9 Must-Try Italian Food and Drinks on Your First Visit

Ciao! You’re finally in Italy, the Bel Paese known for its artistic heritage and beautiful landscapes. But beyond their history and geography, Italy is also home to world-renowned cuisine that anyone will love. 🤤

Read on to discover the most famous Italian dishes you need to try on your first visit!

Minestrone Soup is a hearty dish made of vegetables that Italians typically have during winter. It was once known as “poor man’s soup”, as the ingredients are based on the available vegetables. This flexibility allowed the soup to have numerous variations, reflecting Italy’s diverse cuisine per region.

If Minestrone Soup is a winter dish, then bruschetta is a summer one! It’s a crispy toasted bread topped with tomatoes, basil, or cheese. You can have it as a snack or as an appetizer to your meal.

In a list of the famous Italian dishes, obviously, pizza won’t be forgotten! But pizza’s a bit different in Italy. What we mean is, one whole pizza is meant for one customer - it’s all just for you!

The holy grail of pizzas is in the city of Naples, where you can’t miss out on Pizza Margherita and Neapolitan Pizza. You can go on this Naples Pizza Tasting Tour to have a local guide you!

If you want to bring home that authentic pizza taste, you might want to join this Pizza Cooking Class in Rome. 🍕

When it comes to the most famous Italian dishes, you can never go wrong with pasta! You probably know of lasagna and ravioli, but have you ever heard of tortellini? Tagliatelle al Ragù? There’s also the Lazio Region’s Cacio e Pepe, a cheese and pepper pasta dish that sounds simple but delicious!

You can discover great pasta restaurants on your own, or you can always choose to go on a food tour, like this Trastevere Food Tour in Rome! And if you don’t want to forget that traditional taste of Italian pasta, you might enjoy this Fresh Pasta Cooking Class. 🧑‍🍳

Gnocchi are little Italian dumplings that look like pasta and are even served and used like pasta in Italian cuisine.

We recommend trying Gnocchi alla Sorrentina and Gnocchi alla Romana. If you’re a seafood lover, there’s Gnocchi alla Pescatora and Gnocchi alla Scoglio. For vegetarians, you can try gnudi, which is a spinach gnocchi.

Osso Buco is a classic Italian dish that consists of cross-cut veal or beef shanks, braised with vegetables, white wine, and broth.

It’s served as the secondo piatto in a traditional Italian meal, which means you can drink a limoncello - a digestive - after eating.

Did you know that Italians voted tiramisù as their best dessert? There’s even a Tiramisù World Cup held annually in Treviso, Italy!

For those unfamiliar, tiramisù is a dessert made with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and sweet and creamy mascarpone, topped with cocoa powder. It’s a sweet treat that Italians regard as a national treasure!

We may be talking about famous Italian dishes, but that doesn’t mean we’re forgetting about one of the biggest things in Italian gastronomy: coffee!

Coffee is a big thing in Italy, with espresso, cappuccino, macchiato, and affogato originating in the country. Just a heads up - Italian coffee might taste different from your regular coffee, as it has a bolder, more intense bittersweet taste profile. It’s best to pair your coffee with a good cornetto. 🥐

Discover the best cafes in the area in this Espresso Walking Tour. If you want to make your own cup of coffee, there’s a Cappuccino and Tiramisu Cooking Class in Rome. ☕

Next to coffee, wine is another big thing in Italy. You can choose to taste Chianti’s red wine in this Half-Day Tour from Florence, or Lazio’s local wines in this Underground Cave Testing. You’ll not just have wine but also local treasures like artisan cheeses, cured meats, and extra virgin olive oil.

1. What are the most famous Italian dishes?

Some of the most popular Italian dishes are pastas, like ravioli, tagliatelle, and Cacio e Pepe. Aside from pasta, there’s also risotto, Pizza Margherita, gnocchi, Minestrone Soup, and tiramisù.

2. Is Italian food different by region?

Yes, Italian food is regional. The regions have distinct differences in ingredients, cooking styles, and signature dishes shaped by geography, climate, and history. It’s also why we recommend discovering Italian dishes by region!

3. What food should you try on your first trip to Italy?

We recommend tasting regional Italian dishes! For instance, there’s Naples’ Pizza Margherita and Neapolitan Pizza; Rome’s Cacio e Pepe; and Sicily’s arancini.

Of course, you can’t forgo a good dessert, such as tiramisù or gelato.

4. What are traditional Italian dishes locals eat?

If you want to eat like a local, then you still need to go for regional Italian cuisine! You can go for lesser-known specialties, like Trentino’s canederli and Naples’ spaghetti alle vongole.

5. Is it okay to eat while walking in Italy?

Italians aren’t fond of eating or drinking while walking, as mealtime is considered precious and a time for conversation. Even drinking coffee is no exception; you have to sit down and savor your cup.

(But it is okay to eat gelato while walking!)

These famous Italian dishes are the perfect introduction to Italy’s rich culinary scene. Whether you’re after the popular classics or the lesser-known regional specialties, you’re sure to fall with Italian food. ❤️