Italian is perhaps one of the most loved cuisines from around the Globe. With a wide variety of regional food traditions, Italian food provides something for all. From classics like Pizza to lessor known (but still tasty) dishes such as Caponata, you will discover something tasty. Explore some Italian foods below!
1. Carbonara
We could make a whole article on the types of pasta to try in Italy. There are many contenders that make it into the must-try realm but one of the tastiest has to be Pasta Carbonara. Although there are many variations such as adding cream or using bacon, undoubtedly the best is the original. Spaghetti, Guanciale, eggs, pecorino cheese and black pepper. While the ingredients are simple, the preparation is important and there can be great differences between the tastes and quality of different establishments. The key is in the cooking of the eggs and the emulsification with the pasta water to create a smooth, glossy and thick sauce.
If you would like to make this Italian food the authentic way, then here is a great place to start https://www.recipesfromitaly.com/spaghetti-carbonara-original-recipe/
This dish is a traditional Roman dish that can be sampled in the capital. For a central location that does a great Carbonara, check out Armando Al Pantheon.
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2. Osso Bucco
If you are looking for comfort food you have come to the right place. Osso Bucco is a dish from the Lombardy region of Italy and involves slow-cooked veal braised with white wine, vegetables and broth. This is then often garnished with a gremolata made with parsley, anchovies, garlic and lemon and served over polenta or risotto Alla Milanese. It is also great over mashed potatoes! The slow-cooked meat is wonderful but the marrow within the bone is life-changing and will have you thinking “where have you been all my life!” Pro tip- Try this dish with risotto Alla Milanese so you can enjoy both the Osso Bucco and the traditional risotto of the area in one.
One to add to your winter cooking list, make it with step by step instructions here: https://www.recipetineats.com/osso-buco/
Milan in the Lombardy region has a number of restaurants that do this dish but one of the better ones is Trattoria Arlati.
3. Pizza
It may be an obvious choice for a list of Italian food but for good reason. Good Italian pizzas focus on excellent ingredients, quality cooking and simplicity to create something that is now popular across the world. In its most basic form, Pizza margarita contains a perfectly cooked dough topped with san Marzano tomatoes made into a sauce, Mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, salt and olive oil and is said to have been created by a pizza chef to honour the Queen of Italy. Although there were earlier accounts of Pizza, this famous combination has become known worldwide.
Although it can be tough to truly recreate the base in a home oven, it is still well worth making this classic: https://www.abeautifulplate.com/the-best-homemade-margherita-pizza/
If you’re going to try Pizza Margarita, head to Naples. There are some excellent choices throughout the city. Some are quite famous, so will often have lines but Di Matteo is one of the great choices.
4. Porchetta
Various parts of pork are slow roasted with herbs and spices until tender inside and crispy on the outside. This is often made with fatty cuts and seasoned heavily to ensure melt in your mouth meat that is also full of flavour. This can then be served in a sandwich, on top of pizza or as part of a meal. Good Porchetta is worth searching out for or if you cannot find it, try and make it yourself.
Make it at home and serve it as you like: https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/12/all-belly-porchetta-recipe-italian-roast-pork.html
Get some of the best Porchetta in Rome at the deli Antica Norcine Lacozzili https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/rome/restaurants/antica-norcineria-iacozzilli/a/poi-eat/1592664/359975
5. Tiramisu
Of all the Italian desserts, there is perhaps no other the captures the true essence of Italy. This is encapsulated with the espresso coffee they are famous for, the biscuits they are well known for and Macroscope cheese, a rich and creamy cheese traditional of the area. Although the origins of this dish are debated between the regions of Veneto and Friuli- Venezia Giulia it has become a popular dish across the world. There are supermarket imitations but a real Tiramisu is rich and flavoured with quality espresso and sometimes liquor too!
