Food and Drink
Latest articles about food, drink, and food culture in Italy.
15 typical Roman foods you need to try at least once
Rome’s 2,000-year-old food scene has something to make everyone’s taste buds tingle. So what are the typical dishes you really must try?
Six cold Italian coffee options to keep cool and caffeinated this summer
From a dessert-like caffè crema to a bubbly espresso tonic, try ordering one of these cold coffee drinks at the bar when the weather becomes too hot for a normal espresso.
Italy's delicious alternatives to Easter chocolate
Never mind chocolate eggs from the supermarket. In Italy, this is the time of year to sample all kinds of seasonal sweets and cakes, with countless variations across the country. Here are a few favourites.
Parmesan makers target US market as sales drop in Italy
For the first time more than half of Parmesan cheese was exported, as Italy's population declines and consumers watch their spending, producers said Thursday.
Australian producers can use Prosecco name under EU trade deal
Australian wine producers have been granted EU approval to market their Italian-style sparkling wine as Prosecco under a new trade agreement that also allows cheesemakers to use the Parmesan label.
Nine choices for Italian Michelin-style dining under €40
The 2026 Michelin guide is out and offers proof that fine dining doesn't have to break the bank. Here are some options for delicious but affordable Italian cuisine.
An Italian Easter menu: Dishes to try each day of Holy Week
Food is central to any Italian celebration, and Easter is no exception. These are some of the classic Italian dishes to try at this time of year, from traditional lamb and artichokes to an unusual pig's blood dessert.
US backs down on 'super tariffs' for Italian pasta brands
Italy said on Thursday the United States had agreed to further cut threatened duties on Italian pasta brands, in what it said was a "positive" final decision.
How do I know if I should tip at Italian restaurants?
If a waiter tells you service isn't included, does this mean you should tip? What about the 'servizio' charge? And how much is expected? We look at a common source of confusion at Italian restaurants.
Culture, politics, food: What makes Europeans proud of their country?
A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons.
GUIDE: The best restaurants and bars near the Milan Olympic venues
If you're looking for the best places to eat and drink while you’re in town for the Winter Olympics, we've got recommendations from a local expert.
EXPLAINED: Why do Italians eat lentils on New Year’s Eve?
Sure, champagne is nice. But you may find Italians are more interested in celebrating the arrival of New Year with a dish of lentils.
Panettone: Six things you didn't know about Italy's most famous Christmas cake
The panettone is Italy's most popular Christmas cake (closely followed by its rival pandoro). But how much do you know about the festive treat?
Where to find ingredients in Italy for a British or American Christmas dinner
Where can Italian residents from North America and the UK source ingredients for a traditional Christmas meal? We share our readers' tips.
Cheddar, cornbread and bacon: What readers miss since moving to Italy
While Italian cuisine may be among the best in the world, if you’ve moved to Italy, you’ve almost certainly found yourself missing some kind of food or drink from back home. We asked our readers what they miss most, and how they can get ahold of it here.
Not just pizza: Italian cuisine makes UNESCO list
UNESCO recognised on Wednesday that Italian food is more than pizza, pasta and gelato, adding the range and ritual of the famed cuisine to its list of intangible cultural heritage.
TELL US: What do you miss most from home, and how do you get it in Italy?
Whether it's beer or biscuits, cheese or spices, which items from home do you miss, and have you found anywhere in Italy you can buy them? The Local wants to hear from you.
Can you bring Italian meat or cheese into the UK this Christmas?
If you're travelling to the UK from Italy this Christmas you might be thinking of bringing gifts of Italy's famously excellent cheese, salumi, prosciutto or other delicacies - but a change in British import rules is still in effect.
How Italy's fruit detectives are racing to save local varieties
Isabella Dalla Ragione hunts in abandoned gardens and orchards for forgotten fruits, preserving Italy's agricultural heritage and saving varieties which could help farmers withstand the changing climate.
Italian cuisine moves closer to gaining UNESCO recognition
UNESCO gave the first green light to a bid for Italian cuisine to be added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, bringing Italy closer to formal recognition for its food traditions.
Sagra: The best Italian food festivals to visit this November
Harvest season may be coming to an end, but Italy's food festivals are still going strong. Here are some of the best to stop by in November.
Sagra: The best Italian food festivals to visit in October 2025
If you're visiting Italy in October, you won't want to miss the many local food fairs held around the country. Here are some of the best to visit over the coming month.
Eight Italian autumn delicacies you have to taste
Autumn is a 'delicious' season in Italy, with the harvest bringing a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables to restaurant menus, food festivals and local markets.