Best Italian Food: 40 Best Italian Dishes And Traditional Food In Italy To Try

Last updated on April 17th, 2025 at 03:38 am

Best Italian Food: 40 Best Italian Dishes And Traditional Food In Italy To Try

We will write about Italian food with the best 40 Italian dishes and traditional food to eat in Italy! Traditional Italian cuisine is undoubtedly the most well-known and famous in Europe if not the entire world. 

Italian cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine made up of ingredients, recipes, and cooking techniques that have been established on the Italian Peninsula since antiquity and eventually disseminated around the world thanks to waves of Italian diaspora.

Traditional Italian food is known for its simplicity, with a strong emphasis on fresh, high-quality, seasonal ingredients. Of course, pizza and pasta are synonymous with Italian food around the world. Italian food is delicate yet filling!

Read here vegetarian food in Italy, best drinks in Italy and best breakfast in Italy

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BEST ITALIAN FOOD: BEST ITALIAN DISHES AND TRADITIONAL FOOD IN ITALY TO TRY

BEST ITALIAN DISHES: TRADITIONAL FOOD IN ITALY

1. PIZZA

Pizza is possibly the most popular and representative food in Italy. Despite the fact that a slab of flatbread served with oil and spices existed long before the unification of Italy. Pizzas are so delicious as you can imagine and prices are around €10.

2. LASAGNA

Lasagna is a famous Italian traditional food that has been altered and evolved all over the world. Lasagna has beef ragu and veggies that are placed between pasta sheets and bechamel sauce, then topped with cheeses, most commonly parmesan or mozzarella and baked.

3. PASTA CARBONARA

Pasta Carbonara is a classic spaghetti dish that is often linked with Italian cuisine and is enjoyed all over the world. Carbonara is made by whisking raw eggs with pecorino romano or parmesan cheese, then combining to hot pasta with fried guanciale pork cheek and black pepper.

4. FIORENTINA STEAK

Fiorentina steak is a delicious one if you love meat. Fiorentina steak contains all of the best aspects of Italian cuisine, a specific cut of meat from a specific cow, prepared in a very specific manner, all within the limits of a certain location. A T-bone steak cut thick at least 5 cm from the loin of a Chianina cow bred in Tuscany is known as a Fiorentina steak.

5. RISOTTO

Risotto is a one of a kind and unrestrained component of traditional Italian cuisine. Risotto is a creamy rice dish made with saffron, butter, wine, and onion in a broth. Depending on the region, meat, fish, and vegetables such as shrimp, cuttlefish, peas, mushroom, chicken, bacon or chorizo may be added.

6. BOLOGNESE PASTA

Bolognese pasta is a true Italian classic with a savory, chilli sauce that’s extremely easy to make. Bolognese is an Italian meat-based sauce named after the city of Bologna.

7. BOTTARGA

Bottarga is a salted, cured fish roe delicacy made from the roe of grey mullet or bluefin tuna. The most well-known variant is made in the Mediterranean; Japanese karasumi, which is softer, and Korean eoran, made from mullet or freshwater drum, are related delicacies.

8. RAVIOLI

Ravioli are a form of pasta with a filling encased in a thin layer of pasta dough. They started as a traditional Italian dish, usually served in broth or with a sauce. Ravioli are generally square, but various shapes, such as round and semi-circular, are occasionally used.

9. TORTELLINI

Tortellini are little packed pasta bundles that have earned the moniker “belly button” due to their shape. Tortellini are typically packed with meat prosciutto or pork loin and or cheese, then served in a broth.

10. AGNOLOTTI

Agnolotti is a type of stuffed pasta created by stuffing pasta dough with roast meat or vegetables and served it with a basic sauce that does not overpower the flavor. The key distinction between Agnolotti and ravioli is that Agnolotti is created using folded over pasta rather than two square pieces like ravioli.

11. RIBOLLITA

Ribollita is a traditional Tuscan bread soup prepared with veggies and bread. Ribollita is a tasty, nutritious soup made from stale bread and a variety of vegetables that is more than the sum of its parts.

12. PROSCIUTTO

Prosciutto is simply hot, uncooked ham cut thinly into slices and served as an antipasto in Italian meals. Prosciutto is a pig’s thigh or hind leg that is wrapped around a breadstick or grissini and served with melon.

13. ARANCHINI

Arancini are crispy, deep-fried Sicilian rice balls that are tasty. The meat sauce and mozzarella cheese filling of arancini is coated in a crunchy breadcrumb crust.

14. GNOCCHI

Gnocchi, a type of Italian dumpling that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Gnocchi are prepared with little lumps of dough made with semolina, regular wheat flour, egg, cheese, potato, breadcrumbs, cornmeal, or other similar materials, as well as herbs, vegetables and other seasonings.

15. PORCHETA

Porchetta is a typical Italian boneless pork roasted that is juicy and flavorful. Porchetta is traditionally a celebratory dish, but due to its delectability and popularity, it is now also a popular street food, commonly eaten on its own or as a sandwich filling.

16. PANZELLA

Panzanella, an Italian salad made of stale, moist bread, tomatoes, onions, or basil, and a vinegar and olive oil dressing. Panzanella is a Tuscan specialty that is typically served in the summer, when fresh summer vegetables are in bloom.

17. OSSOBUCO

Ossobuco or osso buco is Italian for “bone with a hole,” where osso refers to the marrow hole in the center of the cross-cut veal shank and buco refers to the hole. The world-famous ossobuco is a bone-in veal shank cooked low and slow in a stew of beef stock, white wine, and vegetables until meltingly soft.

