First Trip to Italy? Here Are 20+ Iconic Foods (& Drinks!) You Can’t Miss 🍋🍝🍷

From decoding the local restaurant menu to finding the most authentic gelato, here’s how to eat your way through an Italian vacation like a pro.
After 25+ visits to Italy (including my wedding in Tuscany!), I could write an entire romance novel about Italian food and wine. Seriously, it’s that good.
From fresh pasta and creamy gelato to regional wines that rival anything else in the world, Italy is a feast for the senses. Every meal feels like a special event, a moment to savor not just the flavors but also the company and culture.
But if you’ve never been to Italy, figuring out what to order when you get there can be a little overwhelming.
Menus are structured differently in Italy, and you’ll want to make the most of your experience by understanding the basics. Should you start with an antipasti? What exactly is the difference between primi and secondi?
And more importantly, how do you find the good gelato, not the tourist stuff?
No worries—I’ve got you covered. Over the years, I’ve become a pro at eating my way around Italy and seeking out all the best regional foods and drinks to try.
Planning a trip to Italy in 2025?
From jaw-dropping destinations to how to find the best gelato, here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip to Italy.
Today, I’ll break down Italy’s food traditions, help you decode the menu, and point you toward all the can’t-miss foods and drinks for your Italian vacation. From the first sip of prosecco to your final bite of panna cotta, you’re in for a treat.
Part of the joy of a trip to Italy is discovering the country’s magical cuisine as you travel from region to region.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will undoubtedly blow on more flights (it’s a vicious cycle). All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you.
Tip: Still looking for places to add to your Italy itinerary? Start Here – Headed to Italy This Year? Here Are 15 Amazing Places to See from the Alps to the Amalfi Coast 🏔️🍋
It’s impossible to cover all of Italy’s culinary delights in a single post, so for the purposes of this guide, I’ll hit the highlights.
Decoding the Italian Restaurant Menu
A traditional meal in Italy consists of at least four courses but can stretch to as many as eight or more.
It begins with an antipasti (or starter), followed by primi piatti (the first hot course, often pasta, soup, or risotto without meat), then a secondi (a meat or seafood course), and finally dolci (dessert).
These are the typical categories you’ll see listed on the menu in Italian restaurants but don’t feel pressured to order them all. For example, I’ve been known to skip the antipasti or the secondi…but never the dolci!
I also can’t refuse a pasta course when in Italy so for me, the primi piatti is also a must.
There’s nothing Italians love more than lingering over a long meal and enjoying quality time with family and friends. We could all take a lesson from the Italians on that one!
Starters (Antipasti)
First things first, the starter or “antipasti“. Equivalent to the US appetizer, the first course in Italy often consists of a charcuterie platter, cheeses, or bread.
Bruschetta and Caprese (fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar) are also popular options.
Arancini, deep-fried rice balls typically stuffed with ragù, mozzarella, and peas are another common starter (as well as a common street food, especially in Sicily).
Pasta, pasta, pasta (Primi Piatti)
Nothing says Italy like a decadent pasta dish and you’ll find a wide variety of pasta specialties to try throughout the country. Though the rest of the world often treats pasta as a main course, it’s a course unto itself in Italy.
Top pasta dishes to sample on your trip include lasagna, anything with pesto and pine nuts, linguine with clams (linguine alle vongole), spaghetti with garlic and oil (spaghetti aglio e olio) and, my all-time favorite, the classic Italian dish – spaghetti carbonara.
Gnocchi – soft, pillowy dumplings made from potatoes – is another popular choice you’ll find throughout Italy. It’s often served with butter and sage or in a rich tomato sauce.
When it comes to regional dishes, Northern Italy is known for risotto alla Milanese. While in the Lazio region, cacio e pepe (a spaghetti dish with black pepper and pecorino romano) is a must-try.
Tip: In the Amalfi Coast region (especially colorful Procida) and Limone sul Garda, don’t miss the pasta dishes infused with lemon!
Meat & Seafood (Secondi Piatti)
If you managed to save any room after your starter and pasta course, now it’s time for the main dish, or “secondi.” There are a wide variety of options here, depending on what part of Italy you’re visiting. But I’d like to highlight a few of my absolute favorites.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) – Sourced from a particular breed of cattle known for producing incredibly flavorful meat, Bistecca Fiorentina is a unique cut of steak that’s a popular “secondi” and a must when visiting Florence and the greater Tuscany region.
