Here’s the local guide to grocery shopping in Italy.

Visiting the grocery store is a cherished ritual each time I arrive in or leave Italy, a country where I’ve spent considerable time over the years.

Every return to Sicily kicks off with gathering the essentials: milk, coffee, and pasta. Before I head home, I always pack my suitcase with unique local treats.

I’m not alone in dedicating time to grocery shopping in Italy; recent trends show that videos about Italian supermarkets have garnered millions of TikTok views. Whether exploring a cutting-edge Carrefour or a classic open-air market, you’ll immerse yourself in the authentic Italian way of shopping, eating, and living.

The best part of any grocery trip is the delightful and tangible rewards—be it mini Campari sodas or exquisite, affordable slices of prosciutto crudo. A trip to an alimentari (grocery store), outdoor market, or local vendor offers a genuine taste of the country’s iconic cuisine.

Varieties of Italian supermarkets and grocery stores

Italian food shopping options can be categorized based on size, scope, and quality. The most common types include large European and Italian supermarket chains like Conad, Lidl, and Carrefour. These all-in-one stores offer everything from meats and breads to frozen foods, hard liquor, and toiletries. Depending on your location in Italy, you may find smaller versions of these chain stores that provide quick access to essential items, such as Carrefour Express, which is more compact.

For specific food items, specialty shops are your best bet. These include the macelleria (butcher), pasticceria for sfogliatelle, cannoli, and other pastries, panetteria or panificio for bread, enoteca for wine, and pescheria for fresh fish displayed on ice. Because these shops specialize in one culinary area, they often offer higher-quality products than prepackaged items found in supermarkets.

Positioned between major chains and specialty shops, locally owned alimentari offer a curated selection of groceries on a smaller scale compared to Italy’s supermercati.

For those who prefer shopping outdoors, Italy’s vibrant food markets showcase seasonal produce from the region. In spring, you can find stalls filled with matte-green artichokes and zucchini flowers, while Nutella-filled cornetti (croissants) and wedges of Parmesan are available all year. Some markets, like Florence’s Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, are indoors and offer ready-to-eat meals, allowing you to snack while you browse. Prices can vary by vendor, so it’s wise to explore before making a purchase.

In the same vein, you might encounter unique street vendors who transform city streets into specialty markets. In Palermo, I always buy fennel from Rafaello, the vegetable vendor on Via Chiavettieri.

Typical Italian grocery shopping practices

I once witnessed a Sicilian man ordering bread by attaching a plastic bucket to a rope, dropping in coins, and using a pulley to lower it from his third-floor balcony to the ground-floor panificio. Once the bucket reached the ground, he called for “Angelo,” and the baker appeared to exchange the coins for a loaf of semolina. This striking example illustrates how much Italians value ultra-fresh ingredients and the care they take in shopping for their cooking.

Essential Italian produce to fill your pantry

Pasta in every conceivable shape and size

As you stroll down the pasta aisle of any Italian grocery store, you'll discover a plethora of shapes and vibrant names that extend well beyond spaghetti. My favorite Italian pasta is Carrefour’s Mafalde Terre d’Italia, though I also enjoy any brand of candele: thick, long tubes beloved in Campania. If you’re stocking up your kitchen at home, don’t forget that a bag of pasta—whether it's artisanal rigatoni or a new shape—makes an affordable, airport-friendly souvenir.

Cured Meats

Italy's cured meats, known as salumi, are truly unmatched, resembling an art form. Whether you're shopping at Lidl or a local market stall, a selection of prosciutto, bresaola, and coppa will never disappoint. Remember the term “un etto,” meaning 100 grams; it’s useful when sampling different meats.

Decadent Desserts

While gelato and tiramisù are staples at any Italian trattoria, don’t overlook unique Italian sweets to fill your pantry. For a delightful caffeinated treat, try Pocket Coffee, chocolates filled with espresso (no cup needed). If you visit during Easter or Christmas, be sure to pick up a colomba or panettone. I hadn’t tasted this delicious fruit-filled bread (aside from California's Panettone from Roy) until I spent a winter in Italy, where I discovered a heavenly chocolate-chip version perfect for a relaxing breakfast on a balcony.

Pistachio cream and other local delights

I never need a reason to visit Sicily, but if you’re searching for one, try pistachio cream. This local spread turns the island’s famous pistachios into a creamy butter, perfect on Mulino Bianco cookies or enjoyed directly from an espresso spoon. No matter where you are in Italy, embrace regional specialties while shopping. For example, Calabria is known for ’nduja—a spreadable sausage—and sweet red onions, while markets in Florence offer fresh Tuscan truffles.

Guidelines for shopping in Italian food shops

Shopping etiquette in Italy

When I first bought Italian produce, I attempted to pay for a bag of tomatoes, only to realize I needed to return to the vegetable aisle. Italians weigh their produce before checking out and receive a sticker with the price to take to the register. They usually bag their own items, so don’t expect the cashier to assist. It’s best to bring your own bag, but you can buy one at most stores.

Optimal shopping times

Aim to visit the market as early as possible for the freshest selections, as you’ll want to avoid fish or pastries that have been sitting all day. Arriving early also helps you dodge the crowds, which tend to swell by mid-morning and the markets usually close by mid- to late-afternoon.

For grocery stores, any time is fine, but check the schedule for Sunday or Monday shopping, as many smaller Italian stores close or have limited hours on those days. While larger grocery chains are likely to remain open all week, it varies by location.

Methods of payment

There’s no universal approach when it’s time to pay. Supermarkets generally accept debit or credit cards, especially in larger cities, but it’s wise to have cash available as a backup. While places like Florence are increasingly adopting contactless payment options, this technology may be less reliable in smaller, less touristy towns.

When shopping at market stalls, specialty stores, or with street vendors, it’s best to have both cash and coins on hand; vendors prefer smaller denominations for minor purchases, like a slice of focaccia or a brioche. I've had instances where vendors refused to break larger bills for items costing less than one euro, leaving me without that tempting breakfast treat.