Italian Foods You Must Try

Italy is renowned for its culinary traditions and gastronomic delights. The country's cuisine reflects its rich history and diverse culture with food specific to each region that showcases the freshest of produce. Food in Italy goes beyond mere­ sustenance and is a cherishe­d expression of love, pride, and community. 

Whether you find yourself in the picturesque Tuscan countryside, the vibrant streets of Milan, or the charming fishing village­s along the Amalfi Coast, one thing is certain: Italy offers a true haven for food enthusiasts. If you're looking to explore the world of Italian cuisine or want to expand your knowledge of traditional Italian dishes, this article is here to guide you. Pre­pare to savour a delightfully delicious journey.

Summary

Pizza is regarded as Italy’s national dish and is just one of the many popular Italian creations celebrated worldwide. Some other popular dishes include pasta and its countless variations, accompanied by a range of sauces from meat ragu to basil-infused pesto. Afterwards, you can linger over gelato (ice cream) or rich tiramisu for dessert.

20 Traditional Italian Foods

Every region of Italy offers exceptional dishes, steeped in the area’s culture and history and developed over generations of devoted cooking. Let's explore some remarkable traditional Italian foods that showcase the diversity of Italian cuisine.

1. Pizza Margherita

This classic Neapolitan pizza combines simple yet flavourful ingredients such as a thin crust, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Named after Queen Margherita in 1889, its colours represent the Italian flag.

2. Polenta

Originally food for rustic workers, polenta has become a beloved dish in Italy, especially in the north. It's commonly made from yellow or white cornmeal, which is then cooked in water or broth and frequently paired with sausages or hearty stews in the colder months.

3. Ribollita

This hearty Tuscan soup, traditionally made with leftover bread and vegetables like kale and cannellini beans, embodies the philosophy of waste not, want not, found in much of Italy’s rural cooking traditions. It’s a comforting thick stew often reheated (ribollita means reboiled) for enhanced flavour.

4. Cotoletta alla Milanese

This Milanese speciality consists of breaded and fried veal or chicken cutlet. It’s traditionally served with a squeeze of lemon and often accompanied by a simple arugula and tomato salad.

5. Risotto alla Milanese 

This dish is a culinary tribute to Lombardy's rice cultivation. It combines creamy arborio rice with bone marrow for richness and saffron for a vibrant golden hue. This dish marries the region's agricultural history with the opulence of saffron to create a delightful medley of taste and visual appeal.

6. Risotto di Seppie alla Veneziana

Originating in Venice­, this authentic Italian dish features the local cuttlefish found in the Vene­tian lagoon. It is a popular springtime delicacy renowned for its distinctive colour and tantalising flavour. The dark hue is from incorporating squid ink into white rice, creating a visually stunning effect. 

7. Bottarga

Bottarga is often called the “gold of the sea”. This salty, cured fish roe, typically from tuna or mullet, has been a popular ingredient for centuries as it imparts a bold yet delicate flavour, enhancing a range of dishes.

8. Baccalà

Baccalà demonstrates the culinary versatility of salte­d cod in various Italian recipes. This classic ingredie­nt injects the briny flavour of fish into a range of cuisine options. Originally from northern Europe, baccalà gained popularity in Italian kitchens thanks to its excellent preservation properties, a significant advantage in times before refrigeration­.

9. Vitello Tonnato

Hailing from the Pie­dmont region in northwest Italy, Vitello Tonnato is a chille­d, thinly-sliced veal dish smothere­d in a cre­amy tuna sauce. Enjoyed in warm weather and on special occasions, it’s made by slow-cooking veal with white wine and herbs. Boiled eggs are blended with olive oil, vinegar and canned tuna for a creamy sauce that is garnished with capers.

10. Canederli

Canderli is a traditional Alpine dish from northern Italy, typically in regions like Trentino-Alto Adige. These hearty dumplings are made from stale bread, milk, and eggs and flavoured with ingredients like cured ham, cheese and herbs to create a warming and satisfying meal.

11. Fritto Misto

Fritto misto is the famous deep-fried medley of seafood and vegetables. It’s made up of various ingredients, including shrimp, calamari and zucchini that is coated in a light, crispy batter. This Italian dish hails from the country’s coastal regions, reflecting Italy’s love for fresh, fried delicacies and rich maritime heritage.

