If you’ve ever dreamed of eating your way through Italy, you’re definitely not the only one! This ultimate foodie guide to Italy will take you from pizza to pasta and beyond! From elegant dinners in Milan to the ribbons of handmade lemon pasta on the Amalfi Coast, Italy’s food is the country’s real masterpiece! And yes, there are delicious surprises beyond the classics. Here’s how we ate our way across Italy during our Soul Sisters Travel group trip!
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Milan: Style Meets Flavor
When we arrived in Milan, we expected fashion, elegance, and chic aperitivos—and we got all that, plus one of the most unforgettable meals of our trip. Dinner at Penelope a Casa was an experience all its own. Our group started light with a delicious zucchini carpaccio and a refreshing grilled squid salad with blackberries, then moved on to the most tender branzino baked with olives and fresh tomato sauce and a cold veal dish with briny caper flowers.
The polpettine di formaggio con ragù (cheese meatballs in a rich sauce) disappeared quickly, while the salmon tartare was as bright and fresh as it gets. My personal favorite was the pan brioche stuffed with roasted turkey, caramelized onions, and pecorino—comfort food turned glam.
The surprises didn’t stop at the food. A round of sparkling wine topped with cotton candy had us grinning like kids, and just when we thought the night couldn’t get more over the top, out came a tower of desserts lit with sparklers. It was theatrical, delicious, and unforgettable—basically Milan in a nutshell.
One of the highlights of our Soul Sisters trip was the day we traded restaurant tables for aprons at a cooking school in Milan. There’s something special about not just eating Italian food but learning how to make it from scratch—with laughter, flour-dusted hands, and a few glasses of wine along the way.
We started with the basics: homemade pasta. Rolling out sheets of dough, shaping them into ribbons, and realizing just how much love goes into every bite made us appreciate every plate of tagliatelle we’d eaten so far. By the end, we felt like pros (or at least like Italian nonnas-in-training).
Next up was the best tiramisu I have EVER and I mean EVER had!! Layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream had us licking our spoons before it was even chilled. Let’s just say, no store-bought version back home will ever compare. The tiramisu was so delicious, I created a lemon version of it as soon as I got back home. If you'd like to try your hand at making it, you can find the recipe here.
Finally, we used fresh basil and tomatoes straight from the garden to make bruschetta. Crisp toasted bread, garlic, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil—simple, fresh, and the kind of bite that makes you close your eyes to soak it all in.
Evenings here meant aperitivo hour—buy a spritz, and little plates of complimentary snacks appeared. Speaking of spritz, Aperol Spritz is the well-known favorite; however, Hugo Spritz made with elderflower liquor was my personal preference. Others in our group preferred the refreshing limoncello spritz. Whatever the choice, eating and drinking in Milan felt elegant, social, and endlessly fun.
Lake Como: Slow Dining and Stunning Views
Lake Como was next, and while our group only spent one day there, I can honestly say meals here feel like a vacation within a vacation. We enjoyed pasta alla ruota made tableside in a parmesan wheel, prosciutto e melone , and gelato while watching the water sparkle under the afternoon sun. Dining here is relaxed, unhurried, and paired with scenery that almost competes with the food. Almost.
Venice: Cicchetti, Canals, and Culinary Surprises
On our way to Venice, we pulled off for a vineyard stop—because what’s an Italian trip without wine? Tucked between rolling hills and rows of grapevines that seemed to stretch endlessly, we found ourselves at a Podere Selva Capuzza where hospitality was as generous as the pours.
To pair with the tasting, we nibbled on aged cheeses, slices of prosciutto, and rustic bread drizzled with peppery olive oil. But the true star of the table was the wine jelly—both red and white. Sweet, silky, and intensely flavored, it transformed every bite of cheese into something unforgettable.
That vineyard left me OBSESSED with wine jelly—so much so that I made this recipe as soon as I got home. Luckily, it’s easier than it sounds, and it instantly turns an ordinary cheese board into something chic and very Italian.
Venice was all about the seafood! We wandered narrow streets, peeked into hidden piazzas, and, of course, followed our noses to the food.
We hopped between bacari (a traditional Venetian wine bar), tasting cicchetti—bite-sized plates perfect for sharing with your girlfriends. Creamy baccalà on toast, fried seafood, tiny meatballs, all paired with ombre which are small glasses of local wine.
Naples: The Birthplace of Pizza
Next stop: Naples. I am going to be perfectly honest here. Our group only stopped over in Naples for a few hours and specifically just to eat pizza in the birthplace of pizza. (Takes will travel for food to a whole new place now doesn't it? Ha!)