18. ORECCHIETTE

Orecchiette gets its name from the form of a tiny ear. This orecchiette pasta meal is flavorful and easy to prepare, and the entire family devours it, broccoli and all.

19. MORTADELLA

Mortadella is an Italian mixed sausage that originated in Bologna. It’s made with cured pork cubes containing at least 15% pork fat, whole or chopped pistachios, and black pepper and myrtle berries. Mortadella’s trademark white “polka dot” look comes from the additional fat content.

20. FRITTO MISTO

Fritto misto is the Italian equivalent of Japanese tempura which translates to mixed fried, and typically comprises a variety of things such as meats, vegetables, and shellfish. Fritto misto must be cooked fresh and served right away.

21. EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA

Eggplant Parmigiana or also known as Parmigiana di Melanzane is the ultimate comfort food. Eggplant Parmigiana consists of tomato sauce, basil, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese are baked with fried aubergines or eggplant.

22. BRUSCHETTA

Bruschetta is an Italian antipasto made of grilled bread that has been coated with garlic and sprinkled with olive oil and salt. Toppings for bruschetta include tomato, veggies, beans, cured meat, and cheese.

23. COTOLETTA ALLA MILANESE

Cotoletta Alla Milanese is an easy dish that involves breading beef and frying it in butter. However, like with any Italian food, the secret to its success is simplicity. Cotoletta Alla Milanese is a traditional Lombard dish that is also iconic of Milan.

24. FOCACCIA

Focaccia is a flat, oven-baked Italian bread that resembles pizza in style and texture and it’s also known as “pizza bianca” in some locations. Focaccia can be used as a bread for sandwiches or as a side dish.

25. TRUFFLES

In Italy, truffles are known as ‘tartufo.’ Truffles can grow up to six inches underground and can be found under a variety of tree types, including poplar, oak, hazelnut, and willow.

26. MOZARELLA

Mozzarella is a typical southern Italian cheese created by the pasta filata method from the milk of Italian buffaloes. Mozzarella is typically white, but depending on the animal’s diet, it can turn a little yellow when seasoned.

27. GORGONZOLA CHEESE

Gorgonzola cheese is a veined blue cheese created from unskimmed cow’s milk that comes originated from Italy. Gorgonzola cheese might be buttery or hard, crumbly and salty, and it can have a “bite” from its blue veining.

BEST ITALIAN FOOD: ITALIAN CUISINE DESSERTS TO TRY

28. AFFOGATO

Affogato, which means “drowned” in Italian, is essentially ice cream drowned in coffee. Affogato looks and tastes nice, but it just takes a few minutes to prepare.

29. CANNOLI

Cannoli are Italian desserts made up of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough filled with a sweet, creamy filling, usually ricotta, and are a popular Sicilian delicacy. Cannoli come in small sizes but so delicious.

30. GELATO

Gelato is a must-try on any vacation to Italy! Gelato is a frozen treat that originated in Italy. Gelato is created with 3.25 percent butterfat whole milk and sugar as the foundation. Gelato is what you always want to have at summer time in Italy.

31. PANNA COTTA

Panna cotta is a gelatin-thickened sweetened cream dish that is formed. Coffee, vanilla, or other flavorings can be added to the cream.

32. SFOGLIATELLA

Sfogliatella is a type of pastry that resembles a croissant but is fashioned like a lobster tail. Sweet ingredients like orange flavored ricotta, candied citron peel, or almond paste are commonly used in sfogliatella.

33. TIRAMISU

Tiramisu is the most popular Italian dessert with a coffee flavor. Tiramisu is prepared with ladyfingers dipped in coffee and covered with a cocoa-flavored whipped mixture of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese. 

34. TORTA DELLA NONNA

Torta della Nonna is the most exquisite Italian custard dessert, which is created with sweet short crust, Italian pastry cream, and pine nuts. Fill a delicate pastry casing with a decadent chocolate ricotta filling with a hint of citrus from orange zest.

ITALIAN DRINKS: WHAT DRINKS IN ITALY TO TRY

35. NEGRONI

A Negroni is a cocktail composed with one part gin, one part Campari, and one part red vermouth, garnished with an orange slice. This classic Negroni, Italian drink has become one of the most popular in the world.

36. BELLINI

Bellini is named after Giovanni Bellini, a notable 15th-century artist. The Bellini was created just for this occasion and quickly acquired popularity, particularly among members of the art community who frequented Harry’s Bar.

37. APEROL SPRITZ

Aperol spritz, another fantastic classic Italian cocktail. This drink, like the Americano, substitutes Aperol for Campari. Aperol spritz has an orange color, is slightly sweeter, and has a lower alcohol content. It’s ideal for the summer months for this!

38. AMARETTO

Amaretto is a sweet Italian liquor that comes from Saronno. Amaretto may be produced using apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or almonds, depending on the brand, all of which are natural sources of the benzaldehyde that gives the liquor its almond flavor.

39. COFFEE ESPRESSO

Espresso coffee is the Italian word for Caffè , and it is thought to have originated in Kaffa, Ethiopia’s coffee-growing region.

40. LIMONCELLO

Limoncello is usual of the Amalfi coast, its the beautiful area round the Naples. Traditionally, limoncello is made from Sorrento lemons, which are huge and flavorful, making it a really unique Italian product.

Hope you liked our Italian food blog post. Which one in the list of Italian dishes is your favorite? Did you like traditional food in Italy and Italian cuisine? Let us know in the comments below.

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