Eight Classic Traditional Italian Foods To Try

Traditional Italian Food: A Journey Through Italy's Most Beloved Dishes

Italian cuisine seems popular the world over – thanks to its simplicity and authenticity. But, eating Italian food in Italy, just like the locals, is sure to send your enjoyment up a notch. At Avventure Bellissime – the Italian tours and holiday expert – we have the opportunity to eat as the Romans do, or as any other Italian might do – and here’s our take on the eight classic Italian foods to try during your Italian holiday.

Want to discover the authentic flavors of Italy? Join our expert food guides for an intimate journey through Italy's culinary heritage in one of our Tailor-made Culinary Vacation in Italy.

1. Classic Italian Food: Discovering Tuscany's Hearty Ribollita

This is one of Tuscany’s most important dishes. However, it does have humble origins as it is said to have originated when servants collected their master’s unfinished bread and vegetables to re-boil it for their own meal. It is a thick, hearty soup – similar to chilli con carne. Although it is perhaps not the most obvious dish to try on your Italian vacation it is so delicious – perhaps not what you might expect when you consider how it came to be. Experience the rich culinary traditions of Tuscany with our private Florence Walking Tours, where you could learn the secrets behind dishes like Ribollita from local experts.

2. Traditional Italian Food List: Sicily's Famous Arancini

Arancini is another traditional Italian food dish. It is made of stuffed rice balls that are covered in breadcrumbs and then fried. Inside you will usually find ragù and mozzarella – with additional fillings available depending on the region of Italy you are in. There’s nothing quite like tasting this traditional Italian food whilst in Italy. Discover the authentic taste of Sicily with our private tour of Sicily, where you'll sample freshly made arancini in local, family-run establishments.

3. Classic Italian Dishes: The True Story of Tagliatelle al Ragù

We would definitely recommend trying some spaghetti bolognese, or as the locals call it - tagliatelle al ragù in Bologna. This is the city it originates from. It won’t be served with spaghetti here. As the title suggests, the dish is served with tagliatelle pasta. It will also include pancetta as well as the traditional mince base. This gives it a smoky flavour along with very finely chopped onion, celery and carrot. Nutmeg is used to enhance the flavour – there is absolutely no garlic. Join our Bologna food walking tour to taste the authentic tagliatelle al ragù in its birthplace, paired with local wine recommendations from our expert guides.

4. Italian Food List: Veneto's Signature Pasta Bigoli

And if you are keen to try tagliatelle al ragù, then you should consider casting your taste buds a little further and try Bigoli. It is the signature pasta of the Veneto region – the area around Venice that stretches from the Dolomite Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. Bigoli pasta is like noodles – but quite thick which makes it easy for the sauce to cling to them. The sauce is made from red wine, vegetables and roasted wild duck. It is definitely worthy of a place on any list of the best Italian food. Explore Venice's hidden culinary gems with our Private Hidden Venice Tours with Rialto Market & Cicchetti Tour through the historic canals, featuring traditional cicchetti and other Venetian specialties.