8 Best Destinations in Italy for Food: Top Cities & Culinary Regions

Italy has been our go-to food paradise for over 20 years. Having traveled to nearly every region, we’ve uncovered where to find some of the best food in Italy. While this post only scratches the surface of where to eat in Italy, it will certainly help you plan the ultimate foodie tour of Italy.

Italian cuisine is fundamentally regional, with every city and territory defined by distinct microclimates, ancestral cooking techniques, and certified DOP/IGP food heritage. From the fresh egg pasta and artisanal cured meats of Emilia-Romagna (Bologna, Modena, and Parma) to wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, Ligurian pesto, Piedmontese truffles, and the ancient culinary traditions of Puglia and Sardinia, these 8 destinations offer Italy’s most rewarding gastronomic experiences.

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Quick Facts: 8 Best Food Destinations in Italy

After 20+ years of traveling in Italy, we came up with our list of the best cities in Italy for food. Okay, it’s really six cities and two regions!

Food Destination	Region & Geography	Culinary Identity & Style	Iconic Dishes & Must-Try Specialties
Bologna	Emilia-Romagna (Central North)	The culinary capital (“La Grassa”); rich egg pastas & cured pork.	Tagliatelle al Ragù, Lasagna Verde, Mortadella Bologna IGP, Gramigna con Salsiccia.
Modena	Emilia-Romagna (Po River Plain)	Artisanal aging traditions & historic covered food markets.	Traditional Balsamic Vinegar DOP, Tortellini in Brodo, Gnocco Fritto, Lambrusco.
Parma	Emilia-Romagna (Food Valley)	World-renowned capital of protected charcuterie and cheese.	Prosciutto di Parma DOP, Culatello di Zibello DOP, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Torta Fritta.
Turin (Torino)	Piedmont (Northwest / Alpine)	Royal Savoy heritage, slow food roots, rich cheeses, and chocolate.	Bagna Càuda, Tajarin Pasta, Agnolotti del Plin, Bicerin, Barolo Wine.
Genoa (Genova)	Liguria (Italian Riviera)	Coastal street foods, fragrant herbs, and wood-fired flatbreads.	Pesto Genovese DOP, Focaccia Genovese, Farinata di Ceci, Corzetti Pasta.
Naples (Napoli)	Campania (Southern Coast)	Global pizza capital, vibrant street friggitorie, and fresh seafood.	Pizza Napoletana STG, Pizza Portafoglio, Frittatine di Pasta, Sfogliatella, Babà al Rum.
Puglia	Southern Adriatic Peninsula	Rustic cucina povera, sun-ripened produce, ancient breads, and olive oil.	Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa, Burrata di Andria, Panzerotti, Pane di Altamura DOP.
Sardinia (Sardegna)	Mediterranean Island	Ancient Blue Zone diet, pastoral mountain meats, and coastal seafood.	Su Porcheddu (roast suckling pig), Culurgiones, Malloreddus, Pane Carasau, Seadas.

Planning Your Food-Focused Italian Bucket List

Italy checks all the boxes for a destination with vibrant food cultures, food markets and museums, incredible architecture, rich history, and fine-dining restaurants. 

However, you must plan to get the best out of your trip. The first thing to decide is when to go to Italy. The winter is good for Alpine ski resorts, autumn is suitable for wine harvest, summer for beach vacations, and spring for road trips. The good thing about traveling to Italy for food is that is a year-round activity.

How To Choose Where To Go In Italy For Food

You should also identify where you want to go. But to enjoy all the various dishes, you should travel to all the regions: northern, central, and southern Italy. Though it may be challenging to visit all the provinces at once, the ultimate foodie tour of Italy should include all of them.

You can leverage search apps and tools to find the ideal locations and make reservations whenever needed. Check the schedule and opening hours of the places you intend to visit. Finally, it would be best if you learned the dining customs and etiquette of the locals.

We can help you with some shortcuts. We’ve been traveling to Italy for over twenty years and we chose our favorite food cities in Italy to help you make an informed decision.

Planning a trip to Italy? Get our Italy trip packing list.

