Chances are that if you are coming to Italy (be it your first trip or your fifth), you are visiting more than one region.
Italy’s diversity from region to region is one of the best things about Italia! Traveling from one Italian region to another, you may feel like you’ve entered a different country.
But what should you buy and where should you buy it?
If you’re on a long trip in Italy, it can be tricky to figure out what the top souvenirs are and where you should purchase them.
I can help! I have been living here since 2012, eating my way around Italy and writing about food and wine.
In my guide, I’ll share:
- what each region is famous for
- my favorite store to pick up the item, should I have one
- items that you can find easily across all 20 regions of Italy (great for last minute gifts or souvenirs
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Where To Buy Food Souvenirs And Gifts In Italy
So much of Italian culture revolves around food and drink, making it extremely easy to buy food souvenirs even if you are in the smallest town in the furthest corner of Italy.
Generally speaking, the best food products come from specialized food shops:
- Enoteca – wine shop
- Torrefazione – sweets/coffee store
- Mercato – open air markets
- Pizzicheria – deli
- Caseificio or negozio di formaggio – where cheese is produced but often sold as well/cheese shop
- Alimentari – small mom and pop grocers
- Pasticceria – bakery
The advantage of small shops is that the owners or sales person has a good knowledge of what they are selling and thus, can recommend items based on what you like or who you are shopping for.
If, however, you are pressed for time, grocery stores in Italy are excellent sources for food souvenirs and gifts. They may not always have the top quality that small shops sell but the selection is always vast and the products tend to be relevant to the season and region.
Ultimate Food Souvenirs And Gifts From Italy By Region
No matter where you are in Italy, there is some kind of food item to remember your trip by.
And don’t forget to read up on my other gift ideas in Best Italian Food Gifts to Bring Back From Italy and Handpicked Gifts for Italian Food Lovers.
Abruzzo
Capital: L’Aquila
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Abruzzo
Spaghetti Alla Chitarra
Spaghetti alla chitarra is a handmade thin, long square-shaped similar to spaghetti made from durum wheat and eggs. Look for dried varieties to bring home with you.
Ferratelle
Sometimes called pizzelle, ferratelle look similar to thin wafer cookies made with a hot iron mold. To read more about Italy’s cookies check out 10 Most Popular Italian Cookies.
Fagioli Secci
Much of Abruzzo’s regional food embraces beans and vegetables. Look for bags of dried beans or a mix of legumes and beans to make soups when you get home.
Confetti
Confetti in Italian are colorful candy-coated almonds that are often gifted at special events, holidays and ceremonies. You can find them all over Italy but they are originally from Sulmona in Abruzzo.
Aosta Valley (Valle d’Aosta)
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Traditional Food from the Valle d’Aosta
Capital: Aosta
Fontina Cheese
Fontina is a semi-cooked cheese made from raw cow’s milk from the Valdostana Pezzata Rossa cow. Buy it aged and enjoy its tangy, nutty flavor.
Torcetti
Torcetti cookies are shaped into ring-teardrops and rolled in sugar before baking. Simple and rustic, these cookies hold up well to travel and are ideal with a cup of coffee.
To make an Italian gift basket for a friend, pair cookies with Italian coffee, Italian pasta, canned goods and a bottle of wine.
Italian Gift Basket Guides:
How to Make an Italian Gift Basket
How To Make An Italian Food Gift Basket From Scratch
DIY Italian Wine Gift Basket
Stone Ground Polenta
In Aosta polenta is the main starch (compared to pasta and rice in other Italian regions). Slow cooked stone ground polenta is so much better than the instant stuff!
Génépi
Génépi is a favorite après ski aperitif in the Alps characterized by its light green color. Made from local herbs and mugwort, it’s the perfect digestivo to warm up too!
Apulia (Puglia)
Capital: Bari
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Puglia
Puglia Food Souvenirs
Taralli
Taralli are crisp, savory crackers shaped like small rings, made using wheat flour and olive oil. While they are popular across Italy, the absolute best artisan taralli comes from the boot. Choose from flavored varieties made with fennel seeds, black pepper, or chili flakes, just to name a few.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes from Puglia are known for their rich, sweet flavor, making them a versatile ingredient to have in your kitchen. They are commonly enjoyed in salads, sandwiches, pesto, and pasta sauces. These tomatoes are convenient for travel as they are compact and light.
