Famous food and drink of Italy (2024)

Kicking things off with the big daddy of Italian cuisine, forget anything you once thought about pizza: here in Italy, pizza making is a form of art. Think ultra-crisp stone-baked dough, tomatoes bursting with the countryside from which they were grown, creamy mozzarella and simple toppings scattered with fresh basil leaves. Try the classic margherita for a masterclass in simple pleasures, or spice it up a little by diving into toppings like salty prosciutto and punchy white anchovies.

If you're travelling to our Baia dei Mori Beachclub on Sardinia's east coast, be sure to try the island's favourite pizza topping: aubergine. As a common, local vegetable, aubergines add a delicious health kick to what we typically consider a luxury meal - who knew pizza could fit so well into your active lifestyle. We did warn you that your taste buds were about to go crazy!

In Italy, the word ‘pasta’ doesn’t even begin to sum up the sheer volume of amazing dishes on offer. From simple spaghetti carbonara in Rome to fresh seafood pasta in Sicily, wherever you are, try to sample the locals’ favourites – there’s a reason they’re popular.

Try one of the rarest pasta dishes around by heading to the picturesque island of Sardinia, home to our Baia dei Mori Beachclub and malloreddus alla campidanese – a unique gnocchi-like pasta served in a rich tomato, sausage and saffron sauce. It melts in the mouth and will leave you wanting more and more…

Next up in carb corner, we have risotto – a comforting rice dish cooked lovingly over a low heat with onions, wine and stock, before being finished with a generous grating of parmesan. In its simplest form, that’s all there is to it, but when paired with other ingredients - such as green vegetables and fresh seafood – you can see why it’s in the carb hall of fame.

Moving with the risotto theme, a favourite snack amongst locals is arancini – small deep-fried risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella or meaty ragu. Arancini makes the ideal pick-me-up after an energetic morning or perhaps one too many glasses of Italian wine the night before! It's also perfect for warming you up after some times on the slopes of Italy's ski resorts, such as Sauze d'Oulx.

Holiday in the north of Italy and you’ll find dishes take on a warm, comforting feel to suit its cooler climate. Polenta is one such dish. Polenta consists of cheery yellow cornmeal, cooked with generous amounts of butter and parmesan – it’s a hearty meal capable of warming the chilliest of toes. Look out for this Italian answer to mashed potato in the snowy resort of Val di Fassa.

You’re probably familiar with the deeply tantalising flavours of salami - Italy’s most famous cured meat - but it’s well worth tucking into some of the lesser-known varieties. Nduja, for example, is a spreadable spicy pork sausage produced in Calabria, the arch of Italy’s boot. Served as part of your pre-dinner antipasti alongside plump olives and regional cheese, it’s the perfect way to start an evening.

Italy’s southern Ionian coast is renowned for amazing seafood, and when you set eyes on its deep, clear waters and beautiful shoreline, you’ll see why.

Enjoy a stay at our Baia dei Mori Beachcluband you’ll be in prime position for indulging in popular local delicacies.Try Aragosta alla catalana, a lobster-based dish which originated in Sardinia, or Burrida, a seafood stew with a range of varieties. These refreshing, healthy dishes are perfect for balancing the next item on our tour...

Quite possibly the highlight of Italian food and drink. If you can, try to make gelato breaks a regular part of your holiday routine. Taking ice cream to the next level, gelato’s soft, light folds are packed with layers of beautifully intense flavours.

Pair flavours such as pistachio or mandorla (almond) with rich chocolate, or try fruity varieties like frutti de bosca (fruits of the forest) or pesca (peach) for a slightly more virtuous vitamin hit – the perfect antidote for a sun-filled day. If you’re in southern Italy, you have to check out the regional favourite, liquirizia (liquorice).

Dolce or puddings to the rest of us, and what heavenly puddings they are. Abandon the diet and tuck into sweet treats like tiramisu, pannacotta, affogata (ice cream in coffee and liqueur) and torta de riso (a sticky cake made from rice, lemon and amaretto).

There’s nothing worse than indulging in something heavenly and feeling guilty about it afterwards - so if you’re that way inclined, hit the Italian holiday activities in the morning: with perfect water and climates to suit both beach and ski breaks, you’d be silly not to.

Italians love coffee - and they love it strong. While you might see milky cappuccinos at breakfast time, locals tend to take their caffeine hit in short, sharp espresso form, barely pausing to take a seat. So before you hit the slopes or take to the water, do as the Italians do, and start your adventures with a morning coffee.

World-class wines aside, Italy is home to some game-changing drinks. During the colder months - particularly in the north of the country - you’ll find the perfect thing to warm your co*ckles: bambardino. What is it? A fortifying mix of Advocaat, brandy and whipped cream.

For something lighter during the summer months, limoncello continues to remain a popular choice. We know Neilson customers love to jump in and try something new, and the Calabrian drink, liquore al bergamotto, made from the region’s juicy bergamot oranges, is just the thing. It makes for a refreshing end – or start – to a meal.

Wherever you decide to go in Italy, one thing’s guaranteed: unrivalled cuisine. Enjoy!