Our top picks for gifts every Italian food lover will appreciate

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We find ourselves in Italy often - four times just last year! And each visit brings us back to the same delicious mission: hunting down the best food gifts to bring home.

From classic pantry staples to sweet treats wrapped with care, these are the edible souvenirs we truly love to buy (and share).

To make your life easier, we’ve curated a list of the best Italian gifts for foodies - plus, we’ve included our favourite shops where you can find them!

Classic combo: pesto sauce and artisanal pasta

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.

Read also: Best Food Tours in Italy


Assorted Italian chocolate box or chocolate bar

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.

A beautifully wrapped package of Tuscan cantucci cookies

When it comes to cantucci, we’ve tried them all - but nothing beats the ones with dark chocolate from Leonardo Firenze on Via Porta Rossa. These little biscotti are the perfect balance of crunchy and rich, with just the right hint of bitterness from the dark chocolate. It’s our go-to stop for a sweet treat in the heart of Florence - and yes, we always grab an extra bag for the trip home (if they last that long!).

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

Read also: How Many Days to Spend in Florence


Sweet Italian breads: panettone, pandoro and 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!

We’re big fans of the panettone from Tre Marie Caffetteria and Store (Corso Venezia 2) - they offer a great variety of flavors at reasonable prices.

Read also: One Day in Milan


A bottle of Italian extra-virgin olive oil

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.

We found some on Mercato Centrale in Florence. If you don't like taking it with you, most of sellers offer worldwide delivery. When exploring Tuscan countryside, find small family farms and buy directly from them.

Read also: Maritozzi - Roman Sweet Buns


A wedge of cheese and an entire salami

Head to the local market and check out the tasty hard cheeses and cured meats 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!

A box of panforte di Siena

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.

Read also: Discovering the Uffizi - Our Story


A bag of Italian chestnut flour

gifts italian food lovers chestnut flour

If you love to bake, a pack of chestnut flour makes a wonderful gift. Naturally sweet with a subtle smoky flavour, it’s a perfect addition to cookie or brownie dough, bringing a rich, aromatic depth to baked goods.

Just a couple of spoonfuls added to pancake batter will turn it into a truly delicious treat. We especially love using it for cookies and castagnaccio, a traditional Tuscan dessert.

In Rome, Castroni shops are our go-to for chestnut flour - it’s always freshly ground. And if you’re not in Italy, no worries - they ship worldwide, so you can still enjoy a taste of Tuscany at home.


More to Discover in Italy

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