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Thali

🇮🇹 The food of Italy

114 dishes from Italy, best known first, across 60 cities and regions.

Italian cooking is shaped by centuries of regional tradition, a focus on quality ingredients, and the Mediterranean diet. Its dishes are often simple but deeply tied to local produce and history, with pasta, cheese, cured meats, and wine at the center. Italian food has influenced cuisines worldwide and is protected as a cultural heritage.

  • Italy is the world's largest wine producer.
  • Pizza originated in Naples.
  • Gelato, tiramisu, and cassata are iconic Italian desserts.
  • UNESCO recognized Italian cuisine as intangible heritage in 2025.
  • Pasta was made in Italy as early as the 4th century BC.

The cooking of Italy

Italian food draws from a long history, beginning in ancient Rome and evolving through centuries of local and foreign influence. Each region developed its own specialties, shaped by climate, trade, and agriculture. The cuisine is known for using a few high-quality ingredients, letting their natural flavors stand out. Pasta, bread, cheese, and cured meats are central, with vegetables and olive oil forming the backbone of many dishes. Meals often highlight seasonality and local products. Italian cooking has influenced food cultures worldwide, from Eritrea to the United States.

Staple foods in Italy

Pasta and bread are everyday foods, made in many shapes and styles. Olive oil, tomatoes, and garlic are common in many dishes. Cheese (like mascarpone, ricotta, and regional varieties), cured meats, and wine are key. Vegetables such as artichokes, aubergines (eggplant), and leafy greens are widely used. Rice is important in the north, especially for risotto. Citrus fruits, almonds, and pistachios appear in both savory and sweet dishes.

Sweets and drinks in Italy

Italian desserts often blend local nuts and fruits with sweet cheeses or imported flavors like cocoa and vanilla. Gelato (Italian-style ice cream), tiramisu (a layered dessert with coffee and mascarpone), and cassata (a Sicilian cake with ricotta and candied fruit) are well-known. Coffee, especially espresso, is a daily ritual. Italy is the world's largest wine producer, with a huge range of native grape varieties.

From region to region in Italy

Cooking styles and ingredients shift from region to region. Northern cities like Milan are known for creamy rice dishes such as risotto, while Bologna is famous for stuffed pasta like tortellini. Naples in the south is the birthplace of pizza. Sicily, influenced by Arab rule, uses ingredients like citrus, pistachios, and aubergines. Trieste in the northeast reflects a mix of cultures in its food. Each area favors its own local produce, cheese, and preserved meats.

At the table in Italy

Meals are often served in courses, with attention to the order and presentation. Table manners have been shaped by centuries of etiquette, such as using utensils instead of fingers and keeping napkins for their intended use. Waiters are expected to serve with care and cleanliness. Meals are social occasions, often shared with family or friends.

Festival and religious food in Italy

On holidays and religious occasions, Italians prepare special dishes that reflect local traditions. Fish is often served during Lent. Sweets and cakes, sometimes flavored with citrus or nuts, are made for festivals. Some regions celebrate with unique breads or pastries, and wine is commonly shared.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Italian cuisine", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Cities and regions of Italy

