Italy, renowned for its art and history, is also a gastronomic paradise. Look up restaurants in any big city and Italian will certainly be there. While many places have added their twist to some of the most iconic Italian staples, there is nothing like going to the birthplace of a dish to try it in its unadulterated form. We’ve found some of the best things to eat (and drink) in Italy and located their origins. Then we went on an adventure to experience them in the origin city. Food is always evolving as Chefs create new twist based on local taste profiles and availability of ingredients. But having a dish in the place where it all started can completely change your perspective.
Chef and I have visited Italy quite a few times. And each time, we intentionally planned a culinary adventure to discover the best foods to eat in Italy. I’ve complied my list in this post so you too can enjoy the best of Italian cuisine.
What to Eat
It’s almost certain that attributing the origins of certain foods to a specific city/region is sure to cause a debate. Saying who has ‘the best’ has divided foodies for years. To settle the debate for myself, I visited different cities in Italy to indulge in some of my favorite Italian foods. What we discovered was some of the best food Italy has to offer in its true form.
Admittedly, I am still confused on what is included in each meal course in Italian dining. So the following narrative is based on an American perspective.
Starting with Starters (or Antipasti)
Caprese Salad. Salads come in so many forms but in warmer climates, you’ll find salads that are based around tomatoes. The Island of Capri is credited with the creation of the caprese salad as a tribute to the Italian Flag during some official event. This salad has heaps of mozzarella, vine-ripe tomatoes, a touch of basil, olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Logically this makes sense being that the bay of Naples is the heart of Italian mozzarella production and tomato cultivation. While it looks simple to create, finding the perfect balance of tomato and mozzarella is nothing less than an art form.
Arancini. The true origins of Arancini is debatable. It’s said to have similarities to kibbeh which is a Levantine dish and could have been brought over when Italy was under Arab rule. Nonetheless, credit goes to Sicily for what is now known as arancini. These deep fried rice balls are typically served as a starter or finger food. I was introduced to this treat in Sicily during a visit a few years ago and it is now a go to appetizer whenever I see it on the menu.
Primi Course / Secondi
This is where the course confusion starts for me. Primi is typically heavier than antipasti but apparently shouldn’t contain meat. Although pizza and lasagna could contain meat and aren’t really a main course. So confusing.
Pizza. Cities around the world claim the best pizza. Don’t even start on the great debate over NY versus Chicago pizza. But history is aligned that Naples is the birthplace of pizza. We should all thank our lucky stars that Pizzeria Brandi stumbled on this amazing creation back in 1889. Since then, artisans have been crafting this Napolitan staple all over the world. Many cities have their own version of this savory treat but the originator will always be in Naples.
You can throw a stone and land on any number of pizzerias in Naples. One that received high marks from me was Sorbillo. The Pizzaiolo makes the art of pizza making seem simple but the line around the corner tells you that it is far more than a simple pizza. In my opinion, this pizza is one of the best things to eat in Italy. But I love pizza.
Bolognese Sauce. If you’ve had any pasta covered in bolognese sauce, you can thank the folks in Bologna. This meat based sauce is said to have been created back in the late 18th century and served as a topping for tagliatelle. Growing up, a Sunday lunch was not complete if we didn’t have spaghetti with a bolognese sauce. On some occasions we would even have it with white rice. A great bolognese can almost stand on its own but add some carbohydrates and you have a meal.
Lasagne. Another source of debate is the origin of lasagne. Some say Greece, others reference England (although I find that hard to reconcile). But the majority of scholars on the subject indicate that lasagne as we know it today was born in Naples Italy in the Middle Ages. The dish has certainly seen its evolution with culinary specialist creating veggie, vegan not to mention a few other versions. Some people love lots of sauce, while others lean heavily on the cheese. No matter how you like to enjoy this treat, you should definitely have a taste in Naples.
Dessert or Dolce
Gelato. History is a bit torn on who actually created this frozen masterpiece but one of the most popular versions of the story is Bernardo Buontalenti, a native of Florence, created a form of the modern gelato back in the 16th century. You don’t have to search far to find great gelato in Florence. You’ll find a few bad versions as well. But step onto the Ponte Vecchio Bridge to find one that chef believes is the best gelato in Italy; Bar Ponte Vecchio.
In its purest form, gelato is much healthier than ice cream with about 1/2 the calories. So get your fix and watch your waistline at the same time.
What to drink
No conversation about food in Italy would be complete without a look into some of the special drinks in the area. I won’t even cover wine in this post as that is sure to have many opposing views. Instead, I’ll mention two of my favorite “definitely Italian” drinks.
Limoncello. No one can be exactly sure where this drink originated but the people in Capri have claimed it as their own. It’s fairly simple to make at home with the right ingredients. You only need fresh lemons with thick, hearty rinds that you will soak in 95% alcohol for 8 days. Strain, add loads of sugar then let it sit for a few days before using. My guess is, it will take you a few tries to perfect this drink at home. I wouldn’t know because my preference is to simply let the artisans do their work and I enjoy the finished product. Limoncello is traditionally served following a meal to aid with digestion.
Sparkling Lambrusco. This sparkling red wine from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy is one of my favorites. I stumbled upon it in Bologna but quickly came to appreciate the craftmanship behind this drink. Lambrusco is the name of the grape and name of this sparkling wine. Most consumers aren’t familiar with Lambrusco outside of Italy. So if you happen to be in the area, pop open a bottle with your favorite dish as it pairs well with almost anything. There are a few variations, so test out a couple and then pack up a bottle to take home. Medici Ermete and Venturini Baldini are two great options.
My Perspective
In all fairness, the origins of most of the items listed are debatable but it was really fun trying to figure it out. After consuming far too many calories, it was really hard to determine the best things to eat in Italy. Migratory patterns of different communities have all impacted the food around the world. There is certainly more than what you would traditionally classify as Italian food to enjoy in this country. But if you visit any of the cities mentioned, make it a point to try the local dishes in their purest form. If you are planning a visit, check out my overview on Italy to help guide your planning. And pack some stretchy clothes to accommodate your expanding waistline. You can thank me later!
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