Lecce
The couple behind Baldo Gelato make the best gelato in Lecce, hands down. The dark chocolate may be the most intensely chocolatey thing you've ever put in…
Must-see restaurants in Italy
Rome
Fresh seasonal fruit, natural ingredients and a low-key vibe make this one of Rome's least flashy but most venerated gelaterie. It has several branches…
Centro Storico
This branch of the famous gelateria is conveniently located just off Piazza Navona.
Oltrarno
This Spanish tapas bar by Palazzo Pitti offers a flavoursome alternative to Italian cuisine. Small-bite tapas dishes to share include lightly battered…
Centro Storico
This restaurant is the impish sibling of Michelin-starred Enoteca al Parlamento Achilli, both overseen by chef Massimo Viglietti. Expect playful dishes…
Milan
Inside the Mercato Comunale you’ll find the aptly named ‘Popular Butcher’ selling high-quality cuts from animals grazed in pasture. But that’s not the…
Oltrarno
Run by the same team as Santa Croce's hugely successful Koto Ramen, this minimalist Asian bolthole cooks up flavourful bowls of traditional pork bone…
Venice
This hugely popular pizzeria and cichetteria has been feeding locals for years. Although best known as a pizza parlour, you can also enjoy a wide range of…
Oltrarno
The hard work and passion of a photography and antique dealer is behind this creative, intimate eating space adored by many a local. Organic cuisine is…
Milan
Making a name for yourself in Milan's sophisticated sushi scene isn't easy, but chef Hiro's lobster maki roll sings a siren song that packs this place out…
Venice
After the success of its first restaurant, specialising in meats, Timon has branched into fish. Stand at the bar for a glass of wine and a selection of…
Centro Storico
This historic kosher restaurant whips up Roman Jewish fare such as amatriciana with beef instead of the classic pork, plus grilled meats and North African…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
Veggies star at this cosy bistro a quick jaunt from the Piramide di Caio Cestio. All dishes are vegan or vegetarian and rich in legumes, grains and greens…
Oltrarno
Referencing its location on Borgo San Frediano, cosy eatery B.O.R.G.O. offers a menu packed with local Tuscan produce cooked with modern zest: think…
Milan
Only in the Quad: stylish fast food such as lobster panini (sandwiches), velouté of asparagus and saffron-scented bulgar salads. As you'd expect there's…
Milan
Named after the natural yeast base used by master pastry chefs for more than a century, this Sicilian bakery and restaurant makes a powerful statement…
Venice
Just a stone’s throw from Piazza San Marco, this is a rarity: a reasonably priced wine bar and restaurant in the most touristy part of town. Cicheti …
Venice
Once more of a wine bar than a restaurant, Mascareta is now very much an eatery, serving champagne and oysters or more rustic fare such as guinea fowl…
Rome
The Rome location of the famed Neapolitan pizzeria imports the same rules that work so well at its original eatery in the south: no reservations, thick…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
Stefano Callegari’s ever-popular Trapizzino franchise delivers a mash-up of a tramezzino sandwich and a slice of pizza. The resulting trapizzino is a…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
This blink-and-you-miss-it Trastevere tavola calda (hot table) has Roman street food down to an art. Locals queue for its namesake supplì: fried risotto…
Milan
This revamped municipal market houses four Slow Food–style vendors including grocer Fresco&Buono, a butcher and fishmonger from Riunite and craft-baker…
San Polo & Santa Croce
A bijou restaurant whose owner, Marco, is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable connoisseur of Sicilian wine and food. The menu is small, but excellent, with…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
Paraponzipò proves that the best thing since sliced bread is superb Italian salumi and cheese packed between said bread. An impressive selection of cold…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
Ditch the tourist traps around the Vatican Museums in favour of this tavola calda, Italy’s version of fast food. Instead of ordering from a menu, you…
Milan
Part of chef Giacomo Bulleri's empire that's quietly taking over the street, this charming pasticceria (pastry shop) is run by Bulleri's granddaughters…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Da Danilo offers well-cooked Roman specialities served in rustic, atmospheric surrounds. It's renowned for its pasta cacio e pepe (pasta with caciocavallo…
Perugia
Perugia's most celebrated cafe, this city institution has been serving coffee and cake since 1860. Its delicately frescoed, chandelier-lit interior…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
Revel in Rome’s sweets-for-breakfast tradition at Barberini, hailed for its homemade cornetti (croissants), often lavishly filled with jam or Nutella…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Focusing on three essential ingredients – good food, good wine and good music – this new-wave cicheti (Venetian tapas) bar has rapidly formed a faithful…
Milan
Known for seasonal produce and light, clean flavours, the menu at Joia is imbued with poetry (a winter dish of globe and Jerusalem artichokes with sweet…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Search out this authentic neighbourhood bar for some of the best cicheti (Venetian tapas) in town. Armed with ingredients from the nearby Rialto Market,…
Milan
A restaurant, deli, cafe and bar: Taglio pulls it all off with aplomb. Only high-quality ingredients are used, and a seasonal menu puts a spin on classic…
Milan
Prosecco and trofie al pesto (Ligurian pasta twists coated in a basil, pine nut and olive oil paste) in an ivy-covered courtyard surrounded by Gucci and…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
This mellow Testaccio trattoria has won over locals since 1940 with its excellent cucina romana (Roman cuisine) and generous meat and cheese boards…
Milan
Following on from the success of local trendsetter Mao Hunan, Maoji is what you’d expect of a younger sibling: more casual and a lot cooler. It combines…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Housed in what was once a butcher’s shop, this photogenic deli-style wine bar has an impressive cellar of interesting wines and craft beer. Massive slabs…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Dodge the tourist traps scattered around Termini Station and opt for lunch or dinner at this cheery deli. Thoughtfully composed meat and cheese boards,…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
'In pizza we trust' is the cheeky motto of this Trastevere pizzeria helmed by Pier Daniele Seu. Inspired combos range from burrata, tuna tartare,…
Oltrarno
The team behind gluten-free favourite Quinoa is the creative energy behind this appealing San Frediano address, a hit with vegetarians, vegans and…
