13 Indulgent Food Recommendations To Enjoy in Italy

Because food has cultural significance in Italy, we crafted a list of amazing and indulgent dishes to try throughout Italy. Italy boasts a rich culinary tradition with a diverse array of regional dishes to try. Here's a list of some local specialties from various regions across Italy:

Pizza Margherita (Naples, Campania): A classic Neapolitan pizza topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Risotto alla Milanese (Milan, Lombardy): Creamy risotto flavored with saffron, often served alongside ossobuco (braised veal shanks).

Pasta Carbonara (Rome, Lazio): Spaghetti tossed with eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, pancetta, and black pepper, creating a rich and creamy sauce.

Linguine alle Vongole (Naples, Campania): Linguine pasta cooked with fresh clams, garlic, white wine, olive oil, and parsley, creating a delicious seafood dish.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florence, Tuscany): A thick T-bone steak grilled over a wood fire and seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil, typically served rare or medium-rare.

Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci (Emilia-Romagna): Homemade ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, served with a variety of sauces such as butter and sage or tomato sauce.

Ossobuco alla Milanese (Milan, Lombardy): Braised veal shanks cooked with white wine, broth, vegetables, and gremolata (a mixture of lemon zest, garlic, and parsley), resulting in a flavorful and tender dish.

Panzanella (Tuscany): A refreshing bread salad made with stale bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, basil, olive oil, and vinegar, perfect for hot summer days.

Sarde a Beccafico (Sicily): Fresh sardines stuffed with a mixture of breadcrumbs, pine nuts, raisins, parsley, and lemon zest, then baked or grilled until golden brown.

Porchetta (Central Italy): Slow-roasted pork seasoned with garlic, rosemary, fennel, and other herbs, resulting in juicy and flavorful meat often served in sandwiches or as a main dish.

Caprese Salad (Capri, Campania): A simple salad made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, olive oil, salt, and pepper, showcasing the flavors of the Mediterranean.

Tiramisu (Veneto): A popular Italian dessert made with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, cocoa powder, and sometimes a hint of liqueur, creating a creamy and indulgent treat.

Gelato: Considered a quintessential Italian dessert, yet its specific flavors and styles can vary from region to region, adding to the culinary diversity of Italy. When my sister took my daughter and I to Cinque Terre area, we had excellent wood-fired pizza at the local restaurants and enjoyed gelato at every corner. I remember my twin nieces would cry out for gelato as soon as they saw a large ice cream statue in front of a gelateria shop.

The food was one of our best memories in the region. Let Signature Travel Vacations book you a food tour or a cooking class in Italy.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious dishes you can try while exploring the culinary delights of Italy. Each region has its own specialties, so be sure to sample local flavors wherever you go!

Salute!

Tarah J.