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Italy is not just for crumbling ruins, stunning coastlines, and starry-eyed cities – it’s also the culinary heartland of some of the world’s most compelling food experiences. Whether you’re an avid foodie, a leisurely traveller, or simply someone who loves pasta and wine, discovering the best food in Italy is an adventure with deep flavours, heritage, and memories that will last a lifetime. Italian restaurants don’t merely serve food—they share stories of tradition, regional identity, and seasonal ingredients.
Top Restaurants To Experience The Best Food In Italy
Some of the best restaurants offering the best food in Italy, authentic flavours, traditional recipes, and must-try dishes that define Italian cuisine.
1. Osteria Francescana, Modena
Photo: City Foodsters / Wikimedia Commons
Situated in Modena, Osteria Francescana is a 3-Michelin-star restaurant that has gained international recognition for reinventing traditional Italian foods in innovative and artistic ways. With international chef Massimo Bottura at the helm, the restaurant offers a tasting menu that elevates traditional Italian flavours to new heights while honouring Emilia-Romagna’s gastronomic heritage. From a modern interpretation of Parmigiano Reggiano to balsamic-glazed masterpieces, the menu is a journey through the heart of celebrated cuisines in Italy.
Location: Modena
Signature Dishes:Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano, Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart, Tagliatelle al Ragù and The Crunchy Part of the Lasagna
Best Time To Visit: March to May and September to November
2. La Pagola, Rome
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The Ignoring the Eternal City from Monte Mario is the only 3-Michelin-Star restaurant in La Pagola, Rome. Stunned by Chef Hez Beck, this magnificent restaurant at the Rome Cavaliary Hotel offers a unique experience of delicious food. Guests can enjoy cuisine such as Phagotelli’s “La Paragola” or John Dori with a black truffle in an atmosphere of elegance with panoramic views of St. Peter’s Basilica. It is not just a meal – it is a sensory experience that mixes art, taste, and romance.
Location: Rome
Signature Dishes:Fagotelli “La Pergola”, John Dory with Black Truffle
Best Time To Visit: March to October
3. Enoteca Pinchiorri, Florence
Photo: Nano Erdozain / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Located in the heart of the city, Enoteca Pinchiorri is one of Italy’s iconic fine dining restaurants. Boasting three Michelin stars and a cellar that contains more than 120,000 bottles of wine, it’s paradise for foodies and wine enthusiasts. The restaurant prepares meals that showcase Tuscany’s abundance, like Chianina beef and black truffle risotto. It’s a must-visit for anyone who wishes to discover luxury food in a Renaissance ambience.
Location: Florence
Signature Dishes:Risotto with Black Truffle, Chianina Beef Fillet with Chianti Reduction, Foie Gras with Vin Santo and Almonds, Tuscan Pigeon
Best Time To Visit: May to October
4. Da vitorio, bruceporto
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Located in a cool rural area near Bergamo, Da Vitorio is a family-powered restaurant with three Michelin stars and one of the best restaurants in Italy. The CEREA family distributes impeccable service and timeless Italian cuisine – Think Patchry pasta, creamy risottos, and fully ripened seafood. Settings surrounded by vineyards and nature complement heart-wrenching food. A journey here is not just about eating, it is about the warmth of Italian hospitality and the rich tastes of delicious cuisines in Italy.
Location: Brusaporto, near Bergamo
Signature Dishes:Paccheri alla Vittorio, Risotto with Scampi and Lemon, Seafood Crudo Platter, Traditional Milanese-style Veal Cutlet
Best Time To Visit: Year – round
5. Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, Milan
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This 2-Michelin-starred Milan restaurant combines modern design with timeless flavours. Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia puts a creative spin on traditional regional recipes with local ingredients. Their spaghetti with spring onion and chilli or lamb with lentils exemplifies the harmony of simplicity and technique. If in Milan, this is where to be for a chic but soulful taste of legendary dishes. Pair your meal with a fine Italian wine from their extensive cellar for a truly unforgettable dining experience.
