Centro Storico
This Ghetto kosher bakery makes some of the best pizza al taglio (sliced pizza) in town. It can get extremely busy, but once you catch a whiff of the…
Must-see restaurants in Italy
Lake Como
Places that don't have a lake view in Varenna are at a distinct disadvantage, which is why this place works just that extra bit harder with the food and…
Trieste
Opened before WWII, the family-run Siora Rosa is one Trieste's best-loved traditional buffets (bar-restaurants). Sit outside or in the wonderfully retro…
Belluno
If you have a car or strong legs, seek out this delightful restaurant in an 18th-century villa in the hills about 3km south of Belluno. Considered the…
Grado
Grado’s Fishing Cooperative isn’t joking when they tell you the food here has travelled 0km. Cuttlefish, mullet, sea bass, mussels et al are fished during…
Vieste
Located in a limestone cave dating back around 1000 years, Al Dragone is Vieste's classiest fine-dining restaurant. Local produce and ingredients…
Southern Rome
Right under the arches in a landmark Garbatella building, this refined trattoria packs in locals in the know, who come for sterling renditions of Roman…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Rosenbar is a traditional dining room set in an airy shop front. It's known for attention to detail, in both preparation and in the always-local and…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Popular with locals, who know a good thing when they taste it, this trattoria serves traditional dishes with a refreshingly refined execution – there's…
Genoa
An atmospherically lit spot for tapas and cocktails early in the evening, or a proper dinner later in the night. The youthful owners showcase quality…
Centro Storico
All the gelato served at this excellent gelateria is prepared on-site – peer through the window and you'll see how. There are numerous flavours, all made…
The Veneto
Prosecco is typically drunk with sopressa, a fresh local salami, as the sparkling spumante cleans the palate and refreshes the mouth. There's no better…
Trieste
Chiara Soban is from a family of artisan gelato makers originally from the idyllic Val di Zoldo in the Dolomites. Now a Gambero Rosso award-winning…
Vernazza
A Vernazza classic for more than 50 years, Belforte serves beautifully prepared seafood dishes in an 11th-century castle. You can dine in the atmospheric…
Centro Storico
Bringing the sweet flavours of Sicily to Rome, this pastry shop is a delight. Browse the traditional cakes and tempting dolci (sweet pastries) arrayed in…
Porto Cervo
This fashionable restaurant buzzes with a good-looking crowd, who come for the stylish ambience and fabulous seafood. Pair dishes such as calamari and…
Reggio Calabria
Local Calabrian flavours shine at this friendly and informal spot where the menu changes regularly on a seasonal basis. Meaty favourites like Calabrian…
Venice
Cap off a day in designer beachwear with white-linen dining at Lido di Jesolo's best restaurant. Duck and veal play supporting roles but seafood is the…
Bari
Just maybe Puglia's freshest raw seafood – including squid, oysters and briny sea urchins – is served outside at simple tables by Bari's wise-cracking…
Venice
Rustic-chic decor sets the scene for excellent Venetian dishes composed of carefully selected seasonal ingredients from small Veneto producers. The…
Amalfi
Run by the third generation of the same family, this savvy beachfront favourite serves fish so fresh it's almost flapping. It prides itself on the use of…
Umbria
Soft light casts flattering shadows across the barrel-vaulted interior of this sophisticated restaurant, serving Umbrian cuisine with a pinch of…
The Dolomites
Stuffed with Alpine antiques, Stüa de Michil's pair of wood-panelled 17th-century parlors offers an intimate and ridiculously atmospheric dining…
Eastern Sardinia
For fine dining with a gorgeous sea view, you can’t beat La Bitta, down by the beach in Porto Frailis. Dress up for exquisitely prepared seafood – think…
Alghero
It's only a hole in the wall, but this gem of a gelateria dishes up superb ice cream, as well as milkshakes and granite (flavoured ice drinks)…
Bari
Top-notch salads and panini sandwiches crammed with local products including octopus, ham, buffalo mozzarella cheese and pistachios make Mastro Ciccio a…
Val d'Orcia
Dining on this gorgeous terrace with its panoramic view is the stuff of which lasting travel memories are made, and the food also has plenty of pizzazz –…
Southern Rome
Run by folks formerly of the much-lauded classic Roman pizzeria Remo in Testaccio, Pizzeria Ostiense offers similarly fab paper-thin, crispy bases with…
Centro Storico
Fine dining goes casual at trendy Retrobottega. Here you'll be sitting on a stool at a high communal table or chatting with the chef during plating of…
Western Sardinia
For a locally sourced gourmet feast, stop in at this Slow Food–acclaimed restaurant run by hometown success story Roberto Serra. Presentation and flavour…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
This chic, art-adorned restaurant is packed at lunchtime with Romans feasting on its good-value buffet deal. Everything on its menu is organic, and…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
The Prati branch of Rome's trendy gelateria chain. As well as all the classic flavours, there are some wonderfully esoteric creations, including a…
Milan
In summer, dine beneath the flower-laden pergola at this traditional tavern overlooking the Naviglio Pavese. The owner is a wine expert (and an opera…
Fiesole
This outstanding diner, halfway up the steep car-free hill to Chiesa e Convento di San Francesco, buzzes on Sunday with knowing Florentines out for the…
Promontorio del Gargano
A superb restaurant with a barrel-vault interior, central courtyard and a menu that includes traditional dishes like orecchiette with cime di rape (bitter…
The Dolomites
Fine-dining interpretations of mountain food stay true to their culinary roots and are served in an evocatively simple setting high on a hillside above…
Aosta
Originating from the Valtellina, Alfio Fascendini knows a thing or two about good food and wine. Sample creamy polenta with gorgonzola and egg, boneless…
Northeastern Sardinia
Bag a table on the breezy terrace and go straight for the grilled fish and seafood – from a cracking spaghetti with clams to local lobster – at this…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Besides its goulash, La Campana d’Oro prepares delicate dishes such as smoked goose breast, fish soup, and fettucine with wine-soused clams, as well as…
Venice
Foot traffic stops here for spectacularly creamy gelato made in-house daily. For a summer pick-me-up, try the granita di caffe con panna (coffee shaved…
