What to Eat in Italy: Famous Italian Foods Every Traveller Should Try

Food is one of the great pleasures of travelling through Italy.

Every region has its own specialities, and some of the dishes known around the world taste completely different when you enjoy them where they originated.

Pizza Napoletana

Naples is famous for traditional Neapolitan pizza.

The classic Pizza Margherita is beautifully simple: tomato, mozzarella, basil and a soft, lightly charred crust.

Eating pizza in Naples is not simply having lunch. For many travellers, it becomes one of the memories they associate most strongly with Italy.

Pasta Carbonara

Rome is the place to look for authentic carbonara.

Traditional carbonara is made with pasta, egg, Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper and guanciale.

The simplicity of the ingredients is part of what makes it special.

Lasagne

One of Italy's most internationally recognised dishes, lasagne consists of layers of pasta, sauce and other ingredients that vary by region and family tradition.

It is classic Italian comfort food and a favourite with travellers.

Risotto

Northern Italy is famous for risotto.

Unlike ordinary boiled rice, risotto is slowly cooked to develop a creamy texture. One of the best-known versions is Risotto alla Milanese, traditionally flavoured with saffron.

Gnocchi

Gnocchi are small dumplings, often made from potato, flour and egg.

They can be served with tomato sauce, cheese, butter and sage or a variety of regional sauces.

Osso Buco

Another northern Italian favourite is osso buco, traditionally made with slow-cooked veal shanks.

It is often associated with Milan and is the kind of dish that shows another side of Italian cuisine beyond pizza and pasta.

Gelato

A walk through an Italian city rarely feels complete without gelato.

Italian gelaterias offer flavours ranging from chocolate and pistachio to fruit, coffee and seasonal specialities.

The challenge is deciding which flavour to choose.

Tiramisu

One of Italy's most famous desserts, tiramisu combines coffee-soaked biscuits with mascarpone and cocoa.

Its name is often translated as something close to “pick me up,” which seems appropriate for a dessert made with coffee.

Cannoli

Particularly associated with Sicily, cannoli are crisp pastry tubes filled with a sweet ricotta-based filling.

They are another example of how travelling through different parts of Italy introduces you to completely different food traditions.

Food Is Part of the Italian Journey

Italy reminds us that travel is not only about monuments and museums.

It is also about sitting at a small table, trying something local and remembering where you were when you first tasted it.

Photograph the dish. Record the town or restaurant. Add the experience to your TravelPassport.

Years later, the memory of that meal may take you straight back to Italy.

Keep your travels. Keep your memories. Keep your story alive.**

What to Eat in Italy: Famous Italian Foods Every Traveller Should Try | TravelPassport

Discover famous Italian foods including pizza, carbonara, risotto, gelato and tiramisu, and explore the dishes that make travelling through Italy unforgettable.