Rome: Nerva Boutique Hotel is a small cosy hotel only a few steps from the Colosseum offering comfortable rooms. You'll love homely atmosphere and friendly staff here. For more staying options, see here.


Perugia

Perugia is the birthplace of Italy's best-loved edible souvenir -"baci" praline. The Umbrian capital also hosts the annual EuroChocolate festival, that take place each October. But, the tours of the Perugina factory are possible year-round. The Umbria is also famous for truffles. Try them in pasta alla norcina - a creamy comforting dish made using spiced local sausage.

Naples

The Naples is famous for its pizza Napoletana made with San Marzano tomatoes creamy mozzarella and basil. But it's not all about the pizza in Naples, as it is popular for deep-fried food, starting from frittatine di pasta, fried calamari or sardines, fritters (made of the similar dough like pizza). Buy these delights from the stalls at Pignasecca market.

At seafood restaurants of the classy Chiaia waterfront district, you'll find another local speciality - spaghetti alle vongole (clams). Finish it off with limoncello made from lemons picked along the Amalfi Coast.

Popular Naples food are: Ziti alla Genovese, Sartù di riso, Pasta patate e provola, Cavaiuoli. Also some classic cheeses like Mozzarella di Bufala, Provola, Scamorza.

Take a guided food tour to try the best food of Naples.

Palermo

The island of Sicily, and particularly its capital Palermo, gives you an experience of street food like no other Italian city. Head to the lively Kalsa quarter, where you can watch fish, prawns and calamari being grilled on giant barbecues. Plus, here you can try Sicilian fried snacks, such as arancini (fried risotto balls), panelle (chickpea flour fritters) and potato croquettes. At Palermo, visit the Mercato del Capo, food market that takes you to the heart of Sicilian food. Here you can try pasta con sarde - spaghetti with sardines and fennel.

Sicilian caponata is a tasty salad or relish made of eggplant with onions, celery, and tomatoes and augmented with tangy olives and capers.

Can I add real Sicilian granita with homemade panna to this list. With a fresh baked brioche. I’ve tried so many versions throughout the north and somehow it’s never quite the same as getting it in Sicily.

Venice

The city of Venice is another great foodie destination in Italy. Scattered throughout the city, but particularly in the San Polo and Cannaregio neighbourhoods, you'll stumble upon charming hole-in-the-wall establishments known as bacari, where you can taste cicchetti.

These nibbles consist of bread topped with tasty ingredients, from savoury prosciutto and gorgonzola to creamy baccalà mantecato (mashed salted cod), each bite is a flavour explosion. Pair a couple of these, with a glass of local wine for a true Venetian experience.

If you're in Veneto try the Bigoli con ragù d'anatra - pasta that looks like thick spaghetti with duch sauce.

Then, head to the Rialto Market, the lively fish and vegetable market nestled alongside the Grand Canal. It's a feast for the senses and your taste buds.

Milan - risotto

When in Milan, don't forget to try simple risotto alla Milanese, risotto with saffron or the heartier osso bucco, which is a dish of slow-cooked veal shanks. In Milan you can enjoy "aperitivo hour" - where for the price of a drink, you can help yourself to an astonishing number of free buffet snacks.

Genoa (and Cinque Terre)

Liguria's capital has given the world two fabulous dishes - focaccia and pesto. Throughout the streets of city's Centro Storico, there's no shortage of tiny cafés, where you can snack on focaccia as well as farinata, oven-baked flatbread made with chickpea flour.

It's also full of local trattorias, serving authentic plates, such as pesto with trofie pasta or the ravioli-like pansotti with walnut sauce (another local favority). On the stalls of huge Mercato Orientale, you'll find the best Ligurian olives, fresh pastas, meats and much more.

The Cinque Terre - a pretty string of seaside villages linked by leafy cliff-top trails are popular among tourists in Italy. Sestri’s cobbled streets are full of street-food vendors selling farinata (local chickpea bread), thin crusty pizza and gelato that’s good enough to make you flee the beach, with seasonal street markets offering local treats like marmellate (preserves) made with figs, blueberries and citrus, and focaccia di Recco (filled with creamy crescenza or stracchino cheese).

Plan Your Travel to Italy

Best Food Tours in Florence
Guide to Visiting the Uffizi
Best Naples Street-Food Tours