Italian is one of the world’s most popular cuisines. It means you will find Italian restaurants in many major cities, regardless of where you are. However, not all Italian food is the same, as there are significant differences in the regional cuisines of Italy. Each region’s cuisine includes famous dishes or unique ingredients. So, let’s take a look at the different regional Italian cuisines.
Regional Cuisines of Italy: A-M
The Cuisine of Abruzzo
The cuisine of Abruzzo is a beautiful blend of traditional Italian flavours with a unique regional twist. This central Italian region is known for its hearty, rustic dishes that are perfect for cold winter nights. One of Abruzzo’s most popular dishes is arrosticini, which is skewered lamb or mutton cooked over an open flame. Another is scrippelle ‘mbusse, a savoury crepe soup made with chicken broth, eggs, and Pecorino cheese. Other delicious Abruzzese specialities include spaghetti alla chitarra, a pasta served with a tomato sauce and meatballs, and porchetta, a succulent roast pork dish. Image credit: Photo by Hexuye Ye on Pexels.com
Aosta Valley’s Cuisine
The cuisine of Aosta Valley is a unique blend of French and Italian influences, reflecting the region’s location in the heart of the Alps. This mountainous region is known for its hearty, rustic dishes that are perfect for cold winter nights. Fondue, a melted cheese dish usually served with either bread or potatoes, is one of the most popular dishes from Aosta Valley. Another is polenta concia, a dish made with polenta, Fontina cheese, and butter. Other delicious Aostan specialities include carbonade, a beef stew made with red wine and onions, and seupa à la Vapelenentse, a hearty soup made with cabbage, potatoes, and fontina cheese. Image credit: Photo by Gonzalo Acuña on Pexels.com
Regional Cuisines of Italy: Apulia’s Cuisine
The cuisine of Apulia is a reflection of the region’s sunny climate and coastal location. This southern Italian region is known for its fresh seafood dishes, including spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams) and tiella di cozze (a casserole made with mussels, rice, and potatoes). Other popular dishes from Apulia include orecchiette con le cime di rapa (pasta with turnip greens) and burrata cheese, which is made from mozzarella and cream. The region is also known for its delicious olive oil, which is often used in many of its traditional dishes. Image credit: Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Basilicata’s Cuisine
Basilicata is a region in southern Italy and is often overlooked by tourists, but it offers stunning landscapes, delicious cuisine, and rich history. The food in Basilicata is also amazing, with dishes like orecchiette pasta with meat sauce and lucanica sausage. Basilicata is also known for cheese production, and some famous cheeses from the region include ricotta, scamorza, caciocavallo, Filiano DOP, Canestrato of Moliterno IGP, and pecorino. Image credit: Photo by Julia Filirovska on Pexels.com
The Cuisine of Calabria
The cuisine of Calabria is a reflection of the region’s rich agricultural history and mountainous terrain. This southern Italian region is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes, such as nduja (a spreadable salami made with pork and chilli peppers) and spicy ‘nduja pasta. Other popular dishes from Calabria include caciocavallo cheese, which is often paired with the region’s famous spicy peppers fileja pasta with pork ragù and pecorino cheese. The region is also known for its high-quality olive oil and wine production. Image credit: Photo by Grape Things on Pexels.com
Italian Regional Cuisine: Campania’s Cuisine
The cuisine of Campania is a reflection of the region’s diverse landscape, with influences from the coast, mountains, and countryside. This southern Italian region is known for its delicious and fresh seafood dishes. Popular examples are spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams) and parmigiana di melanzane (eggplant parmesan). Other popular dishes from Campania include pizza Margherita, made with flavoursome tomato sauce and mozzarella, and buffalo mozzarella, which is produced in the region’s lush pasturelands. Campania is also known for its wine production, particularly its red wines made from the Aglianico grape, and for being the birthplace of celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo. Image credit: Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com
Italian Regional Cuisine: Food from Emilia Romagna
Emilia Romagna is known for its rich and flavorful cuisine, which includes a variety of handmade pasta, cured meats, and aged cheeses. It is also the birthplace of Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura. Some of the most famous dishes from the region include tortellini in brodo (small stuffed pasta in broth), tagliatelle al ragù (pasta with meat sauce), and piadina, a type of flatbread typically filled with prosciutto, cheese, and vegetables. Emilia Romagna is also home to several renowned food products, such as Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and balsamic vinegar from Modena. With its emphasis on traditional cooking techniques and quality ingredients, the cuisine of Emilia Romagna is a true delight for food lovers. Image credit: Photo by Regina Ferraz on Pexels.com
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is Italy’s noth-easternmost region, bordering Austria, Slovenia, and the Adriatic Sea. The region’s cuisine boasts hearty and warming meat dishes due to the cooler temperatures, says Cellar Tours. There are influences from both Mediterranean and Austro-Hungarian cuisines. Polenta is a staple ingredient, as are seafood such as mussels, octopus, sardines, sea bass, scallops, and anchovies. Image credit: Liz Flynn
Cuisine of Lazio
Lazio is another region in Italy that is known for its delicious cuisine. It is home to the country’s capital, Rome, and is the birthplace of celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis. Some of the most popular dishes from this region include spaghetti alla carbonara (pasta with egg, cheese, and bacon), saltimbocca alla romana (veal with prosciutto and sage), and carciofi alla giudia (deep-fried artichokes). Lazio is also famous for its wine production, with Frascati being a particularly well-known variety. If you are a fan of Italian cuisine, be sure to try some of the delicious dishes from Lazio during your next visit to Italy. Image credit: Photo by Bruno Cantuária on Pexels.com
Regional Cuisines of Italy: Cuisine of Liguria
