ITALY
Where We Eat
From truffle-scented tavernas in Umbria to candlelit seafood temples on the Amalfi Coast, these are the meals that define a place. Our curation skips the hype and gets to the heart of what’s worth it—no matter the region.
Breakfast And Brunch
Caffè Propaganda
Image courtesy of Cool Cities
Rome
Price: €€
Location: Via Claudia, 15, 00184 Roma RM
Vibe: Elegant and modern, with a vintage French feel
Must order: The pain au chocolat and espresso; the tiramisù gets raves
Need to know: It’s open from morning until late—also a chic spot for aperitivo or dinner
A few steps from the Colosseum, this light-filled bistro delivers a Paris-meets-Rome aesthetic with white tiling, mirrored walls, and moody light. Come early for their buttery croissants and specialty espresso drinks.
Martinucci
Image courtesy of TripAdvisor
Gallipoli
Price: €
Location: Corso Roma 63, 73014 Gallipoli
Vibe: It’s bustling, traditional, and crowd‑pleasing
Must order: Rustico Leccese and iced almond‑milk caffè
Need to know: Enjoy it on the go—indoor seating is limited
A beloved Puglian brand, churning out crisp rustici, sfogliatelle, and almond‑milk caffè leccese heavily praised by locals.
Ditta Artigianale
Image courtesy of Ditta Artigianale
Florence
Price: €€
Location: Via dei Neri, 32r, 50122 Florence
Vibe: Cool, urban, and design-forward
Must order: Cold brew tonic, avocado toast with poached egg, ricotta pancakes
Need to know: Named one of Europe’s best coffee shops by Sprudge, Time Out, and La Repubblica.
Florence’s answer to the third-wave coffee movement, Ditta Artigianale roasts its own beans and serves inventive brunch plates that stray from the standard Italian bar fare. It’s stylish, light-filled, and beloved by the international creative crowd.
Pavé
Image courtesy of Flawless Life
Milan
Price: €€
Location: Via Felice Casati 27, 20124 Milano MI
Vibe: Warm, understated, effortlessly stylish
Must order: The pain au chocolat and cappuccino with oat milk
Need to know: Frequently spotlighted by La Cucina Italiana and Condé Nast Traveler for pioneering Milan’s relaxed breakfast culture—expect a line on weekends.
In the heart of Milan’s Porta Venezia neighborhood, Pavé is a cozy “living room bakery” that feels intentionally casual yet refined. Rustic wooden tables, open-faced pastries, artisan breads, and coffee done right—this is breakfast reinvented for the modern Milanese soul. Think pistachio-filled brioche and crisp rye loaves, served with carefully curated cafe blends.
La Buvette
Image courtesy of La Buvette
Rome
Price: €€
Location: Via di San Sebastianello, 22, 00187 Roma RM
Vibe: Light-filled, curated, cosmopolitan
Must order: Pain au chocolat or their iconic brioche with apricot jam and a macchiato
Need to know: Arrive early: best for a quiet morning before Vatican visitors emerge.
Tucked near the Spanish Steps, this intimate café is beloved for its airy interiors and thoughtfully sourced coffee. Indagare praises it as the perfect start to the day, merging a quality cappuccino with the kind of cornetto that sets a chic Roman tone.
Roscioli Caffè
Image courtesy of An American in Rome
Rome
Price: €€
Location: Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, 16, Rome
Vibe: Contemporary Roman, local favorite
Must order: Maritozzo with whipped cream and a doppio espresso
Need to know: Best-in-class maritozzo and espresso pairings
A sleek offshoot of the famed Roscioli deli empire, this is where Rome’s food insiders grab their morning espresso and maritozzo. Modern interiors balance with precision-executed classics.
Caffè Gilli
Image courtesy of Flawless Life
Florence
Price: €€
Location: Via Roma, 1R, Florence
Vibe: Historic, charming, old-world Florentine
Must order: Espresso and a sfoglia alla crema (cream-filled puff pastry)
Need to know: Beloved by locals and visitors alike; perfect for people-watching from the terrace
Established in 1733, Gilli is Florence’s most historic café, with marble counters and an ornate interior that echoes Belle Époque grandeur. Ideal for a slow, elegant morning on Piazza della Repubblica.
Lunch And Dinner
La Pergola
Image courtesy of Brown’s Best
Rome
Price: €€€€
Location: Via Alberto Cadlolo, 101, 00136 Roma RM
Vibe: Grand, panoramic, formal
Must order: Fagottelli “La Pergola” (chef’s signature pasta), John Dory with asparagus and Amalfi lemon, or the full tasting menu with wine pairings
Need to know: 3 Michelin stars, often considered Italy’s best fine dining experience; jacket required for men
One of Italy’s few three-Michelin-starred temples to haute cuisine, La Pergola is perched atop the Rome Cavalieri with sweeping views over the Eternal City. Helmed by legendary chef Heinz Beck, this is white-tablecloth elegance at its most rarified—perfect for celebrating something unforgettable.
Da Vittorio
Image courtesy of Great Italian Chefs
Lombardy
Price: €€€€
Location: Via Cantalupa, 17, 24060 Brusaporto BG
Vibe: Countryside glamour with old-school polish
Must order: Gran Crudo di Mare, signature Paccheri alla Vittorio, or the seasonal tasting menu
Need to know: 3 Michelin stars; on the World’s 50 Best list; offers onsite Relais & Châteaux accommodations
Tucked into the countryside just outside Bergamo, this family-run gastronomic haven balances opulence with warmth. Run by the Cerea brothers, it’s been Michelin-decorated since the 1970s and is beloved for its seasonal seafood and exceptional service.
