Eat your way around Italy one region at a time
Good Housekeeping – Think of Italy, and its excellent cuisine is likely one of the first things that springs to mind. The birthplace of everything from pizza and pasta to burrata and ice cream, it’s a veritable mecca for foodies who travel from all over the world to sample the country’s culinary delights in situ. For it’s in Italy itself that the famous recipes and fabulous produce really come to life – and it’s no exaggeration to say that they taste a million times better here too.
As much as Italian restaurants and cook books might have us thinking otherwise, it’s important to note that there is no one unified national cuisine. Italy is in fact divided into 20 regions, each boasting its own signature dishes that are closely tied to the unique terroir, traditions and history of the area.
That’s why in Sicily you’ll find so many recipes featuring aubergine, for example, that was first introduced to the island with the Arab domination of the 9th century and now grows on the land in abundance – while somewhere further north and generally cooler will hardly use it at all. It’s also why you’d never find Venice’s famous sarde in saor or Trentino’s Germanic canederli dumplings anywhere beyond their borders… And why ‘real’ pizza can only come from Naples, where the sea and volcanic soil of Campania produce the plump tomatoes and creamy mozzarella needed for that perfect balance of flavours (just don’t bring it up with the Romans).
From much-loved classics to little-known regional recipes, there are so many delicious dishes to discover in Italy – making it the perfect place to visit for a food tour.
We’d recommend eating your way around the country one region at a time, taking the time to visit local producers and farms to see what goes on behind-the-scenes, before enjoying all the delicacies in an authentic trattoria, osteria or family-run eatery nearby.
So, if you’re looking to plan an Italian food tour in 2024, make sure you check out our list of the best regions for gourmands to visit in Italy – complete with tried-and-tested tips for making the most of your trip, as well as must-try dishes to tick off when you’re there.
What is the foodie region of Italy?
We’d argue that every region is Italy is a certified foodie region, but if we had to just choose one to shout about, it would have to be Emilia-Romagna. Located in the north of the country, it’s widely regarded as the food capital of Italy thanks to its rich gastronomic tradition and abundance of world-famous produce, including Parma ham, balsamic vinegar, Parmesan cheese, salami, tagliatelle pasta and piadina bread.
What are the must-try foods of Italy?
Each region has its own must-try foods that are specific to the location, which we’ve listed in our Italy food tour guide below. That said, there are some classics that you can’t leave the country without sampling – and we’ve specified where you’ll find each at its most authentic, too:
- Pizza – Naples
- Ice cream / gelato – Florence
- Spaghetti alla Carbonara – Rome
- Tiramisù – Treviso
- Tagliatelle al ragù – Bologna
- Arancini – Sicily
- Risotto alla Milanese – Milan
- Burrata – Puglia
- Fiorentina steak – Tuscany
- Cannoli – Sicily
- Porcini and truffles – Umbria