Seasonings are kept simple to highlight the delicious flavor of the meat. We served this as the secondi at our wedding in Tuscany and it’s still my husband’s favorite dish when we visit.
Osso Buco – A classic dish from Milan, this slow-cooked veal shank is braised with white wine and vegetables, often served with risotto alla Milanese.
Frutti Di Mare – When it comes to fresh seafood, you’ll find delicious options from the sea all over Italy, especially in the coastal regions. One of the most popular dishes is Frutti Di Mare which literally translates as “fruit of the sea” and includes a variety of fresh shellfish and pasta in a light tomato sauce.
Let’s talk about Pizza
Treated as a snack more than a meal, this iconic Italian creation falls into two categories within Italy. Roman style is paper thin and crispy, while Neopolitan style is thicker and fluffier.
Try the thin crust Roman style in Rome and Neopolitan style in Naples.
Less is more when it comes to toppings. Let the quality of the simple ingredients shine through. The traditional pizza margherita is one of Italy’s most iconic dishes with fresh basil leaves, locally made mozzarella di bufala, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Dessert (Dolci)
My favorite subject! Italians make some incredible desserts and you’ll definitely want to work your way though them on your trip to Italy. Here are a few musts:
Cannoli – Native to Sicily, the “Sicilian connolo” is a tube-like crispy pastry shell filled with ricotta cheese mixed with chocolate bits and candied fruit. These tasty treats can be found in cafes throughout Italy. A late morning or mid-afternoon cappuccino and cannoli stop is a staple during my typical day in Italy.
Tiramisu – Perhaps the most well-known Italian dessert, you’ve likely had tiramisu elsewhere in the world. But since everything’s better in Italy, don’t miss a chance to try this coffee-soaked sponge cake piece of heaven at least once on your trip.
Panna Cotta – A silky, creamy dessert from the Piedmont region, typically topped with fresh fruit, caramel, or chocolate sauce.
How to find the best gelato in Italy
From the mountains of the Dolomites to the beaches of Sicily, you’ll find gelato shops just about everywhere in Italy. Gelato differs from ice cream in a few ways.
Ice cream contains eggs and has more milk fat and more air. Gelato usually does not contain eggs, contains less cream, and is churned slower. It contains less air making it more dense in texture and richer in flavor than ice cream.
But all gelato shops in Italy are not created equal.
For example, the vibrant rainbow mounds of gelato dotted with fruit and hunks of chocolate that make a great Instagram photo are not likely to be your best bet. That, my friends, is tourist gelato.
And while it’ll probably taste just fine on a hot summer day, it’s not what you traveled all the way to Italy for.
Authentic hot or cold-pressed Italian gelato comes in stainless steel tubs, with lids. If you’re choosing your flavor from a list on a sign instead of visually through a window, chances are it’s quality gelato. The best gelato is dense, not infused with air, and its colors are muted and natural.
For example, banana gelato should not be neon yellow. Bananas are off-white. You know this. A little common sense will go a long way in seeking out the best of Italy’s frozen delights.
Drinks you have to try in Italy
Everything revolves around food in Italy and the drinks are no exception. Let’s start with a brief introduction to the Italian concepts of “aperitivo and digestivo.”
Aperitivo & Digestivo
An aperitivo is a pre-meal drink intended to “open the stomach” before dining. This cherished Italian custom typically takes place between 7-9pm in the evening and may also include some small finger foods.
A digestivo, typically served as a shot, is an after-dinner drink meant to aid in digestion after a hearty Italian meal.
Taking part in both Italian traditions with your meal is all part of the fun of dining in Italy. Like the food in Italy, wines and spirits vary greatly by region.
Let’s cover a few of the most popular options:
Italian wines – Let’s be honest, all of Italy is basically just one giant vineyard. Some of Italy’s most famous wine regions are Tuscany, Abruzzo, Piedmont, Veneto, and Sicily but brilliant wines are produced in just about every nook and cranny of this country.
Many of the wineries can be visited for tastings, but you can also find plenty of local wine options to sample in every restaurant. Some of my favorites are Montepulciano, Dolcetto, and Sangiovese. You can, of course, sip wine any time of day in Italy but it’s also a popular choice for an aperitivo.