How To Book Hotels In Italy

In the 20+ years of traveling to Italy, we’ve learned a thing or two about booking a hotel in Italy. We’ve stayed at some stunning hotels like the Westin Excelsior Rome and St. Regis in Florence. And we’ve stayed at some not-so-great hotels mainly around train stations in Italy. Do yourself a favor and avoid hotels near train stations at all costs.

When planning a trip to Italy, we use Booking.com for our accommodations. In addition to booking hotels, we’ve used them for booking apartments for longer stays or booking villas in Italy when we want something special. We’ve even found some charming and less expensive guest houses in Italy on Booking.com.

The 8 Best Italian Destinations For Food Lovers

Italy is a perfect destination for a food tour because it offers various regional cuisines. We have listed the best destinations for your Italy food tour. 

Bologna

Bologna is widely celebrated as Italy’s undisputed culinary capital (La Grassa), world-famous for handcrafted fresh egg pasta, silky Mortadella IGP, and rich slow-simmered ragù.

Amber and I fell in love with Bologna after our first visit back in 2010. We first learned about Bologna after watching No Reservations and couldn’t believe our eyes. Here’s a city responsible for lasagna, mortadella, and tagliatelle al ragu and we haven’t been there? Our first trip wasn’t our last trip. We’ve visited Bologna and the rest of Emilia-Romagna nearly a dozen times.

For us, Bologna is THE culinary capital of Italy. Don’t even try arguing with us, you won’t change our minds. With the nickname “la Grassa” (the Fat One), you can tell people in Bologna take their food seriously. The sheer volume of food is staggering with tons of trattorias, restaurants, and food markets throughout the city.

Why Travel To Bologna For Food

As we said, Bologna, as well as the region of Emilia-Romagna, has arguably the best food in Italy. The region is home to many DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) food products. This ensures the highest quality ingredients are being used. For any tourist on a foodie tour of Italy, Bologna has to be your first and last stop. It’s home to classic Italian ingredients including mortadella.

If you are looking for the best culinary Italian experience, Bologna is the place to go. You’ll find everything from high-end Michelin Star dining to family-run restaurants. Even after nearly a dozen trips to Bologna, we are still discovering new places to experience.

Things To Know About Bologna

• What to eat in Bologna: lasagna verde or tagliatelle ragu
• Where to eat in Bologna if you only have one meal: Trattoria Bertozzi, Via Andrea Costa, 84/2, is a real local restaurant outside of the city center, but still walking distance
• Where to stay in Bologna: For luxury try i Portici (which has a Michelin Star Restaurant) or for contemporary apartments in the city center try Design Club Collection.

Are You Heading To Bologna? Check Out Our Full Bologna Food Guide to learn what to eat in Bologna

Modena

Modena is a gastronomic powerhouse in Emilia-Romagna renowned for century-old Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale DOP, steaming bowls of Tortellini in Brodo, and warm Gnocco Fritto.

Italian food products from Modena are some of the most famous. Some of these food products are what Italy is famous for. Modena is known for its rich cuisine, wonderful cheese, and barrel-aged balsamic vinegar. Tourists on a food tour in Italy flock to this city to sample flavors that cannot be replicated anywhere else.  

Why Travel To Modena For Food

Some of the most significant heritage foods anyone on a foodie tour of Italy should sample are prosciutto ham and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. 

Prosciutto is a cured ham and can either be di Parma or di Modena, depending on its origin. The ham comes from Italian-raised pigs and is salted, cured, and aged. Its flavor makes it a must-have dish if you are on Italian food travel. 

Also called the king of cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP can only be produced across 5 strictly defined provinces: Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna west of the Reno River, and Mantua south of the Po River. The process used in making this cheese is different and makes it so good and unique that lactose-intolerant people can consume it.

Things To Know About Modena

• What to eat in Modena: tortellini in brodo or gnocco fritto with mortadella
• Where to eat in Modena if you have one day: Trattoria Aldina is one of the best restaurants because it focuses on Modenese cuisine. Pasta is one of their best dishes and a slow-roasted pork shin known as stinco. 
• What to do in Modena: Be sure to visit the local food market, Mercato Albinelli, loaded with fresh vegetables and fruits from Italy.
• Where to stay in Modena: Best Western Modena for a good value or the PHI Hotel Modena for a more luxury stay.

