10 Famous Foods in Italy: Best of Italian Dishes

Last Updated on 26th November 2025 by admin

Italian cuisine is famous worldwide for its delicious and diverse flavors. Italy is a country with a rich culinary tradition, and its food is some of the most popular in the world. From the classic pizza and pasta dishes to regional specialties such as risotto and ossobuco, there is something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Whether you’re wandering the rolling hills of Tuscany or strolling the bustling streets of Rome, Italian food offers a diverse and delicious palette of tastes.

In this article, we will explore the 10 most famous foods in Italy, each with its own unique story and culinary importance. While you enjoy these delights, remember to also discover the incredible tourist attractions in Italy as well!

1. Pizza

The most renowned Italian food in the world is perhaps Pizza. Having its roots in Naples, Pizza has become a global phenomenon. It is prepared using a basic dough, which is then topped with tomato sauce and cheese and then baked in an oven. Pizza can additionally be topped with various ingredients that include vegetables, meat, seafood and cheese.

Some famous types of Pizza include:

Pizza Margherita: This is one of the traditional Neapolitan pizzas, which is covered with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil. It is among the popular Italian foods.
Pizza Napoletana: This pizza is cooked in wood fire oven with a thin crust. It is normally garnished with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and anchovies.
Pizza Quattro Stagioni: In this pizza, four types of toppings are used that represent the four seasons. The most used toppings are artichopes, ham, olives, and mushrooms.
Pizza Marinara: It is a Neapolitan pizza that is topped with tomatoes, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and in some cases fresh basil.
Pizza Capricciosa: It is a classic Italian pizza, and this is topped with ham, mushrooms, artichokes and black olives, it is now one of the most famous pizzas in the world.

All the styles have their unique pizza experience, and it suits various tastes. Pizza maybe everything you need no matter whether you are a purist or an adventurer. Enjoy a slice of the world’s favorite food!

2. Pasta

Another Italian cuisine dish is pasta, it is the soul of the Italian cuisine, it has a remarkable variety of shapes, sizes and textures. It consists of durum wheat flour with water and can be rolled into any sort of shape, spaghetti, penne, and Macaroni. There is a wide range of different types of sauces that can be served along with pasta, including tomato sauce, pesto, or Alfredo sauce. Pasta is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed for any meal.

Some famous types of Pasta include:

Spaghetti Carbonara: It is one of the traditional Italian pasta dishes prepared of spaghetti, guanciale (cured pork jowl), eggs, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
Cacio e pepe: It is a classic Italian pasta dish which is prepared using spaghetti, grated pecorino romano and black pepper.
Spaghetti Marinara: It is a simple pasta dish that is prepared using spaghetti, tomato sauce, garlic, oregano and olive oil.
Pasta alla Norma: This one is a classic Sicilian pasta that is cooked with eggplant, tomato sauce, ricotta salata and basil.
Lasagna: Lasagna is a popular Italian food prepared in layers of pasta, meat sauce, béchamel sauce and mozzerella cheese.

Pasta is a tasty and fulfilling meal that can be served at any time. It is an excellent choice when you need quick and simple meal, or a special occasion party. Children also find it a good alternative because the ingredients used to prepare it are normally known by the children.

3. Risotto

Risotto is a rice meal that is cooked in a broth until it becomes creamy and tender. Risotto is an Italian creamy rice preparation made out of arborio rice that is simmered slowly with a delightful broth till it acquires a creamy consistency. Saffron, porcini mushrooms, vegetables, meat or fresh seafood are some of the ingredients that make delicious variations of this Italian favorite. Risotto is said to have been originated in the rice paddies of Lombardy, Italy, in the 16th-century.

Some famous types of Risotto include:

Risotto alla Milanese: This is a typical Italian risotto dish of the city of Milan. It is one of the most famous Italian dishes, cooked using arborio rice, broth, saffron, and butter.
Risotto ai Funghi: It is a traditional Italian dish and the perfect example of how to blend creamy Arborio rice with the mushroom-rich feeling or umami.
Risotto di Mare: This is a delicious and tasty version of risotto prepared with seafood which includes shrimp, scallops, and mussels.
Risotto alla Zucca: A warm and flavored risotto that is prepared using pumpkin, arborio rice, stock and Parmesan cheese.

Risotto is a pleasant and creamy food that is ideal in a special occasion. It is an excellent manner of presenting the tastes of rice, broth, and Parmesan cheese.

4. Fiorentina Steak

Fiorentina Steak (also called Bistecca alla Fiorentina) is a thick-cut, T-bone steak, which is Tuscan. It is a carnivore delight representing the perfect T-bone steak that is cooked and lightly seasoned, and is traditionally grilled or roasted using oak wood or olive wood. It displays the simplicity of Italian cuisine and the passion to high-quality and locally sourced ingredients.