Prosecco – Though it’s technically also a wine, Italy’s legendary sparkling concoction is worthy of a separate mention. Produced only in Italy, this light, crisp, nectar of the Gods is the Italian answer to champagne. Personally, I actually prefer it to champagne, especially prosecco produced in the Veneto region. It’s my go-to aperitivo.
Negroni – A bold cocktail made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It’s a favorite aperitivo, especially for those who enjoy bitter flavors.
Aperol Spritz – Invented in Venice, this popular Italian cocktail mixes the bitter herbal-orange flavor of Aperol with prosecco and tonic water. (For an even more bitter option, if you dare, try a Campari Spritz.)
Full disclosure: I’ve tried an Aperol Spritz several times and I’m just not a fan. I love how pretty they are and the average Italian looks impossibly chic drinking one on a hot summer day by the sea, but I just can’t do it. Not when there’s prosecco and limoncello nearby. Which brings me to…
Limoncello – In the southern Italy regions of Sicily and the Amalfi Coast, trees burdened by softball-sized lemons line every street, and limoncello reigns supreme. I don’t want to oversell it here, but in my opinion, this decadent lemon liquor is literally heaven in a shot glass.
Locally made limoncello is a must when you visit places in southern Italy like Sorrento, Positano, Procida, and the island of Capri.
Each seaside town and island produces its own variety and I often feel a sense of obligation to try them all when I visit. It’s the polite thing to do, right? Not surprisingly, limoncello is my go-to digestivo and one of my all-time favorite drinks anywhere in the world.
Grappa – Made from the stems, skins, and seeds of winemaking grapes, Grappa is another popular digestivo. It’s typically very high in alcohol and has a peppery intense grape flavor. Like the Aperol spritz, this one is an acquired taste that I have yet to acquire. If you’re a fan of drinks that burn when they go down, give it a go.
Sambuca – Another common digestivo, Sambuca is an anise-flavored liqueur. It pairs well with an after-dinner coffee but if you’re not a fan of licorice it may not be for you.
Amaro – A herbal, bitter liqueur commonly served as a digestivo. Each region of Italy has its own variations of amaro, with flavors ranging from earthy to citrusy.
Vin Santo – A sweet dessert wine from Tuscany, traditionally served with almond biscotti (cantucci) for dipping. Perfect for a leisurely after-dinner treat.
Espresso – No food guide to Italy is complete without a mention of espresso. Italians drink it throughout the day, often standing at the counter for a quick shot after a meal.
But whatever you choose to drink, be sure to pair that beverage with a cheerful “cin cin” (pronounced chin-chin), the Italian version of “cheers.”
The Best Food Tours in Italy
If you really want to do a deep dive into Italian cuisine (and you should!) a food tour is a terrific way to learn more about local ingredients and the specialties of various Italian regions. Here are the top-rated food tours in the most popular Italian cities:
Best Rome Food Tour – Winner 2024 Rome Food Tour: Campo de’ Fiori, Ghetto, Trastevere
Best Florence Food Tour – Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour with Eating Europe
Best Venice Food Tour – Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour
Buon Appetito! 🍝🍷
Italy is a food lover’s dream. Every region, from the hills of Tuscany to the streets of Naples, offers its own signature dishes, flavors, and traditions.
The best part? Eating and drinking in Italy isn’t just about the food—it’s about the experience.
It’s lingering over a multi-course meal with friends, raising a glass of prosecco to toast the good life, and savoring the perfect bite of creamy gelato on a warm summer day.
As you travel through Italy, be adventurous. Try regional specialties you may not have heard of before. Challenge your taste buds and let the menu surprise you.
And above all, take your time—Italians certainly do! After all, food is at the heart of Italian culture, and there’s no better way to experience this beautiful country than one delicious meal at a time.
Buon viaggio and buon appetito! 🍝🍷
Oh, and now that you know what to eat and drink in Italy, here are some of the BEST PLACES to go!
The Best of Rome in 48 Hours (Plus: 7 Things You Can’t Miss!)
How to Spend 4 Days on Italy’s Brilliant Amalfi Coast (Without Breaking the Bank)
Italy’s Fantastic 5 – The Seaside Towns of Cinque Terre in 48 Hours
3 Reasons to “Make Like Napoleon” and Escape to Italy’s Elba Island
The Fairytale Republic of San Marino: Italy’s Mountaintop Microstate
Glitz, Glam, & Grappa…How to Spend 3 Days in the Italian Riviera