Are You Heading To Modena? Check out our recommendations for the best restaurants in Modena.

Parma

Parma is the heart of Italy’s “Food Valley,” recognized globally for producing the king of cured hams (Prosciutto di Parma DOP) and the prized Culatello di Zibello DOP.

Parma, Italy is an excellent destination if you want to find the best food in Italy and is a perfect destination for anyone who wants to understand Italian cuisine. There are numerous food museums to visit if you are on an Italy food tour.

Why Travel To Parma For Food

Prosciutto di Parma DOP is a cured meat you must have if you want real culinary Italy experiences. This meat is generally Parma ham, and its production is highly regulated and limited to the area around Parma. This ham has only four ingredients: Italian pigs, air, salt, and time.

Culatello di Zibello DOP, the king of Salumi, is another must-try dish. It has more strict regulations than prosciutto, thus more difficult to produce. Culatello is aged for at least ten months in a cantina or cave, with exposure to the fog and air of the Po River.

You can enjoy your prosciutto served with a variety of bread, such as the fluffy torta fritta. But where can you taste these Parma delicacies? Ristorante Gallo D’Oro focuses on the local cuisine of the region. 

Things To Know About Parma

• What to eat in Parma: Parma ham or culatello for cured meat lovers
• Where to eat in Parma: Sorelle Picchi Trattoria Salumeria, Strada Luigi Carlo Farini, for cured meats or Antica Corte Pallavicina, Polesine Parmense, outside of the city for a true Parma foodie experience.
• Where to stay in Parma: Palazzo della Rosa for a more luxury experience or the Best Western Farnese for a value hotel

Are You Heading To Parma? Check recommendations for what to eat in Parma.

Turino

Turin (Torino) is the capital of Piedmont, offering a sophisticated culinary tradition centered on rich beef braises, egg-yolk Tajarin pasta, Bagna Càuda, artisan chocolate, and Barolo wine.

Turino, the capital of Piedmont, is an important cultural region in Northern Italy. You can find the best northern Italian foods in Turino. Ingredients play the most significant role in the difference between the recipes from this region and those from Southern Italy. Food in Piedmont is heavier, with a focus on aged cheese and beef.

Why Travel To Turino Food

If you’re on a foodie tour of Italy and you visit Turino, there are two things you will not miss: cheese and pasta.

Though most people think that pasta is Italy’s national food, cheese is one thing you won’t miss if you are eating in Italy. Almost all restaurants in Turino have all sorts of dishes with some of the most popular Piedmont cheese. 

Bagna Cauda is a must-try if you are visiting Turino. Its main part is the sauce, a mixture of milk, garlic, and anchovies. And there is a way to eat the sauce, which is served fondue-style in a pot with a flame beneath to keep it hot. To scoop up the sauce, use grilled vegetables, mostly celery, peppers, endives, or fennel, and not utensils.

If you want a fine restaurant where you can taste Piedmont cuisine, you can visit Ristorante Del Cambio and have the elaborate six-course tasting menu.  

Things To Know About Turino

• What to eat in Turin: Drink Barolo wine and hot chocolate. Eat risotto, tajarin pasta, and Piedmonte beef.
• Where to eat in Turin: Check out Porto di Savona, the oldest restaurant in Turino, as well as Eataly.

Genoa

Genoa is the seaside capital of Liguria and the historic birthplace of authentic Pesto Genovese, olive-oil-drenched Focaccia, and wood-fired chickpea Farinata.

Genoa is the capital of Liguria in the Italian Riviera. It is known for its narrow streets where there is no shortage of tiny cafes. It is an excellent destination if you are on a culinary tour of Italy because it is filled with street food made from local ingredients.

Why Travel To Genoa Food

Most Ligurian cuisine focuses on pasta, fish, vegetables, and bread. Two of the best inventions that the city gave to the world are focaccia and pesto. You can snack on these two delicacies in one of the tiny cafes. And don’t forget to try farinata, a savory chickpea pancake.