Location: Milan
Signature Dishes:Spaghetti with Spring Onion and Chili Pepper, Lamb with Lentils and Aromatic Herbs, Tuscan-style Rabbit, Risotto with Saffron and Licorice
Best Time To Visit: Year – round
6. Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890, Sorrento
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Sitting atop the Amalfi Coast, Don Alfonso 1890 marries breathtaking views with rich Mediterranean flavours. The restaurant’s signature is organic produce from its own gardens and an ancient wine cellar hewn into volcanic rock. Lemon-scented risotto and lobster spaghetti are two popular dishes, symbolising the light and flavorful aspect. The family-friendly ambience and coastal opulence ensure that it’s a romantic food retreat.
Location: Sorrento
Signature Dishes:Lemon Risotto with Scampi, Lobster Spaghetti, Eggplant Parmigiana, Delizia al Limone
Best Time To Visit: April to September
7. Uliassi, Senigallia
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Situated on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, Uliassi is a 3-Michelin-starred restaurant serving a seafood-centric menu full of imagination. Their creations—such as raw red prawns with wild plants or sea bass with fennel pollen—hone in on the region’s marine heritage. Having outdoor seating with ocean views only adds to the experience, as it is perfect for seafood enthusiasts discovering renowned food. It’s a true celebration of tasty delicious, where every dish tells a story of the sea.
Location: Senigallia, Marche
Signature Dishes:Red Prawns with Wild Herbs, Sea Bass with Fennel Pollen, Spaghetti with Clams and Bottarga, Smoked Eel with Polenta
Best Time To Visit: May to October
8. Antica Osteria Cera, Lughetto
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This two-Michelin-starred restaurant close to Venice is a seafood lover’s dream destination. Antica Osteria Cera pushes simplicity to new heights with its extremely well-prepared dishes, such as scallops marinated in citrus or spaghetti served with cuttlefish ink. The ambience is cosy, and the menu has its roots in the richness of the Venetian lagoon. Perfect for those who appreciate refined seafood and elegant presentation, Antica Osteria Cera offers a truly unforgettable journey through the best foods in Italy.
Location: Lughetto, close to Venice
Signature Dishes:Marinated Scallops with Citrus, Spaghetti with Cuttlefish Ink, Grilled Adriatic Seafood, Raw Fish Tasting Menu
Best Time To Visit: March to November
9. La Madia, Licata, Sicily
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Chef Pino Cuttaia’s La Madia is a tribute to Sicily’s rich gastronomic heritage. In Licata, this 2-Michelin-starred restaurant turns humble local ingredients into sublime dishes. The legendary “cloud of caprese” and ravioli filled with smoked cod are testaments to the creative brilliance tapped into iconic food in Italy. Eating here is an immersion in the island’s flavours, taking history, memory, and ingenuity together. Each course at La Madia is a beautifully crafted story, offering a soulful journey through the heart of Sicilian culinary tradition.
Location: Licata, Sicily
Signature Dishes:loud of Caprese, Ravioli with Smoked Cod, Sicilian Red Prawns, “Il Cannolo”, Sicilian Cannoli Dessert
Best Time To Visit: April to October
10. Ristorante Reale, Castel di Sangro
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Hidden away in Abruzzo’s mountains, Ristorante Reale is a 3-Michelin-star restaurant led by Chef Niko Romito. Renowned for his minimalist but powerful style, Romito turns dishes such as roasted cauliflower or lamb with liquorice into sheer poetry. The ambience in a former monastery adds to the charm and peacefulness. The seasonal tasting menu reflects the region’s essence, blending tradition with modern elegance in every bite.
Location: Castel di Sangro, Abruzzo
Signature Dishes:Roasted Cauliflower with Capers and Black Olives, Lamb with Licorice
Best Time To Visit: March to May and June to August
Italy offers a rich and warm entry point to its culinary heritage by way of some of the finest restaurants spread across the country. Each of them brings you closer to the heart of food in Italy. From the rolling Tuscan vineyards to the coastal cuisine of Sicily, each restaurant on this list not only serves delicious dishes in Italy. Plan a trip with TripXL for an unforgettable experience.
Cover Photo: Brenan Greene / Wikimedia Commons
