Italian food - 25 classic dishes you must try

Writer: Helena Bergström

Italian cuisine is loved around the world for its pure flavours, fresh ingredients and strong connection to tradition and regional identity. In Italy, you can experience everything from rustic pasta dishes to elegant desserts and local delicacies.

What to eat in Italy? - a quick overview

We have previously written about French food and Croatian food, and now we're turning our attention to Italian cuisine! In Italy, food is all about simple ingredients and big flavours. Here are some typical examples of what you eat in Italy:

• Pasta: Carbonara, bolognese, pesto
• Pizza: Classic Neapolitan pizza
• Meat and fish: Osso buco, grilled fish
• Starters: Bruschetta and charcuterie
• Dessert: Tiramisu and gelato

We have travelled a lot in Italy and, although we're not always super keen on the pasta or risotto scheme before the main course, we love the good ingredients, and of course the pizza and ice cream!

Typical Italian food - 25 classic dishes

Here we list Italian dishes that are interesting to try, including desserts, sweets and drinks.

1. Margherita pizza

One of Italy's most famous dishes, originating in Naples. The pizza is made with a tomato sauce of San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil and olive oil. The combination also symbolises the Italian flag with its red, white and green colours.

2. focaccia

An airy bread often baked with olive oil and rosemary. It can be eaten as a snack, as a side dish or filled as a sandwich, and is particularly popular in Liguria.

3. prosciutto di Parma

An air-dried ham that is salted and cured only, without additives. It has a mild, nutty flavour and is often served thinly sliced, preferably with melon or fresh figs. We love this one!

4. parmigiano reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano hard cheese is often called the king of cheeses and is produced according to strict rules in northern Italy. It is aged for at least 12 months and is used both as a flavouring and as a delicacy in its own right.

5. buffalo mozzarella

Mozzarella di Bufala is made from buffalo milk and has a richer flavour than regular mozzarella. It is mainly produced in Campania and is usually eaten fresh.

6. burrata

A fresh cheese from Puglia that resembles mozzarella but has a creamy centre. When cut, a mixture of cream and cheese oozes out, making it particularly popular in salads.

7. pesto alla genovese

The classic pesto sauce Pesto alla Genovese comes from Liguria and is made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, Pecorino and olive oil. It is mainly used in pasta dishes, but also in soups and bruschetta.

8. arancini

Deep fried rice balls from Sicily, often filled with minced meat sauce, mozzarella or peas. The balls are popular as street food and come in several regional varieties. We tried them a few times when travelling around Sicily. Delicious!

9. caprese

A simple salad from the island of Capri with tomato, mozzarella and basil. This salad is often served as an antipasto, i.e. a first small starter, and brings out the natural flavours of the ingredients. Good Italian food!

10. pasta carbonara

A classic pasta dish from Rome which is often misunderstood outside Italy. The authentic version contains eggs, pecorino romano, guanciale and black pepper – never cream. The result is a creamy and flavourful dish with a distinct saltiness.

11. lasagne al forno

A traditional oven-baked dish with layers of pasta, slow-cooked ragù and béchamel sauce. It is mainly associated with Emilia-Romagna and is often served at family gatherings and holidays. We like to make our own version, at home or in the caravan.

12. risotto alla Milanese

This golden risotto from Milan is characterised by saffron, which adds both colour and flavour. The risotto is creamy and cooked slowly with stock, butter and Parmesan cheese, sometimes as an accompaniment to osso buco.

13. spaghetti alle vongole

A classic dish from the coastal regions of Italy, especially Campania. Served with fresh cockles, garlic, olive oil, white wine and parsley, spaghettini is a simple yet elegant dish with a distinct seafood character - one of our favourite Italian dishes!

14. gnocchi

Small, soft pasta dumplings made from potatoes, flour and eggs. They are served with everything from tomato sauce to butter and sage and come in many regional varieties.

15. ravioli

Stuffed pasta that can include anything from ricotta and spinach to meat or pumpkin. The dish is served with simple sauces so as not to overpower the flavour of the filling.

16. tagliatelle al ragù

This dish is the authentic version of what is often called spaghetti bolognese. The slow-cooked meat sauce is served with wide ribbon pasta to better capture the flavour.

17. minestrone

A rich vegetable soup that varies according to the season and region. It often contains beans, pasta or rice and is a good example of Italian home cooking.

18. osso buco

Long-cooked veal leg that originates from Lombardy. The meat becomes very tender and is traditionally served with gremolata - a mixture of lemon, garlic and parsley.

19. polenta

Made from cornflour, this dish has long been a staple food in northern Italy. It can be served creamy, grilled or fried and goes well with meat stews and mushroom dishes.

20th Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Florentine steak is an iconic steak from Tuscany in the shape of a large T-bone steak that is hastily grilled and served very rare. The meat traditionally comes from the Chianina breed of cattle.

21. vitello tonnato

A classic dish from Piedmont where thinly sliced veal is served cold with a creamy sauce of tuna, capers and anchovies.

22. Tiramisu

A classic dessert from the Veneto region with layers of coffee-soaked Savoyard biscuits, mascarpone cream and cocoa. The name means something like ”cheer me up”.

23. Cannoli

Sicilian pastries with a deep-fried shell filled with sweet ricotta cream. They are often flavoured with chocolate, pistachio or candied fruit. Very tasty!

24. Gelato

Italian gelato differs from regular ice cream in that it has a lower fat content and a more intense flavour. It is often served in small gelaterias that focus on natural ingredients. One of our absolute favourites when travelling in Italy!

25. Espresso

This is the foundation of Italian coffee culture and is drunk quickly, often standing at the bar. The coffee is strong, concentrated and served in small cups.

Italian food at a restaurant

So what is it like to experience Italian food first hand in Italy? Well, it's good to be aware of the Italian meal order (below).

You certainly don't have to eat all these dishes, but you will choose one or more of them - in the right order. Bear in mind that the main course (secondo piattio) usually comes in ”plain” and you have to order the side dishes (contorni) separately.

1. Aperitivo – A light drink before dinner, which can be served occasionally.
2. Antipasto – A starter that may consist of cold cuts and a small selection of appetisers.
3. Primo piatto – The first hot dish: pasta, risotto or soup.
4. Secondo piatto – Main course: Often meat or fish, as ”pure” as possible, i.e. without sauce or side dishes.
5. Contorno – Side dishes on a separate plate, such as potatoes, vegetables or salad.
6. Dolce – A sweet finish, such as tiramisu, panna cotta, cake or pastries.
7. Caffè – A small, strong espresso to finish.
8. Digestivo – On festive occasions: a small digestif/liqueur.

Wine and other beverages in Italy

Italy is one of the world's leading wine countries, with great variation between regions. Famous wine regions such as Tuscany, Piedmont and Veneto produce everything from full-bodied reds to fresh sparkling wines. In addition to wine, espresso, aperitivo drinks such as Aperol Spritz and digestifs such as grappa and limoncello play an important role in Italian drinking culture.

• Wines from the Italian region of Piedmont
• Italian wines and caves in the Marche region
• Shopping for wine in Italy - smart wine buying in Valpolicella

More about food in other countries

Here you can find more stories about food in different countries:

• French cuisine - 25 French dishes
• Spanish cuisine - 25 classic dishes
• Croatian food - 25 Croatian specialities
• Portuguese food – 25 Portuguese dishes
• Maltese food – 16 dishes in Malta