Some famous types of Fiorentina Steak include:

Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine Steak): This is the popular variety of Fiorentina Steak, and it is prepared of the longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscles of a young steer or heifer.
Filetto alla Fiorentina (Florentine Fillet): This is a type of Fiorentina Steak that is made from the fillet mignon muscle of a young steer or heifer.
Controfiletto alla Fiorentina (Florentine Ribeye): A version of Fiorentina Steak is made out of the ribeye of a young steer or heifer.
Picanha alla Fiorentina (Florentine Picanha): It is a kind of Fiorentina Steak created using the picanha muscle of a young steer or heifer.

Whichever form of Fiorentina Steak you have, you are bound to have a tasty and spectacular meal. It is a wonderful treat to the meat-lovers and to the culinary traveller in the very core of Tuscany.

5. Arancini

Arancini, Famous Italian rice balls dish

Arancini are a fried rice balls that are popular street food in Sicily and also one of the famous foods in Italy. They are normally prepared using Arborio rice, ragu (meat sauce), and mozzarella cheese. Arancini are also very often stuffed with other ingredients, such as peas, mushrooms, or tuna. Arancini is an iconic Sicilian snack that has captured the hearts and taste buds of people worldwide. These delicious rice balls are crunchy on the outside and have a creamy newish flavor inside.

Some famous types of Arancini include:

Arancini al Ragù: This is the most traditional form of arancini and is made with ragu (meat sauce), mozzarella cheese and peas.
Arancini alla Norma: This arancini is stuffed with eggplant, tomato sauce, ricotta salata cheese and basil. It is a vegetarian arancini named after the opera Norma by Vincenzo Bellini.
Arancini al Pesce Spada: This kind of arancini contains swordfish, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. It is a traditional Sicilian arancini made of seafood.
Arancini al Pistacchio: Pistachio arancini are arancini stuffed with pistachio based pesto, mozzarella cheese, ricotta salata cheese. It is a Sicilian delicacy which is made using the famous Bronte pistachios.
Arancini al Prosciutto e Funghi : This kind of arancini is stuffed with ham, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and béchamel sauce. It is a creamy and delicious arancini that is suitable for a special occasion.

Arancini provide a taste of Sicilian comfort food and are the perfect example of how Italian cuisine makes something truly excellent from humble ingredients.

6. Lasagna

Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that is a favorite comfort food and consists of pasta sheets, rich meat or vegetable sauce, creamy bechamel and melted cheese. Every bite of Lasagna is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, and is typically enjoyed on special occasions. It is normally cooked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. No one knows for sure where lasagna started, but some think it started on the 14th century in Naples, Italy, and it is one of the popular foods in Italy.

Some famous types of Lasagna include:

Lasagna alla Bolognese: This is the classic Lasagna dish, prepared with layers of pasta, raguro di carne (meat sauce), bechamel (white sauce) and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Lasagna alla Norma: Sicilian lasagna, a pasta dish made of eggplant, lasagna pasta, tomato sauce, ricotta salata cheese and basil.
Lasagna Verde: This green lasagna is a blend of spinach lasagna noodles and other fillings including ricotta cheese, béchamel sauce, and veggies.
Lasagna di Mare: Seafood lasagna consists of pasta, tomato sauce, seafood, and bechamel sauce. The seafood can be shrimp, crab, lobster and scallops.

These are just some of the many varieties of lasagna that exist all over the world. The good thing is that you can make lasagna with many different ingredients. Lasagna is a traditional dish that is ideal for every occasion.

7. Osso Buco

Osso buco is a typical Italian dish, which can be cooked in different ways, each with a different taste and regional influence. osso buco literally means “bone with hole” in Italian and it refers to the bone with marrow in the center of the veal shank. When thinking of the best foods in Italy, osso buco is definitely a food that stands out. It is a regional dialect of Lombardy in northern Italy, and especially the city of Milan.

Some famous types of Osso Buco include:

Osso Buco alla Milanese: This is the classic osso buco, which comes from Milan. It is usually served with braised veal shanks in a white wine-based sauce with vegetables, herbs and spices.
Osso Buco in Bianco: This variation of osso buco has a lighter color and more restrained tastes. The dish is normally served without gremolata and the fine flavors come naturally to the front.
Osso Buco alla Romana: This Roman-style osso buco is custard-based, and the tomato sauce gives a touch of sweetness and acidity to the dish.
Osso Buco alla Siciliana: This Sicilian version of osso buco demonstrates the fresh ingredients and bold flavors of this Mediterranean island. The dish is sometimes accompanied by a side of pasta, making it a complete and delicious meal.

These variations of osso buco reflect the versatility of this culinary classic, adapting to regional preferences and showcasing the varied flavors of Italy’s culinary landscape.

