10 Italy’s Best Food Cities (and the Meals We Can’t Stop Thinking About)

Wondering which cities in Italy serve the best food?

Truth is, you really can’t go wrong anywhere. Every Italian city—big or small—has its own culinary treasures. That’s why we keep coming back to Italy year after year, exploring flavours from the northern Alps all the way down to the southern coast.

Each trip takes us through some of the best food cities in Italy, from cosy trattorias hidden in the backstreets of Rome to seaside restaurants in Monopoli and tiny eateries in Florence serving unforgettable pasta.

The beauty of Italian cuisine lies in its regional variety—every area tells its story through local ingredients and proud traditions.

We love eating our way across Italy, discovering cities where every meal feels like a new memory. Some dishes surprise us, others comfort us, and a few we still dream about long after the trip is over.

This page is our little guide for fellow food lovers—full of tasty stories, favourite restaurants, top Italian foodie experiences, and insider tips from our regular trips through Italy. 

Here you can discover ways to enjoy the best food throughout Italy.

Beyond the delicious treats, these Italian food festivals—known as sagre—offer a charming glimpse into the traditions, stories, and local pride behind Italian cuisine. They're one of the best ways to experience Italy like a true local, tasting regional specialties right where they were born.

1. Rome: Where every meal tells a story

Rome is definitely one of the best cities in Italy for food. Roman cuisine, known as Cucina Romana, is simple yet varied and delicious.

On the menu, you'll find iconic pasta dishes such as carbonara, cacio e pepe, and amatriciana, to name a few. Carbonara—made with eggs, pecorino, guanciale (cured pork jowl), and black pepper—is one of the most popular.

You can even learn to make these pasta dishes from scratch with Chef Riccardo in Rome!

Alla Rampa dei Gracchi (Via dei Gracchi 90), not far from the Vatican, serves excellent pasta, meat and seafood dishes as well. We ate here: the food quality is superb and the service is top-notch. You’ll see many locals dining here, which is always a good sign. Prices are affordable as well.

See other great places where we love to eat in Rome.

When we’re craving something comforting but quick, we go for pizza bianca with mortadella—especially the one from Bonci, which is incredibly tasty.

We never skip the chance to eat crunchy pizza bianca filled with fragrant mortadella

Besides pizza al taglio (Bonci Pizzarium has one of the best), which is rectangular pizza cut into slices, Romans also have pinsa. It’s made with a mix of flours and comes in small oval portions.

When we stayed in Prati, we loved getting pinse from Pinsa 'Mpò (Via dei Gracchi 7). They bake each pinse when you order, so it’s always fresh. Perfect as a quick snack or light lunch.

Porchetta (that originates from Ariccia), the boneless pork stuffed with herbs and seasonings and slowly roasted, is another delicacies, you shouldn't miss in Rome.

Grab ready-to-eat porchetta panini or made it by yourself (buy a slice of porchetta at Trionfale Market together with some freshly baked focaccia).

Supplì are a classic Roman street food, perfect for grabbing on the go as you explore the city. Their crispy exterior and gooey mozzarella center make them an irresistible snack found in pizzerias, bakeries, and tiny fritterie all over Rome.

Pizza al taglio from Bonci Pizzarium is definitely worth the money

One of the most traditional Roman meat dishes is saltimbocca alla Romana—pan-fried veal cutlets wrapped in prosciutto and flavoured with fresh sage. Rome is also famous for offal dishes, such as trippa alla Romana, which you should try at least once.

Flavio al Velavevodetto in Testaccio is the perfect place to taste these dishes, as they serve authentic Roman cuisine, away from tourist crowds.

Roman cuisine doesn’t lack vegetarian dishes. Just think of fiori di zucca fritti (zucchini flowers filled with ricotta and anchovies) or deep-fried artichokes—typical of the Jewish Ghetto—whose leaves are crisp and salty like potato chips while the heart remains tender.

Rome is a dream destination for food lovers—especially when it comes to desserts.  We especially love cornetti, the Italian version of croissants—our must-try flavours are custard and pistachio.

Pasticcerie all over Rome offer an incredible selection of pastries, mini tarts, cookies, and other traditional Italian sweets. Choosing just one is nearly impossible. You should also try bomboloni, the soft and fluffy Italian doughnuts filled with cream, chocolate, or jam.

Although cannoli originate from Sicily and sfogliatelle from Campania, you can easily find them in Rome’s best pastry shops.

For an authentic Sicilian-style cannolo, we recommend I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza near Campo de’ Fiori, famous for its pastries, sweets, and savoury snacks.

