What to Eat in Italy Best 50 Foods

Pizza

Italian cuisine is like the Italian grandmother you never knew you needed - it's all about comfort, love, and a little bit of scolding for not eating enough. It is renowned for its simplicity, with an emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients that are often locally sourced. At its heart, it's about the love of food and the tradition of cooking passed down through generations. Key elements include pasta in numerous shapes and sauces, pizza with its Neapolitan origins, risotto, and an assortment of cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and mozzarella. Olive oil is a staple, used generously alongside herbs like basil, oregano, and rosemary. The cuisine varies significantly by region; from the seafood-rich dishes of the coastal areas to the hearty, meat-based meals of the north, and the vegetable-centric fare of the south. Breads, both rustic and fine, accompany meals, with antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni, and dolci (desserts) structuring the traditional Italian meal, culminating often in a strong espresso or a sweet treat like gelato or tiramisu.

Here's a list of the foods to try on your next Italian vacation;

Appetizers

1. Caprese Salad - Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil.

   

   Caprese Salad

2. Antipasto Misto - A platter of various cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables. Be sure to add Parmigiano Reggiano, Mozzarella di Bufala, Gorgonzola, Ricotta cheeses, Proscuitto di Parma, Mortadella, and many more.

   

   Antipasto Misto

3. Bruschetta - Grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with tomatoes, basil, and olive oil.

4. Panzanella - Tuscan bread salad with tomatoes, onions, basil, and cucumber.

5. Carpaccio - Thinly sliced raw beef or fish, often drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil.

   

   Beef Carpaccio

6. Arancini - Fried rice balls from Sicily, often stuffed with ragù, cheese, or peas.

7. Bagna Cauda - A warm dip from Piedmont made with anchovies, garlic, and olive oil, used for vegetables.

8. Grilled Vegetables - Typically eggplant, peppers, and zucchini.

   

   Grilled Vegetables

9. Frittata - An Italian omelet that can be filled with various ingredients like potatoes, cheese, or spinach.

10. Caponata - A sweet and sour eggplant dish from Sicily.

11. Fritto Misto - A mix of fried seafood, vegetables, or both, often served with a lemon wedge.

    
    

    Primi - First Course

    
    

12. Ravioli - Stuffed pasta with fillings like ricotta, spinach, or meat.

13. Spaghetti alla Carbonara - With eggs, cheese, pancetta, and black pepper.

    

    Spaghetti alla Carbonara

14. Cacio e Pepe - Simple pasta dish with pecorino cheese and black pepper.

15. Pasta alla Norma - Sicilian pasta dish with eggplant, tomato sauce, and ricotta salata.

16. Lasagna - Layered with ragù (meat sauce), béchamel, and pasta sheets.

    

    Lasagna

17. Fettuccine Alfredo - Wide pasta with butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

18. Pesto alla Genovese - Basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan served with pasta.

19. Risotto alla Milanese - Saffron-flavored risotto, often served with osso buco.

20. Risotto ai Frutti di Mare - A luxurious risotto that might include mussels, clams, shrimp, and squid, cooked in a rich seafood broth.

    

    Risotto ai Frutti di Mare

21. Pappardelle al Cinghiale - Wide pasta with wild boar sauce.

22. Minestrone - A thick vegetable soup.

23. Ribollita - Tuscan bread and vegetable soup.

24. Pasta al Pomodoro - Simple yet delicious pasta with tomato sauce.

    

    Pasta al Pomodoro

25. Spaghetti alle Vongole - With clams, garlic, white wine, and parsley.

26. Gnocchi - Small potato dumplings, often with a tomato or gorgonzola sauce.

    

    Gnocchi

27. Tagliatelle al Ragù - Wide ribbons of pasta with a rich meat sauce.

28. Tortellini in Brodo - Small stuffed pasta rings in broth.

29. Pizza Margherita - Tomato, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil.

    

    Pizza Margherita

30. Pizza Napoletana - Authentic Neapolitan pizza with a variety of toppings.

31. Focaccia - A flat oven-baked Italian bread, often flavored with olive oil and salt.

    

    Sandwiches in Florence

    Secondi

    
    

32. Pollo alla Cacciatora - Chicken hunter-style, cooked with tomato, peppers, and wine.

33. Bistecca alla Fiorentina - A large T-bone steak from Tuscany.

    

    Bistecca alla Fiorentina

34. Saltimbocca alla Romana - Veal with prosciutto and sage, often with white wine.

35. Porchetta - Slow-roasted pork seasoned with herbs.

    

    Porchetta Display

36. Ossobuco - Veal or beef shank braised with vegetables, white wine, and broth.

37. Grilled fish - Mixed grilled branzino, swordfish, sole, or sea bream.

    

    Grilled Fish

38. Baccalà alla Vicentina - Salt cod cooked in milk.

    
    

    Desserts

    
    

39. Tiramisu - Layered dessert of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream.

    

    Tiramisu 

40. Cannoli - Sicilian pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta cream.

41. Panna Cotta - Gelatinous dessert with a creamy texture, often served with fruit or caramel.

    

    Panna Cotta

42. Panettone - Sweet bread with raisins and candied fruits, especially popular during Christmas.

43. Gelato - Italian ice cream, lighter than traditional ice cream and served in a variety of flavors.

    

    Gelato

44. Sfogliatelle - Flaky pastry filled with sweet ricotta and semolina.

45. Zabaglione - A rich custard-like dessert made by whisking egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala wine.

46. Struffoli - Small fried dough balls coated in honey, a Neapolitan Christmas treat.

47. Carnevale's Frittelle - Sweet or savory fried dough balls.

48. Limoncello- A sweet, lemon-flavored liqueur from Southern Italy, served chilled.

    

    Limoncello

49. Aperol Spritz - Made with Aperol, prosecco, and soda water, garnished with an orange slice.

    
    

    Regional Specialties

    
    

50. Truffles and anything with truffles.

    

    Truffle Products