Pesto Genovese is also a popular food to eat in Genoa. It includes Ligurian olive oil, Genovese Basil, cheese, garlic, pine nuts, and salt. The bright green sauce is served with various pasta dishes and is one of the best food in Italy.

Though the narrow alleys in Genoa are filled with tiny cafes, Trattoria Rosmarino is one of the best restaurants to dine at. It is full of intimate crannies and nooks for digging into the local cuisine. And, Genoa has some of our favorite types of Italian pastry!

Things To Know About Genoa

• What to eat in Genoa: Dunk focaccia in your cappuccino and eat pesto!
• Where to eat in Genoa: Antica Sa Pesta for farinata and traditional working man’s lunches and Mercato Orientale Genoa (or MOG).

Are You Heading To Genoa? Check Out Our Full Genoa Food Guide The Best Ligurian Food To Eat In Genoa Italy

Sardinia

Sardinia is a world-renowned Blue Zone longevity region offering an ancient, distinctive culinary tradition highlighted by Su Porcheddu (roast suckling pig), Culurgiones pasta, and crisp Pane Carasau.

Sardinia is a Blue Zone and hosts the healthiest people because of their longevity diet. It has one of the highest concentrations of people over 100 years. Sardinian food is delicious and unique; what you find there cannot be found anywhere else in Italy.  

Why Travel To Sardinia Food

Pecora in cappotto is referred to as the national food of Sardinia. It is a mutton stew with rich broth, potatoes, and wild herbs. Its name, which means “sheep in a coat,” refers to a pastoral tradition of not shaving the oldest sheep in the herd during the annual sheep-shearing feast.

Su Porcheddu is another popular dish on the island and a must-try if you are on a food tour in Italy. It is an authentic countryside tradition prepared by roasting a suckling pig until the skin is crisp.

L’Antico Borgo is an excellent restaurant if you want to try an incredible selection of seafood. Alternatively, you can enjoy the best Sardinian dish at its simplest, made from ingredients grown on-site.     

Things To Know About Cagliari And Sardinia

• What to eat in Sardinia: Pane carasau and for pasta try malloreddus alla campidanese and culurgiones.

Are You Heading To Sardinia? Check Out Our Full Sardinian Food Guide Where To Eat In Sardinia Italy

Naples

Naples is the historic birthplace of wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, boasting an energetic street food culture packed with friggitorie, cuoppo paper cones, and sweet sfogliatella.

Everyone that Naples is famous for its pizza. That said, there’s more to enjoy if you are on a foodie tour of Italy. Neapolitan cuisine focuses on simplicity and local ingredients. Some of the classic ingredients are tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic. 

Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and Napoli pizza is a must-try if you are on Italian food travel. During our trip to Naples, we ate 15 pizzas over five days and reveal our favorite in our Naples Pizza Guide.

Neapolitan pizza is cooked in a brick oven which gives it its distinctive look and taste. A classic Neapolitan pizza is topped with fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and 2-3 leaves of basil. Nothing more, nothing less.   

But Naples is not all about pizza; pasta fritters, known as frittatine di pasta, are also delicious. The Pignasecca market will tempt you with stalls serving deep-fried calamari, artichokes, and whitebait. Naples is one of the best cities for Italian snacks and streetfood.

If you are after top-notch Neapolitan cuisine, you can visit Ristorante Mattozzi. You will enjoy your favorite local dish in a wood-paneled dining room adorned with historic prints.  

Here are the formatted blocks for Naples and Puglia structured to match the exact template of your other city sections (Why Travel to X for Food and Things to Know):

Why Travel To Naples For Food

Naples is the historic birthplace of modern wood-fired pizza and one of Europe’s most vibrant street food capitals, where culinary life unfolds directly on the sidewalks. While celebrated worldwide for its pizza, Naples also boasts a rich tradition of street friggitorie (fry shops), fresh Tyrrhenian seafood, rich pasta dishes, and historic morning pastries perfected in convent kitchens.

Neapolitan cuisine is defined by the quality of local Campania ingredients: volcanic San Marzano tomatoes grown in the mineral-rich soil of Mount Vesuvius, fresh mozzarella di bufala Campana DOP, fragrant basil, and sweet garlic. Beyond pizzerias, the historic center is packed with market stalls and street carts serving fried delicacies in paper cones (cuoppo) and sweet, citrus-rum soaked sponges (babà al rum).

