When most people think of Italian cuisine, two iconic dishes immediately come to mind: pasta and pizza. While both are beloved worldwide for good reason, they’re just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Italy’s rich and diverse culinary landscape. Each region of Italy boasts its own specialties that reflect unique traditions, ingredients, and flavors. If you’re ready to explore Italy beyond the spaghetti and Margherita, this list of 10 must-try dishes will transport your tastebuds to lesser-known corners of the boot-shaped peninsula.
Here’s your guide to 10 authentic Italian dishes that are bursting with character and tradition.
1. Arancini (Sicily)
Golden, crispy, and stuffed with flavor, arancini are deep-fried rice balls that originated in Sicily. Traditionally filled with ragù (a savory meat sauce), peas, and mozzarella, these handheld delights are coated in breadcrumbs and fried until perfectly crisp. They make for a delicious street food snack or appetizer and showcase Sicily’s love for robust, comforting flavors.
2. Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Tuscany)
Forget dainty portions, this is a dish for true meat lovers. Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a massive T-bone steak sourced from the Chianina cattle breed and grilled over hot coals. Served rare with just olive oil, salt, and a squeeze of lemon, it’s a celebration of simple ingredients and traditional Tuscan cooking methods.
3. Caponata (Sicily)
Another gem from Sicily, caponata is a sweet-and-sour eggplant dish made with celery, capers, olives, tomatoes, and vinegar. Often served as an antipasto or side dish, it captures the island’s Arab and Mediterranean influences in both its ingredients and bold flavors.
4. Frittata di Pasta (Naples)
Waste not, want not; that’s the philosophy behind this Neapolitan favorite. Frittata di pasta is made using leftover pasta that’s mixed with eggs, cheese, and sometimes cured meats, then fried into a thick, golden omelet. It’s perfect as a quick lunch or picnic snack and is a shining example of Italy’s resourceful home cooking.
5. Polenta e Funghi (Northern Italy)
Polenta, a creamy cornmeal dish, is a northern Italian staple that pairs beautifully with earthy mushrooms. Often topped with sautéed porcini or wild mushrooms in garlic and olive oil, polenta e funghi is rustic, hearty, and deeply satisfying, especially in colder months.
6. Supplì (Rome)
Similar to arancini but with a Roman twist, supplì are fried rice croquettes filled with tomato-sauce-coated rice and a gooey mozzarella center. The name “supplì al telefono” comes from the melted cheese stretching like a telephone cord when you bite into it. It’s a street food must-try when in Rome.
7. Cacciucco (Tuscany)
This rich seafood stew hails from the coastal town of Livorno. Made with various types of seafood; such as squid, mussels, clams, and fish; cacciucco is simmered in a garlicky tomato broth and served over toasted bread. Bold, briny, and comforting, it’s a dish that honors Tuscany’s maritime roots.
8. Canederli (Trentino-Alto Adige)
Up in the alpine regions near Austria, Italian cuisine takes on a heartier character. Canederli are bread dumplings made with stale bread, milk, eggs, speck (smoked ham), and herbs. Served in broth or with melted butter, these comforting dumplings are a staple in mountain homes and ski lodges.
9. Torta di Ceci (Liguria/Tuscany)
Also known as farinata, this savory chickpea flour pancake is a beloved street food in coastal Liguria and parts of Tuscany. Crispy on the outside and soft within, it’s often served plain or topped with rosemary, black pepper, or even onions. Naturally gluten-free and protein-rich, it’s a delicious and healthy snack.
10. Sarde in Saor (Veneto)
This Venetian specialty combines marinated sardines with onions, vinegar, raisins, and pine nuts. A dish that originated as a way to preserve fish for sailors, sarde in saor is both sweet and savory and showcases the ingenuity and elegance of Venetian cuisine.
A Flavorful Journey Awaits
Italy’s culinary map is a vibrant mosaic of regional flavors, each dish telling a story of geography, history, and local pride. From the rice balls of Sicily to the alpine dumplings of Trentino, these ten dishes provide just a glimpse into the extraordinary variety of Italian cuisine. Venturing beyond pasta and pizza opens the door to authentic experiences that are as satisfying as they are surprising.
If you’re hungry to taste the real Italy, you don’t have to book a plane ticket.
Experience Italian Beyond the Ordinary at Little Mama’s
At Little Mama’s Italian, we honor the full breadth of Italy’s culinary traditions, bringing both beloved classics and regional treasures to your table. Whether you’re in the mood for comfort food or something adventurous, our chefs are here to take you on a flavorful journey through Italy.
Reserve your table today and discover the Italian dishes you never knew you were missing.
Visit Little Mama’s Italian to explore our menu and make your next meal a true Italian adventure.