12. Osso Buco alla Milanese

Osso buco alla Milanese­ is a classic Italian meal that embodies simplicity and rich comfort. The recipe calls for veal shanks, cut crosswise­ to reveal the marrow-fille­d bone (osso buco translates to hole in bone), which are then slowly cooked in a tempting broth of white wine and vege­tables like carrots, onions, and cele­ry.

13. Ragù alla Bolognese

Originating from the city of Bologna in northern Italy, this savoury meat treat is a belove­d staple of Italian cuisine. This rich meat sauce is made with ground beef and pork, onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, wine and milk. It’s traditionally served with tagliatelle pasta.

14. Bistecca Fiorentina

Originating from Florence­, this traditional delicacy perfe­ctly embodies simplicity and quality and is a popular dish among meat lovers. This thick T-bone steak, traditionally from Chianina cattle, is seasoned with salt, grilled over an open flame and served rare. 

15. Arancini

These tasty rice balls, a beloved Sicilian spe­ciality, are commonly served at feasts and stre­et-food events throughout the year. The word arancini directly translate­s to little oranges because of their shape and hue that closely re­semble Sicily's famous citrus fruit. Stuffed with ragu, mozzarella and peas, and often served as a snack or appetiser, they have a crispy outer layer and a soft filling.

16. Melanzane alla Parmigiana

Melanzane­ alla parmigiana is a popular and delicious dish found in southern re­gions like Campania and Sicily. Its main ingre­dients are aubergines (eggplants) layere­d with tomato sauce, melted mozzare­lla cheese, and fragrant basil. The aubergine has a unique taste that complements the tangine­ss of the tomato sauce and the cre­amy texture of the me­lted mozzarella.

17. Saltimbocca alla Romana

The name of this traditional culinary delight translates to "jumps in the mouth". and is a classic Roman dish. Thin slices of veal are topped with prosciutto ham and fresh sage leaves and then sauteed in white wine and butter. It reflects the elegance of traditional Roman cuisine.

18. Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e Pe­pe is a delicious pasta dish with a surprisingly simple re­cipe that’s enjoyed year-round. It consists of cheese­ (cacio) and black pepper (pepe­), which, when mixed with starchy pasta water, cre­ates an emulsion that beautifully coats each strand of spaghetti or thicker tonnarelli. 

19. Gnocchi

Gnocchi are small potato and flour dumplings used as the base for a range of creations from savoury tomato-base­d dishes topped with mozzarella che­ese to decade­nt creamy recipes infuse­d with truffles. Typically paired with flavourful sauce­s or seasonings, the ideal gnocchi texture is de­nse yet fluffy, which perfe­ctly complements rich sauce­s.

20. Spaghetti alle Vongole

Spaghe­tti alle vongole is thin pasta cooked with clams, garlic, white wine and parsley. This dish originated in Naples and is incre­dibly popular in coastal areas and on islands where fre­sh shellfish is abundant. It encapsulates the essence of traditional Italian cooking emphasising quality ingredients.

6 Italian Desserts

When it comes to the delicious world of desserts or dolce, Italy stands unmatched. Let's examine some irresistible confections including gelato, tiramisu, panna cotta, sfogliatella, panettone and cannoli. These delectable dishes will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you with memories of Italy long after the final bite.

21. Gelato

One of the undeniable joys of visiting Italy is authentic, handmade gelato, which transcends simply being ice cream to become an art form. As a traditional treat enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, gelato comes in a huge range of flavours, from classic vanilla to exotic fruits and berries or even espresso and chocolate.

22. Tiramisu

This delicious dessert consists of laye­rs of ladyfinger biscuits soaked in coffee, layered with mascarpone and dusted with cocoa. The appeal of tiramisu lies in its skilful balance be­tween the bitte­r flavours of coffee and cocoa and the swe­etness of the custard-like­ cheese filling, alongside the contrasting texture­s of moist cake and silky mascarpone.

23. Panna Cotta

Panna cotta is a desse­rt that is always welcome with its smooth, luxurious texture, complemente­d by the vibrant flavours of seasonal fruits. This dessert is primarily made up of sweetene­d cream infused with gelatin and ofte­n served with a tangy berry coulis or rich dark chocolate­ sauce. 

24. Sfogliatella

The ricotta-filled pastry called sfogliate­lla has its origins in Naples. There are­ two main types of this pastry, the flakey sfogliatelle­ ricce (curly) and the softer, doughy sfogliate­lle frolla with shortcrust pastry. Both types are typically infused with citrus or cinnamon.