Da Enzo al 29
Image courtesy of Gloobles
Rome
Price: €€
Location: Via dei Vascellari, 29, 00153 Roma RM
Vibe: No-frills, Roman soul food
Must order: Cacio e pepe, fried artichoke, house tiramisu
Need to know: No reservations for dinner; arrive early or expect a line
Tucked into Trastevere, this tiny trattoria draws daily lines for the kind of Roman cooking that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Think crisp carciofi, silky carbonara, and tiramisu that people write home about.
Ristorante Don Alfonso 1890
Image courtesy of Don Alfonso
Amalfi coast
Price: €€€€
Location: Corso Sant'Agata, 11/13 80061 Sant'Agata Sui Due Golfi, Napoli
Vibe: Refined, vibrant, family legacy
Must order: Nerano-style zucchini pasta, rabbit with wild herbs, lemon-scented desserts
Need to know: 2 Michelin stars; iconic wine cellar carved into volcanic rock; onsite cooking school
A technicolor dream of ceramics, garden-grown ingredients, and historic charm, Don Alfonso is a southern institution that helped define modern Mediterranean haute cuisine. Still run by the Iaccarino family, it’s both luxurious and deeply rooted in place.
Ristorante Lorenzo
Image courtesy of Ristorante Lorenzo
Tuscany
Price: €€€
Location: Via G. Carducci, 61, 55042 Forte dei Marmi LU
Vibe: Polished, coastal, timeless
Must order: Raw seafood plateau, linguine with local scampi, tiramisu
Need to know: Michelin-starred; open since 1981; clientele includes Milanese fashion editors and European royals
An elegant institution in the chic beach town of Forte dei Marmi, Lorenzo is beloved for its impeccably sourced seafood and classic Tuscan hospitality. With white-jacketed waiters and a breezy, nautical interior, it’s the ultimate lunch-after-the-beach spot for Italy’s upper crust.
Trattoria Da Burde
Image courtesy of Trattoria Da Burde
Florence
Price: €€
Location: Via Pistoiese, 154, 50145 Firenze FI
Vibe: No-nonsense, rustic, beloved by locals
Must order: Ribollita, peposo (peppery beef stew), bistecca alla Fiorentina
Need to know: Historic trattoria; often cited as one of the best traditional Tuscan kitchens in Florence
For something unapologetically Florentine, Da Burde offers a rich immersion into Tuscan culinary tradition. No frills, just classics executed with precision—from tripe to thick-cut bistecca. Run by the Gori family since 1901.
Osteria Alle Testiere
Image courtesy of TripAdvisor
Venice
Price: €€€
Location: Calle del Mondo Novo, 5801, 30122 Venezia VE
Vibe: Very tiny, cult-followed, insider-y
Must order: Razor clams, scallops with orange zest, spaghetti alle vongole
Need to know: Michelin Guide–recommended; reservations essential weeks in advance; closed Sundays and holidays
Tucked behind Piazza San Marco with just a handful of tables and handwritten menus, this intimate osteria is a pilgrimage site for seafood purists. No frills, no lagoon views—just flawless, market-fresh fish, expertly prepared.
Trattoria Serghei
Image courtesy of A Flamingo in Italy
Bologna
Price: €€
Location: Via Piella, 12, 40126 Bologna BO
Vibe: Hidden gem, locals-only, family-run
Must order: Tagliatelle al ragù, gramigna with sausage, custard-filled torta di riso
Need to know: Closed weekends; call ahead (no website)
Run by the same family for generations, this Bolognese institution has just a handful of tables and a small chalkboard menu. It’s everything a trattoria should be: comforting, honest, and hard to get into.
+39 051 233533
Cantina Del Vesuvio
Image courtesy of Cantina del Vesuvio
Naples
Price: €€
Location: Via Panoramica, 15, 80040 Trecase NA
Vibe: Countryside cantina with a view
Must order: Pasta al pomodorino del piennolo, cured meats, house wine flight
Need to know: Lunch only; pre-book tastings with food pairings
On the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius, this family-run cantina serves a farm-style lunch overlooking the vineyards, paired with house Lacryma Christi wines. It’s rustic, soul-warming, and deeply tied to its terroir.
Desserts And Sweets
Pasticceria Sal De Riso
Image courtesy of Yelp
Amalfi Coast
Price: €€
Location: Via Roma, 80, 84010 Minori SA, Italy
Vibe: Elegant beachfront pastry temple
Must order: Delizia al Limone, Ricotta e Pere cake, Limoncello babà
Need to know: There’s a full-service café, but takeaway is popular too
Pastry chef Sal De Riso is a legend, and his lemon-infused desserts are synonymous with the Amalfi Coast. This beachfront pasticceria draws pilgrims from all over Italy for his iconic Delizia al Limone.
Pasticceria Cappello
Image courtesy of Arrival Guides
Palermo
Price: €
Location: Via Colonna Rotta, 68, 90134 Palermo PA
Vibe: Old-school, no-frills pastry shop
Must order: Torta Setteveli, cassata siciliana, almond biscuits
Need to know: Open since 1940; many Sicilians say it’s the best cake on the island
This historic bakery is known for its Setteveli, a seven-layered chocolate and hazelnut mousse cake that originated here and went on to become a national obsession. It’s rich, layered, and lives up to the hype.
Pasticceria Marchesi 1824
Image courtesy of Lombardia Secrets
Milan
Price: €€€
Location: Via Santa Maria alla Porta, 11/a, Milan
Vibe: Gilded, historic, impeccably chic
Must order: Panettone (year-round), Gianduiotti, fruit tarts
Need to know: One of the oldest and most prestigious pastry shops in Milan
A Milanese institution since the 19th century, Marchesi is the epitome of old-world elegance. Now owned by Prada, it’s as much about the interiors as it is about the refined pastries.