Liguria is a beautiful region in Italy that boasts a unique and flavorful cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes from this region include pesto alla Genovese (basil sauce served with pasta), focaccia (a type of flatbread), and farinata (a savoury chickpea pancake). Liguria is also known for its seafood dishes, such as buridda (a fish stew) and acciughe ripiene (stuffed anchovies). If you are a food enthusiast, try some of the delicious dishes from Liguria during your next trip to Italy. Image credit: Photo by Federico Ramirez on Pexels.com
Cuisine of Lombardy
Lombardy is a northern Italian region known for its rich and diverse cuisine. Some popular dishes from this region include risotto alla milanese , ossobuco, and cotoletta alla milanese (breaded and fried veal cutlets). Lombardy is also famous for its cheeses, such as gorgonzola and taleggio, and its wines, including Franciacorta and Valtellina. If you are a food lover, be sure to sample some of the delectable dishes from Lombardy on your next visit to Italy. Image credit: Photo by Alex Favali on Pexels.com
Marche’s Cuisine
Marche is a region in central Italy known for its delicious and unique cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes from this region include vincisgrassi, brodetto (a fish soup), and olive all’ascolana (fried stuffed olives). Marche is also famous for its cheeses, such as pecorino and ricotta. Additionally, Marche is known for its amazing wines, including Verdicchio and Rosso Conero. Image credit: Photo by Florent B. on Pexels.com
Cuisine of Molise
Molise is a southern Italian region that boasts a unique and delicious cuisine. Some of Molise’s most popular dishes include cavatelli pasta zuppa di cicerchie (a chickpea soup), and agnello cacio e uova (lamb with cheese and eggs). Molise is also famous for its cheeses, such as scamorza and burrino, and its wines, including Tintilia and Biferno. Image credit: Photo by Ilaria M on Pexels.com
Regional Cuisines of Italy: N-Z
Cuisine of Piedmont: One of the Popular Regional Cuisines of Italy
Piedmont is known for its rich and flavorful cuisine. It features dishes such as agnolotti (a type of pasta filled with meat or vegetables), a warm anchovy and garlic dip called bagna cauda, and brasato al Barolo (beef braised in Barolo wine). Another famous Piedmontese dish is a rice and bean dish called panissa. The region is also famous for its cheeses, including Castelmagno and Robiola di Roccaverano, and its wines, such as Barolo and Barbera. Image credit: Blusea2001, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sardinian Cuisine
Sardinian cuisine is known for its simplicity and emphasis on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Some popular dishes include malloreddus (a type of pasta made with semolina flour and saffron), culurgiones (a type of stuffed pasta), and porceddu (a roasted suckling pig). Sardinia is also known for its cheeses, such as pecorino sardo and casu marzu. The latter is a traditional cheese with live insect larvae). Image credit: Jorgehdezalonso, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sicilian Cuisine
Sicilian cuisine is known for its unique blend of flavours influenced by the island’s history and geography. One of the cuisine’s most popular dishes is pasta alla Norma, a pasta dish featuring tomato sauce, fried eggplant, and ricotta salata. Caponata, a sweet and sour eggplant dish is another popular dish. However, fried rice balls called arancini are possibly Siciily’s best-known dish. These are often stuffed with meat, cheese, or vegetables. Sicily is also known for its seafood, such as swordfish, sardines, and tuna. Furthermore, Sicily is famous for its desserts, such as cannoli and cassata. Image credit: stu_spivack CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cuisine of Trentino-Alto Adige
Trentino-Alto Adige is a northern Italian region that boasts a unique and delicious cuisine. The region’s proximity to Austria and Switzerland has influenced its culinary traditions. It means there are hearty dishes perfect for cold winter days, including goulash. Some of the most popular dishes in Trentino-Alto Adige include canederli, which are bread dumplings served in a flavorful broth, and a cured ham called speck. Other popular dishes include polenta, which is often served with savoury stews or sausages, and apple strudel, a sweet dessert that is perfect for rounding out a meal. Whether you’re a fan of hearty, savoury dishes or sweet treats, Trentino-Alto Adige’s cuisine has something to offer everyone. Image credit: Liz Flynn
Regional Cuisines of Italy: The Cuisine of Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in central Italy that is famous for its delicious cuisine. The region’s cuisine is simple yet flavourful. They rely on high-quality ingredients such as fresh herbs, olive oil, and tomatoes. Some of the most popular dishes in Tuscany include a hearty soup of bread and vegetables called ribollita and pappardelle alla lepre, a pasta dish made with hare meat. Other notable dishes include a grilled steak called bistecca alla Fiorentina and cantucci, a type of biscotti served with dessert wine. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal or a sweet treat, the cuisine of Tuscany is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Image credit: Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Umbrian Cuisine
Umbrian cuisine is a type of cuisine that is famous for its use of simple yet flavorful ingredients. The cuisine relies heavily on local vegetables, meats, and cheeses, It is characterized by dishes such as umbricelli al tartufo, a pasta dish made with truffles, and porchetta, a roasted pork dish that is popular throughout the region. Other notable dishes include torta al testo, a type of flatbread that is often filled with cheese and meats, and strangozzi alla spoletina, a pasta dish made with tomato sauce and pork. If you’re looking for a taste of traditional Umbrian cuisine, be sure to try some of these delicious dishes. Image credit: Photo by Cleo Vergara on Pexels.com
Cuisine of Veneto: One of the Italian Regional Cuisines
The cuisine of Veneto is famous for its diverse range of flavours and ingredients. There are influences from both the mountains and the sea. Popular dishes include risotto al nero di seppia, a black squid ink risotto, and baccalà alla vicentina, a salted cod dish. The region is also famous for its wines, such as Prosecco and Amarone. Image credit: Photo by sergio souza on Pexels.com