Venice.

For its size, Italy is a wonderfully diverse country. With Alpine villages, sandy beaches, ancient cities, and cliff-side vineyards, there’s something for everyone. And the people are warm and friendly too.

There are so many wonderful places to visit in Italy, that trying to settle on just a few will be your biggest challenge. If you only have two or three weeks, don’t try to see the whole country. If you’re lucky and like most people, you’ll return as often as you can, so don’t try to do it all in one trip.

If you’ve never been before, it makes sense to begin your trip in Rome. There are nonstop flights to Rome from several US cities, making it the most convenient destination too.

Those who love ancient history and want to see Italian life at its most sophisticated, should plan to spend a few days here. The Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Cathedral and the Vatican Museums are the must-see sights here. No visit to Rome is complete without a visit to the Spanish Steps, where it seems like everyone in Rome gathers to enjoy a delicious ice cream and watch the sun set.

South of Rome, Naples is the home of pizza and the National Archeological Museum. More Mediterranean than Rome, it’s the gateway to Pompeii and the beautiful Amalfi coast. If you want to visit the islands of Capri or Ischia — and you should — you’ll likely take a ferry from Naples.

The Amalfi Coast towns of Positano, Ravello and Sorrento offer spectacular coastal views, lovely accommodations, and great shopping.

North of Rome, the region of Umbria is also great for art lovers. Spoleto, Assisi, Perugia, and Orvieto have magnificent churches and cathedrals, filled with priceless works of art.

In Tuscany, you’ll find countless wineries, rolling hills, and some of the most noted Italian foods and wines, including Chianti, come from here. The finest Italian Renaissance art and architecture is here, and it’s easy to explore by car. You can make Siena, Lucca, Florence, or Pisa your base, and then explore smaller towns like the charming San Gimignano.

On the Ligurian Sea, the Cinque Terre or five lands is a gorgeous stretch of coastline where terra cotta colored villages and vineyards tumble down to the sea. The biggest attraction here is hiking the National Park trails that go from town to town — and drinking the excellent local wine.

Florence.

Inland, the city of Milan is Italy’s fashion capital. If you want to shop for designer clothes and shoes, this is the place. Milan is also the jumping off point for the Italian Lakes — Como, Maggiore, and Garda. Come here for grand hotels, splendid gardens, and romantic ambience.

In all the world, Venice is one of a kind. During the peak summer months of July and August, it can be packed with tourists, and during the fall, it can be knee-deep in water. But in the off season, Venice is the most beguiling city in the world, with incredible architecture, stunning scenery, and truly unique shopping.

For more places to visit in Italy, visit our Italy section.

Venice Image Flickr: Eoghan OLionnain
Florence Image Flickr: alh1

Unless you’ve gone there on business, you’ve probably never been to Turin, in the Piedmont region of Italy. Although it’s an interesting, attractive city – as much French as it is Italian – it’s not a major destination for travelers.

The seat of the House of Savoy from the 14th century through the Italian unification in 1861, Turin’s broad boulevards and piazzas are similar to those that were popular with the French court. There are two interesting churches in Turin, including the Cathedral of San Giovanni where the famous shroud is occasionally displayed, and an excellent museum of Egyptian art. There’s also fun flea markets in Piazza della Repubblica on Saturdays.

For lovers of Italian food, Turin is well worth a visit, especially if you’ll be in Milan, which is only 80 miles away. Because one of the most impressive food complexes in the world is based in Turin. Cleverly named Eataly, it opened in 2007 and showcases Italian foods and wines that are sanctioned by the Slow Food movement.

Equal parts cooking school, restaurant row, and food and wine market, Eataly lets visitors taste, purchase, and learn about the best foods and wines in Italy in one spot. It’s located in the old Carpano vermouth factory, which was built in 1908 and is a short stroll from the Convention Center. With 118,000 square feet of educational areas, eateries, and markets, it’s very impressive.

You’ll find the best of everything – salumi, cheeses, meat, seasonal local produce, fish, fowl, pastries, breads, and more – in the 27,000-square-foot market. The salumi market has more than 150 different kinds of cured meats. There are more than 200 cheeses to choose from. And you’ll see more kinds of pasta than you ever knew existed.

Coffee, loose tea, chocolate, and a wide array of sustainable and slow foods are available. You can buy more than 200 kinds of beer and choose from a huge selection of wine – 48,000 bottles are displayed.

Fresh produce from the Eataly market.

A huge, wood-burning oven produces bread, Neapolitan pizza, and focaccia. And there are prepared foods you can take away. Eight restaurants, two cafes, and a gelateria serve more than 100 different dishes every day. All the beef is from Piedmontese cattle, and the grilled fish was in the Ligurian Sea hours before.

