I spent 10 days eating around Italy, as any visitor does! I'm a big foodie so I tried all different kinds of food and have compiled some of my favorites. Some of these may sound a bit cliche or touristy, but trust me when I say they're worth it. Here are 7 foods you must try in Italy:
Gelato
Imagine ice cream but creamier! It's the perfect afternoon snack! My favorite flavor is stracciatella, which is essentially shards of dark chocolate mixed into sweet cream gelato.
Affogato
If you're a coffee person, this is the best of both worlds: gelato plus espresso poured over the top. Trust me, it's incredible!
Pizza
Pizza originated in Naples, Italy and is a must eat when visiting. I have not made my way to Naples yet, but I did have pizza in Rome that was the best pizza I've ever eaten.
Panini
Find yourself a little deli and order a panini. The bread is OUTSTANDING and there are so many different options with meats that you typically don't find on paninis in America!
Pasta
Different regions of Italy are known for different pasta dishes. I two well-known dishes are carbonara and cacio e pepe, which are traditional dishes from Rome. If you're near the coast and like seafood, definitely try spaghetti with seafood!! So so so good and they typically load up different types of seafood!
Cappuccino
There are a few different coffee drinks that are available throughout Italy, but one to try is a cappuccino. There is one rule for a cappuccino, you should only drink it in the morning!
Bruschetta
You can't go wrong with pieces of grilled bread topped with tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. This is a traditional Italian appetizer or antipasto!
Cannoli
If you're not familiar with cannolis, they're tube-shaped pastry shells filled with a sweet ricotta cheese filling. Some have chocolate chips or pistachios on the ends. If you've ever had a cannoli, just imagine that but 10x better. You can find cannolis at cafes and bakeries!
Biscotti
Biscottis are twice-baked almond biscuits/cookies originating from the region of Tuscany! We found several bakeries in Florence that had homemade biscottis. Grab one for an afternoon snack!
Risotto
Nothing is better than a creamy, savory rice dish. Risotto can be made with different types of broth and may have white wine, butter, cheese, or onions. If you have the chance to order risotto with osso buco, definitely order that. It's incredible!
Wine
I feel like this one is sort of a given. The wine in Italy is incredible and can be very affordable. In my experience, a glass of wine was around 3€ or 4€ on average at restaurants.
These are only some of the foods to try in Italy! There are so many other delicious dishes to try in different regions of Italy. And what better place to do a food tour than the incredible country of Italy!
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