Another iconic treat you can’t miss in Rome is the maritozzo, a sweet bun stuffed with whipped cream and traditionally enjoyed for breakfast.

And of course, no food trip to Italy is complete without gelato. Our favourite gelato spots in Rome are Hedera Gelateria near the Vatican and Venchi near the Spanish Steps. For the perfect flavour combination, go for chocolate and pistachio.

Best foodie things to do in Rome

👍 You should try one of these foodie walks, especially if it’s your first time in Rome!

We joined two Roman food tours—one in the morning in Prati and another in the evening in the Jewish Ghetto and Campo de’ Fiori. Both were brilliant and offered us something unique.

When in Rome, we love to visiting bustling Trionfale Market, full of colourful displays of fresh produce, aromatic ready-made food and all delicacies.

2. From mortadella to tortellini: Bologna's edible excellence

We placed Bologna as one of the best food cities in Italy for reason. The city and sourrunding area are all dedicated to food production. Some call it food capital of Italy!

Many delicious food products, such as Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan cheese), Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham) and Aceto Balsamico di Modena (balsamic vinegar), originate from here. Many of the historic dairies, farms, vineyards and artisanal botteghe (workshops) that produce these ingredients are open for tours and tastings, making it perfect for foodies who want an educational, behind-the-scenes experience.

Bologna doesn't lack amazing food places - this lively city is home to a huge number of restaurants, enoteca and food shops specialising in mortadella, balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano from neighbouring region as well as prosciutto di Parma. 

Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna region is home to ragù alla bolognese, a meat-based ragu which is served with tagliatelle pasta. You should try here also lasagne verde and tortellini in brodo, as well as tigelle (bread pockets filled with cured meat and cheeses). 

You can spend weeks trying delicious food here - don't miss Cotoletta alla Bolognese (delicious fried breaded veal cutlets, topped with prosciutto and Parmigiano and covered with broth and butter).

Many of the historic dairies, farms, vineyards and artisanal botteghe (workshops) that produce these ingredients are open for tours and tastings, making it perfect for foodies who want an educational, behind-the-scenes experience.

Bologna is the place to go for pasta dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù, lasagne verde and tortellini in brodo, as well as tigelle (bread pockets filled with cured meat and cheeses).

While staying in Bologna, make a train trips to wonderful little cities such as Parma (Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Culatello), Modena (do a Balsamic Vinegar tour) or Ferrara (try cappellacci alla zucca and salama de sugo).

While in Emilia, try passatelli in brodo, consisting of a meat broth filled with dumplings made from cheese, bread and eggs. Another great dish is gramigna al sugo di salsiccia, curly-shaped pasta combined with a simple sausage ragù made with pork sausage, tomatoes and wine.

We'd also recommend heading a little off the beaten track to visit the cities like Ravenna, Ferrara, Piacenza and Cesena for equally fabulous food in a quieter and more authentic setting. 

Alternatively, you can leave all the hard work to the experts and simple book organised week food tour. It includes everything from exclusive factory visits and cooking lessons, to museum visits, overnight stays in great hotels.

3. Monopoli - the southern Italy foodie gem

The first thing we discovered about Monopoli was that we would eat great seafood here (by the fishing boats in the harbour) and taste extra-virgin olive oil (after seeing countless olive trees while arriving by train from Bari; a 30-minute flight from Dubrovnik in Croatia).

Orecchiette al ragù from Il Vicoletto in Monopoli were heavenly

We loved eating at Il Vicoletto (Via Orazio Comes 56), which offers delicious local food. We tried fritto misto di mare and cavatelli with mussels — both yummy. We also sampled spaghetti all’assassina (very spicy) and orecchiette al ragù (melt-in-your-mouth good).

The real discovery was puccia! A typical Apulian flatbread. We found the best one at the Cala & Fuci Street Food Gourmet (on Via Roma, one of the main streets), where we had the one with grilled octopus and zucchini. It was huge, enough for a full meal, and not too expensive (€9).

The puccia from Cala & Fuci in Monopoli was a generous and delicious meal for us

We also took the opportunity to buy some salami and prosciutto from Che Buono di Tota Anna – a local food store. They always slice everything very thinly, and you can also buy amazing panini there.

You need to wait a bit for them to make the panzerotti at Madia, but it’s worth it. You’ll get a freshly fried dough pocket filled with anything you like for only €4–5. We loved the ones filled with mortadella and pistachio grains the most.

The pasticciotti from Martinucci (only 5-minute walk from Casa Mia) were heavenly, available in various flavours. We loved them all, but our favourites were the pistachio ones and the lemon-cream ones topped with almond flakes.