HOWEVER, the pizza our group had in Naples was devoured so quickly that we have no photo evidence it ever existed. I know....I know.....but don't judge us. You'll just have to trust that the pizza back home is just pizza, but the pizza in Naples is a religion! I'll add pics of the pizza we did manage to take pictures of while we were in Milan and our next stop, the Amalfi Coast!
(Sidenote: In Italy, they serve you the whole pizza to enjoy all by yourself! It's a good thing really though because once you try it, you won't want to share! It's honestly good enough to make you cry. See proof in photo of Liz trying the pizza below. *wink wink*)
The most well-known pizzerias in Naples are L'Antica Pizzeria da Michelle and Gino e Toto Sorbillo. Tens of thousands of google reviews will tell you all you "knead" to know about these places (see what I did there?? Haha, I crack myself up). Be prepared to wait in line to get a taste, but I promise it will be worth it!
Amalfi Coast: Sunshine on a Plate
Finally, we arrived in Amalfi, where we traded the seaside views for something even sweeter: a cooking class at the Amalfi Lemon Experience. Nestled among fragrant lemon groves, this was one of those moments where you realize you’re not just visiting Italy—you’re tasting it, learning it, and living it.
We learned how to make Tagliatelle al Limone, wide ribbons of pasta tossed in a creamy, tangy sauce made with lemon zest, juice, butter, and a hint of parmesan. It was light, bright, and unforgettable.
Then we discovered pizza fritta, a deep-fried masterpiece that blew my MIND! I had never heard of a fried pizza before, but it was the kind of indulgence you don’t even pretend to feel guilty about. Each bite was hot, savory bliss, and we all agreed it was some of the best pizza we’d ever had. If you can’t hop on the next flight to Amalfi to try this fried pizza for yourself, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. I’ve recreated the recipe so you can bring a little slice of Amalfi into your own kitchen!
We ended our visit with the most perfect lemon cake ever, lemon tarts that we handmade, icy limoncello, and views that made every bite taste even better. The Amalfi Coast reminded us why food and travel are the ultimate soul sisters combination.
Sweet Endings: Italian Desserts You Can’t Miss
No trip to Italy is complete without dessert. On this trip, I made it my mission to taste them all. You know, for research purposes and all *ahem*
- Tiramisu: Layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone, and cocoa. Heaven in every bite. Highly recommend trying the tiramisu at Trattoria Solidale.
- Sfogliatella : Flaky, shell-shaped pastry traditionally stuffed with ricotta and candied citrus, but we saw them with many other fillings (pistachio was a hands down favorite). Crunchy outside, soft inside. The perfect breakfast—or anytime treat! The sfogliatella at Central Market in Milan was phenomenal!!
- Cannoli: Crisp pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta cream, often dotted with chocolate chips or pistachios. One cannolo is never enough! Try them at Cannoleria Gourmet!
- Gelato: Creamier and denser than ice cream, in flavors from pistachio to stracciatella. We may have justified this as a “snack” at least once a day. You'll find Gelato all over Italy. Just make sure you buy from places that have lids to cover the gelato like Iconico Gelato. The mounds of uncovered gelato are visually appealing for sure, but the covered gelato is ALWAYS better!
- Lemon Sorbet: Do not miss getting a lemon sorbet while in Amalfi! There are many shops offering this icy and oh so refreshing treat! Have your camera ready as these are not only tasty, but they're also so beautifully presented you'll want to snap a pic for the gram!
- Panna Cotta: Silky, custard-like dessert often topped with berries or caramel. Light but indulgent—perfect after a big pasta dinner.
Every sweet reminded us why Italy isn’t just about meals. It’s about moments, laughter, and la dolce vita.
Tips from Our Soul Sisters Foodie Adventure
- Respect the mealtime rhythm: Lunch is sacred, dinner starts late, and apertivo hours are a must.
- Savor, don’t rush: Meals are meant to linger over, especially with friends.
- Order local specialties: Trust the house specialties—they never disappoint.
- Bring stretchy pants: You’ll need them (no, but really, bring them haha!)
Final Bite
Italy fed our stomachs and our souls. From the fun sparkling wine topped with cotton candy to biting into fried pizza, enjoying everything lemon on the Amalfi Coast, savoring sfogliatella in the morning, and hopping through Venice’s cicchetti bars, every meal was a memory we shared as friends.
Pack your appetite, your best girlfriends, and your sense of adventure—Italy is waiting, plates full and hearts even fuller. Mangia!