For something more ambitious – and expensive – try the 50-seat Guido per Eataly restaurant. Husband and wife team Claudio and Anna Vincina update classic Piedmontese dishes like vitello tonnato and bollito misto and accompany them with superb local wines like Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera.

Dining at Eataly.

Some of Italy’s top chefs teach cooking classes in specially designed, 30-seat kitchens and then serve a multi-course meal created especially for the occasion. Each course is paired with an Italian wine selected by one of the sommeliers. There are also separate educational areas, tastings, and classes on beer and wine.

There’s a scaled-down version of Eataly in Toyko. And American food luminaries Mario Batali, Nancy Silverton, and Joseph Bastianich — the team behind L.A.’s Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza — are bringing the concept to New York. Their Eataly, which is scheduled to open on August 31, 2010, will feature 20 different departments, a Dogfish Head brewery with roof bar, and a Batali fine-dining restaurant called Manzo.

Read about where to find great Italian food in Rome here.

Eataly in Turin offers the best Italian foods in the world Image Flickr:  singingbeagle
Fresh produce from the Eataly market Image Flickr: MAX 2006 – Max Nunziata “Wild photographer”
Dining at Eataly Image Flickr: demoshelsinki

Volpetti in Rome

Rome is one of the world’s great food destinations. Whether you’re savoring a slice of pizza bianca at Campo de Fiori or enjoying a gelato on the Spanish Steps, eating great food is an integral part of Roman life.

In addition to world-class Italian restaurants, charming trattorias, and homey pizzerias, Rome also has wonderful food store, bakeries, and markets where you can sample incredilble meats, cheeses, sweets, produce, and more.

Here’s our list of the best places to pick up Italian food in Rome:

Ai Monasteri
Here, they sell products produced by monasteries and convents all over Italy. “Products from the beehive” are a specialty, but you’ll also find wines, cordials, teas, liqueurs, chocolates, candies, jams, oils, vinegars, beauty and health products. The shop was founded in 1894 and has been run by the same family for four generations.

Angelini
Not far from the Opera House, Angelini opened in 1880. It’s one of Rome’s best old-school wine shops, and you can have them pour you a jug of Castelli Romani wine right from the barrel. It’s one of the top three DOC wines from Lazio.

Buccone
This historic wine shop near the Piazza del Popolo has an incredible selection of vintages, Italian and imported beers, and epicurean products. They stock wines in all price ranges and the staff can help you find just the right bottle. With its old wooden beams, this cozy coach house is an atmospheric spot for lunch. And dinners are served on Friday and Saturday nights. If you request it a week in advance, you can have a wine tasting before your dinner.

Campo de Fiori
Rome’s best food market is a must-visit for foodies. During the day, the piazza is packed with vendors selling fruits, vegetables, and flowers. At night, it’s the home of some of Rome’s most popular bars. Because it’s a popular tourist destination, prices are high. But you’ll come away with great photos. There are delis, wine, and cheese shops. If you’re hungry, grab a delicious slice of Pizza Bianca at Forno Campo de Fiori.

Castroni
You’ll find meats, cheese, oils, vinegars, herbs, coffee beans, and other delicacies from all the regions of Italy here, as well as food from around the globe. If you’re renting an apartment and trying to make a home-cooked meal, this is also the best place buy British, and American packaged foods. There’s a nice selection of organic products, and you can have coffee, sandwiches, or pastries at the bar.

Artichokes at Campo de Fiori

Mercato di Testaccio
Although Testaccio isn’t the best neighborhood in Rome, food lovers find the market here worth the extra effort. Covered stalls sell fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, seafoods, breads, and everything else you’ll need for a fabulous picnic or delicious dinner.

Moriondo e Gariglio
The finest chocolatier in Rome, Moriondo e Gariglio opened in 1850. The more than 80 kinds of confections they sell are made from fiercely guarded family recipes. The shop is lovely – and packed – around Easter and Christmas. Specialties include truffles, candied chestnuts (marrons glace), liqueur-filled chocolates, and confections made with nuts.

Panella
In the know tourists come here for the mortadella-stuffed pizza bianca, but there are also delicious breads of all kinds, regional Italian cheeses, preserves, and pastries. You can have your sweet with a coffee at the tiny bar inside.

Trimani Vinai a Roma dal 1821
No mystery about how long Trimani has been in business. In fact, it’s the oldest wine shop in Rome, and many would say the best. Stocking thousands of Italian, French, and sparkling wines, Trimani also hosts wine tastings and lectures.

