The Veneto
For a deep dive into the cuisine of the Colli Euganei, book a table on the terrace of this renowned local restaurant. A single-page menu showcases…
Must-see restaurants in Italy
The Italian Lakes
Located a few kilometres from Santa Maria della Versa is the 18th century home and restaurant of Elena Grigoroi and chef Giorgio Lutrini. It serves two…
Verona
With tables on a pint-sized piazza, cosy indoor rooms and excellent food, this historic, knickknack-filled eatery stands out from the crowd. The menu…
The Dolomites
Right by the town gate, Acherer Patisserie & Blumen sells strudel and Sachertorte that may just be the region's best; the young owner reopened his…
Catania
Take away or dine in at communal tables at this contemporary ode to seasonal, organic, meat-free nosh. Scan the counters for the daily-changing options,…
Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
Just a footbridge away from Burano’s photo-snapping crowds, this pretty Mazzorbo restaurant is a great place for a lazy seafood lunch. Relax by the canal…
Parma
La Greppia is hallowed ground for the kind of Emilia-Romagna gourmands who know their ragù from their bolognese. Sticking tradition and modernity in the…
Lipari
This country restaurant in Pianoconte, 4.5km from Lipari Town, comes into its own in summer, when meals are served on the terrace. Seafood and fresh…
Venice
Chef-owner Cesare Benelli has long been dedicated to the preservation of heritage products and lagoon recipes. Only the freshest seasonal fish gets the…
Catania
Reservations are essential at this Slow Food–recommended restaurant, which even has its own stand at La Pescheria market. The tasting of antipasti is a…
Val d’Ultimo (Ultental)
At this cosy hotel restaurant, local trout served several ways (with almonds, butter and white wine, with garlic and parsley, with herb sauce etc) rounds…
Venice
Dishes might include a lightly curried rabbit maltagliati (cut pasta) or beef cheeks with polenta chips at this elegant enoteca (wine-orientated bistro),…
Abruzzo
Dedicated to the food and wine of Abruzzo, this stone-walled cantina is a handsome place to eat, with its open kitchen and blackboard of seasonal…
Venice
When the octopus starter looks so beautiful that it elicits gasps, there's no questioning how this small, elegant restaurant gained its Michelin star…
Naples
This is Naples' answer to Turin-based food emporium Eataly, a warehouse-like showcase for top-notch Campanian comestibles. The sprawling space is divided…
Gallipoli
The Italian art of making exceptional sandwiches is practised assiduously here. Choose the dense Italian bread (or a baguette if you're feeling fluffy)…
Cisternino
A classic fornello pronto (half butcher's shop, half trattoria), this is the place for a cheerful, no-frills meat fest. The menu is brief, listing a few…
Verbania
Its 100-plus years of history run like a rich seam through this enchanting osteria, where archive photos and bottles line the walls in a display of…
Southeastern Sicily
If you're travelling between Catania and Syracuse, book a table (at least two days ahead in summer) at this beach-shack-inspired trattoria, its waterside…
Sorrento
Like an Italian ‘caff’ without the greasy spoons, AZZ! delights in its simplicity. Pungent garlic bread, intense lasagna and an appetite-quenching…
Como
Set outside Como's pedestrianised core, Enoteca 84 is a snug local restaurant carrying a well-curated list of local wines. It serves a handful of…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
The dining room is elegant simplicity itself at this Michelin-starred restaurant, which puts the food ahead of fuss. With a corner spot on genteel streets…
Central Lombardy
Tucked down a narrow lane a few blocks from the Duomo, Botero has earned wide acclaim for its sophisticated menu, excellent service and elegant but not…
Naples
Ragù might be a Sunday-lunch staple in Naples, but laid-back Tandem serves it up all week long. Whether you're tucking into rigatoni al ragù or a ragù…
Vico Equense
While we find Gabriele's delizia al limone (a lemon-flavoured, sponge-based local dessert) somewhat average, there's nothing mediocre about its gelato…
Udine
If you're lucky, one of the owners of this fabulous Friulian startup, Andrea, will be on hand to take you through Oggi's 0km ethos. Gelato here is made…
Turin
This much-loved local snack spot serves up Ligurian delicacies, including fried anchovies and calamari, pasqualina (an artichoke tort), trofie al pesto (a…
Todi
For around 50 years, this central, and much frequented, cafe has been serving some of Umbria's best gelato. The choice is fairly limited but flavours are…
Como
Although it's a bit of a trek (4km southeast of Como's centre), the delectable Slow Food cooking at this characterful crotto ('grotto') makes it well…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
Watch pizza masters at work at this historic Trastevere bakery. Savour the wood-fired ovens, bar-stool seating and heavenly aromas of pizza, bread (get…
Trentino & South Tyrol
For a real treat, head 17km into the countryside southwest of Rovereto to this converted farmstead specialising in seasonal Trentino cuisine. The monthly…
Giudecca, Lido & the Southern Islands
Founded by fisherfolk in 1920 and still run by the same family, this cosy restaurant serves classic Venetian fare such as potato gnocchi with cuttlefish,…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
With its informal warehouse vibe and buzzing atmosphere, Sbanco is one of the capital's best modern pizzerias. Since opening in 2016, it's made a name for…
Santa Croce
Dine at chez Fabio Picchi and you'll instantly understand why a queue gathers outside before it opens. Once inside, revel in top-notch Tuscan cuisine:…
Matera
Harnessing ingredients sourced from Slow Food producers around southern Italy, Da Zero is the best pizzeria in Matera. Interesting flavour combinations…
Pavia
Located in the Borgo Ticino, the menu at this rustic osteria (think gauze curtains, a terracotta tiled floor and pink silky napkins) is well-rooted in the…
Turin
A hybrid restaurant-bar-deli, this smartly designed, low-key place does clever small-dish dining for lunch and dinner. While it might vibe casual wine bar…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
One for a special occasion, the rooftop restaurant of the luxury Palazzo Manfredi hotel offers once-in-a-lifetime views of the Colosseum and Michelin…
Venice
Estro is anything you want it to be: wine bar, aperitivo pit stop or sit-down degustation restaurant. The vast selection of wine was chosen by young-gun…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
Keep things simple with a traditional Tuscan lunch at this two-room trattoria, tucked between cheap leather shops near Mercato Centrale. Dining is at…
