Eating in Italy in August is a delightful experience because it’s the peak season for fresh, local produce and traditional summer dishes.
Italian cuisine is all about using the best seasonal ingredients possible and in August, markets are brimming with ripe tomatoes, juicy melons, and vibrant herbs. Italian nonne are rolling up their sleeves and getting busy in the kitchen!
August is THE time to savor classic Italian dishes like caprese salad, bruschetta, and panzanella, where the freshness of the ingredients truly shines. August is also ideal for sampling and enjoying some of Italy’s lighter fare like prosciutto e melone and seafood salads. And don’t forget to cool down with plenty of granita and gelato!
Additionally, many regions celebrate food festivals and local traditions (known as sagre), offering an immersive culinary adventure that highlights Italy’s rich food heritage. Whether dining al fresco at a seaside trattoria or exploring bustling markets, August in Italy provides an authentic taste of the country’s summer flavors.
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Fritto Misto di Mare
(Pronounced freeht-toh mee-stoh dee mah-reh in Italian)
Fritto misto di mare is a mix of fried seafood including shrimp, squid, and fish, often served with a wedge of lemon on coastal towns in Italy in August. The seafood will change depending on the catch of the day or region you are visiting.
Venice Travelers: This is one of my favorite street foods to eat in the city, along with plenty of other Venetian classics.
Insalata di Mare
(Pronounced een-sah-lah-tah dee mah-reh in Italian)
Insalata di mare is a cold seafood salad featuring fresh fish of the day such as a mix of octopus, calamari, shrimp, and mussels, often drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil.
Verdure Grigliate
(Pronounced vehr-doo-reh greel-yah-teh in Italian)
Don’t miss one of Italy’s most simple side dishes or contorni, verdure grigliate, a variety of summer vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, grilled and seasoned with olive oil and herbs.
Peperonata
(Pronounced peh-per-oh-nah-tah in Italian)
Peperonata is a stew of bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic cooked in olive oil. It can be served hot or cold, making it a versatile summer dish that you can enjoy with grilled meats or sausages.
Vitello Tonnato
(Pronounced vee-tehl-loh tohn-nah-toh in Italian)
Vitello tonnato is a cold main course in Italy made from thinly sliced veal covered with a creamy tuna sauce made with capers, lemon and egg. It’s a classic Piedmontese dish that’s perfect for hot summer days.
Caponata
(Pronounced cah-poh-nah-tah in Italian)
Caponata is a classic Sicilian dish made from a delicious mix of fried eggplant, pine nuts, raisins, capers, olives, sugar, and vinegar, all stewed together into a chunky spread or thick compote. This dish perfectly balances salty and sweet flavors and is great with grilled meats or as a standalone appetizer.
Pasta Alla Norma
(Pronounced pah-stah ahl-lah nohr-mah in Italian)
Pasta alla norma is a classic Sicilian pasta dish in August featuring eggplant, tomatoes, basil, and ricotta salata cheese. It’s a celebration of summer’s bounty and a must-try in Sicily.
Pasta Lovers: Don’t miss Famous Italian Pasta Dishes and 30 Most Popular Italian Pasta Sauces and be sure you are cooking it correctly – al dente!
Crapiata
(Pronounced crah-pee-ah-tah in Italian)
Crapiata is an ancient stew from Matera made with legumes and grains like lentils, fava beans, wheat berries, and chickpeas, dates back to Roman times. Traditionally eaten on August 1st, Crapiata is celebrated with dining and dancing among friends and neighbors, symbolizing its historical significance for local communities and small villages.
Panzanella
(Pronounced pahn-zah-nehl-lah in Italian)
Panzanella is a famously refreshing salad from Tuscany made from stale Italian bread and dressed with fresh summer produce like onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, a splash of vinegar, salt, and plenty of good olive oil.
Florence Travelers: Try it at the Sant’Ambrogio market in Florence, where Trattoria di Rocco serves some of the best panzanella around.