Volpetti
Arguably the best food store in Rome, is located in the working-class Testaccio neighborhood. Volpetti has all kinds of salumi, including prosciutto, coppa, mortadella, speck, bresaola, salami, soppressata, guanciale, and pancetta. The list of Italian cheeses is equally impressive, and there’s a nice selection of French cheese too. Wines, prepared salads and pasta dishes, smoked fish, breads, pastries, chocolates, coffee, and vinegars make this your one-stop-shop for gourmet foods in Rome.

Read more about Italian foods here.

View Best Rome Food Stores in a larger map

1) Ai Monasteri
2) Angelini
3) Buccone
4) Campo de Fiori
5) Castroni
6) Enoteca al Parlamento
7) Mercato di Testaccio
8) Moriondo e Gariglio
9) Panella
10) Trimani
11) Volpetti

Volpetti in Rome Image Flickr: Meg Zimbeck
Artichokes at Campo de Fiori Image Flickr: Maggie Hoffman

Florence

Tuscany is rightly noted for its delicious food and wine. Unlike some Italian foods, Tuscan cuisine showcases local ingredients like asparagus, white truffles, herbs, wild boar, rabbit, and Italian’s best beef without a lot of fuss. Tuscan food is simple, satisfying, and easy to prepare.

You’ll likely eat well in the region without much effort. But you can enhance your appreciation of Tuscan food by taking a couple of cooking classes. There are several to choose from in and around Florence. And you can sign up for a half-day, full-day, or week-long program.

Taste Florence offers a walking tour that isn’t a cooking classes per se, but it is a pleasant way for someone interested in the region’s food to learn more about it. Participants visit local food producers where they taste cheese, vinegars, cured meats, olive oils, wine, and more.

The Culinary Institute of Florence, which is part of the Apicius International School of Hospitality, offers everything from a Masters Degree in Italian Cooking to one-day cooking classes. If you’re going to be in Tuscany for a while, consider a three-week course that meets once a week. Or sign up for a one-week program that includes a group and individual wine-tasting class, two group cooking class, two individual classes, and a walking tour.

Food expert and cookbook author Silvia Maccari takes small groups to the San Lorenzo market for a tour and tasting and then brings them back to her apartment to prepare a four-course meal. After the cooking is done, guests sit down to enjoy the meal with wines chosen by Silvia to complement the dishes.

World-renowned Italian cook Guiliano Bugialli founded Cooking in Florence in 1973. It was the first Italian cooking school to offer classes in English. Classes are taught in Bugialli’s 15th-century farmhouse outside Florence. The week-long course includes five cooking classes, dinners in area restaurants, accommodations in Florence, and regional side trips. Students learn to prepare about 35 different dishes.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Located in the heart of Florence, the Scuola di Arte Caulinaria Cordon Bleu was founded in 1985. They offer everything from 3-month professional programs to one-day classes on chocolate, fritters, and pasta.

Judy Francini moved from California to Italy in the 1980s and started Divina Cucina, which offer one-day and one-week cooking classes in Florence. The classes start selecting ingredients at the San Lorenzo market. Her Mondays at the Market includes a market tour, tastings, and lunch in a trattoria. She also offers a Wednesday class at her friend’s villa in the Tuscan countryside.

Chef Claudio Piantini teaches Tuscan cooking classes at Relais Torres Guelfa in the town of Figline Valdarno, outside Florence. Students will tour the chef’s extensive gardens and select fruits and vegetable for the day’s meal. Dinner is served in the dining room or on the terrace by the pool.

Find cooking classes in Rome here.

Florence Image Flickr: echiner1
Bistecca alla Fiorentina Image Flickr: thepinkpeppercorn

Bottega Yountville

Although wine country is best known for its French restaurants, there are also some great Italian restaurants in the valleys.

Napa Valley Italian restaurants

With a more ambitious menu than most Italian restaurants, Bistro Don Giovanni is a popular spot in downtown Napa. Starters include an excellent Pumpkin Ravioli in brown butter sauce with sage, Carpaccio, a cheese plate, and a salad of beets and haricots verts. Pizzas emerge from the wood-fired oven thin and crispy. Try fig, caramelized onion, gorgonzola, arugula, and Balsamic vinegar. Paccheri with a Sonoma duck Bolognese and rabbit cacciatore are just the thing on a cool, fall evening. Or you could opt for grilled California sea bass or steak frites.

If you can, grab a table on the outdoor terrace near the fireplace. Bisto Don Giovanni’s owners run Scala Bistro in San Francisco and they change the menu with the seasons. As you’d expect, the wine list is very good. Reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends.

Uva Trattoria & Bar is usually jumping. In fact, they have jazz five nights a week. So this isn’t the place for a quiet, romantic dinner for two. But it’s a convivial place with good food and a lively bar. The little fried rice balls called arancini are an addictive starter. Weekly specials might include baked gnocchi with burrata cheese and pomodoro sauce, bucatini al’amatriciana, and pan-roasted sea bass. In addition to the specials, there are usually five or six pizzas, ten pasta dishes, and three or four entrees.