Make it how Nonna did with an authentic recipe: https://www.alsothecrumbsplease.com/authentic-italian-tiramisu/
With a debate on the origin, we search outside both of the regions to what must be one of the best Tiramaus around. This one is served at Two Sizes in Rome: https://m.facebook.com/twosizes/
6. Caponata
We head down to Sicily for the next dish that features eggplant as the star. Eggplant is fried and other ingredients are added such as tomatoes, red wine vinegar, olive oil, celery, olives and cappers until soft and cooked through. The sauce that is produced is an agrodolce sauce which is traditionally sweet and sour. Great as a vegetarian side, it is often best served the next day so the flavours can deepen. It can be served hot or cold and is typically served on its own as an appetizer, as a bruschetta topping or with the local focaccia style bread, Sfincione Palermitano.
Get cooking: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/classic-caponata-232539
In Palermo, the Taverna dei Canti is an excellent choice for dinner.
7. Lasagne
You have seen it on almost every Italian restaurant menu. You may have had your fair share of good or bad lasagne, but a well made Lasange is hard to pass up. Lasagne dates back to the middle ages, but the original recipe of boiled pasta sheets topped with cheese and spices bears little resemblance to modern forms. The most well known Lasange hails from the Emilia- Romagna region of Italy, with a thick ragu sauce, layers of pasta sheets and bechamel sauce. The Lasange from Naples is made traditionally for carnivals and contains a tomato ragu with pork, hard-boiled eggs, salami, ricotta and pork and veal meatballs!
Make it the Italian way here: https://www.recipetineats.com/lasagna/
There are no shortage of places to find Lasagne but if you’re in Italy, you want a good one. Try it in Rome a the historic Ai Tre Scalini.
8. Gnocchi
Gnocchi is small soft dough dumplings that can be made out of a variety of different ingredients depending on the region they are associated with. This can include flour, ricotta, spinach, cornmeal and of course the well-known potato Gnocchi. These have been around in their various forms for hundreds of years and can be served with a variety of sauces. Some of the most popular include a basil pesto sauce, butter and sage or a traditional tomato sauce. If you want to go all out, have your Gnocchi topped with truffles!
You don’t need to go to Italy to try this one (although you should!) Make this one in the comfort of your own home: https://damndelicious.net/2020/04/17/homemade-gnocchi/
There are so many different regional variations of this dish, so it is recommended to search out the local dish of the area. Let me know in the comments if you would like some suggestions!
9. Ribollita
We venture into the Tuscany for the traditional Ribollita soup. Like many great traditional dishes, this began as a meal for peasants. They were given the leftovers of bread which they would mix with their garden vegetables, herbs and sometimes beans. Ribollita means reboiled, as the soup is generally served the day after it is prepared (or sometimes more than a day). This allows the flavours to develop and produces a hearty and wholesome stew, perfect for a cold night.
For a traditional take on the recipe, follow: https://properfoodie.com/tuscan-ribollita-soup/
Eat this one in Florence at the Trattoria La Casalinga:
Bonus tip- If you’re in Florence, be sure to get up early and beat the crowds at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore. Antico Forno Ghibellina is a great bakery to have a morning bite!
10. Focaccia
Tasty on its own, with a topping, as a sandwich bread or with a soup, Focaccia is a versatile food that everyone can enjoy. One of the most common varieties is the Focaccia al rosmarino that is focaccia with rosemary. However, you can also get sweet focaccia’s in the north of Italy with sugar or raisins or honey. Thought to be the birthplace of Focaccia, it is not uncommon for locals to eat focaccia for breakfast, at lunch or as an appetiser for dinner.
This one is a great baking project: https://www.inspiredtaste.net/19313/easy-focaccia-bread-recipe-with-herbs/
Try it in Genoa at Focaccia E Dintorini.
11. Arancini
It seems that food cultures across the world have found ways to fry almost everything. Italy is no exception, with these balls of rice from Sicily. These rice balls are coated with breadcrumbs and then fried to perfection. Traditional fillings include a tomato and meat ragu with cheese and sometimes peas or with ham and cheese. These tasty little bites are thought to date back almost 1000 years when the country was under Arab rule and are named after the Italian word for Orange, due to their appearance.
These are a tasty appetiser for your next Italian themed dinner party: https://www.christinascucina.com/arancini-di-riso-sicilian-italian-rice-balls/
If you’re in Sicily, one of the best spots to try these little bites is Da Cristina at Via Strabone 2, 98039, Taormina, Sicily Italy
Pro tip- If you happen to be in Rome, you can try a similar fried rice ball called a Suppli. Also very tasty!
