Italian Food Ultimate Guide: Taste Authentic Dishes on Your Italy Tour

No one needs to worry about what to eat in Italy as there are so many choices, but someone might wonder how to eat authentic foods in the right places. This ultimate guide will help you find the best solution. All you need to do is take six minutes to read it.

Italian Food: More Than Just a Meal

In Italy, food is an integral part of art and culture, and not merely a meal. Every dish tells a unique story of tradition, creativity, and togetherness. From the artistry of hand-rolled pasta to the bold simplicity of a pizza, Italian food provides a window into the heart and soul of Italy. This laid-back yet passionate lifestyle turns food in Italy into a true expression of "la dolce vita" (which means "sweet life").

Map of Italian Foods

Must-Try Dishes and Their Origins

The diverse dishes in different regions, from farms to high-end restaurants, Italian food will never make you disappointed. Here is just a tiny part of the whole famous cuisine in Italy. Because each dish has its special taste, and different restaurants own its secret recipe. So, you need to travel to Italy again and again to taste more.

Classic Pasta in Rome

Carbonara, Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe... Rome provides so many kinds of pasta, making you want to stay a longer time here to try it all. Carbonara is a cheesy, savory, and salty dish made with eggs, Pecorino cheese, and guanciale, making it a masterpiece in Italy. Featuring a rich tomato sauce with guanciale and Pecorino, Amatriciana offers a savory umami flavor. With spaghetti or tonnarelli, pepper, Pecorino Romano, and salt, Cacio e Pepe showcases simple ingredients but unbeatable taste. Once you have tried it in Rome, it is not so easy to fall in love with other pasta.

Famous Foods in Bologna

As the foodie's heaven, the Culinary Capital Bologna is famous for Tortellini in broth, Prosciutto di Parma, Tagliatelle al Ragù, balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan cheese) and so on. If you don't want to miss any of the essential food in Bologna, contact Odynovo and your 1 on 1 travel expert will help you to arrange a customized itinerary to meet all your needs.

Parmigiano-Reggiano

Margherita Pizza in Naples

Pizza has always been deemed as the most popular and symbolic food in Italy. It is hard to refuse tasting Margherita Pizza in Naples. After all, Naples is the cradle of this delicacy. Combining fresh basil leaves, mozzarella cheese, and tomato sauce, these green, white, and red ingredients match the colors of the Italian flag perfectly. Try it and find out what's the difference between tasting in Naples and your country. BTW, there is a story behind this pizza that you will learn from your Odynovo tour guide.

Wine, Olive Oil, and Truffle in Tuscany

The eclectic natural conditions are very good for grapes, olives, and truffles. These three treasures are just like a trio, making Tuscany an enchanting place. The vineyards produce some of the world's finest wines, such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. A large proportion of Italian dishes are cooked in olive oil. The extra virgin olive oil in Tuscany is highly regarded both domestically and abroad. Of course, truffles are another important part of food in Tuscany, with the white truffles of San Miniato being especially prized. These iconic products make Tuscany a must-visit destination.

Grapes in Vineyard

Bistecca alla Fiorentina in Florence

Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine Steak) is the culinary highlight in Florence. With charred outside and rare inside, the juiciness of the meat features incredible natural flavors. You cannot imagine how tender and flavorful a T-bone steak can be, only after you taste Bistecca alla Fiorentina. As the steak is very big, you'd better enjoy it with someone together, or you can't finish it one time. Don't forget to order a bottle of wine from Tuscany. It will be the ideal match.

What Else

The lucky thing is: you can very easily find some toothsome food in Italy: Saffron risotto in Milan, Arancini in Sicily, Sarde in saor in Venice, Malloreddus (Sardinian Gnocchi) in Sardinia, Orecchiette in Puglia... Italy is also famous for its delicious treats, like tiramisu, gelato, and espresso. When you travel to Italy, you will have many chances to taste them one by one.

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Immersive Food Experiences

If you are a foodie, just eating the food in Italy is not enough. Why not go to see and learn how these foods are made? There are a variety of food activities, and you can only choose some of them to experience.

Visit Vineyards, Farms, and Factories

Explore Italy in another way by visiting vineyards, farms, or factories, and witness the production of staples such as olive oil, fresh cheeses, wine, and organic vegetables. You will also have a chance to join hands-on activities like cheese-making or grape harvesting. Such experiences enhance your impression of the unique charm of Italian food.

Attend Cooking Classes

Joining some cooking classes in Italy is a fast way to learn the essentials of Italian cuisine. In the main tourist destinations like Rome, Naples, Venice, Florence, etc, Odynovo will arrange different cooking classes for you. When you leave Italy, you may become a chef of pizza and pasta.

Join Food Festivals

Enthusiastic Italian love festivals. Thousands of festivals every year are held in Italy, including food festivals, of course. Let's see what you have heard before: Vinitaly, White Truffle Fair in Northern Italy Alba, Carnival of Ivrea, Chianti Wine Festival, Eurochocolate... Besides, you can also enjoy tasty food at big festivals like Venice Carnival.

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Tips for Planning Your Italy Food Tour

Find the Best Timing

Fresh and seasonal food is the best. If you want to savor the most authentic and delicious cuisine in Italy, make sure you are at the right time. Contacting your personal travel expert at Odynovo for the reference about your trip plan is a good idea.

Choose Suitable Restaurants

Choose the local trattorias to enjoy local food. There are lots of tourist restaurants in Italy everywhere. Some of them will reform the ingredients to cater to tourists from all over the world. On the one hand, you will no need to worry about hygiene and service; but on the other hand, it also means you may miss the authentic taste.

Combining Food and Sightseeing

Italy is a dream destination that blends culture, history, art, architecture and cuisine. Once you travel to Italy, you will enjoy a feast for both eyes and stomach. Do consider to combine your trip with food and sightseeing.

Discover Italian Food Your Way

Every food has its own culture behind it. If you learn more about this wonderful destination, you will love deeper about its food. Travel to Italy with Odynovo, you will not only taste the best foods but also experience the best Italy. Don't wait, click here to contact us now.