Italian food is famous around the world for good reason – it’s absolutely delicious! Sure, you’ve probably devoured your fair share of pizza and pasta over the years, but there’s a whole lot more to Italian cuisine than these enticing classics. This fascinating country offers a treasure trove of remarkable, lesser-known dishes just waiting to be savored.
Each region of Italy proudly boasts its own culinary traditions that have been perfected over centuries and cherished by locals for generations. Visit different provinces and you’ll discover unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else, such as bistecca alla Fiorentina in Florence and cicchetti in Venice. Among these one-of-a-kind dishes, you’ll also find regional takes on Italian staples, such as Neapolitan pizza in Naples and Roman pizza in Lazio.
Whatever you’re craving, Italian cuisine is so diverse, enticing, and distinctive that you’ll never go hungry. So grab your fork and join me as we delve into 18 must-try Italian dishes that will leave you booking the next flight to Italy. Buon appetito!
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The Top 18 Italian Foods to Try in Italy
1. Arancini, Sicily
One of the first Italian street foods I ever tried, arancini are what to eat in Italy when you’re on the go. They’re deep-fried risotto-based cone-shaped snacks that are stuffed with all kinds of wonderful fillings.
A simple meat ragu is my favorite, but the type stuffed with ham and mozzarella cheese is a close second. Arancini vary greatly in size, from small bite-sized delights to giant arancini the size of your fist!
2. ‘Nduja, Calabria
Whenever food needs a little extra something, ‘nduja is always the answer. This soft paste is a type of pork salami that’s fired up with hot Calabrian chilies. It looks like a sausage link, but if you cut it open, you’ll find the bright red insides are easily spreadable. ‘Nduja is an amazing topping for pizza and pasta dishes. You can even enjoy it just spread on some bread.
3. Neapolitan Pizza, Naples
Italy is the home of pizza and you’ll find the very best pizza in Naples. Neapolitan pizza has a really thin, soft base and a super airy, puffy crust. Traditionally, it’s topped very modestly with a simple sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella cheese. Don’t waste your time looking for signs advertising “Neapolitan pizza” in Naples like I did. All the standard pizza in the city is that style!
4. Arista, Tuscany
One of the most comforting Italian foods, arista tastes so good that you’ll never want to eat pork any other way. This must-try food in Italy is made by marinating pork loin in generous amounts of garlic and rosemary before roasting it until it’s golden and delicious. It’s usually served with roasted potatoes and sautéed greens for the perfect comfort food dish.
5. Cicchetti, Venice
If you ever find yourself in Venice, you’ve absolutely got to visit a bàcaro for a glass of prosecco and cicchetti. Cicchetti are small snacks that locals nibble on when they’re out drinking. They vary massively from crostini topped with creamed salted cod to deep-fried meatballs and battered vegetables. Osteria Al Squero, opposite the gondola repair shop, is my absolute favorite.
6. Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Florence
A must-try food in Italy for meat lovers, bistecca alla Fiorentina is a giant T-bone steak that’s cut incredibly thick and grilled over olive wood until it’s lightly charred on the outside and deliciously rare on the inside.
The portions are consistently huge – one steak can easily serve two people, if not three or four. This iconic local dish is always served rare, and asking for it any other style is a guaranteed way of getting on the chef’s bad side!
7. Focaccia, Genoa
One of the most popular dishes in Italy, you’ll find focaccia all over the country, but Genoa does it better than anywhere else. Here, the thin, salty, golden bread is served in small family-run bakeries throughout the city and devoured for breakfast by locals.
You can’t beat the basic plain version. But if you’re looking to switch things up, you’ll find focaccia topped with olives, roasted onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and cheese throughout Genoa.
8. Bruschetta, Tuscany
Known as “Fettunta” (meaning oiled slice) in Tuscany, bruschetta is edible proof that sometimes the simplest things are the best. One of the most famous Italian dishes, bruschetta is made up of a thick slice of toasted bread topped with tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and newly-pressed extra virgin olive oil. This legendary treat is one of the most popular dishes in Italy to snack on during warm summer evenings.