12. Bistecca alla Fiorentina
If you are looking for a Tuscan Italian food but do not like the sound of Ribollita soup, then a giant steak may be more your thing. What sets this apart from a normal steak is the specific type of meat, the preparation and the cooking method. The steak itself is a high cut of steak that is dry-aged, typically from Chianina cattle. Although it looks like a T-bone steak, it is larger and is more like a giant porterhouse steak. It is also a thick cut that should be cooked over very hot coals. This allows the outside to form a crust and the inside to be rare and soft. It is often served with a simple side such as a salad (you wouldn’t want anything too heavy!)
Make this one for your next BBQ: https://philosokitchen.com/florentine-steak-recipe/
Match this with a Chianti wine for a true Tuscan combination.
Eat this at the oldest restaurant in Florence, Buca Lapi.
13. Gelato
It is hard to beat a slice or two of Pizza with a Gelato afterwards. Or a gelato in the morning, in the after or in the evening. Any time is a good time for a Gelato. Gelato itself is a frozen dessert that differs from most ice-creams in that it is lower in fat but contains less air, creating a rich texture and flavour. Gelato is often stored at a lower temperature than ice cream and is often creamier in texture, despite having less fat. With a history of over 300 years, Gelato is popular throughout Italy and the world. Traditional flavours include chocolate, pistachio, hazelnut and vanilla, although you will find many modern takes.
Make this for the whole family (or a batch for yourself): https://www.askchefdennis.com/strawberry-gelato/
Tips for finding the best Gelato. Not all Gelato is created equal. If you’re in Italy or your home country, here are some tips to help find the best.
You should Avoid gelato shops where the colours look artificial or if there are flavours that scream this ( eg bubble-gum, rainbow)
Keep your eyes peeled for an artisanal shop.
Please be sure to check if there is a list of ingredients.
Decorative fluffy tops may look cool, but this has been whipped. Try to look past the nice top and into the tub.
If you’re in Rome, head to Gelateria I Caruso on Via Collina 13/15, 00196 Rome Italy
14. Parmigiana
When people think of parmigiana, you may think of a chicken Parmigiana or as it is known in Australia a chicken parmi/parma. However, this dish refers to layers of fried eggplant that is layered with tomato sauce and cheese and then baked. Typical of Southern Italy, the dish surprisingly is not traditionally associated with parmigiana cheese or the city of Parma. (although the cheese is now often used in recipes).
If you’re looking for comfort food, you’ve found it. Get it here: https://www.insidetherustickitchen.com/parmigiana-di-melanzane-aubergine-parmigana/
If you’re in Southern Italy, you can great home-style food including this at La Cantina di Via Sapienza at Via Della Sapienza 40, 80138 Naples Italy.
15. Pesto
No one likes dry pesto pasta made with sub-standard jar. To enjoy pesto properly, it is important to look to the sauce that originates from Genoa. Traditionally, it consists of basil, crushed garlic, olive oil, salt, basil, pine nuts and a hard cheese such as Parmigiano- Reggiano.
Pesto also comes traditionally in pesto Rosso (red pesto) from Sicily. It has many similarities but contains tomatoes, and generally almonds in place of pine nuts.
You can really taste the difference with fresh pesto that you can use with your pasta, over roasted vegetables or the like. Whip it up quickly with this simple yet classic recipe: https://www.recipesfromitaly.com/original-pesto-genovese-recipe/
Head to Genoa and try this at Cavour Modo 21, known for their pesto. They can be found at Piazza Cavour 21r, 16128, Genoa Italy
Summary
As seen above, Italy has a wide range of food options that vary per region. Is there one on the list that you’re most keen to try. Let me know in the comments!
Keen to delve deeper into food? Check out some unique world curries : https://atasteofabroad.com/13-unique-curries-from-around-the-world/
Christina | Christina's Cucina
Authentic Italian food is always the best option! Thanks for adding my arancini recipe!
Nathan Suttie
Totally agree! You’re very welcome. Thank you for commenting and I look forward to trying some more of your recipes!