7 hidden regions in Italy offering exquisite food and wine

Italy is among the premier destinations for culinary enthusiasts. The country's gastronomic treasures go far beyond pizza, pasta, and Chianti.

We're certainly not overlooking a trip to Rome for a delicious plate of cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper pasta); enjoying a creamy cappuccino in one of Florence's vibrant squares; or treating yourself to an upscale dinner in Milan, where the Lombardy region boasts nearly 60 Michelin-starred restaurants.

However, if you wish to explore Italy's celebrated food and wine culture more deeply, consider a getaway to these less-traveled regions for a truly authentic culinary experience.

Emilia Romagna

This northern Italian region boasts some of the finest cuisine in Italy.

Begin your journey in Bologna, celebrated as Italy's culinary capital. Affectionately referred to as La Grassa (the fat lady) by locals, it's famous for its ragu, a rich tomato-and-meat sauce often served on pizza or layered in lasagna, commonly known as Bolognese sauce.

The hillside town of Parma is renowned for producing some of the finest prosciutto (dry-cured ham) in the country. This ham is rich and silky—be sure to keep the fat intact, as it enhances the flavor. Enjoy it alongside the beloved Parmigiano Reggiano, a robust cured cheese also from this region.

Don't overlook the tangy balsamic vinegar, often drizzled over this popular cheese, which originates from Modena.

Satisfy your palate with sparkling Lambrusco wine, grown in numerous vineyards throughout the Emilia Romagna region.

Sicily

I will always remember the moment I watched "Chef's Table" on Netflix (season 4, episode 2), where Chef Corrado Assenza shares the history of his family-run pastry and coffee shop, Caffè Sicilia in Noto, which has been delighting customers for over a century.

By the time the episode concluded, I had already reserved my flights to Catania, enchanted by thoughts of indulging in cannoli, cassata (a ricotta-based dessert), and the shop's renowned warm brioche paired with either almond or lemon granita, a refreshing Italian ice often enjoyed for breakfast during the hot months.

I surely wasn't the first patron at Caffè Sicilia to indulge in nine different desserts in a single sitting, savoring and comparing each one in sheer delight.

The culinary landscape of Sicily brought me just as much delight, minus the overwhelming sugar rush, thankfully.

Sicilian pistachios are abundant: featured in pastries, crusted on sea bass, and blended into a zesty pesto with lemon, garlic, basil, and cheese. Enjoy a plate of pasta alla norma (pasta with eggplant, tomato, and either pecorino or ricotta) alongside a robust glass of Nero D'Avola wine.

Piedmont

Tuscany, step aside. Piedmont is emerging as Italy's new gastronomic hotspot.

The city of Bra hosts the Slow Food Headquarters, dedicated to preserving and promoting local growers, farmers, and traditional flavors — it even has a university for training chefs and food professionals in the art of slow food.

Venturing into Piedmont's quaint towns and wine villages will reveal the finest in slow food — featuring local, seasonal ingredients, sustainable wines, and time-honored recipes.

The region boasts some of its best dishes, including signature white truffles, grissini (breadsticks), and luxurious Barolo wines, rooted in tradition. Yet, areas like Turin are blossoming into vibrant, innovative culinary hubs.

Despite the indefinite closure of one of the region's most avant-garde restaurants, the Michelin-starred Combal.Zero, led by chef Davide Scabin, it paved the way for Piedmont to explore modern and experimental interpretations of classic Italian cuisine.

Liguria

This crescent-shaped region offers more than just the famous Cinque Terre. Have you tried focaccia or pesto? Both originated in Liguria.

Liguria's nutrient-rich soil makes it perfect for growing herbs, so you'll find that many dishes are infused with flavors of rosemary, fennel, sage, and basil, leading us to the beloved pesto.

Pesto is essentially a nickname for pesto alla Genovese, named after its birthplace in Genoa, the capital of Liguria. This vibrant green basil sauce can be slathered on nearly anything for an explosion of flavor.

Farinata, a savory tart made from chickpea flour and olive oil, is another regional specialty. Whatever you enjoy in Liguria, don't hesitate to drizzle it with olive oil.

The region's olive oil, derived from Taggiasca olives, produces a light and flavorful extra virgin variety that complements rather than overpowers dishes. It's often enjoyed with seafood, making it perfect for savoring alongside fresh fish while you admire the stunning Italian Riviera.

Campania

While some parts of this region may be less frequented, we simply couldn't omit Campania from our list.

Beginning with Naples and its renowned pizza, the city boasts its own pizza authority: the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. This organization certifies pizzerias, granting them official permission to create authentic Neapolitan pizza.

What sets this pizza apart is its preparation in a wood-fired oven, reaching 800 degrees Fahrenheit for about a minute. This technique ensures a soft, pliable crust and perfectly melted mozzarella cheese.

The region is also well-known for its citrus fruits, particularly the famous Sorrento lemons.

As you travel along the Amalfi Coast, you'll find lemon flavoring almost every dish, from zesty chicken or seafood recipes to gelato, cookies, and of course, limoncello.

If limoncello isn't your preference, try one of Italy's most underrated red wines, Aglianico, or opt for the unique Lacryma Christi wine, cultivated on the steep slopes of Mount Vesuvius, which translates to 'tears of Christ.'

Puglia

Situated at the southern heel of Italy's boot, this region is renowned for its charming villages, coastal towns, sprawling olive groves, and picturesque vineyards and countryside.

In southern Italy, life unfolds at a leisurely pace, allowing you ample time to savor long, indulgent meals.

Dining in less touristy areas might mean avoiding the coperto — a fee for the privilege of sitting down at a restaurant (often higher for outdoor seating). You can also dodge this charge by enjoying your coffee at the bar instead of at a table.

If you're visiting during the hot summer months, be sure to try friselle, a crunchy cracker-like bread that’s baked and toasted, typically topped with tomato, olive oil, garlic, and salt.

Another essential to taste is the bread from the village of Altamura. Made from durum wheat flour and baked in a wood-fired oven, this large, round bread is one of the few worldwide with DOP status (Protected Designation of Origin). Its recipe is said to date back to the Middle Ages.

People from Puglia have a fondness for antipasti (starters), so expect to find a variety on the menu, including options like stuffed, grilled, or fried vegetables, local cheeses, and soufflés.

Be sure to try a tannic, fruity red wine made from the Primitivo grape, which is similar to zinfandel.

Umbria

While many are familiar with Tuscany, fewer know about the neighboring region to its southeast: Umbria.

This small, landlocked region is celebrated as one of Italy's greener areas, blanketed in vineyards and forests.

Meat lovers should make their way to Norcia, renowned as Italy's pork capital. Here, you can savor cured meats like ham (especially the famous prosciutto di Norcia), salami, and even wild boar, along with a variety of charcuterie.

Visitors can venture into the woods to hunt for truffles, or simply relish the specialty Tartufo, grated over pasta, sautéed with eggs, or used to enhance meats and Umbrian caciotta cheese.

The woods are home to various bird species, so don't be surprised to find dishes like pheasant stew or quail ragù on the menu at Umbrian restaurants.

For dessert, indulge in something sweet at the Perugina Chocolate Factory. Umbria also boasts over 10 wine regions, producing varieties like Sangiovese and Sagrantino, one of Italy's most tannic wines, among others.

Bottom line

You truly can't go wrong with dining anywhere in Italy.

Exploring some of Italy's lesser-known regions can give you a taste of authentic Italian ingredients and traditional recipes.

Whether it’s pork in Umbria, truffles in Piedmont, or pizza in Campania, prepare to experience some of the world's finest cuisine in Italy — complemented by exceptional wines.

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