The food here feels as fresh as the breeze — honest, unfussy, and full of southern warmth. Monopoli may be small, but it’s proof that some of Italy’s best food cities are found off the beaten path. We think Monopoli is definitely one of South Italy’s top food cities.

4. Feast in Florence: Where Florentine steak, crostini, and Chianti create food paradise

Florence is not only the city of art and culture, but also one of the best cities in Italy for food.

The Tuscan cuisine uses simple, home-grown ingredients cooked just right in old-fashioned recipes. Some famous "poor" dishes are pappa al pomodoro, torta di ceci, panzanella, and crostini. Lampredotto sandwiches, made from cow stomach, show how they use every part of the animal. They're worth trying.

Be sure to visit the Mercato Centrale, Florence’s main indoor food market, to see the best produce from Tuscan region and to snack some cheese and cured meats. Here you can grab a lampredotto panini or schiacciata sanwich with your favourite filling.

Wine lovers will be happy too, with lots of great local wines to choose from. If you want something more casual, try a big Fiorentina steak in one of Florence's old steakhouses. After that, take a walk by the river with some homemade gelato. It's the perfect way to enjoy Tuscan food!

The juicy T-bone steak traditionally made from Chianina beef. It’s often served with cannellini beans - another Tuscan staple. Robust chianti reds go perfectly with plates of pappardelle in a wild boar sauce. 

You'll find all these dishes in the local trattorias in the city of Florence. For finding the best ones, book a guided food tour! Or take a cooking class, and learn how to prepare something by yourself!

As for dessert, ice-cream fans will be pleased to know that gelato was invented here, so you know you’ll get some of the best scoops in Italy. We recommend La Gelateria La Carraia (close to Ponte Carraia), bright and cute gelateria offering amazing gelato (and less pricey than the other ones). Or opt for Venchi gelato, if you find yourself near Piazza della Signoria.

Where to stay in Florence? We recommend Casa di Chiara, the super comfortable and stylish apartment, with the best possible hosts. We're sure you'll love staying here!

Read also: How Many Days to Spend in Florence

5. Savour Venice: A food lover's paradise of risotto, seafood, and cicchetti

Venice may be famous for its canals and romance, but it’s also one of Italy’s most delicious food destinations. Its cuisine is shaped by the lagoon, centuries of spice-route trade, and a tradition of turning simple ingredients into memorable meals.

Seafood is at the heart of Venetian cooking: sweet lagoon shrimp, soft-shell moleche, razor clams, and creamy baccalà mantecato spread on warm bread. Step into a traditional bacaro and you’ll find cicchetti, Venice’s irresistible bite-sized snacks, best enjoyed with a spritz or a glass of local wine.

Historic influences appear in dishes like sarde in saor, with sweet-and-sour notes from raisins, onions, and pine nuts—flavors that echo Venice’s past as a global trading hub. Classic risottos, like risi e bisi or black risotto al nero di seppia, showcase the city’s refined simplicity.

A stroll through the Rialto Market reveals the soul of Venetian food culture, from glistening fish to island-grown artichokes. And no visit is complete without a sweet treat: Carnival frittelle, creamy zabaione, or buttery bussolai from Burano.

For a unique experience, venture to Mazzorbo island's Venissa, where you'll find an enclosed vineyard growing the historic Dorona di Venezia grape, a charming wine resort, and the innovative cuisine of Chiara Pavan and Francesco Brutto, who create sustainable dishes in a stunning lagoon-side garden.

Similar commitment to quality can be found at Al Covo, which has thoughtfully evolved to showcase the finest seafood and vegetables from Sant'Erasmo.

No visit to Venice is complete without sampling cicchetti - traditional small plates paired with an ombra (small wine glass) at the city's bàcari (wine bars). For the best experience, visit the classic Cantine del Vino già Schiavi or the modern natural wine bar Vino Vero.

In Venice, food is history, culture, and beauty on a plate—making it one of Italy’s most unforgettable cities for every food lover.

6. From cotoletta to panettone: Milan emerges as Italy's true gastronomic capital

Milan deserves a place on the list of the best food destinations in Italy. It's famous for risotto alla Milanese, risotto with saffron or the heartier osso bucco, which is a dish of slow-cooked veal shanks. In Milan you can enjoy "aperitivo hour" - where for the price of a drink, you can help yourself to an astonishing number of free buffet snacks.