Basilicata
Capital: Potenza
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Traditional Food from Basilicata
Dried Cavatelli Pasta
This pasta shape is made by hand by every nonna in Basilicata. They are made into small concave bites, perfect for holding meaty sauces.
Mostaccioli
Mostaccioli are a popular diamond-shaped cookie made with wine honey, almonds and flour and covered in chocolate. They are traditionally served as a Christmas cookie but can be found year round.
Peperoni Cruschi
Peperoni cruschi are crushed Senise hot peppers used in most of the regional cuisine of Basilicata. I recommend this only to folks who like an extra spicy kick! Look for them preserved in olive oil for a spicy spread to use on bread and sandwiches.
Calabria
Capital: Catanzaro
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Traditional Food from Calabria
Provola
Provola is a mild cow’s milk cheese shaped like a pear with a yellow rind. You will see it incorporated in many regional Calabrian dishes but it’s also great in a sandwich.
Chili Peppers
Chili peppers are important for local culinary traditions in Calabria. My most recent discovery is canned thinly sliced Calabrian chili peppers preserved in olive oil and vinegar. And boy, is it spicy! It’s amazing on bread with cheese.
Liquorice
Calabrian liquorice is some of the best in the world but because they don’t produce very much most of it is used domestically. If you go into a sweets shop, ask if they have the local kind (either in tea, candy, or mints).
Sardella Calabrese
Sardella is a canned condiment made with sardines and lots of spicy chili pepper and onions preserved in olive oil. It’s traditionally served slathered on bread as an appetizer.
Campania
Capital: Naples (Napoli)
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Campania
Food Souvenirs And Gifts From The Amalfi Coast
Colatura di Alici
Colatura di alici is a rich anchovy sauce derived from fermented anchovies. It’s a key Italian ingredient in traditional regional cuisine, enhancing the flavors of appetizers, pasta dishes, and simple seafood recipes. This savory sauce adds a unique umami depth to any dish similar to how white miso does.
Limoncello
Bringing a bottle of this iconic digestif home is a quintessential food souvenir from Italy. The Amalfi Coast is renowned for its lemon varieties, such as Sfusato di Amalfi, Ovale di Sorrento, and Femminiello di Capri, with many restaurants offering a taste of their own in-house made limoncello after eating.
Canned Tuna in Olive Oil
The Amalfi Coast is famous for its fishing industry, making canned tuna packed in olive oil a staple in Italian kitchens and a must-have souvenir. It’s perfect for adding to salads and pasta dishes, bringing a taste of the Amalfi Coast to your home cooking.
Use It: Learn all about what makes Italian canned tuna so special in Italian Tuna and try making my Italian Tuna Salad Recipe (it’s mayo-free!).
Emilia-Romagna
Capital: Bologna
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna Food Souvenirs
Emilia-Romagna has some of the richest culinary traditions and most certified DOP and PGI food products in all of Italy, making it one of the best places to buy food souvenirs.
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
Where to Buy It: Mercato Albinelli in Modena
Parmigiano Reggiano, considered the king of all Italian cheeses, is a hard, aged cheese known for its rich, nutty flavor, ideal for grating over pasta or enjoying in chunks with an aperitif. Ensure it’s vacuum packed before bringing it home.
Tagliatelle Pasta
Handmade dried tagliatelle pasta is a cornerstone of Emilia-Romagna’s culinary tradition. Its ideal texture pairs perfectly with robust sauces such as meat sauce or boscaiola sauce. Fresh pasta is not permitted across borders so look for high-quality dried versions to bring a taste of Italy back home.
Mostarda di Frutta
Mostarda di frutta is a distinctive condiment made from candied fruits and mustard, perfect for charcuterie and cheese boards. Its unique sweet and spicy flavor makes it a memorable gift especially when paired with Parmigiano Reggiano or other Italian food items in a gift basket.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Capital: Trieste
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Traditional Food from Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Prosecco
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, along with Veneto is renowned for its prosecco, making it a must-try for any wine lover visiting the region.
Going on a tour through prosecco country is one of my top recommendations for foodies in Italy which you can read more about in my Italy Foodie Bucket List.
Lady Fingers
Lady fingers are a traditional Italian cookie used to make tiramisù, a classic Italian dessert made with mascarpone cream that some say is from Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Make It: Learn to make Authentic Italian Tiramisù.
