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22 Treats You Must Try On Your Next Trip To Italy

It's no secret Italy has amazing food. We ate our way through Italy and loved every bite (although the scales didn't). It's known for its pasta, pizza and gelato, but there is so much more...
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It's no secret Italy has amazing food. We ate our way through Italy and loved every bit of it (although the scales didn't). It's known for its pasta, pizza and gelato, but Italy has so many more delicious dishes. So here are 22 dishes you must try on your next trip to Italy.

Pici Pasta Ragu

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Cum Quibus | San Gimignano

I had never tasted pici pasta before we went to Italy. We tried it in this beautiful little restaurant in a medieval town and it shot straight to the top of pasta dishes I love.

Lemon Risotto

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Da Gemma | Amalfi Town

I feel it's only right to first admit I love anything with lemons. But I think this dish will pleasantly surprise even the lemon skeptics. We had this on the Amalfi Coast... which was a fabulous place to visit for so many more reasons other than having great lemons.

Florentine Steak

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Trattoria Mario | Florence

My boyfriend Chris had the Florentine steak and I had to try some of it, which might have been the only time Chris didn't mind me eating his food, because this steak is gigantic! A T-bone steak cooked rare, this is one I enjoyed but definitely couldn't eat the whole thing, or even half.

Tortellini En Brodo

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Trattoria Gianni | Bologna

Another fabulous discovery I'd never heard of before coming to Bologna. A famous dish in this city, and for good reason. Tortellini in a flavoursome broth... it's delicious.

Trofie Al Pesto

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: La Lampara | Riomaggiore

I've had basil pesto before. I've enjoyed it but never raved about it. Until now. Trofie al Pesto, which is trofie pasta with basil pesto, is amazing. One of my favourite pasta dishes, the trofie pasta has a nice chewy texture and basil pesto actually came from this Liguria region of Italy.

Sage and Burnt Butter Pasta

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Florence

A tasty pasta dish that reminds you simplicity is sometimes best.

Margherita Pizza

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Pizzeria Giuliano | Naples

Naples is known for its pizza and this did not disappoint. Margherita is a classic combination of cheese, tomato and basil, and it's all you need.

Carbonara

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Roscioli | Rome

I've never tasted a carbonara like this and I'm not sure if I will ever taste one as good ever again. I'm not sure what it was, but the added bits of crispy pork cheek went down very well.

Basil Gelato

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Alberto Gelateria | Corniglia

Walking through Corniglia, there were basil plants on all the doorsteps for the Basil festival. So of course the local gelateria made a basil gelato, and it tasted so fresh.

Bruschetta With Basil Pesto

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Monterosso, Cinque Terre

The basil pesto took this bruschetta to a whole new level. Delicious.

Home-cooked Pasta

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we made it: Ingredients from Mercato Centrale | Florence

The nice thing about holidays is getting to eat out all the time and have someone cook for you. But if you're travelling for a while, sometimes it's nice to have a home-cooked meal, and it's always fun going to the local supermarket and checking out all the local produce. An easy way to do this is to book an apartment through Airbnb.

Amatriciana Pasta

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Cesare al Casaletto Trattoria | Rome

Yet another pasta dish I didn't know existed! This dish is comfort food at its best. Flavours of pecorino cheese, tomato and pork cheek.

Cacio E Pepe

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Flavio al Velavevodetto | Rome

Cacio e pepe means "Cheese and Pepper"... and that's exactly what's in this pasta dish. Sounds simple, but seems to be a fine art in getting the mixture just right.

Egg Raviolo

MANDY NICHOLLS FROM ALMOSTLANDING.COM

Where we ate it: Trattoria Monti | Rome

Actually called tortello al rosso d'uovo, inside a large raviolo you will find ricotta, spinach and egg yolk. So good!

Salami, Prosciutto and Cheese Plate

Where we ate it: Roscioli | Rome

Italy has the most amazing cheeses and meats. Often at restaurants you can just order a cheese and meat plate, or there could be a selection on offer at apertivo (those hours before dinner where you get a pre-dinner drink and snacks).

Cannoli

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Testaccio Markets | Rome

Words cannot describe how amazing these taste!

Traditional Balsamic Vinegar With Ice-Cream and Parmigiano Reggiano

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Amazing Italy Tour | Emilia Romagna

As part of a day tour we stopped at a place making Traditional Balsamic Vinegar. Here we got to taste what we first thought was an unusual pairing... traditional balsamic vinegar with ice cream and then the vinegar with Parmigiano Reggiano. Both combinations were so good.

Fried Gnocchi

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Cesare al Casaletto Trattoria | Rome

Along with lemons, gnocchi is an absolute favourite of mine. But I had never tried fried gnocchi, and this version came with cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper) sauce.

Rigatoni With Pork Sausage

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Trattoria Monti | Rome

Rigatoni with sausage, pecorino cheese and pepper. Simple and tasty.

Veal Salad With Parmigiano Reggiano & Balsamic Vinegar

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Ostaria Boccadoro | Venice

The flavours went so well together, would be a great one to recreate at home.

Creme Caramel

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Cesare al Casaletto Trattoria | Rome

Only the best creme caramel I've ever tasted! Creamy with lots of caramel, worth going out of your way for.

Cornetti

Mandy Nicholls from AlmostLanding.com

Where we ate it: Everywhere

A breakfast pastry similar to a croissant, but more dense, either plain, or filed with creme or chocolate.

So that was some of our absolute favourite dishes. Hope this helps you decide what to eat in Italy, or at least be some inspiration to go.

This blog was originally published by Mandy Nicholls on Almost Landing Travel Blog.

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