Vieste
Look beyond the stony, cavernous interior of this modest-seeming restaurant to find what is possibly the best homemade, hand-shaped orecchiette in Puglia…
Must-see restaurants in Italy
Central Lombardy
In the charming setting of Crespi d'Adda, some 20km southwest of Bergamo, Osteria da Mualdo is the place for high-end cooking with a menu of both regional…
Siena
Head to this popular chain near the Campo for a gelato, frappé, milkshake or hot chocolate (winter only). Gelato flavours change with the seasons, and…
The Dolomites
Specialist cheese and speck counters, well-priced local wine and grappa, plus an excellent selection of prepared meals – canederli (dumplings), goulash,…
Northwestern Sardinia
With al fresco tables on a sunny cobbled terrace and a bright, light-filled dining room, La Torre is a handsome spot to sit down to wood-fired pizzas and…
Val d'Orcia
Famed for its succulent maialino da latte arrosto (roasted suckling pig), this much-loved trattoria is an excellent dining option, especially if you are…
Genoa
A wonderfully old-fashioned place, with fragrant scoops appearing from under metal-topped vats. The panera (a Genovese coffee-and-cream blend), creamy…
Lake Garda
The excellent, if somewhat pricey food at this local harbourside trattoria is served by very attentive staff in a simple, undistracting dining room. The…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Serves up Friulian classics, cjalcions (filled pasta), frico and apple gnocchi and trout fresh from the Tagliamento river in a cosy room that pares back…
Tellaro
The best choice for seafood in Tellaro serves up mouthwatering plates of fresh fish, seafood pastas and various octopus dishes. Reserve ahead or go early…
Oristano
This restaurant's name refers to the glowing embers of a wood fire, and grilled meats and fish are indeed its speciality – but you'll also find a full…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Hladik accommodates just 25 tables and a small bar beneath its low vaulted ceiling where locals come for home soup, venison goulash and warming plates of…
Savona
In the cobbled centre, this much-loved local spot serves up outstanding farinata (chickpea flour flat bread), as well as delectable, simply prepared…
The Dolomites
The fork-wielding Ladin sausage cooks are a Canazei institution at this roadside stall just by the bus stop. It draws queues of ravenous skiers all winter…
Palau
Locals swear by the authentic antipasti, pasta and fresh fish at this no-frills restaurant just south of the harbour. Stop by for a good-value lunch, or…
Portofino
Puny's harbourside location is the one you've come to Portofino for and the owners treat everyone like they're a visiting celeb. The food sticks loyally…
Northwestern Sardinia
Dine on fresh fish and seafood at this idyllically sited restaurant on the Spiaggia La Speranza, a popular beach 8km south of Alghero. If coming in winter…
Riomaggiore
There are always lots of tourists here but you won't feel like one as the service is so genuinely personable. Fish dishes predominate, though the pizza…
Reggio Calabria
The most popular gelateria in town is in a modest green kiosk at the end of the lungomare. Try the subtle citrus zing of the bergamotto flavour,…
Abruzzo
An old-fashioned deli in Guardiagrele's historic centre, this is a great place for a doorstopper panino (filled bread) and regional delicacies – honey,…
Ravenna
Ravenna's only historic covered market, dating to 1921, is scheduled to re-open in late 2019 transformed into a food hall of restaurants, wine bars and…
Emilia-Romagna
A fun restaurant and bar open for food and drinks on Fridays and weekends right at the foot of Pietra di Bismantova. As one might expect, it's a hiker…
Lucca
Join the crowd queuing in front of this excellent bakery to purchase fresh-from-the-oven pizza and focaccia with a variety of fillings and toppings. It’s…
Northwestern Sardinia
Watch the boats bob by as you dig into reliably good pizzas and crowd-pleasing surf-and-turf dishes at Lu Fanali, a popular, unbuttoned kind of place with…
Portofino
A fashionable restaurant overlooking the port, Caffè Excelsior is a good perch with romantic outdoor booths – where Greta Garbo used to hide behind dark…
Cilento Coast
This humble beachside eatery is run by a fishing family that still plies the waters in winter. Expect the freshest grilled fish: sea bream, sea bass,…
Southern Tuscany
This store opposite the park's Alberese visitor centre stocks a range of groceries, wine and local produce. It also sells panini and pizza slices. Coffee…
Genoa
Punt a football anywhere in Genoa and you’re bound to hit somewhere that sells focaccia. This focacceria sells a huge range of focaccia slices, pizza,…
Rome
Dolce, a charming cake and pie shop, offers exquisitely crafted sweets, from muffins to seasonal fruit-inspired cakes. A tiny clutch of vintage tables…
Lake Iseo
When peckish in Iseo you could always do what the locals do: grab a huge but supremely thin and crispy pizza from this bustling takeaway, then stroll a…
Northwestern Sardinia
In Sennori, off the main Sassari road above the historic centre, is this great place to sample the local wine and delicious fresh seafood. Particularly…
Naples
This popular pizzeria makes for a handy back-up plan if your pizzeria of choice is booked out. The pizzas are more than decent and there's warm-weather al…
Alba
Young chef Andrea Larossa has been wowing them from this unusual basement space for a few years now. This is Italian gastronomy with all its flourishes…
Isola Maddalena
Sardinian home cooking is on the menu at bistro-style Sottovento, a short stroll north of the harbour. Go for seafood antipasti, handmade pasta and fresh…
The Dolomites
Despite the German name, this cellar hideaway embraces all things Italian, and makes what many consider the best pizza in all of Val Pusteria. It fills up…
Siena
Close to the Campo, this popular bakery and cafe offers filled panini and slices of pizza to take away, as well as pizzas and cheap meal deals to enjoy at…
Southeastern Sardinia
On the main road through Muravera, you can get a decent bite at Ristorante Pizzeria Su Nuraxi. It’s a relaxed, modern-styled place good for seafood,…
Verona
Old-fashioned bakery and deli selling everything from wine to pasta by weight, to the finest of desserts and miniature pastries. Grab a slice of takeaway…
Southern Tuscany
When strolling through the city centre, consider popping into this family-run gelateria to source a sweet treat: gelato, frozen yoghurt, smoothies and…
Santa Croce
One of the city’s most traditional, family-run gelaterias remains one of its best – the freshness of flavours like salted caramel or ricotta with fig or…