Celebrity chef/Food Network TV host Michael Chiarello opened Bottega in the old V Marketplace in Yountville a year ago. Zagat named Bottega the top newcomer of the year and Esquire included it in their list of the Top 20 new restaurants. The design is casual but modern with brick walls, stone fireplaces, and plenty of couches for lounging. Although it’s a huge space, it’s divided into more manageable areas, and the patio is very inviting. This is not the place to watch your figure. The soft boiled egg in the Pecorino cheese flan is deep fried. And green eggs and ham comes swimming in Cambazola crema. The salumi is made in house and the crudo is sensational. All the pastas are made from scratch and sauces made with duck, rabbit, and chanterelles are hearty and filling. Braised lamb shanks, short ribs, duck confit, and whole, wood-oven roasted fish are the stars of the secondi.

Green Eggs and Ham

Ten years ago, Chiarello was the partner/chef at Tra Vigne in St. Helena. One of the most romantic restaurants in the valley, it has a lovely vine-covered patio that seems like it was plucked from a Tuscan hill town. It’s magical at night when the trees are dressed with little white lights. Inside, the stylish dining room has brick walls, high ceilings, and a hand-carved bar. Papperdelle with rabbit ragu and wild mushrooms, carbonara with guanciale and organic eggs, and duck confit risotto pave the way for wood-oven roasted Dungeness crab and pan-seared Quinault River steelhead. The 200-wine list changes frequently.

Just around the corner on Main Street, Pizzeria Tra Vigne serves authentic Neapolitan pizzas in a casual setting. The garlic rolls are perfect for taking the edge off while you wait for your pizza, but they’re hard to stop eating. There are several salads, pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs and shrimp fettuccini, and a nice selection of oven-baked flatbread with salad on top. But it would be a shame to come here and not order pizza. Traditional pies like Margherita and Ducati with Italian sausage, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes compete with unconventional pizzas like Positano with gulf shrimp and fried lemons, and Gardiniere with brocolli, cauliflower, and spicy garlic soffrito.

Sonoma Valley Italian restaurants.

Red Grape Pizzeria

Sonoma is one of the most charming towns in California Wine Country. Shops, hotels, and restaurants line its 19th-century plaza and there’s a farmer’s market on Tuesday evenings in summer.

The Della Santina family comes from Lucca, Italy, and they’ve been serving Tuscan-inspired cuisine in Sonoma since 1990. They found a beautiful old stone building to house their restaurant. You’ll find all the usual pastas and entrees — the gnocchi della nonna is especially good — but what’s really special here are the spit-roasted meats. You can choose from chicken, pork, rabbit, or duck. Or if you can’t choose, you can order skewers with three different meats. The 3-course dinner special is a good value at $30 per person. On Tuesdays, they have a prix fixe menu that features Italian wine pairings. If the weather’s nice, opt for a table out on the brick patio. There’s a nice selection of wine for less than $40 a bottle.

It’s hard to visit wine country without enjoying all the world-class restaurants. But sometimes, you just want a pizza and a cold draught beer. If you’re in Sonoma, Red Grape Pizzeria is a great spot. They have dozens of wines by the glass and many bottles for around $30. You can start with an antipasto, one of the tasty flatbreads, or a salad. If you don’t want pizza, there’s a nice selection of wraps and Panini — who doesn’t want pork and brie with caramelized onions and sliced green apple. The imaginative pizza list include clams casino with apple wood-smoked bacon, roasted duck and gorgonzola with a Cabernet reduction, and shrimp scampi.

1) Bistro Don Giovanni
2) Uva Trattoria
3) Bottega
4) Tra Vigne
5) Pizzeria Tra Vigne
6) Della Santina’s
7) Red Grape Pizzeria

View Italian Restaurants in Napa and Sonoma in a larger map

See our list of the best Italian restaurants in San Francisco here.

Zucchini blossoms

The best way to experience Roman cooking, aside from eating in all those fabulous Italian restaurants, is to do it yourself at one of Rome’s lively cooking classes. Not only will you learn to make Italian foods like fried zucchini blossoms, risotto, and panna cotta, you’ll also make new friends and have a terrific meal.

From a half-day cooking class to a week-long culinary program, there are plenty of options to choose from. And many include field trips to local food purveyors.

Diane Seed has written several best-selling Italian cookbooks, including The Top 100 Pasta Sauces and Roman Kitchen. Although British, she has lived in Rome for 30 years on the top floor of a Renaissance Palazzo overlooking the Forum.

