Cucina regionale • regional cuisine
Iconic Street Food of 5 Italian Cities

Italy is a land of art, history, breathtaking landscapes, and, of course, a paradise for food lovers. Beyond its renowned restaurants, the Bel Paese offers a wide variety of street food specialties that conquer the palate with simplicity and flavor.

Get your taste buds and appetite ready, because we are about to embark on a sensational culinary journey through Italy! We will travel through 5 cities to discover their iconic street food dishes, true masterpieces of local gastronomic tradition.

In this virtual itinerary, we will let our words and images guide you, transporting you into a vortex of irresistible flavors and aromas. Each stop will be an explosion of taste, a dive into the gastronomic culture of each city, told through its most beloved street food dishes.

But that's not all! Stay tuned because at the end of this virtual journey we will reveal the upcoming food street events! A unique opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the vibrant and convivial atmosphere that surrounds these Italian specialties.

So, are you ready to go? Buckle up and get ready to experience a gastronomic adventure waiting to be discovered!

1. Florence: schiacciata and lampredotto

In Florence, street food is an ancient art. Among the must-try specialties are the schiacciata fiorentina, a crispy focaccia topped with cold cuts, cheeses, or vegetables. The most characteristic version is undoubtedly the one with finocchiona, a typical Tuscan salami characterized by the unmistakable aroma of fennel.

Schiacciata fiorentina con finocchiona

Fonte immagine: MG Logos... leggi il resto dell'articolo»

The lampredotto, on the other hand, is a sandwich made from beef stomach stewed with aromatic herbs and seasoned with green sauce. A true symbol of Florentine street food, it has a rich and decisive flavor and a soft and gelatinous consistency. Strolling through the streets of Florence, it is easy to find where to taste these two typical specialties, alternatively you can go to the Mercato Centrale where you will be spoiled for choice!

2. Rome: pizza romana and supplì

Pizza romana is a specialty of the Capital that is clearly distinguished from Neapolitan pizza, its geographical neighbor, in particular for its crispness and thin shape. Among the most typical toppings are mozzarella, anchovies, and porchetta.

Supplì

Fonte credits: Casa del supplì

Supplì (a name that derives from the Italianization of the French "surprise") is a rustic dish typical of Rome. It is an elongated cylindrical croquette, prepared with rice, stuffed with various ingredients, and fried in oil. The filling is typically meat ragù and mozzarella, but there are variants with other ingredients such as tomato, vegetables, or aged cheeses.

3. Naples: pizza napoletana and cuoppo di frittura

Pizza napoletana is not just a simple food, it is an art, a tradition that has its roots in the thousand-year history of Naples. It is a symbol of Neapolitan culture, loved and appreciated all over the world for its goodness and uniqueness. Tasting a Neapolitan pizza means immersing yourself in the local culture and tradition. It is a unique experience that allows you to appreciate the skill of Neapolitan pizza makers and the quality of local ingredients.

cuoppo di frittura

Foto dell'International Street Food

In Naples, you should also try the cuoppo di frittura, an iconic Italian street food specialty. It is a paper cone filled with various pieces of fried fish and vegetables, a true triumph of flavors and textures that conquers the palate of every passerby.

4. Padua: i folpetti

On our journey to discover Italian street food, we could not miss a stop in the heart of Padua, where the true protagonist of street food is the folpetto, a specialty based on octopus cooked and seasoned with an aromatic green sauce.

Folpo

Foto della fiera del folpo

The octopus is part of the gastronomic tradition of the province and in particular of the town of Noventa Padovana where the Octopus Festival is held every year. This specialty is a true symbol of the local tradition and in 2021 the Octopus obtained the De.Co. recognition.

5. Bologna: tigelle and tortellino fritto

If you find yourself in Emilia-Romagna, you cannot miss the opportunity to taste the tigelle, a real must-try for lovers of street food and typical Italian cuisine. These small focacce, prepared with a dough based on flour, lard, yeast, and water, are typical of Modena and Bologna. With an infinite number of fillings, served hot and fragrant, they are ready to conquer every palate!

Tigelle

Foto di EmanuelaT da Pixabay

Also try the tortellini fritti, a hymn to the peasant tradition that amazes with their simplicity and explosive taste. Born from the ingenuity of reusing leftover fresh pasta, fried tortellini have become a true symbol of Emilian cuisine. Their golden and crispy casing encloses a savory filling that ranges from classic mixed meats to more creative variations.