10 Top Destinations for Foodies in Italy

When you dream about the best food in the world, where does your mind wander? France, Italy, Spain? To be fair, Italy will always be a top contender on anybody’s list. Plus, a 30-second clip of Stanley Tucci discussing Italian food would make anyone board a flight first thing tomorrow morning. 

Whether you’ve been inspired by the legend himself, the classic Eat, Pray, Love, or an endless array of TikTok videos, we wanted to break Italy down for you, region by region, to help you plan your next getaway where you eat to your heart’s content without an ounce of regret. 

Emilia-Romagna

If it feels like this region of Northern Italy sounds a bit like Parmigiano Reggiano, you have a good eye. This delectable area between Florence and Milan is considered to be the food capital of Italy, mainly because several of Italy’s most important food products come from here, including parmesan cheese, prosciutto, and balsamic vinegar. So, if you’re a lover of any of those three staples, you’ll feel as though you’ve died and gone to food heaven here. 

Puglia 

Puglia has the proud distinction of being known as the heel of Italy. And, while many people come here for the turquoise waters that splash along the sunny shorelines, it has something else in liquid form that’s worth its weight in gold: olive oil. It’s also famous for its bread, particularly focaccia. So, if you love those moments when you’re dipping fresh-out-of-the-oven brean into spiced olive oil, you’ll love doing it here, especially with the sea as your backdrop. 

Campania

Now, if you dream of Caprese salads more than focaccia, it’s off to the southern region of Campania we go. This area is renowned for its fresh produce. We’re talking San Marzano tomatoes, milky mozzarella, and beautiful basil. But, there’s something else that trio can create: Neapolitan pizza. We saw it in Eat, Pray, Love and it was no cliché: Naples is the place to go when you want to experience the essence of pizza. 

Umbria

If you dream of Tuscany, à la Under the Tuscan Sun, but shudder at the thought of the crowds, try nearby Umbria. Like most of Italy, food is the centerpiece here and it certainly makes sense. This fertile land is rife with olive groves, vineyards, and farmland. One of the main staples throughout the land is the favored truffle and porcini mushroom. If you dream of thick, creamy risotto dappled with truffle oil or porcini mushrooms, Umbria will deliver time and time again.