She knows Rome and Italian cooking inside out, and her students rave about her delightful insights into Roman culture.

Tomatoes at Campo dei Fiori market

Her morning classes include a visit to the Campo de Fiori market and lunch prepared by the students. Her five-day courses run from 10:30AM to 2PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 6:30PM to 9:30PM on Wednesday. Two- and three-day classes can sometimes be arranged. Details are available at http://www.italiangourmet.com/index2.php?cPath=21

Torre di Babelle is a language school that also offers cooking classes in Rome. Students in their three-hour course prepare an aperitif, appetizer, first course (usually a pasta), second course, vegetable, and dessert. Get more information at http://www.torredibabele.com/cooking.htm.

Chef Andrea Consoli teaches 3-4 hour classes at La Fate restaurant in the Trastevere neighborhood. Students prepare a four-course meal in the kitchen of the restaurant and then enjoy it together. Andrea is a real charmer, and at just 50 Euros per person, his classes are a real bargain.

Tagliatelle Carbonara

The day begins with a trip to the market in the Testaccio quarter and a visit to the Volpetti shop. There’s no menu planned for the class — students just pick up whatever looks best at the market and then take the bus back to Maureen’s place, where they prepare lunch together. Contact her at info@maureenbfant.com.

Those who don’t want to cook but want to learn more about dining in Rome can take one of her Eat Like the Romans Eat offered by Context. Find out more at http://www.contexttravel.com/rome/tours/cuisine/

Find more things to do in Rome here.

Zucchini blossoms Image Flickr: ljcybergal
Tomatoes at Campo dei Fiori market Image Flickr: hslo
Tagliatelle Carbonara Image Flickr: FotoosVanRobin

Carpaccio from Drago Centro

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t terrific Italian restaurants in South California. They’re just not all concentrated in one area. Which means that no matter where you are, there’s probably one that’s not too far away.

An unassuming little place that’s nearly always packed, Angelini Osteria serves some of the best Italian food in Southern California. Start your meal with Pumpkin Tortelli with butter, sage, and asparagus or Bombolotti all’Amatriciana with guanciale, San Marzano tomatoes, and hot pepper. If you love Roman food, there’s even warm tripe. The whole sea bass encrusted in salt and herbs is sensational, and the grilled bistecca here will remind you of your trip to Florence. Lasanga Verde, a homage to the chef’s grandmother, is the most popular dish. Topped with frizzled spinach, it’s a rich, dense block of meat, pasta, and cheese. Specials each day features Italian classics like saltimbocca, oxtail, and porchetta. The wine list has lots of affordable Italian wines.

Celestino Drago has several restaurants in Los Angeles, but Drago Centro is the best Italian restaurant on the Eastside. The sleek, stylish décor and downtown City National Plaza location make this one of the most sophisticated and expensive Italian restaurants in town. No spaghetti and meatballs here. The glass wine cellar displays some of Drago’s rare Italian wines. But don’t worry — there are plenty of reasonable selections and 100 wines available by the glass. The concept here is to take traditional Italian dishes and update them with modern techniques and ingredients. The six-course tasting menu is a good value at $75 per person. Dungeness crab tagliolini with tomatoes and basil and pappardelle with roasted pheasant and morel mushrooms are achingly good. If you can, save room for the little doughnuts called I Bomboloni.

Also owned by the Drago family, Il Pastaio is a popular Beverly Hills trattoria. There are three kinds of carpaccio to start your meal — beef, tuna, and swordfish, but regulars can’t resist the fried rice balls called arancini. Mussels and clams steamed in a garlicky tomato broth taste like you‘re next to the sea. There are more than a dozen salads, including a tasty panzanella made with leftover bread. With so many pastas and risottos to choose from, most diners never make it to the Secondi section of the menu. Their panna cotta provides the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.

Burrata from Drago Centro

No discussion of Italian restaurants in Los Angeles can omit the Mozza trilogy. The brainchild of culinary stars Mario Batali, Nancy Silverton, and Joseph Bastianich, Pizzeria Mozza is actually the casual sibling of the more up-scale Osteria Mozza. But for our money, Pizzeria Mozza is the better choice. The pizzas here — baked at high temperature in a wood-burning oven — are miraculous with a thick, puffy crust that’s lighter than air. But there’s plenty of other great Italian food like fried squash blossoms, baked bone marrow, goat cheese with lentils, and oven-roasted pork ribs. Daily specials include crisp duck leg with lentils, chicken alla cacciatore, and lasagna. Make reservations or plan to wait. And don’t miss the butterscotch budino. It’s one of the most delicious desserts you’ll ever eat.