Naples 12Sicily 12Campania 7Lazio 7Rome 6Abruzzo 5Milan 5Palermo 5Veneto 5Bologna 4Genoa 4Lombardy 4Tuscany 4Apulia 3Catania 3Friuli-Venezia Giulia 3Liguria 3Marche 3Modena 3Piedmont 3Turin 3Venice 3Benevento 2Calabria 2Emilia-Romagna 2Ferrara 2Messina 2Parma 2Puglia 2Reggio Emilia 2Sardinia 2Syracuse 2Trabia 2Treviso 2Trieste 2Umbria 2Alba 1Amalfi 1Andria 1Aosta Valley 1Ariccia 1Bari 1Brescia 1Caltanissetta 1Capri 1Carpegna 1Caserta 1Castelfranco Emilia 1Cesena 1Cisternino 1Cremona 1Florence 1Forlì-Cesena 1Gargano 1Gulf of Naples 1Gulf of Salerno 1Latium 1Lecce 1Lower Piedmont 1Mantua 1
MealBreakfastLunchTea timeDinnerSupperSnacks
KindMain dishStreet foodSoupStew or curryRice dishNoodle or pasta dishDumplingBreadGrill or roastSandwich or wrapPie or savoury pastrySalad or sideCheese or dairy foodSausage or cured foodSauce, pickle or fermentSweet or dessertDrink
DietVegetarianVeganFish and seafoodMeat
Pizza 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreFlatbread topped with tomato, cheese and baked at high heat Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Pasta 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreUnleavened dough shaped and cooked, a staple of Italian cuisine Main dish, Lunch, Dinner SpaghettiVegan 🇮🇹 Italy and 2 moreLong, thin pasta strands made from durum wheat and water Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner Lasagnalasagne 🇮🇹 ItalyBaked layers of pasta sheets, sauce, cheese and fillings from Italy Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Risotto 🇮🇹 ItalyCreamy Italian rice dish slowly cooked with broth and finished with cheese Main dish, Lunch, Dinner PolentaVegan 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreBoiled cornmeal porridge from northern Italy, served soft or set and sliced Main dish Oxtail stewMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreStew made with oxtail, found in many world cuisines Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner BraciolaMeat 🇮🇹 ItalyItalian pan-fried or grilled slices of meat, often cooked in olive oil Main dish CarbonaraMeatpasta alla carbonara 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 morePasta tossed with eggs, hard cheese, cured pork and black pepper Main dish, Lunch, Dinner MeatballMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreGround meat shaped into balls and cooked by frying, baking, or braising in sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner RavioliRavioliai 🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreStuffed pasta parcels, usually square, with varied fillings and sauces Main dish, Lunch, Dinner CarpaccioMeat 🇮🇹 ItalyPaper-thin slices of raw meat or fish, served as a starter Main dish, Lunch, Dinner TortelliniMeat 🇮🇹 ItalySmall ring-shaped pasta parcels filled with seasoned meat and cheese Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Pizza MargheritaVegetarian 🇮🇹 ItalyNeapolitan pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella, basil and olive oil Main dish, Lunch, Dinner OssobucoMeat 🇮🇹 ItalyBraised veal shank with bone marrow, a Lombard dish often served with risotto or polenta Main dish, Dinner, Lunch Neapolitan pizzaVegetarianpizza napoletana 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreSoft, thin pizza with high edges from Naples, baked quickly in a wood-fired oven Main dish Snails as foodMeat 🇲🇦 Morocco and 5 moreLand and sea snails prepared and eaten in many world cuisines Main dish, Lunch, Dinner SaltimboccaMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreVeal layered with prosciutto and sage, cooked with wine and butter Main dish, Dinner, Lunch Spaghetti aglio e olioVegan 🇮🇹 ItalySpaghetti tossed with garlic gently cooked in olive oil Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Cacio e pepeVegetarianPasta cacio e pepe 🇮🇹 ItalyRoman pasta tossed with pecorino romano cheese and black pepper Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Deviled eggsVegetarian 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreHard-boiled eggs filled with a seasoned yolk mixture, served cold Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Stuffed peppers 🇧🇬 Bulgaria and 5 moreBell peppers filled with seasoned mixtures and cooked until tender Main dish, Lunch, Dinner OrecchietteVegan 🇮🇹 ItalySmall ear-shaped pasta from Apulia, Italy, made by hand from durum wheat flour and water Noodle or pasta dish, Lunch, Dinner RagùMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreItalian meat sauce for pasta, made in many regional styles Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Arrabbiata sauceVegan 🇮🇹 ItalySpicy Italian tomato sauce with garlic and chili from Rome Sauce, pickle or ferment, Lunch, Dinner RibollitaVegetarian 🇮🇹 ItalyTuscan bread soup with beans, kale and vegetables, often made from leftovers Soup, Lunch, Dinner PissaladièreFish or seafood 🇫🇷 France and 1 moreThick flatbread from Nice topped with caramelised onions, olives and anchovies Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Spaghetti alle vongoleFish or seafoodSpaghetti alla vongole 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreSpaghetti tossed with clams, garlic, parsley and olive oil Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Arròs negreFish or seafood 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreRice cooked with squid ink, cuttlefish or squid, and seafood broth Main dish, Lunch, Dinner ParmigianaVegetarian 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreEggplant slices fried, layered with cheese and tomato sauce, then baked Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Vitello tonnatoMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 3 moreChilled veal slices covered in a creamy tuna sauce Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Bagna càudaFish or seafood 🇮🇹 Italy and 3 moreA warm anchovy and garlic dip from Piedmont, served with vegetables Sauce, pickle or ferment, Dinner Pasta alla NormaVegetarian 🇮🇹 ItalySicilian pasta with fried eggplant, tomato sauce and ricotta salata Main dish, Lunch, Dinner ZitiVegan 🇮🇹 ItalyTubular pasta from Sicily, often used in baked dishes and feasts Main dish Veal MilaneseMeatcotoletta alla milanese 🇮🇹 Italy and 2 moreBone-in veal cutlet breaded and fried in butter, from Milan Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Neapolitan ragùMeat 🇮🇹 ItalySlow-cooked meat and tomato sauce from Naples, served with pasta and as a main dish Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Squid (as food)Fish or seafood 🇯🇵 Japan and 5 moreSquid prepared and eaten in many ways around the world Main dish, Lunch, Dinner PorchettaMeat 🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreBoneless pork roast seasoned with herbs and slow-cooked until tender Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Roulade 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreA rolled dish with a filling, made sweet or savoury Main dish Pasta con le sardeFish or seafood 🇮🇹 ItalySicilian pasta with sardines, anchovies, wild fennel and breadcrumbs Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Cappelletti 🇮🇹 ItalyRing-shaped stuffed pasta from central Italy, often served in broth Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Bistecca alla fiorentinaMeat 🇮🇹 ItalyA thick T-bone steak grilled rare, from Tuscany Main dish, Dinner, Lunch Boudin 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreA family of French-style sausages, often made with pork, rice, or blood Sausage or cured food, Lunch, Dinner Torta 🇪🇸 Spain and 5 moreA word for cake, pie, flatbread, sandwich or omelette, depending on the country Bread Tramezzino 🇮🇹 ItalyItalian sandwich made with soft white bread and a range of fillings Sandwich or wrap, Snacks, Lunch BrudetFish or seafood 🇭🇷 Croatia and 2 moreAdriatic fish stew cooked with wine, vegetables and spices Main dish, Lunch, Dinner ScampiFish or seafood 🇮🇹 Italy and 3 moreShellfish sautéed or fried, served with garlic, wine, and sometimes cheese or lemon Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Sarde in saorFish or seafood 🇮🇹 ItalyFried sardines layered with marinated onions, pine nuts and raisins from Venice Main dish, Snacks, Lunch
More dishes

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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