Bruschetta
(Pronounced broo-skeht-tah in Italian)
Authentic Italian bruschetta is a slice of grilled or toasted white Italian bread, typically rubbed with garlic, topped with extra virgin olive oil, chopped seasonal tomatoes, salt and fresh basil. It’s a perfect dish to enjoy in August when tomatoes are at their peak.
Make It: Bruschetta is an easy dish to make at home with my recipe for Authentic Italian Bruschetta Al Pomodoro Recipe.
Caprese Salad
(Pronounced cah-preh-zeh in Italian)
Caprese salad is a simple, refreshing dish made with mozzarella, tomato, and basil, served only in the summer when tomatoes are in season. It’s drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and finished with salt, ideal for light lunches in Italy in August.
Make It: Italian caprese salad is an easy dish to make at home, perfect for a warm summer night or no-fuss entertaining with my recipe for Caprese Salad Recipe – How We Make And Serve It In Italy. And be sure you are using the best olive oil possible.
Pappa al Pomodoro
(Pronounced pahp-pah ahl poh-moh-doh-roh in Italian)
Pappa al pomodoro is a thick vegan soup created to use up stale bread served primarily in Tuscany in Italy. Onions, garlic, and basil are sautéed in oil before adding fresh tomatoes and lastly, stale bread. It’s served with a generous drizzle of olive oil and can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Make It: It’s easy to make pappa al pomodoro year-round even if you don’t have fresh tomatoes. Use canned Italian tomatoes and my recipe for Pappa al Pomodoro Recipe – Tuscan Tomato Soup (with Bread).
Prosciutto e Melone
(Pronounced proh-shoot-toh eh meh-loh-neh in Italian)
This classic Italian appetizer pairs sweet melon with salty prosciutto, creating a delightful contrast. Particularly popular in Tuscany, where the local prosciutto is extra salty, it’s perfect as a light lunch or paired with a caprese salad.
Focaccia Barese
(Pronounced foh-cahch-chah bahr-ehs-eh in Italian)
In Puglia, you can find freshly baked focaccia barese topped with cherry tomatoes, local olives, and oregano. It’s a versatile snack perfect for breakfast, a quick bite, or to take to the beach. If you can’t make it to Puglia, try eating Liguria’s version or Tuscany’s favorite flatbread, schiacciata.
Try It: My favorite focaccia barese is at Magda Bakery in Bari.
Brioche con Gelato
(Pronounced bree-osh cohn geh-lah-toh in Italian)
A summer favorite, brioche con gelato is made from a buttery brioche bun filled with your choice of gelato. It’s so popular and so hot in August that you’ll even see locals enjoying it for breakfast!
Gelato Lovers: Don’t miss
How To Order Gelato In Italy
Is Italian Gelato Gluten-Free?
Gelato In Italy – The Scoop on Italy’s Favorite Sweet Treat
Italian Gelato Flavors – A Complete List of Gelato Flavors You’ll Find in Italy (+ Printable Quick Guide)
Granita con Brioche
(Pronounced grah-nee-tah cohn bree-osh in Italian)
Granita con brioche is a must-try snack or Italian dessert for first-time travelers to Sicily. A fresh sweet bun is filled with granita of your choice. Popular flavors include lemon, coffee, and almond.
Try It: The best granita I had was at Pasticceria Costa in Palermo.
Panna Cotta
(Pronounced pahn-nah coht-tah in Italian)
Literally meaning “cooked cream”, panna cotta is one of the easiest and most elegant desserts to try in August in Italy. It’s made by flavoring cream with sugar and vanilla before setting it with gelatin in the fridge. It’s often served with fresh seasonal fruit as blackberries or chocolate sauce.
Dessert Lovers: Don’t miss all of Italy’s sweet treats which you can learn about
The Most Popular Italian Chocolate
The Most Popular Italian Candy
10 Most Popular Italian Cookies
35+ Delicious Desserts in Italy
Curious to know more about eating seasonally in Italy? Don’t miss Why Italians Eat Seasonally – A Complete Guide To The Italian Way Of Cooking With The Seasons.
Curious to know more about Italy’s seasonal foods, dishes, and produce? Check out
Foods to Eat in Italy in January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December.
Italian Fruits and Vegetables in Season in January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December.
