Travel to the country known as “The Boot” and experience the top 7 foodie destinations in Italy. Located in southwest Europe, Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world. While many tourists go to Italy to visit the many different Catholic churches or to see many ancient Renaissance structures, others go here to enjoy various Italian dishes. Find out these distinct dishes as you go to all seven destinations in the country.
While planning out your trip, you may also need to prepare pertinent documents to help you secure a Schengen tourist visa. Applying for a Schengen Visa is so easy to do! You just need to complete the following requirements and you’ll be ready to roll!
- Valid passport and copies of the front and back pages
- A couple of passport-sized photos with white background
- Proof of Travel – Tourists may opt to get a Flight Reservation for Visa or Hotel Booking for Visa without having to pay the actual ticket or hotel reservation.
- Travel Insurance – Tourists may acquire a more affordable and reliable travel insurance from Schengen Travel Insurance.
- Personal Covering Letter
- Financial documents, and
- Schengen Visa application form
Top 7 Foodie Destinations in Italy:
Top 7: The Capital City:
Where else should you begin your sumptuous Italian trip but in the capital city itself! Rome is well-known for its multitude of ancient structures like the Coliseum, Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain; however this city is also known for its delicious cuisines which tourists cannot take a pass on. As what they say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do!” Eat what the locals eat! And if you want to eat what Romans do, it is best to go to Trastevere.
Trastevere is the center of food in Rome. No wonder it is in the top 7 foodie destinations in Italy. Here, you can find all sorts of restaurants and café that serve the best pizza, pasta, antipasti, wine, coffee, and many more. One of the more famous restaurants in Trastevere is Da Enzo.
This simple, laidback, family-style restaurant is known for its Burrata di Andria which translates to cream cheese of Andria. This super creamy cheese is served with slices of fresh Roma tomatoes and local bread. Its simplicity is what makes the meal so perfect and to-die-for. As you go through the menu of Da Enzo, you will come across many different pasta dishes. If you are having a hard time selecting, choose their Carbonara pasta and end your meal with a cup of fresh strawberries with mascarpone.
Top 6: City of the Sun:
Travel south from Rome and you will get to the famous City of the Sun. Naples is the capital of the region of Campania and it is known for its local tomatoes, cheeses, and pasta. When in Naples, one must try the simple yet tasty Mozzarella en Carroza or mozzarella in a carriage.
This Italian version of grilled cheese slash French toast is made from leftover buffalo mozzarella put in between a pair of sliced bread and fried to perfection. Pair this with a cup of cappuccino and you’re all set for the day’s tour.
Another must-try in Naples is, of course, the Pizza alla Napoletana or Neapolitan Pizza. Go to the famous local pizzeria named Da Michele to taste the best local pizza. This century old pizzeria makes the best hand-tossed pizza dough partnered with the best tomato pizza sauce. Here, the pizzas are baked in their old yet reliable brick oven.
Top 5: The Tuscan Capital:
Travel north from Rome and you will reach the region known as Tuscany. Visit the Tuscan capital, Florence, to experience real Italian baked goods like bread, cakes, and Panini. One of the must-try, one-of-a-kind Firenze sandwich is the lampredotto.
Lampredotto is made from ox tripe that is simmered in a special sauce and slow-cooked to perfection. Once tender, the tripe is sliced thinly and placed in a freshly baked ciabatta bread. Partner this with a glass of sweet or table wine and you will surely be in cloud nine. For a taste of the best lampredotto in Florence, visit I Due Fratellini.
Top 4: Go To Lombardy:
Go to the northern part of Italy and see the region known as Lombardy. Its capital city Milan is famous for being the global leader in fashion design, architectural design, and even innovative design. Most of the tourist that come to Milan do so for the city’s unique boutiques and landmarks. What they discover later on is the gastronomic potentials of the city. One of the must-try dishes in Milan is the famous Risotto allo Zafferano or Saffron Risotto.
This creamy rice dish is usually served as a starter which is given before the main course. If you want to try this creamy goodness, go to the local’s favourite El Brellin. Here you can order this risotto and pair it with another local choice, Costoletta alla Milanese or Breaded Veal.
Top 3: The Bride of the Sea:
Travel to the north eastern tip of Italy and you will reach The Bride of the Sea or Venice. Most travellers do not really rave about Venetian food but that is because these travellers often eat in touristy areas which is a far cry from what the locals do eat. Once you find the right local restaurants where true Venetian residents really commune and break bread then you will not be disappointed by the food that’s on the table.
Being close to the Adriatic Sea, you can expect to find the freshest marine catches in most local Venetian markets. Therefore the local dishes that you must try are those that are made of or with the fruits of the sea or as the locals say “frutti di mare.” One of must-try dishes is the vermicelli al nero di sepia or blank squid ink in vermicelli. If you want to try this unique pasta dish, better go to Al Muro or Al Merca.
Top 2: Experience La Grassa:
Travel to the city known as La Grassa and taste some of the best Italian dishes. Bologna isn’t called La Grassa or the Fat One for no reason at all. Here, you can expect to taste all sorts of Italian sausages, Parma ham, cheeses, wine, and even balsamic vinegar. When in Bologna, do sample their very own tagliatalle alla Bolognese ragu or Bolognese sauce in tagliatalle pasta. Order this with a side of grilled vegetables and local sausages and you will surely ask for more!
Top 1: Journey to God’s Kitchen:
The southwest part of Italy will bring you to the Sicilian Island also regarded as God’s Kitchen. Just by the name itself you can expect the best local dishes that all have hints of both Italian and Mediterranean influences. The capital city of Sicily, Palermo, should be your top choice when searching for the most delicious Sicilian meals.
One of the must-try dishes in this southern island is frittola. This well-known street food, a famous local snack, can be bought from a Sicilian basket man – a man who peddles leftover meat stewed together and made into a sandwich. For the best frittola experience, go to the local market called Ballaro.
Top 7 Foodie Destinations in Italy – Benissimo!
Excited for this much-awaited delectable trip? Go ahead and apply for your Schengen tourist visa now! While there are some citizens that are exempted from this visa, you may need to apply for one. If Italy is the only country you’re venturing to or if you plan to visit other European countries as well, it will be handy to know the other Schengen countries so you will know what kind of Schengen Visa to apply for. To learn more about Schengen Visa application, you may contact us through our website or leave us a message via WhatsApp (+1 201-554-8735).
Travel to “The Boot” and visit all top 7 foodie destinations in Italy!