8. Gelato

The ice cream in the Italian language is a frozen treat, called gelato, which has taken away hearts and palates globally. Gelato usually has less fat and calorie as compared to the ice cream and has a heavier rich form. The term gelato is an Italian verb whose meaning translates as to freeze. Gelato is thought to have begun in the 16th century originally being made with milk, cream and sugar with other materials, such as eggs, nuts and fruits being added.

Some famous types of Gelato include:

Stracciatella: This traditional taste is characterized by a smooth vanilla layer that is filled with chewing chocolate chips or shavings. It is an easy and simple combination that is also rewarding to both children and adults.
Nocciola (Hazelnut): Hazelnut gelato is a luxurious food that highlights the nutrient scent and taste of roasted hazelnuts. It often is made with Piedmont hazelnuts.
Pistacchio (Pistachio): This is a very colorful green gelato, which is full of nutty, slightly salty paste of pistachios. It is commonly prepared using the Bronte pistachios of Sicily that are scented with a strong flavor and a green shade of emerald.
Cioccolato (Chocolate): Chocolate gelato is a universal taste that can appeal to any chocolate addiction. It may be dark and rich chocolate, and even a more light, milk chocolate, as well as to different tastes.

These are amongst the numerous wonderful tastes of gelato that you can find walking up and down the streets of Italy or in your own gelateria.

9. Tiramisu

The tiramisu is a popular Italian sweet dish, which is often created of thick layers dipped in coffee, mascarpone thick cream, and a heavy sprinkled circle of cocoa dust. The name “tiramisu” is derived from the Italian verb “tirare su” meaning “to pick me up” or “to cheer me up”. The recipe has been adapted as many different varieties of cakes and other desserts. Its origin is subject to controversy between the Italian regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Some famous types of Tiramisu include:

Tiramisu al Cioccolato (Chocolate Tiramisu): In this chocolate delight, cocoa powder is added to the mascarpone mixture, which gives the dish an overwhelming sweet and filled taste of chocolate that fills the entire dish.
Tiramisu alla Nutella (Nutella Tiramisu): This version uses a large spread of Nutella, a hazelnut-chocolate spread, in place of mascarpone cheese.
Pumpkin Spice Tiramisu: This one is a fall version, so it has pumpkin purée and warming spices (cinnamon and nutmeg), puzzle the autumnal essence to the dessert.
Fruit Tiramisu: This is a variation that adds the fruit dimension to the dessert. Fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries or blueberries are placed between the layers giving a burst of sweetness and color.

Those differences exemplify the flexibility of Tiramisu that enables it to match different preferences and tastes as well as trends in the culinary sphere. Tiramisu is everything you are looking to be in your life whether a purist or an adventurer in the desert.

10. Polenta

Polenta, one of the famous foods in Italy

Polenta is an Italian dish which is very popular and dates back to ancient days. It is prepared using roughly grounded yellow cornmeal, and its home comforting and hearty quality has been a staple in Italian food most notably in the north. One can cook polenta using various methods and then serve it on many occasions, be it normal meals or other special events. When it comes to famous foods in Italy, polenta is most certainly one of the must-try dishes.

Some famous types of Polenta include:

Polenta Bianca (White Polenta): The most widespread variant of them all is Polenta Bianca in which plain cornmeal is cooked in plain water or broth.
Polenta Contadina (Rustic Polenta): This is a richer type that adds other ingredients to the polenta such as cheese, meat or veggies to the polenta batter such that it forms a richer and tastier dish.
Polenta alla Griglia (Grilled Polenta): This is a special delight of grilling the polenta that has been cooked in slices and gives a smoky and slightly crisp flavor to the meal.
Polenta Abbrustolita (Fried Polenta): This variant is part of the shallow-frying of pieces of cooked polenta until they become golden brown and crisp.
Sgagliozze (Fried Polenta): The slices of set polenta are fried, to turn golden and crunchy on the surface and tender on the inside.

These types highlight the versatility of polenta such that it is flexible to a great diversity of tastes and preferences. You can have specially the traditional variety or one of the more imaginative preparations, either way polenta is a blank on which you can trace your gastronomic opus.

Atlas In this gastronomic voyage of the most recognizable products of Italy, we have discovered the key and the soul of the Italian food. With the cheesy textures of lasagna; the soft bones of veal shanks, ossobuco; the dense and entitled gelato; the traditional elegance of tiramisu besides the multi dish appeal of polenta, Italian food is precisely a representation of a culture, willing to tackle tradition, simplicity and love of good food.

In this tasty culinary journey through Italy’s most famous foods, we have discovered the heart and the soul of the Italian food. From the comforting layers of lasagna to the tender veal shanks of ossobuco, the rich and creamy flavors of gelato, the classic elegance of tiramisu, and the versatile charm of polenta, Italian food is a true reflection of a culture that values tradition, simplicity, and the love of good food.