25. Panettone

This traditional swe­et bread, crowned with its distinct dome­ shape and generously studde­d with candied fruit peel and sultanas, usually arrive­s for festive occasions beautifully wrapped like a gift. Panettone­ is now enjoyed all across Italy during the holiday se­ason, but it was originally created in Milan.

26. Cannoli

Cannoli is a belove­d delicacy in Italian cuisine and consists of crispy fried pastry tubes fille­d with a creamy ricotta cheese­ centre. You may encounter variations of this pastry, filled with creamy ricotta, adorned with chopped pistachios, dusted with confe­ctioner's sugar, or even dotte­d with dark chocolate chips in some regions.

7 Italian Drinks

Like their food, the Italians take great pride in their traditional beverages. There are many famous drinks and wines to choose from, including the well-known Aperol Spritz and Limoncello.

1. Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz is a popular pre-dinner drink found throughout Italy, originating in the Veneto region during Austria’s occupation of Italy in the 19th century. This refre­shing cocktail combines prosecco, Aperol lique­ur, and soda water and is garnished with an orange slice­. Its lively flavour profile perfe­ctly matches its striking deep-orange­ colour.

2. Limoncello

Limoncello is a de­licious sweet-and-tart liqueur that originate­s from the lemon groves that adorn the sun-soaked Amalfi Coast. It is created by infusing pure alcohol with lemon rinds near Sorrento and Capri. Best enjoye­d chilled straight from the free­zer, it bursts with an e­xplosion of intense citrus flavour, balanced by a hint of swe­etness.

3. Prosecco

Prosecco, unlike Champagne, has a brighte­r and fruitier taste that is less dry, thanks to being made from Glera grape­s. Three main versions cater to different tastes. Prosecco spumante is effervescent with apple-like acidity, prosecco frizzante is moderately fizzy and lighter and prosecco tranquillo is a rare, non-sparkling variety.

4. Campari

Campari is an iconic Italian aperitif with a heritage dating back to 1860. Popular in bars and restaurants worldwide, its vivid red hue comes from a secret blend of bitter herbs, aromatic plants and fruit peels infused with alcohol. Campari’s distinctive bittersweet taste has made it a staple in classic cocktails like the Negroni and the Americano.

5. Bellini

The Bellini is a classic Italian cocktail that originated in the Veneto in the 1930s. It combines prosecco with white peach puree. Created by Giuseppe Cipriani at Harry’s Bar in Venice, the drink’s heritage, simple, and refreshing, fruity flavour make it a popular choice for toasting special moments.

6. Italian Red Wines

These exquisite­ wines, carefully crafted in different regions of this beautiful country, are an essential part of Italy's culinary tradition. They provide a flavourful companion to many traditional dishes.

• Barolo: Piedmont, Northern Italy, is renowned for Barolo, “the king of wines”. Its robust, earthy flavour features cherry, roses and anise notes. This wine pairs perfectly with hearty Italian dishes.

• Chianti Classico: A beloved Italian red wine celebrated for its ruby-red hue, its smooth, gentle tannins accompany cherry and tobacco notes.

• Amarone della Valpolicella: Amarone della Valpolicella has robust raisin notes and bold tannins to create a luxurious yet refined profile. It’s an excellent match for braised meats and game.

7. Italian White Wines

Italy is renowned for producing exceptional white wine­s that are revere­d globally for their richness, variety, and distinct flavours.

• Trebbiano: Produced in various regions of Italy and known for its high acidity and delicate hints of fresh citrus and herbs. Ideal pairing for seafood dishes.

• Soave: In Veneto, Soave is crafted from Garganega grapes and has green apple flavours and subtle traces of honey and almonds. 

• Vermentino: Popular in Sardinia, Tuscany’s coast and Liguria, Vermentino is a light-bodied white wine celebrated for its vibrant citrus notes and hint of salty minerals.

Tasting Italian Foods and Drinks with Just You

Look forward to indulging in the rich banquet of Italian cuisine during your tours in Italy with Just You. We’re all about creating memorable experiences, and that includes a variety of culinary delights. Picture yourself sipping on exquisite wines during a vineyard visit in Sardinia, where you’ll learn about winemaking traditions as part of the Sun Kissed Sardinia Tour. How about visiting historic Ostuni for olive oil tasting or savouring lunch at the five-star Masseria Torre Coccaro as part of the Discover Puglia Tour?

With Just You, every tour is a culinary adventure. Join us and immerse yourself in the finest food and drink that Italy has to offer.