Tergeste Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This DOP olive oil from Trieste is made from a mix of Belica or Bianchera olive varieties and the Carbona, Leccino, Leccio del Corno, Frantoio, Maurino and Pendolino varieties, resulting in a fruity aroma and a light to mild spicy taste (depending on the harvest year).
More On Oil: Get the lowdown on all things olive oil in Italy in
15 Best Italian Olive Oils – To Enjoy in Italy & Bring Home as a Souvenir
Olive Oil Health Benefits – According to Italian Nonne (Grandmothers)
How Italians Cook with Olive Oil
How to Store Olive Oil
Can I Use Olive Oil Instead of Vegetable Oil?
Lazio
Capital: Rome (Roma)
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Lazio
Food Souvenirs from Rome
Canned Artichokes
While fresh artichokes can’t travel back with you, preserved artichokes in olive oil make a fantastic alternative. These versatile hearts add so much depth and flavor to any number of dishes including main dishes, pastas or more simply, straight from the jar with a glass of wine.
Pecorino Romano DOP
Where to Buy It: La Norcineria in Rome or at food markets throughout the region
Pecorino Romano DOP is THE cheese you need to re-create some of Rome’s most famous dishes. This famous sheep’s milk cheese from Lazio, known for its sharp flavor, is essential in many regional dishes like cacio e pepe. Aged for months, it’s perfect for grating over pasta.
Locally Roasted Coffee
Where to Buy It: Castroni (various locations) and Sant’Eustachio.
Whether you prefer whole beans, ground coffee, or coffee-inspired products like chocolate-covered coffee beans, you’ll find something to suit your taste at Castroni or Sant’Eustachio in Rome.
Coffee Lovers: Be sure to read up on
Coffee in Italy
47 Ways to Drink Coffee in Italy
How To Order Coffee in Italy
Italian Coffee Brands – To Enjoy in Italy and at Home
Liguria
Capital: Genoa (Genova)
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Liguria
Food Souvenirs From The Cinque Terre
Taggiasche Olives
Taggiasche olives are the native olive variety from Liguria. Buy them canned or vacuum packed to bring home and enjoy as a snack or with cocktails for aperitivo. Alternatively, look for olive oil made locally with Taggiasche olives.
Pesto
It’s easy to find good quality canned pesto at small grocery stores or markets throughout all of Liguria.
Alici
Canned anchovies make a great food souvenir from Liguria because you can use them to recreate some of the classic coastal dishes you may have tried on your travels to Italy. They come packed in olive oil in small jars or in aluminum tins.
Lombardy (Lombardia)
Capital: Milan (Milano)
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Lombardy
Food Souvenirs from Milan
Franciacorta Wine
Franciacorta is Italy’s version of the French champagne (but generally not quite as expensive), a must-try for all wine lovers in Italy!
Panettone
Panettone is a beloved Milanese Christmas cake dating back to the 16th century. This rich, yeasted cake, studded with citrus and dried fruits, can be found in delis, bakeries, and grocery stores throughout Milan. Mini versions are perfect for carry-on luggage or as festive stocking stuffers.
Colomba
Where To Buy It: Iginio Massari bakery in Milan
Colomba, an Easter bread shaped like a dove, is a springtime specialty in Milan. Similar to panettone, it’s topped with sugar and almonds and often filled with candied citrons or raisins but served for dessert on Easter instead of Christmas.
Tip: More affordable options are available in grocery stores. Remember, colomba is seasonal, so it’s only available around Easter.
Grana Padano
Grana Padano, a hard cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano, is Lombardy’s most famous cheese. It’s not nearly as complex as parmesan but it’s still very good for cooking and snacking.
Marche
Capital: Ancona
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Le Marche
Anice Verde
Anice verde is a type of green anise, known for its strong fragrance grown in the Piceno area. Buy it dried to be used in cooking and baking or opt for anisette, a digestive liquor commonly enjoyed after meals.
Truffle Goods
Le Marche produces some of the best truffles in Italy. While most countries won’t allow fresh produce into their borders, preserved truffles in olive oil, dried, in pasta or in pate are welcome!