9. Gelato, Florence
When you need a break from exploring the Uffizi Gallery, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and the Piazzale Michelangelo, the best thing to do in Florence is to stop by a local ice cream parlor and order a scoop of gelato, easily one of the most famous Italian dishes.
For the most delicious experience, find a place that offers “produzione propria” (housemade) and stick with the nut or fruit flavors. Perché No!… is one of my favorites.
10. Cannellini Beans, Tuscany
You wouldn’t think cannellini beans would be on any “best Italian foods” lists, but just wait until you try them in Tuscany. Here locals are known as “mangia fagioli” (bean-eaters) because their cannellini beans are just so good.
You’ll find them as an ingredient in many Tuscan dishes, but I prefer them on their own. When they’re dressed with a generous grinding of black peppers and a light swirl of olive oil, they make the perfect appetizer.
11. Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Rome
Spaghetti alla carbonara is more proof that the simplest things are often the best. My ultimate favorite pasta dish, this is made by delicately frying guanciale (cured pig’s cheek) in olive oil and gently tossing it together with spaghetti, egg yolks, pecorino cheese, and black pepper. The ingredients are very straightforward, but when you combine them, you get one of the most complex traditional Italian dishes with deep flavors and amazing textures.
12. Cannoli alla Siciliana, Sicily
If you’re wondering what to eat in Italy to satisfy your sweet tooth, try cannoli alla Siciliana. You can find cannoli in bakeries around the world. But for the very finest cannoli, you’ve got to travel to where the dish originated – Sicily.
This remarkably addictive dessert consists of a tube of thin pastry that’s deep-fried until it’s crispy and golden brown. It’s then piped full of a smooth and creamy ricotta-based filling. The contrast of the crunchy outside and the velvety inside is what makes this dessert so moreish.
13. Mozzarella di Bufala, Campania
Regular store-bought mozzarella can be flavorless and disappointing when it comes to texture. Try one bite of mozzarella di bufala in Campania and you’ll never waste your time with any other mozzarella ever again!
This special type of cheese is made from the milk of the Italian Mediterranean buffalo, which gives it a distinct tangy, rich flavor. Mozzarella di bufala is best eaten on its own or as part of a Caprese salad.
14. Caponata, Sicily
Possibly the very best thing you can ever do with eggplant, caponata is a flavor-packed dish that’s usually piled high onto small rounds of toast or even eaten by the spoonful. It’s made by pan-frying pieces of eggplant, onion, and garlic and mixing them with simmered tomatoes, raisins, vinegar, and sugar. It tastes so amazing that it’s practically guaranteed to win over even the fussiest eaters.
15. Veal Milanese, Milan
Veal Milanese looks like a simple breaded cutlet, but take just one bite and you won’t be able to believe how something so simple could taste so good! Invented way back in the 12th century, this iconic Milan dish is made by deep-frying a tender breaded veal cutlet until it’s crispy and golden brown. A squeeze of fresh lemon is added to liven the dish up before it’s served and ready to be devoured.
16. Prosciutto di Parma, Parma
Prosciutto di Parma, also known as Parma ham, is one of the most exquisite dishes in Italy. To qualify for the prestigious title, the ham must come from a small area near Parma in Reggio-Emilia and be aged for at least 12 months. This luxurious type of meat is cured (not cooked), sliced incredibly thinly, and has the most wonderful subtly sweet flavor. It’s so good that it’s best enjoyed completely on its own.
17. Granita, Sicily
Visit Sicily and you’re bound to come across granita – one of the most unusual and refreshing breakfasts you’ll ever try. Similar to shaved ice or a snow cone, granita is an icy sweet treat made from sugar, water, and lemon that never fully freezes.
Lemon is the standard flavor, but you can also have granita enhanced with almonds, coffee, pistachio, chocolate, strawberry, and peach. Pair it with a lightly toasted brioche and you’re set for a hot summer day!
18. Risotto alla Milanese, Milan
The perfect balance of elegant and wholesome, risotto alla Milanese is one of the best Italian foods when you’re seeking refined comfort food. This remarkably rich and creamy rice dish is enhanced with saffron, giving it its iconic yellow color.
Make a reservation at Osteria Conchetta and you’ll get to try the classic dish, made even better with the addition of butter and Grana Padano cheese.