Did you know that panettone is invented in Milan? So be sure to visit one of artisanal producers and get this soft sweet bread Italian eat and give each other during Christmas time. You'll have a slice of delicious panettone from Tre Marie along a cup of coffee. They offer various flavours, and are very affordable (750g for 18 Euros). Tre Marie store can be found in San Babila, which is a short walk from the Duomo. We love their panettone with almond paste and lemon, topped with sweet crunchy topping!

Worth a read: One Day in Milan

7. Bergamo's culinary treasures: From casoncelli to polenta e osei

The city of Bergamo is definitely worth visiting for its food. This Lombardian city, situated close to Milan, offers authentic food you'll find in local trattorias and other venues. One of the food highlights are casoncelli alla bergamasca, candy-shaped pasta filled with pork or beef, tossed into butter and sage sauce, and sprinkled with crunchy pancetta.

Polenta e osei - little sponge cakes with chocolate hazelnut cream

The local specialty is called loanghìna in dialect, a long, thin sausage, simply rolled up and pinned with toothpicks before grilling to keep it’s shape — served with creamy polenta or in a panino.

In pastry shop windows you'll notice bright yellow dome-shaped cakes in various sized. These are polenta e osei, sponge cakes filled with hazelnut and chocolate cream and topped with little chocolate in a shape of bird (buy them from Nessi, pasticceria you'll find once you debark from the cable car at Citta Alta).

Did you know that stracciatella gelato is invented in Bergamo. Visit La Marianna gelateria to try the creamiest stracciatella, made with fresh milk and cream and enriched with pieces of dark chocolate. Another great place for tasting stracciatella is La Romana Gelateria (Via G. Tiraboschi 42) at Citta Bassa.

8. Naples – Home of pizza, fried treats, and fresh seafood

The Naples is famous for its pizza Napoletana made with San Marzano tomatoes creamy mozzarella and basil. But it's not all about the pizza in Naples, as it is popular for deep-fried food, starting from frittatine di pasta, fried calamari or sardines, fritters (made of the similar dough like pizza). Buy these delights from the stalls at Pignasecca market.

At seafood restaurants of the classy Chiaia waterfront district, you'll find another local speciality - spaghetti alle vongole (clams). Finish it off with limoncello made from lemons picked along the Amalfi Coast.

Popular Naples food are: Ziti alla Genovese, Sartù di riso, Pasta patate e provola, Cavaiuoli. Also some classic cheeses like Mozzarella di Bufala, Provola, Scamorza.

Take a guided food tour to try the best food of Naples.

9. Palermo

The island of Sicily, and particularly its capital Palermo, gives you an experience of street food like no other Italian city. Head to the lively Kalsa quarter, where you can watch fish, prawns and calamari being grilled on giant barbecues. Plus, here you can try Sicilian fried snacks, such as arancini (fried risotto balls), panelle (chickpea flour fritters) and potato croquettes. At Palermo, visit the Mercato del Capo, food market that takes you to the heart of Sicilian food. Here you can try pasta con sarde - spaghetti with sardines and fennel.

Sicilian caponata is a tasty salad or relish made of eggplant with onions, celery, and tomatoes and augmented with tangy olives and capers.

Can I add real Sicilian granita with homemade panna to this list. With a fresh baked brioche. I’ve tried so many versions throughout the north and somehow it’s never quite the same as getting it in Sicily.

10. Genoa (and Cinque Terre)

We have to mention Genoa as one of the best food cities in Italy. Pesto sauce comes from this city, as well as focaccia bread, two edible treasures we adore. Throughout the streets of city's Centro Storico, there's no shortage of tiny cafés, where you can snack on focaccia as well as farinata, oven-baked flatbread made with chickpea flour.

It's also full of local trattorias, serving authentic plates, such as pesto with trofie pasta or the ravioli-like pansotti with walnut sauce (another local favority). On the stalls of huge Mercato Orientale, you'll find the best Ligurian olives, fresh pastas, meats and much more.

The Cinque Terre - a pretty string of seaside villages linked by leafy cliff-top trails are popular among tourists in Italy. Sestri’s cobbled streets are full of street-food vendors selling farinata (local chickpea bread), thin crusty pizza and gelato that’s good enough to make you flee the beach, with seasonal street markets offering local treats like marmellate (preserves) made with figs, blueberries and citrus, and focaccia di Recco (filled with creamy crescenza or stracchino cheese).

Love Italy? You’ll enjoy these too:

• Florence on a budget
• Best places to stay in Rome
• Pasta-making classes in Italy
• Rome to Florence day trip

Benvenuti!

Join us as we wander through Italy, tasting incredible food and discovering hidden — and well-loved — gems along the way

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