Molise
Capital: Campobasso
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Molise
Dried Fusilli Pasta
Thin strips of pasta dough are wound around a fuso or small spindle to create the corkscrew pasta shape that is particularly fun for kids to eat in Molise.
Caciocavallo Cheese
Caciocavallo cow’s milk cheese is a staple in southern Italian regions. Weighing in around 3-7 lbs (1 ½-3 kilos) each, this pear shaped cheese is aged anywhere from three months to two years. My favorite way to enjoy this type of cheese is grilled on a hot pan served on toasted bread.
Dragées
Dragées are another name for confetti, a local candy tradition shared with its neighboring region of Abruzzo. Isernia is home to Papa, one of the most well-known dragée companies today.
Farro Dicocco
Farro, an ancient whole grain, is packed with nutrients and high levels of protein, calcium and iron. Use it to make Italian farro salad!
Piedmont (Piemonte)
Capital: Turin (Torino)
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Piedmont
Food Souvenirs & Gifts From Piedmont
Gianduia
Piedmont grows the absolute best hazelnuts in Italy, making gianduia, a smooth chocolate hazelnut cream spread, one of the best edible souvenirs. This treat highlights the region’s renowned chocolate industry and its prized hazelnuts. Opt for artisan varieties over the widely available Nutella. Alternatively, pick up a bag of the small chocolates called gianduiotti.
Pastiglie Leone
Pastiglie Leone, iconic Italian hard candies from Turin, come in an array of flavors, from classic lemon to inventive options like lavender and Spritz. These colorful, tiny drops are an excellent souvenir for children and candy lovers alike.
Vermouth
Turin is the birthplace of vermouth, dating back to the 1700s, making it a quintessential souvenir from Piedmont. Italian vermouth is sweet and can be enjoyed as both an aperitif and a digestif.
Sardinia (Sardegna)
Capital: Cagliari
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Sardinia
Food Souvenirs from Sardinia
Fregola
Fregola is a small, round pasta made from semolina flour and water that’s similar to couscous. It’s toasted in the oven, giving it a nutty, rich flavor and then cooked similarly to risotto, slowly and carefully. Serve it with mixed seafood.
Bottarga
Bottarga is one of the best culinary souvenirs to bring home from Italy, especially from Sardinia, known for its fresh fish. Bottarga, made from cured fish roe of mullet or tuna, can be grated over pasta, beans, or rice dishes, much like parmesan cheese is used in other regions of Italy.
Packing Tip: Buy it vacuum-sealed, making it safe to bring back to most countries (check your local regulations) but remember to refrigerated it when you get home.
Torrone
Torrone is a delicious chewy nougat made with various nuts, most commonly almonds in Sardinia. When purchasing, ensure it’s locally made rather than imported from other regions of Italy (it’s a common candy made in other regions as well).
Mirto
Mirto, a popular after-dinner digestivo made from the myrtle plant, is available in two varieties: mirto rosso (red) and mirto bianco (white), depending on the berries used.
Sicily (Sicilia)
Capital: Palermo
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Sicily
Food Souvenirs from Sicily
Sicily is incredibly diverse in terms of culture, food and history. What you experience on one side of the island will be completely different from the other.
Frutta Martorana
Where To Buy It: I Peccatucci di Mamma Andrea in Palermo
Frutta Martorana, realistic replicas of fruits and vegetables made from marzipan (almond paste), are a specialty from Palermo for those with a sweet tooth. These artisanal treats are available in many bars, cafes, and sweet shops around the city. Though they can be pricey, they are a beautiful gift that travel well in a tin or box.
Modica Chocolate
Where To Buy It: Antica Dolceria Bonajuto in Modica
Modica chocolate is the ultimate souvenir from Sicily. Made using an ancient technique that involves cold processing the ingredients, this chocolate has a unique, gritty texture. It comes in various flavors, including orange, lemon, vanilla, coffee, and spicy red pepper. If you can’t visit Modica, where the famous chocolate museum is located, don’t worry—you can find this distinctive chocolate throughout all of Sicily.
Sicilian Capers
Where To Buy Them: Northern coast of Sicily
Sicilian capers, particularly those from Salina in the Aeolian Islands, are a staple ingredient in much of Sicilian cuisine. You don’t need to travel to the islands to get them, however, as they are widely available in small stores, markets, and shops across Sicily. Packed in salt, these capers are perfect for dishes like salsa verde, Roman chicken cacciatore, and baked fish.
