12 of the world’s best foodie destinations
29 December 2024
If, as Italian film director Federico Fellini once said, life is a combination of magic and pasta, then Italy is where you go to find both. The country has more enchanting culinary destinations than there are flavours of gelato, and its passion for all things edible makes it one of Europe’s premier foodie hotspots. Its reputation is based on quality and authenticity, the finest ingredients, and time-honoured techniques. Italians also value simplicity, where a dish may consist of just three or four local ingredients, and with classic recipes passed down through generations. In Italy, food isn’t just a meal – it’s a cultural experience, making it a must-visit for any gastronomic adventurer. Read through our Italy food guide for top recommendations of regional must-tries and experiences to add to your bucket list.
When we think of Italian cuisine, we generally think of the food from the south – tomato-based pasta, seafood and olive oil, and so on. But Italian food is very regional, focusing on the ingredients it produces successfully in that area. For example, in the north the climate is generally too cold for olive production, so butter is more commonly used, and you’ll find richer, hearty fare with bolder flavours and more meat than fish. There’s less focus on pasta and more on corn and rice, so think creamy risottos and polenta-based desserts. Try Milan’s deliciously simple risotto alla Milanese, or the heartier osso buco made with slow-cooked veal.
Central Italy represents the heartland of classic Italian cuisine, where simple yet rich flavours dominate the culinary landscape. Head for Rome and the beautiful towns and cities of Tuscany and Umbria to sample dishes such as bistecca alla fiorentina and pasta carbonara. Florence claims to have the best olives, while over in Campania, Naples is the birthplace of pizza and has a great street food scene. Try pagnottiello – a dough flavoured with cheese, pancetta and salami, and cuoppo – literally small fried foods in a paper cone, perfect to eat while you’re out exploring the city.
From Naples, head to Sorrento and the stunning Amalfi Coast for the finest tomatoes, anchovies and buffalo mozzarella you’ll ever taste, as well as classics such as spaghetti alle vongole. Further south and on the coast you’ll encounter a seafood-lover’s dream, brimming with the freshest swordfish, seabass and squid. Lastly, we’d recommend the Calabria region for its unique offerings: it specialises in peperoncino, a strong and spicy flavoured pepper found in just about every typical regional dish, including ‘Nduja sausage dishes, pasta, many fish dishes, and Sicilian arancini.
Millions of people travel to these parts for the food, but to really eat like a local in Italy and understand why food is at the heart of Italian culture, you should experience more than a meal. Meet the locals, share their culinary passion, and feast on some of the best food in Italy, by partaking in an activity that takes you away from the dining table. From cooking classes to food festivals, we’ve put together some of the best things to see and do for foodies, that will deepen your appreciation of Italian food culture.
One of the best ways to experience real Italian food is to learn how to create it yourself! Whether you’re making pasta by hand, mastering the art of a Bolognese sauce, whipping up an authentic carbonara or plating a dish of saltimbocca, you’ll have fun and gain insight into regional variations. You can even try your hand at making traditional cheese, coming away with a new appreciation for the expertise behind crafting mozzarella or pecorino. Many cooking classes take place in people’s homes; in fact, if you like the thought of experiencing local flavours in such an intimate setting, why not also join an Italian dinner party where you’re cooked for by a local host?
The Emilia-Romagna region is the unofficial food capital of Italy, and offers some of the best Italy food tours. Take a full day to sample the holy trinity of the region; parmigiano reggiano cheese, prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar from Modena. Bologna is a food-lover’s destination in itself, and a visit isn’t complete without a wander around the city’s artisan shops filled with mortadella, prosciutto and salami, all washed down with a glass of lambrusco.
Learn how to shop like a local on a guided tour of one of Italy’s bustling food markets, packed with fresh produce, meats, cheeses and seafood, and taste samples along the way. Alternatively, explore Italy’s rich street-food culture on a guided excursion, and taste your way through the narrow streets of cities like Naples and Palermo, Sicily.