As the name implies, Trattoria Tre Venezia specializes in the cooking of Northeastern Italy. It’s tucked away in a cute little building in Old Town Pasadena. And from the outside, you’d never guess that it has been awarded a Michelin star. The dishes here are a far cry from what you’d find in Southern Italy, and Austrian influences are apparent in marinated venison and smoked pork chops with gorgonzola sauce and sauerkraut. From the Veneto region, there are seafood specialties like cuttlefish, black-ink ravioli filled with halibut, and chestnut tagliatelle with lobster. For desserts, the custards — such as Crèma del Gondoliere — are especially good.

Valentino has been the leading Italian restaurant in Los Angeles for thirty five years now. Its staying power can be attributed to attention to detail. From the elegant ambience of the four romantic dining rooms to the world-class service to the 140,000-bottle wine cellar, owner Piero Selvaggio provides an exceptional dining experience. Which explains why they have a Michelin star. The menu has delectable items like risotto with squid ink and mixed seafood, lasagna with duck ragu and porcini mushrooms, and ossobuco, but your best bet is to put yourself in the chef’s hands and order the tasting menu. Those looking for something lighter and less expensive can opt for the Vin Wine Bar, which offers an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for just $35. Affordable vertical wine tastings are also available. Dress up.

The heart of Vincenti is the wood-burning oven and rotisserie. You can watch all the action in the exhibition kitchen. Starters include a warm octopus salad, tuna carpaccio, and stuffed zucchini blossoms. Tagliolini with clams and potato gnocchi with shrimp, lobster, and asparagus are delicious. But it’s the roasted meats that steal the show. Try sea bass or Dover sole, quail, leg of lamb, or pork tenderloin. The six-course tasting menu is $60. And excellent pizzas are also available.

1) Angelini Osteria
2) Drago Centro
3) Il Pastaio
4) Pizzeria Mozza
5) Trattoria tre Venezia
6) Valentino
7) Vincenti

View Italian restaurants in Los Angeles in a larger map

Find more Italian restaurants here. And find great Pizza restaurants in Los Angeles here.

Short Rib Pasta

The North Beach neighborhood was once the home of most of the city’s Italian restaurants. But these days, you’ll find them in every part of town, from the Mission District to Nob Hill.

Here, listed alphabetically is our list of the best Italian restaurants in San Francisco:

1) The Italian region of Campania is noted for a flavorful cuisine that centers around tomatoes, onions, cheeses, pasta, and cured meats. A16 – named for the autoroute that runs through the region – features Campania-inspired dishes like braised pork shoulder, pasta with cauliflower and crab, or rustic duck meatballs. The starters here are especially good. Try roasted asparagus with walnut cream; house-made prosciutto with persimmons, hazelnuts, and pomegranate seeds; or creamy, rich burrata cheese with crostini. There are 40 wines – mostly Italian varietals – available by the glass, and carafes of wine are also an option. A16 is also one of the best pizza restaurants in town.

2) Located in a building that was once a chapel, Acquarello is one of the most sophisticated Italian restaurants in the Bay Area. The menu, which changes frequently, might feature contemporary Italian foods like gnocchi and Swiss chard in brown butter and sage, a grilled sea bass on warm artichoke and potato salad, or lobster panzerotti. The 500-bottle wine list has lots of great choices from Italy and California. The chocolate cake dusted with gold is worth saving room for. If you’re on a budget, the four-course tasting menu is a good value.

3) Another excellent pizza restaurant, Delfina’s is a Mission District favorite. Making the most of what’s fresh from the farm as well as locally made cheeses and naturally raised beef and lamb, Delfina’s features starters like grilled calamari and white bean salad, incredible pastas like pappardelle with braised lamb, and bistro classics like steak frites. The eclectic menu changes nightly. The heated, covered terrace is a nice spot on balmy evenings. Prices for both food and wine are very reasonable.

Salumi

5) A family-owned North Beach trattoria, l’Osertia del Forno has a limited menu, but everything on it is delicious. First of all, there’s the delicious focaccia to tide you over until the food arrives. Then there are a few pasta dishes, a couple of daily specials – hope for the milk-braised pork – a daily roast, some polenta, and good, thin-crust pizza. It’s inexpensive, informal, and good.

6) The chef and co-owner at La Ciccia is Sardinian, and the menu here recalls the dishes he grew up with on the island. Start with the seafood salad, dressed with lemon and fresh herbs or calamari with mint and white wine. Then sink into pasta with clams, tomatoes, and saffron. or spaghetti with mullet row. The food pairs perfectly with Sardinian wines like Vermentino.

7) Dishes from the Northern Italian regions of Liguria and Piemonte dominate the menu at Perbacco. The antipasto of house-made salumi is a clear winner. Try pappardella in a ragu made with braised short ribs, veal-stuffed agnolotti in cabbage and meat sauce, or milk-braised pork shoulder. The two-story, exposed brick space is sophisticated and lively. And the wine list is excellent, but not cheap.

