Lake Maggiore West Bank
Tucked away in the mountain village of Crodo, Marconi serves outstanding haute cuisine, with a changing menu of creative seafood, slow-cooked beef and…
Must-see restaurants in Italy
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Ambrosial flavours abound at this artisanal gelateria near the Spanish Steps, all made using the finest seasonal ingredients. There are several other…
Marsala
With outdoor tables on Marsala’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, this lively restaurant and wine bar serves pizzas, over 150 different wines and an…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
A historic restaurant that fires up the 'fogolar friulano', a slow-burning stove, and serves up venison, mushroom or radicchio risotto and other hearty…
Tropea
Recommended by the locals, this restaurant in a smartly whitewashed cellar in the old town has a romantic ambience, candlelit tables and a solid…
Centro Storico
This unmarked gelateria on the main drag in the Jewish Ghetto has a small but tasty selection of kosher ice creams, ranging from dark chocolate to zingy…
Aosta
You might be lured here by the pizza (which is good), but you'll stay on for the atmosphere, with convivial staff, happy locals and a wonderful position…
Promontorio del Gargano
The 'Tavern of the Wolf' is located in a large exposed-brick cellar with jaunty tablecloths and an enthusiastic young staff. The crispy wood-fired pizzas…
Ischia
Technically a bar close to the port; in reality, it's better known as a prime gelato spot. According to some residents, it's the best ice-cream parlour on…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
No visit to Gorizia would be complete without tasting the town's signature pastry, gubana, a fat snail of shortcrust filled with nuts, sultanas and spices.
Calabria
Providing an elegant upper town alternative to the cafes and restaurants in Chianalea, this 2018 opening comes recommended by locals for its excellent…
Rome
With rustic, delicious, no-nonsense pizza by the slice (changing daily), this hole-in-the-wall shop is always packed at lunch with local workers noshing.
Val d'Orcia
The pretty terrace at this wine bar next to the historic gate is a popular spot for lunch, a merende (afternoon snack) or aperitivo.
Costa Smeralda
In the seafront arcade, this central cafe is a popular meeting point and good for a quick bruschetta at lunchtime and live music and drinks by night.
Turin
This happy, pretty pizzeria set in an old glassworks does Sicilian-style pizza using good-quality ingredients, along with rather fancy desserts.
Centro Storico
This branch of local institution Ba'Ghetto specialises in fish- and dairy-based dishes, including pizza.
Piedmont
The perennially popular pizzeria Pinky is a skiers' favourite, not to mention a post-bar pit stop. During the season, it also has live music.
La Costiera Triestina
Join the crush of teenagers that hang outside Jimmy’s, slurping his deliciously sweet melon gelato with a front-row pew on the main piazza.
Santa Croce
Young Florentines flock to the Pizza Maker to nosh Neapolitan thick-crust pizzas hot from the wood-fired oven. Bookings essential for dinner.
San Gimignano
Enjoy a coffee or a light lunch and glass of Vernaccia at one of the pavement tables at this long-standing favourite near the duomo.
Cala Gonone
Hazelnut, fig, yoghurt and lemon – the gelati and sorbetti here are the real deal. Stop by for a cone to lick as you stroll the promenade.
Genoa
Serves up tasty focaccia slices just a short stroll from the Stazione Principe. Great for grabbing a snack while waiting for your train.
Lecce
This gelateria, one of Lecce's best, has an array of fabulous confectionery. Anything made with pistachios is likely to be delicious.
Bellagio
They do the simple things well here – think pizza, pasta and other Italian staples served on an agreeable open courtyard.
Verbania
Osteria dell'Angolo is less than 50m from the Verbania Pallanza ferry. It was undergoing renovations at last visit.
Cagliari
Stop by for divine handmade gelati, desserts (try the millefeuille), spice-infused pralines and truffles.
Riviera di Ponente
Simple and good Ligurian specialities are cooked up at this rustic place in Finalborgo's historic centre.
Pordenone
Just off the Corso, a vaulted den offering snacks, grills and Venetian-style baccalà (cod).
Puglia
A class act with a sea-view terrace, this place specialises in – what else? – fresh fish.
Tigullio & Baia del Levante
Serves outstanding seafood dishes from an elevated spot overlooking Bonassola's beachfront.
Eastern Sardinia
Small but mighty, this storefront dishes out delicious homemade goat-milk gelato.
Oltrarno
Run by the hip hoteliers upstairs at SoprArno Suites, this retro-styled cafe sports vintage train carriage racks as shelving and a couple of highly…
San Lorenzo & San Marco
This veteran trattoria has been whipping up tasty Tuscan plates since 1954 and still uses its original wood-fired oven to bake mouth-watering pizzas (€6…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Locals and tourists alike have propped up the wooden bar here since 1842, when this wine bar first opened its doors near the Spanish Steps. Summer ushers…
San Polo & Santa Croce
This snappy place is never short of local professors, labourers and clued-in out-of-towners. Crusty rolls are packed with local cheeses, fresh greens,…
Oltrarno
This rustic-style eatery in San Frediano has chef Arturo at the helm, who’s been whipping up fresh plates of pasta and succulent steaks since the 1970s…
Milan
Perfectly located with a tree-framed view of the Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio, this bistro-style restaurant serves a classic menu with a particular focus on…
Venice
Staffed by refugees and migrants from all over Africa, the menu at this attractive restaurant reflects that diversity, with dishes from Egypt, Morocco,…
Milan
A rare treat in Milan is this tapas bar pioneered by Alice and Matheus. Plates of piquillo peppers stuffed with salt cod, garlicky Galician prawns and…
Trattoria alla Rampa del Piave
Venice
Hidden behind a little working-class bar is a low-slung dining room serving up some of Venice’s heartiest lunch specials. A largely male, Venetian crowd…
