Last updated on June 4th, 2024
June in Italy is a special time for those of us living in Italy or lucky enough to visit. After months and months of never ending citrus and only a handful of seasonal spring fruits, we are all anxiously waiting for the arrival of summer produce.
If you are traveling to Italy this summer, you may be curious about the best foods and flavors to eat in Italy in June. June is such a wonderful month in terms of Italian food, seasonal flavors and regional specialties. We still get plenty of spring favorites, while more color starts to trickle in at the markets with the first zucchini, tomatoes, radishes, apricots and cherries.
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite Italian foods to eat in Italy in June, no matter where your travels take you on the Italian peninsula. Many can be enjoyed in other months of the year, but in the month of June, these foods are at their best.
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Cicchetti
(Pronounced cheek-keht-tee in Italian)
Cicchetti, sometimes seen written as cichetti or cicheti in the local Venetian dialect, are small snacks or bites (crostini, open faced sandwiches, a small piece of cooked fish) that are typically served at bacari in Venice accompanied by a small sip of wine or other low ABV drink such as a Spritz or mocktail.
Cicchetti are unique to Venice, embodying the local flavors and seafood traditions of the lagoon. Stop in at any small bar to try these cicchetti in June, asking for seasonal specialties such as fresh fish or cicchetti made with zucchini or other spring produce.
No matter your food preference, there is a cicchetto for you. Learn more about cicchetti in What Are Cicchetti? + Where To Eat Them In Venice and where to eat them if you are gluten-free in Venice.
Foodie Experience: Don’t miss the best places to try cicchetti and read more about this amazing experience in Italy Foodie Bucket List – 17 Amazing Italian Culinary Experiences by Region and My Favorite Cicchetti in Venice.
Gelato Amarena
(Pronounced geh-lah-toh ah-mah-reh-nah in Italian)
Gelato amarena is a favorite early summer gelato flavor among Italians when a specific variety of cherries known as the amarena cherry is in season for just a short couple of weeks.
Gelato amarena is a cream based gelato flavored with a sweet syrup made from sour cherries. Keep in mind that you can find this gelato flavor year round but you will only find it made from fresh amarena cherries in June! If you need help navigating the Italian gelato scene, learn how to order gelato here.
Best Gelato In Italy: To find out where to try this gelato and other flavors, check out Best Gelato In Venice and Best Gelato In Florence – From A Local. If you are lactose-free or vegan, try sorbetto instead with will also be made other with summer flavors.
Pesce Spada alla Siciliana
(Pronounced pesh-eh spah-dah ahl-lah see-see-lee-ah-nah in Italian)
Pesce spada alla siciliana is a classic way to enjoy meaty swordfish in Sicily. The sword fish is served with a sauce made from capers, olives, cherry tomatoes, garlic, celery, vinegar, pine nuts, and olive oil, all ingredients that start to become abundant in June in Italy.
Don’t Miss: The fish market La Pescheria in Catania features fresh seafood, cheese , and local wines. To learn more about markets in Italy, you may be interested in 5 Food Markets In Florence, Italy and How To Shop At Markets In Italy + A Local’s Favorite Markets.
Italian Caprese Salad
(Pronounced cah-preh-seh in Italian)
A caprese salad is a classic summer salad made from the triad of the most iconic ingredients of Italy: fresh vine ripe tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese. This cold salad is best when tomatoes start to come into season starting in June and served throughout the entire summer. Keep your eyes peeled for caprese made with mozzarella di bufala, a prized variety of mozzarella from Campania.
Where To Try It: Any trattoria or osteria should have a caprese salad on their menu in the summer. For my favorites read
15 Restaurants to Try on Your First Trip to Florence
Montepulciano Restaurants, Montalcino Restaurants
Best Restaurants in Venice, Italy + Nearest Cicchetti Stops
Fiori di Zucchini Fritti
(Pronounced fee-oh-ree dee zook-kee-nee freet-tee in Italian)
Firi di zucchini fritti, or fried zucchini flowers, are one of the best foods to eat in Italy in June. Starting in May, we start to see zucchini flowers everywhere and are lucky enough to enjoy them throughout the entire summer. I suggest ordering these fried nibbles in June before it gets too hot to stomach fried food.
Where To Try It: Every region in Italy has its own version of fried zucchini flowers but Rome’s version stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies is particularly tasty. Head to Da Francesco in Rome in June to try them.
Brodetto
(Pronounced broh-det-toh in Italian)
Brodetto is Le Marche’s version of a fish stew, ideal for trying in June when seafood is bountiful and it’s mild enough to sit outdoors and enjoy it in the evenings on the coast. While each family and neighboring town has their own recipe, fish is the star of the show while other seasonings and flavors change based on what is in season.
Where To Eat It: Try brodetto in coastal towns such as Ancona, Porto Recanati and San Benedetto del Tronto.
Bellini
(Pronounced behl-lee-nee in Italian)
The bellini is perhaps Italy’s most sophisticated and famous cocktails originally invented by Giuseppe Cipriani of Harry’s Bar in Venice with white peach purée and Prosecco. Today, you will find various recipes, spin offs and variations but to get a taste of the original drink, be sure to try it in Venice.
Where To Try it: For my top recommendations on where to try this famous aperitivo, read
My Favorite After Dinner Drink Spots In Venice – Drink With The Locals!
Best Spots In Venice For Aperitivo – My Top Bars & Squares for Pre-Dinner Drinks
Impepata di Cozze
(Pronounced im-peh-pah-tah dee cohz-zeh in Italian)
Translating to “peppered mussels”, impepata di cozze is a large pot of steamed mussels. This recipe is often made with pepper but others may be made with garlic and fresh tomatoes.
Where To Try It: In Livorno (Tuscany) or on the coast in Campania or southern Italy.
The Scoop on Fruit: If you want to learn all about seasonal fruits as well, read Italian Fruits.
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.
