Gifts for Italian Food Lovers

This webpage contains affiliate links. See more details here.

Think of Italy, and the first thing you'll imagine is tasty food. Italy and delicious food just go hand in hand. This beautiful country is a foodie's dream, bursting with delicious cuisine and top-quality products.

Whether you're treating yourself or shopping for a food-loving friend, the choices can be overwhelming. To make your life easier, we've curated a list of the best Italian gifts for foodies. Plus, we included also recommended shops!

From pasta to wine, cheese to olive oil, we've got you covered. Get ready to explore the tasty treasures Italy has to offer! See handpicked food tours in Italy, you'll love to take!

A pack of dry pasta + a jar of pesto

A pasta and pesto combo sounds like a perfect gift for the Italian foodie lover. Whether you choose buccattini, spaghetti or tonnarelli, each one will go perfect with basil or sun-dried tomato pesto. Buy these from various shops around Italian cities.

We recommend Eataly shops, offering a range of these products. If visiting Florence, find Eataly just a few steps from the Duomo (in Via dei Martelli 22R). Another great place in Rome is Castroni (on several locations in the city), where you can find a good choice of dry pasta and pesto jars.

Chocolate (bars and truffles)

The Italy is home to famous chocolate makes and you'll find chocolate goods in many shops. A box of chocolate truffles or a chocolate bar, makes a perfect gift to the dear ones. The only problem is that there are too many flavours to choose from. 

We love Venchi chocolates (from Turin) and their clean and modern shops, you can find in larger Italian cities. They sell chocolate bars as well as chocolate truffles by weight. Why not to try Perugina chocolates - a bite-sized hazelnut chocolate topped with a whole hazelnut and covered in dark chocolate.

Cantucci cookies (with almonds, chocolate, figs, orange peel...)

Sometimes called cantuccini, cantucci are hard twice baked cookies, that hold up well to travel and last long after the purchase. A pack of these cookies, that originates from the city of Prato (near Florence) is an ideal gift for the foodies.

We love those from Leonardo Firenze (Via Porta Rossa 14R); this Florence shop sells a pack of cantucci for only 6 Euros. Our favourite ones are those with large chunks of dark! 

For a nice food gift, consider pairing them with Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine that is meant to be enjoyed with these cookies. 

Panettone, Pandoro or Colomba

One of Italian sweet breads would be a perfect gift to the dear ones. Choose from Panettone and Pandoro (usually sold for Christmas) or Colomba (an Easter treat). Soft and delicious, these treats pair great with a cup of coffee or tea. Buy these sweet breads from the local pasticcerias or bakeries. We love panettone from Leonardo Firenze!

Olive oil (Extra virgin)

gifts italian food lovers olive oil

Almost every region in Italy has their version of olive oils. Your friends or family members will appreciate a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil. Seek out small producers, which can be found at small grocery stores, delis or even enoeche.

If you are travelling for example to Tuscan countryside, find small family farms and buy directly from them.

Cheeses and salami

Head to the local market and check out the tasty hard cheeses and salamis made by local producers. The sellers are always happy to vacuum-pack your cheese for you. We think Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano make awesome foodie gifts! They go great with all kinds of pasta and other dishes. Don't forget to grab a cured salami too – it's perfect with cheese.

Our favourite places to buy cheese and salami are the Trionfale Market in Rome and Mercato Centrale in Florence. You'll love them!

Panforte from Sienna

Panforte is an ideal gift for sweet lovers. It's chewy and dense cake made of chocolate, dried fruits, nuts and honey, and comes in a several varieties. This sweet is easy to find at cafes and bakeries in Siena and Florence.

You can either buy it by the weight in slices or as a small round cake (which is most convenient for travelling). The best ones are artisan made so head to a small gastronomia for a handpicked selection.

Chestnut flour (naturally sweet and gluten-free)

gifts italian food lovers chestnut flour

Those who love to bake, will be happy with a pack of chestnut flour. Sweet and with subtle smoky flavour, this flour is ideal addition to the cookie or brownie dough. It brings amazingly delicious aroma to the baked goods.

Add a couple of spoons to the pancake batter and you'll get amazingly delicious treat. We love to use them for making cookies  and castagnaccio, a treat typical for Tuscany.

Castroni shops in Rome are the best places for buying this flour (their chestnut flour is always freshly ground). Or if you are not in Italy, order easily online - they send worldwide.

Planning Your Travel to Italy

Best Food Tours in Rome
What to See in Florence
Best Food Tours in Florence