Things To Know About Naples

• What to eat in Naples: Pizza Margherita, Pizza a Portafoglio, Frittatine di Pasta, Cuoppo Fritto, Sfogliatella Riccia, and Babà al Rum.
• Where to eat in Naples: Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo (Via dei Tribunali) or L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele for classic pizza; Ristorante Mattozzi for traditional sit-down Neapolitan dishes; and Pintauro for warm sfogliatella.
• What to do in Naples: Walk through the bustling Mercato della Pignasecca to sample fried street snacks, fresh seafood, and local produce.
• Where to stay in Naples: Grand Hotel Vesuvio or The Westin Excelsior for luxury waterfront views along the Bay of Naples, or Santa Chiara Boutique Hotel in the historic center.

Are You Heading To Naples? Check Out Our Full Naples Food Guide What To Eat In Naples, Italy

Puglia

Puglia is Southern Italy’s agricultural treasure, celebrated for its sun-drenched cucina povera, handmade Orecchiette, creamy Burrata, and crisp wood-fired breads.

Puglia offers tasty and rustic dishes that are different from what you will find in northern Italy. You will get to enjoy simple plates of pasta, hearty baked dishes, and wilted wild greens like cimi de rape or chicory. Though the bread from Altamura and the rich string cheese burrata are enough to justify a trip to Puglia, there are more delicacies to enjoy.

Bread is the most common food in the region. Pane di Altamura is a PDO bread from Bari and the most famous. This toasted bread has yellow crumbs and a crunchy crust that remains soft for days. It is dense yet easy to chew. 

Though focaccia originates from Genoa, it forms the backbone of Puglia cuisine. The local version, Apulian focaccia, is characterized by a round dough. It’s lighter than the Genovese variety but soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Ristorante Grotta Palazzese Polignan is one of the most exotic restaurants. The restaurant is housed in a cave, offering breathtaking views of the Adriatic. Apart from the stunning views, you can enjoy the traditional Apulian cuisine. 

Italy is one of the best destinations for a foodie. The country has regions that will offer a variety of dishes with unique flavor profiles and ingredients. However, you should plan and create a food-focused bucket list.  

Why Travel To Puglia For Food

Puglia is Southern Italy’s agricultural heartland, famous for its rustic cucina povera (peasant cooking) that elevates seasonal vegetables, ancient grains, and rich extra virgin olive oil into extraordinary feasts. Flanked by the Adriatic and Ionian seas, Puglia produces a massive share of Italy’s olive oil, wine, and durum wheat, resulting in a distinct regional diet centered on handmade ear-shaped pasta, creamy fresh cheeses, and wood-fired heritage breads.

Unlike the butter- and egg-heavy cooking of Northern Italy, Apulian food relies on simple, intense Mediterranean flavors: bitter wild greens (cime di rapa), sun-ripened tomatoes, sweet fava beans, and decadent string-curd cheeses like Burrata di Andria. From street bakeries churning out hot focaccia barese to rustic masserie (farm estates) serving multi-course meals, Puglia offers an authentic taste of Southern Italy.

Things To Know About Puglia

• What to eat in Puglia: Orecchiette con Cime di Rapa, Burrata di Andria IGP, Panzerotti Pugliesi, Focaccia Barese, Pane di Altamura DOP, and Pasticciotto Leccese.
• Where to eat in Puglia: Ristorante Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mare for a dramatic cave setting, or traditional masserie like Masseria Il Frantoio near Ostuni for farm-to-table tasting menus.
• What to do in Puglia: Walk down “Pasta Street” (Strada delle Orecchiette) in Bari Vecchia to watch local women hand-shape fresh orecchiette on wooden tables outside their front doors.
• Where to stay in Puglia: Stay in an authentic restored masseria like Masseria Torre Coccaro near Fasano, or Palazzo Bozzi Corso in Lecce.

Are You Heading to Puglia? Check Out Our Full What To Eat In Puglia Italy Food Guide

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Destinations In Italy For Food

Culinary Travel To Italy