We reveal which Italian cities foodies should visitand the must-try dishes to eat in each of them.
Forget about spaghetti with meatballs and chicken parmwhen in Italy, embrace the local cuisine.
From carbonara in Rome to the best street food in Palermo, each Italian region has its own recipes.
Pasta Amatriciana served in Italian restaurant in Rome, Italy.Credit:Alexander Spatari/Getty Images
As an American living in Rome, I love traveling around the country and tasting the local specialties.
Ive dined at Michelin-starred restaurants, humble hole-in-the-wall sandwich shops, and everything in between.
Florence
Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure
Like Rome,Florencehas options for every taste and budget.
A busy plaza in Rome, Italy.Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure
Be adventurous and look out for the many sandwich trucks piling tripe into bread rolls, says Pasquale.
This age-old tradition is calledlampredotto,and around here they top them with a rich salsa verde.
Traditional dishes tend to be hearty and fillingjust what you should probably warm up on cold winter nights.
Skyline in Florence, Italy.Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure
Milan also has an exciting international food scene these days.
Turin
This elegant former capital of Italy is one of my favorite cities, Pasquale gushes.
The city is full of sophisticated cafes, where locals gather for specialty espresso drinks or aperitivo.
A market in Bologna, Italy.Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure
And wash it down withbicerin, a coffee-slash-hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, Pasquale says.
The city is especially well known for its street food.
A trip to Palermo wouldnt be complete without a walk through one of the markets.
Waterside cafes in Milan, Italy.Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure
Naples
As the birthplace of pizza,Naplesis naturally the best place to get it.
Calzone-style, the most popular one is stuffed with ricotta and crispy pork shavings, Pasquale says.
Of course, theres so much more to Naples than pizza.
Modena, Italy’s Cathedral.Gim42/Getty Images
Pasquale also suggests tasting the citys most beloved pastry.
If youre a sweet tooth like me, try thesfogliatella Santa RosaatAntico Forno Fratelli Attanasio.
While youre there, dont miss the friedmoeche, typical tiny soft crabs, Pasquale suggests.
An outdoor cafe in Turin, Italy.Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure
When inVenice,cicchetti(Venetian-style tapas) are a must.
I love the ones atCantina del Vino gia Schiavi, an old-school wine bar in Dorsoduro.
Once you try the freshest burrata in Puglia, where it originates, youll realize that nothing else compares.
A rooftop restaurant in Palermo, Italy.Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure
But be sure to save room for apasticciotto, an oval pastry filled with custard and sometimes cherries.
Try them atCaffe AlvinoorPasticceria Natale, which also makes delicious gelato.
Harbor area of Naples, Italy.Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure
Rialto Market in Venice, Italy.Lara D’Agostino/Travel + Leisure
Lecce’s Roman Amphitetheater.e55evu/Getty Images
