BEST Restaurants On The Italian Mainland AND The TOP Food
Share This Post
Worldwide, Italy is regarded as a food mecca, and after exploring the many culinary offerings, you will see that this is an understatement. Of course, you will find once-in-a-lifetime pasta and pizza, but Italian cuisine is so much more. Buttery sweet bread that will make you rethink your idea of how good food can really be. Plus the desserts, hot or cold, sweet or tart, fruity or chocolaty, no matter which ones you try they’re sure to have you coming back for another.
On the Italian mainland, not only will you find some of the best Italian meals you have ever had, but some of the best meals you have ever had, period. With so many wonderful restaurants everywhere you go, it’s hard to narrow down the cream of the crop. Look below to see the absolute best restaurants on the Italian mainland.
1.) Marco Martini (Rome)
Just a short 15 minute walk from the Colosseum and up a flight of stairs tucked away from the busy streets of Rome is one of the best restaurants in the country. While the exterior may be forgettable, the dining experience inside is truly spectacular. The beautiful ivy growing around you, the sleek minimalist decor, and the incredible wait staff all combine to create an elegant yet inviting environment. BUT enough about the restaurant itself, let’s get on to the real star of the show: the food. As it should be with every restaurant, the food should be the main takeaway, and this establishment is no exception. The inventive complementary courses to begin and end the meal with unbelievable appetizers and main courses in between are meticulously crafted down to the last detail. At Marco Martini, they don’t make food. They create art, and their art tastes incredible.
Price- $$$100 for a meal
Must Have- Sweetbread
Intestines may not seem like a must have, but the savory and tender goodness mixed with an unforgettable sauce make it absolutely irresistible. While the price tag may seem off-putting, after trying the sweetbread, we would happily pay double. We can confidently say the sweetbread from Marco Martini is the best thing we have ever eaten.
2.) L’Osteria di Santa Marina (Venice)
Hidden away from the busy crowds and among the winding alleyways and unforgettable canals of Venice lies one of the best restaurants in Italy. With limited outdoor seating great for enjoying the fresh Italian air of the small courtyard or the limited seating inside the illustrious interior. Hosting an extensive wine selection, classic pastas, and succulent seafood providing you with a true taste of the city. The small number of seats will almost assuredly require you to make reservations ahead of time, but that only adds to the feeling that you have stumbled upon the untapped treasure of Venice.
Price- $$70 for a meal
Must Have- Bread Muffin with Pumpkin Soup
Crumbly, savory, and moist, the bread muffin will be gone before you can remember to savor it. As for the pumpkin soup, a creamy delight with a touch of olive oil and an interesting aftertaste that will have you begging for more. Only when the two are paired together do you genuinely appreciate their exquisite flavor. Don’t be fooled; even though they are complementary, they are still to die for. After all, some of the best things in life are free, right?
3.) Pulejo (Rome)
This quiet Michelin star restaurant located just down the street northeast of the Vatican is a must visit when in Rome. The innovative complimentary courses will keep you guessing about what to expect, and each time, you will be pleasantly surprised. The beautiful presentation of such dishes as the pumpkin and goat cheese appetizer and the cherry foie gras dessert are only outdone by the flavors themselves. Pulejo provides an exotic culinary journey with dishes so good you won’t want them to end.
Price- $$$120 for a meal
Must Have- Ravioli
When you think of Rome, one of the first things that comes to mind is the best pasta in the world, and the ravioli at Pulejo lives up to that title. The rich cheese filled ravioli doused in herb infused tomato sauce was so fantastic that you should take twice as long to finish, just so you can savor the best pasta you have ever had for twice as long.
4.) Bonci Pizzarium (Rome)
Another thing that may have come to mind when thinking about Rome is pizza; however, you have never thought of pizza like this. Sitting a mere 5-minute walk northwest of the Vatican sits this experimental pizza laboratory full of freakish concoctions that have you coming back for more. With a constantly rotating menu, there’s no telling what type of pizza will be available that day, but you can be sure it won’t disappoint. Unthinkable creations using salmon, pumpkin meatballs, and even octopus will both confuse your mind and please your taste buds. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous when at Bonci Pizzarium you’re sure to enjoy them all.
Price- $15 for a meal
Must Have- Pizza of course
Take your pick, with any of the unique pies you can’t go wrong.
5.) La Loggia del Piazzale Michelangelo (Florence)
Fans of the movie “The Dark Knight Rises” may recognize this wonderful restaurant. Here, you can enjoy some of the best cuisine Florence has to offer while sitting above the banks of the Arno River gazing out over the city of Florence. Known for their impeccable steaks, they also have an assortment of classic Italian pastas and seafood, plus an extensive drink selection. You can even get a Fernet Branca, just like Alfred.
Price- $$60 for a meal
Must Have- Custard Tart
This gorgeously prepared tart is precisely what you would want to cap off a fantastic meal. Fresh, juicy fruits placed delicately atop the sweet, rich custard all being held in place by a crispy, delicious crust. And don’t forget the side of raspberry sauce that only makes the dessert all the more better.
6.) Kalma (Pompeii)
Away from the ancient streets of the time capsule that is Pompeii and buried in the side streets and alleyways of modern Pompeii lies the next restaurant on the list, Kalma. Home to an attractive interior, Kalma attempts to blend homely comfort with a Bollywood-like flair. Whether it works or not is up for debate, but when it comes to food, there’s no doubt this is the top spot in Pompeii.
Price- $$50 for a meal
Must Have- Dolce Al Cioccolato
A rich and creamy delight with layer upon layer of chocolate, a touch of hazelnut, and raspberry drizzle for a hint of fruity flavor make this a chocolate lovers’ dream.
7.) Pasta e Vino Osteria (Rome)
Somewhere between the old Roman architecture and the cobblestone streets lies a cute little spot nestled deep in the heart of Rome. As you make your way through the intertwined streets, it will feel as if you’re taking a trip back in time. As for the restaurant itself, it’s a small yet inviting place with a classic mix-and-match freshly made pasta menu full of other Italian delights. You might even be lucky enough to see the dough being rolled and cut right by your table.
Price- $35 for a meal
Must Have- Carbonara Pasta
Easily a fan favorite and for good reason. A rich and creamy sauce stuffed with spices and flavors unlike any pasta you have tried before, mixed with savory bacon is a can’t miss when stopping here.
8.) La Locanda Gesù Vecchio (Napoli)
This fine restaurant residing deep inside the winding streets and alleyways of downtown Naples offers a homely atmosphere with food only a true Italian home could provide. The menu boasts a wide range of authentic dishes sure to give you a true taste of Naples. With handmade pasta, freshly caught fish, and locally grown ingredients, La Locanda Gesù Vecchio gives you a meal just like your Neapolitan grandma would make.
Price- $30 for a meal
Must Have- Lemon Cake
The homemade lemon cake is the perfect mix of crunchy sweet cake and tart lemon drizzle overtop, making this the perfect end to your authentic Neapolitan meal.
Share This Post