8) Located in a brick building in Jackson Square, Quince is one of the most elegant Italian restaurants in San Francisco. Chef Michael Tusk did stints at Chez Panisse and Oliveto, and the invention of those trend setters shines through. The best way to experience all of Quince’s delights is to invest in their five- or eight-course tasting menu. That way, you’ll get to try small portions of sensational dishes like pasta with foie gras; pork loin, belly, and sausage with chestnut puree; and veal rib chop with chanterelles and fontina cheese. This is one of the top tables in town for a celebration dinner.

1) A16
2) Acquarello
3) Delfina’s
4) Incanto
5) L’Osteria del Forno
6) La Ciccia
7) Perbacco
8) Quince

View Italian Restaurants in San Francisco in a larger map

Find more great Italian restaurants here.

Short Rib Pasta Image Flickr: stu_spivack
Salumi Image Flickr: WordRidden

Roman Coliseum

Some of the best Italian restaurants in the world are in Rome. The cuisine of Rome is rich and rustic, with hearty meat dishes and terrific pastas. Two of the best known are Spaghetti alla Carbonara with pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan cheese, and Bucatini all’Amatriciana with tomatoes, pancetta, and onions.

Other Roman specialties you should try include stuffed fried zucchini blossoms, Saltimbocca, which is veal stuffed with prosciutto, cheese, and sage, and porchetta, or roast suckling pig. You’ll also find traditional Italian foods like gnocchi and pizza on most menus.

The best expensive Italian restaurants in Rome.

The proud recipient of three Michelin stars, La Pergola is generally acknowledged to be the best Italian restaurant in Rome. Located in the roof garden atop the Cavalieri Hilton, La Pergola has sweeping views of Rome and a beautiful frescoed ceiling in the elegant interior. Chef Heinz Beck is actually German, but he has wholeheartedly embraced Italian culinary tradition and used it as a launching pad for his creations. You’ll find everything here from the simplest tortellini or tomato salad to an ambitious duck-liver scallop with crisp pigeon. The 48,000-bottle wine cellar and the service are both superb. Make reservations well in advance and take a credit card with a high ceiling.

Pantheon

Conveniently located near the Pantheon, Il Convivio is one of the best Italian restaurants in Rome. It’s a traditional, formal place with old-world elegance and service. The clientele leans heavily toward affluent Italian executives. The kitchen’s attention to detail is apparent even in standards like risotto and fava beans. Roasted pigeon and duck dishes are top notch. And organ meats, which are popular in Rome, are as good as you’ll get.

Although fish is not as popular in Rome as it is in Naples or Sicily, Rome does have a very good seafood restaurant called Quinzi & Gabrieli. It’s in a 16th-century building not far from the Pantheon, and the terrace opens onto a small square. The fish couldn’t get any fresher – chances are, it was swimming in one of the tanks before it made its way to the kitchen. Clams (vongole) in a garlicky wine broth or calamari are a great way to start your meal, which could be perfectly cooked swordfish or sea bass. The three rooms are painted with frescoes of Portofino, Capri, and Elba. If you love seafood, this is your best bet in Rome.

The best affordable Italian restaurants.

Piazza Navona

Located on Piazza della Coppelle, not far from Piazza Navona, Maccheroni serves traditional Roman dishes and specialties from other regions of Italy as well. The most popular dish here is the Spaghetti Carbonara. But triofie al pesto, which originates in Santa Margherita Ligure, is another standout. The rustic interior is cozy in winter, and if you’re seated inside, you can watch the chefs at work. On a nice day, take one of the tables outside and enjoy the action on the piazza.

Owned by married couple Agata Parisella (who cooks) and Romeo Caraccio (who manages the dining room), Agata e Romeo has all the charm of a family-run place. The cooking here is modern, but steeply routed in tradition. Expect dishes like oxtail stew, rabbit croquettes, and inventive pastas. The modern décor is a nice change, and the restaurant is centrally located near the Vittorio Emanuele Monument (the dentures). Try to save room for the especially good desserts.

For the price, Antico Arco serves some of the best food in Rome. Above Trastevere on the Gianicolo Hill, Antico Arco serves imaginatively prepared rabbit, duck, and pheasant, in addition to the expected meats and pasta dishes. Chef Patricia Mattei uses lots of fresh vegetables and herbs, and her flavors are clean and bright — the duck breast starter is a must have. Antico Arco has a good wine list, and service is friendly and professional. There’s no terrace, but the attractive interior was redone in 2007. Reservations are required.

