Traditional Italian cuisine is a real treasure, and each meal is a kind of ritual and a sacred time for socializing with friends and family.
Italian national dishes are considered some of the healthiest and lightest, so do not worry about your figure while traveling. Italian dishes in any restaurant in the country are always served fresh, in this country it is considered bad form to cook, for example, frozen fish, or serve stale bread.
One of the gastronomic symbols of Italy is Gelato ice cream. It is made by special craftsmen from fresh cow's milk and contains no artificial additives. Genuine Gelato is sold in special institutions - gelaterias, of which, however, there are many all over the country. It costs from 1.50 EUR to 5 EUR.
Top 5 Italian Dishes You Must Try
Lasagna is a classic Italian dish made with parmesan, ham, mozzarella, ricotta and beef.
Pasta is the famous Italian pasta, served in different sauces and with different additives.
Ravioli are small dumplings with a meat filling.
Pizza — only in Italy you can taste real pizza, especially the famous Neapolitan and «Margarita».
Chicken "Parmesan" is an Italian dish that has become popular all over the world. The softest chicken under cheese with a special sauce.
Alcoholic Beverages
The food and drinks of Italy are known worldwide. Just the wines alone are worth mentioning! The most popular wines in Italy are Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Among alcoholic beverages, it is worth highlighting the famous liqueurs limoncello and amaretto. And of course, the most popular non-alcoholic beverage in Italy is coffee.
Tips for Tourists
Most restaurants in Italy operate on a strict schedule: breakfast (08:00–10:00), lunch (12:30–14:00), and dinner (18:30/19:00–22:00). Outside these hours, they are usually closed. The average bill at a local restaurant is around 25–35 EUR: appetizers cost 6–8 EUR, first courses 8–14 EUR, main dishes up to 20 EUR (higher in tourist areas), and drinks around 3–5 EUR.
When choosing a place to eat, check the menu usually displayed near the entrance. In tourist areas, prices can be much higher — a single dish at a “tourist trap” can cost around 100 EUR. This is common tourist bait. Look for places where locals dine — there, a full lunch can cost about 15–20 EUR.
