Food is often the best reason to travel in Italy, and a few cities make the experience truly special.
Some surprised us with flavors we didn't see coming, and others delivered meals worth planning a trip around.
A few are well-known favorites, but the real surprises are further down the list.
I've listed them all, saving the very best for the bottom, so you'll want to read through to the end.
Venice
The famous port city of Venice has a rich and unique food culture. I shared a list of must-try Venetian dishes in the past here.
Take a stroll across the city, walk along the canals and across the countless bridges, and you might accidentally, and happily, find yourself in a traditional food place, away from all the tourist traps.
This is what we did, and every food lover should have a chance to experience Venice and its true culinary soul.
Enjoy some Cicchetti, traditional Venetian bites, along with an Aperol Spritz Veneziano or a Bellini, a cocktail from Venice made of peach puree and prosecco.
And move on to classic food specialties that the city of seafarers has been known for for centuries.
Food to try in Venice
- Cicchetti: Small bite-sized snacks and appetizer specialty from Venice.
- Baccalà Mantecato: Creamed stockfish.
- Risi e Bisi: Young green peas cooked with rice.
- Fegato alla Veneziano: Veal liver cooked with onion, wine, and vinegar and served with polenta.
- Lasagnette con nero di seppia: Black squid ink ribbon pasta.
- Fritole: Doughnut-like fried balls.
Where we ate ->
Milan
Milan has long been a powerhouse for refined food meals in Italy. The city in the north is not only known for its food but also for its fashion scene and all good things in between.
We probably spent most of our travel budget on elaborate meals in Milan, simply because a trip to Milan doesn't come cheap (compared to the rest of Italy). But every meal was worth it!
Locals are seemingly very picky and easily criticize food that isn't up to the standard of their expectations in and around Milan. Therefore, you are bound to taste the best of the best most of the time in Milan.
This is not limited to the metropolitan city of Milan itself. We experienced high-quality food standards on our day trips from Milan to Lake Como, the Valtellina Valley, the town of Gorgonzola, and Bergamo.
Food to try in Milan
- Cotoletta alla Milanese: A breaded veal cutlet resembling a Wiener Schnitzel.
- Risotto alla Milanese: Prepared with saffron spice.
- Ossobuco alla Milanese: Braised veal shank frequently served with risotto.
- Polenta: Polenta cornmeal is a specialty in the Lombardy region.
- Panettone: The famed sweet Christmas bread (it's not a cake!).
- Gorgonzola Cheese: The creamy blue cheese from the nearby town of Gorgonzola.
Where we ate ->
Rome
Rome has had over 2000 years to come up with some absolutely unforgettable dishes. Therefore, Rome has to be on your travel bucket list if you are a true Italian food lover.
Especially pasta and pizza lovers won't be disappointed, regardless of where you dine in Rome.
Tourists usually hang out in the historic center of the city, such as Trastevere, the Jewish quarters across the river, or at food places between the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain.
But honestly, we have had fantastic food also just outside the city or in other quarters in Rome that are more frequented by locals.
I recommend seeking Roman food with an open mind and not focusing too much on reviews (see fake review problem).
Food to try in Rome
- Roman Pizza: A super thin-crust pizza, the Roman way.
- Cacio e Pepe: Spaghetti with a creamy Pecorino black pepper sauce.
- Pasta Carbonara: Classic carbonara egg sauce.
- Pasta Amatriciana: A tomato and pecorino pasta sauce.
- Abbacchio: A traditional Easter and Christmas lamb dish.
- Artichoke dishes: Deep-fried Jewish artichokes and Roman braised artichokes in winter and spring.
Where we ate ->
Florence
Florence is the cultural heart of Italy and the regional capital of the famed Tuscany region in central Italy.
The city offers an incredible blend of Tuscan food and drink specialties, making it a great start for all first-time visitors to Tuscany.
Generally speaking, we found that most restaurants served a good blend of popular Italian food specialties in Florence.
Primarily, I recommend looking out for seasonal or region-specific ingredients on the menu cards, such as Tartuffo (truffles), Cavolo Nero (Tuscan Kale), Cinghiale (wild boar), Finocchiona (fennel-infused salami), pane toscana (Tuscan bread), extra virgin olive oil, and cannellini beans.
Food to try in Florence
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina: Traditional grilled steak dish from Florence, best enjoyed rare.
- Ribollita: A poor man's dish from the countryside made of stale bread, beans, and green vegetables.
- Panino con Bollito: Beef brisket sandwich.
- Cantucci and Vin Santo: Cantuccini, a crunchy nut and fruit biscuit, served with a sweet wine known as vin santo.
- Gelato: Some of the best gelato in Italy can be found in Florence. The city is said to have been the birthplace of gelato.
- Chianti Wine: From the Chianti region south to Florence. It's made with Sangiovese grapes.
Where we ate in Florence ->
Bologna
Bologna is often called the secret food capital of Italy, and that's for a good reason!
This is due to its location near other food cities, such as Parma and Modena, in Northern Italy, and because Bologna is the cradle of some internationally well-known Italian dishes.
Lasagna, tagliatelle pasta, and tortellini are from Bologna, and so is our favorite meat sauce, the ragù alla bolognese.
Incidentally, what Americans know as Bologna sausage, a popular sliced deli meat in the states, originally derived from the mortadella sausage, which is from Bologna.
Bologna is truly Italy's most precious food gem. Your journey starts at the local food market, Mercato di Mezzo, in the old town, and at the end of the day you'll find yourself trying several specialties in one of the ristorante, trattoria, or osteria.
Food to try in Bologna
- Ragù alla bolognese: The famed meat tomato sauce served with tagliatelle pasta.
- Mortadella: Cured pork deli meat. Try the one with pistachios!
- Tortellini: Meat-stuffed tortellini are traditionally from Bologna, and the classic is served in a clear soup broth.
- Lasagna: Bologna is home to the true lasagna made with green pasta sheet layers, meat, and bechamel sauce.
Where we ate ->
Comments
No Comments