Located in the old courtyard of a 16th-century palazzo, Casa Bleve is the most elegant wine bar in Rome. It has one of the best selections of wine – both by the bottle and the glass – in town. But the lunchtime antipasto bar here is equally appealing. Platters filled with rolled veal tonnato, braciole, turkey rolls, marinated vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, and Sicilian desserts beckon. Indicate what you want to one of the servers, and he’ll compose a plate for you. It’s a great way to sample lots of Italian foods without breaking the bank.

Read more about food in Italy here.

Find the best Italian restaurants in Florence here.

Italian Pizza Oven

Everyone loves Italian food, and sampling the local specialties is one of the best parts of traveling to Italy.  Each of Italy’s regions has its own distinctive cuisine, and Italian restaurants run the gamut from elegant to earthy.

Here are the dishes you don’t want to miss if you travel to Italy.

Roman food.

Known for its rustic comfort food, Rome serves some of the meatiest  meals in the country.  But vegetarians will appreciate the abundance of fresh produce that’s always available.  In spring, artichokes (carciofi) appear on virtually every menu, a dozen different ways.  In late summer and fall, deep fried zucchini (zucca) flowers stuffed with cheese and a little anchovy paste are extremely popular.  A Fritto Misto or mixed, fried antipasto might include both.  Fried rice croquettes (Suppli di Riso) and Gnocchi are other good non-meat choices.  The two quintessential Roman pasta dishes are Bucatini all’Amatricani, made with pancetta, tomatoes, and onions, and Spaghetti alla Carbonara, made with pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan cheese.  Although most Americans shy away from organ meats, offal is an essential part of Roman cuisine.  If you’re not that adventurous, try Salimbocca, veal cutlets stuffed with ham, cheese, and sage.  Or Porchetta, roast suckling pig.  And if you have any room left over, order the local cheescake, Torta di Ricotta.

Naples food.

Southern Italy serves the dishes most Americans think of as typically Italian.  Lots of tomatoes, garlic, onions, herbs, and cheese.   Neapolitan pizza is the best you’ll ever eat, and you owe it to yourself to have it several times.  The nearness of the Mediterranean means that seafood is prevalent.  Squid (calamari), shrimp (gamberetti), and mussels (cozze) are all wonderful dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.  Simply grilled fresh swordfish is also frequently available.   Neapolitan cuisine downplays meat, but cheese, especially mozzarella, is front and center.   It’s essential to local favorites like Eggplant Parmesan (Parmigiana di Melanzane), Lasagna, and Pasta alla Sorrentina.  For dessert, have Sfogliatelle, puff pastry shells filled with ricotta cheese and almond paste.   Citrus is an important crop here, and this area is the home of Limoncello.  Have a glass before or after your meal. Look here to learn all about Neapolitan pizza.

Sicilian food.

Sicilian desserts

If you love big, bold flavors, Sicily is the spot.  As you’d expect on an island, fresh seafood is the star, with sardines, tuna, and swordfish on every menu.  You won’t find much meat, but vegetables are always available.  Try Caponata, which combines tomatoes, peppers, onions, and olives.  And Panelle, a snack made from fried garbanzo beans.  Sicily also has terrific desserts, the most famous of which is the Sicilian Cassata made with ricotta cheese, candied fruits, and nuts.  Riccota-filled Cannoli and Almond Biscuits are also delicious.

Tuscan food.

You won’t find heavy sauces or elaborate preparations in Florence and the surrounding area.  Just simply grilled meats, fresh vegetables, and lots of beans (fagioli).  The best beef in Italy is raised here, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina — steak marinated in garlic, herbs, and olive oil and then grilled over charcoal — is the way to try it.   Of course, Tuscany is also noted for its marvelous red wines, so be sure to order some Chianti or Montepulciano.  Wild boar , rabbit, duck, and cured meats, especially Parma ham, are also good choices, as is Baccala, or salt cod, mixed with tomatoes and garlic and cooked in an earthenware pot.  For lunch, try Panzanella, a salad of toasted bread, tomatoes, and basil, or Pappa al Pomodoro, a thick tomato soup.  Bologna’s major contribution to Italian cuisine is Spaghetti al Ragu, pasta enrobed in a rich meat sauce.  Sample either lemon tart or Panforte, a delectable spice cake, for dessert.

Other Italian dishes you should try include Trenette al Pesto and Pansoti with Walnut Sauce from the coastal region outside of Genoa.  Manzo Brasato at Barolo, beef braised in Barolo wine, from Piedmont.  And risotto and Costolette alla Milanese, rice with wine, onions, and Parmesan cheese and breaded veal cutlets from Milan.

To help plan your next trip to Italy look here. And for more information about traveling in Italy read here.