Exploring Italy’s Top Food Destinations 

Italy is known across the globe for its exquisite gastronomy, with each region and city offering its own unique, mouthwatering dishes. Going on a walking holiday in Italy is the best way to experience the peninsula’s authentic culture and cuisine offering. Here are the country’s top food destinations that should be on your holiday bucket list.  

Rome

Cucina Romana, Roman cuisine, is a culinary and cultural experience that should not be missed. The Italian capital will take you on a tasting tour, from the crispy fried artichokes found in the ancient Jewish quarter to delicious pasta such as carbonara and cacio e pepe at the traditional trattorias in the city’s historic center. 

Food lovers can get involved in cooking classes and explore the exciting street food markets to get a taste of local delights, including porchetta, fried cod fish and Roman pizza. This can all be sampled within view of iconic Roman landmarks such as the Colosseum, Pantheon and breathtaking Trevi Fountain. 

Florence

Renowned for its bistecca alla Fiorentina, a juicy Chianina beef steak, Florence is widely considered the birthplace of Italian gastronomy and one of the best cities in the world for art. This means you can enjoy exquisite dishes such as ribollita and pappardelle in wild boar sauce while surrounded by Renaissance masterpieces created by geniuses such as Michaelangelo and da Vinci.

Tuscan food pairs beautifully with a glass of robust Chianti red and your meal wouldn’t be complete without a scope or two of ice cream for dessert. Explore the neighborhoods of Sant’Ambrogio and Santa Croce to eat at some of the region’s best restaurants. 

Sicily

Fresh seafood, mouthwatering arancini and flavorful Sicilian pastries. That is what awaits you when you visit the island of Sicily. Take a trip to authentic trattorias and family-run restaurants to fill up panelle, grilled calamari and pasta con le sarde, the island’s signature dish. 

The Mercato del Capo food market and vibrant Kalsa quarter in Palermo are must-visits for foodies visiting Sicily looking to get an authentic taste of Sicilian cuisine. For dessert, treat yourself to cannolis, the king of Sicilian pastries, and cassata, a scrumptious sponge cake decorated with candied fruit, fresh ricotta, almond paste and sugar frosting. 

Venice

The iconic floating city is packed full of flavor and its cuisine has influences from different cultures around the world, particularly the Middle East. Naturally, Venice is renowned for its seafood dishes, with delicious standouts like risotto al nero di sepia, risotto with squid ink, and sarde in saor, deep-fried sardines marinated with onions, pine nuts, raisins and vinegar. 

Satiate your appetite at the atmospheric Rialto Market and in restaurants within the San Polo and Cannaregio districts.