For truffle fans, your Italian food bucket list must include truffle hunting in the woods of Piedmont. The region is famous for producing some of the world’s finest white truffles, known for their intense aroma and luxurious flavour. Accompanied by trained dogs, locals lead truffle hunting tours that culminate in a feast featuring freshly shaved truffles over pasta or risotto.
Olive oil is Italy’s liquid gold and a cornerstone of so much Italian cooking. Tuscany, Puglia and Sicily are known for producing top-quality olive oil, and a tasting will take you on a journey through the process of cultivating and pressing olives, and learning to detect the subtle differences in flavour. Passing through Genoa? Be sure to try Genovese pesto with trofie pasta!
Italy’s desserts vary from region to region, each with its own story and ingredients. Originating in the Veneto, tiramisu literally means ‘pick me up’ and, with its layers of coffee-soaked ladyfinger biscuits, mascarpone, sugar and cocoa, it may well do the job. In Sicily, the local pick me up is granita, a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water and flavourings like lemon or almond, often paired with a warm brioche roll – once you’ve tried it, you’ll appreciate its popularity! Other regional desserts include panna cotta from Piedmont – a silky, eggless custard, Sicilian cannoli – crispy pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta, and even apple strudel, common in the north around Trentino-Alto Adige.
But Italy’s number one sweet treat is gelato. Equally beloved by children and adults, this quintessential Italian treat is part of the nation’s culture. It requires only cream, milk and sugar, and the other magic ingredient is air, thanks to a slow churning process. The result is a creamy indulgence that comes in a variety of flavours, from classic options like chocolate and stracciatella to regional specialities such as pistachio from Sicily or hazelnut from Piedmont.
Italians take their coffee seriously but, like their food, it’s all about simplicity, quality and tradition. Let’s start with the basics; it’s true that ordering a cappuccino after noon is something of a faux pas, or at least something only tourists do. Italians typically enjoy their cappuccino with a pastry in the morning, as part of breakfast. After this, espresso is king, often ordered and enjoyed quickly while standing at the bar. It’s referred to simply as caffè in Naples, the birthplace of Italian espresso, and is often made using a Neapolitan flip coffee pot, which results in a full and rich flavour. Espresso is drunk throughout Italy, but a notable twist in Rome is the caffè macchiato, an espresso ‘stained’ with a small splash of milk. Over in Milan you can try a caffè lungo, a longer pour of espresso for a slightly milder taste, or for an extra kick, try a caffè corretto in Venice, which comes with a shot of grappa.
Creating a foodie travel itinerary means you could experience the best cuisine of each region, or focus on one or two areas for less travel and more tasting time! Research regional specialities, decide what whets your appetite, and create your own Italian food bucket list to tick off as you go.
Italy is home to countless renowned restaurants, from Michelin-starred hotspots to hidden gems known for authentic Italian food. Popular eateries in cities like Rome, Florence and Milan can fill up quickly, especially in high seasons, so book well in advance. Italians are passionate about food so once you’re there, ask the locals for recommendations and remember that some of the best meals may come from you wandering into a small trattoria that has inhabited a backstreet for decades.
For a unique experience, align your travel dates with local food festivals or regional celebrations. Appreciate specialities from across the country at Taste, a three-day food extravaganza in Florence; sample top Italian wines at Vinitaly in Verona, one of the world’s largest wine festivals; or discover the secret of truffles at the International White Truffle Fair in Alba. Chocolate-lovers should plan early for EuroChocolate, the biggest celebration of chocolate in Europe, held in the beautiful city of Perugia, Umbria.
Italian dining etiquette is rooted in respect for food and tradition, and knowing it will make your meal more enjoyable. Use our top tips to blend in with the locals:
Has our Italy food guide inspired you to plan a culinary journey of your own? Get in touch with our local experts – they’ve tasted their way around Italy’s top food regions and have all the insider knowledge needed to put together an incredible vacation.
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