Trentino-South Tyrol (Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol)
CapCapital: Trento
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Trentino-Alto Adige
Food Souvenirs from the Dolomites
Grappa
Grappa isn’t specific to South Tyrol but it remains one of the most popular after dinner drinks for locals. My favorite is grappa al miele (made with honey) which is just slightly sweet.
Wild Berry Jams
Wild berries thrive in the Dolomites with each season bringing a different variety. Visit small local alimentari or family-owned stores and inquire about the current seasonal jams to try. You might find corbezzolo (strawberry tree), mirto (myrtle), mirtillo (blueberry), fragolina (wild strawberry), mora (blackberry), or gelso (mulberry).
Tuscany (Toscana)
Capital: Florence (Firenze)
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Tuscany
Food Souvenirs & Gifts From Tuscany
Food Souvenirs & Gifts From Florence
Where to Buy Specialty Food Items and Gifts In Florence
Brunello
Where To Buy It: At an enoteca (wine shop) or any winery that I recommend in Montalcino and Montepucliano.
Brunello di Montalcino is perhaps Tuscany’s most famous wine. Brunello is one of the best wines to bring home because it ages well with time, making it a food souvenir you can enjoy years down the road to relive your Tuscan vacation.
To learn more about wine tasting and buying in Italy, read
Where To Buy Wine In Italy
Where To Drink Wine In Italy
Wines To Try In Tuscany
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Where To Buy It: Sant’Ambrogio Market in Florence
Extra virgin olive oil is one of Tuscany’s finest food products that any foodie will want to bring home as a souvenir to enjoy year round. Use it raw on salads, for finishing or to make bruschetta or fettunta.
Vin Santo And Cantuccini Cookies
Where To Buy It: Avignonesi in Montepulciano (or other enoteche in Montepulciano) or any wine shop
Vin Santo is a sweet dessert wine made from the pomace of grapes (leftover skins and seeds from the winemaking process) that is served after a meal forwith cantuccini cookies. If you don’t have much space, just buy the Vin Santo and try making cantuccini at home with my Authentic Cantuccini Recipe.
Umbria
Capital: Perugia
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from Umbria
Food Souvenirs from Umbria
Lentils from Norcia
Lentils from Norcia, particularly the Colfiorito variety, are famous for their exceptional taste despite their small size. Grown at 1,500 meters above sea level and hand-harvested, these lentils are perfect for soups and make a great souvenir for vegans and vegetarians.
Cook With Them: Use lentils in Italian Lentil Soup and Italian Lentil Salad With Roasted Vegetables.
Fagiolina del Trasimeno
The Trasimeno bean is a small, colorful legume from the plains around Lake Trasimeno in Umbria, with hues ranging from cream to coffee to speckled and red.
Truffle Goods
Umbrian truffles are a prized delicacy used in numerous regional dishes like pasta, crostini, and eggs and soups. Black truffles are in season from October to March, while white truffles are available from October to December. Fresh truffles are only available during these periods, but truffle products such as oils, salts, and spreads make excellent souvenirs that can be enjoyed year-round.
Important To Know: Fresh truffles cannot be taken to most countries, so stick to preserved products.
Fichi Girotti
Girotti figs are a specialty from Amelia, near Terni. These dried figs are stuffed with other dried fruits, nuts , and chocolate. This unique and regional treat is hard to find elsewhere in Italy, making it a special souvenir from Umbria.
Veneto
Capital: Venice (Venezia)
Traveling to the region? Check out
Traditional Food from the Veneto
Food Souvenirs from the Veneto
Food Souvenirs From Venice
Shopping at the Rialto Market in Venice
Pandoro
Pandoro means “bread of gold,” referring to its rich golden hue imparted by numerous egg yolks in the dough. This classic Christmas treat is a must-have during December in the Veneto region.
Learn More: Discover the differences between pandoro and panettone, and make sure you know the proper way to cut it!
Nero Di Seppia
Nero di seppia, or squid ink, is sold in small packets and can be refrigerated for several months. It’s essential for preparing regional dishes from Venice like risotto al nero di seppia and spaghetti al nero di seppia.
Select (Or Campari)
Select is another type of Italian bitter used to make cocktails from Veneto. I recently did a side by side in Venice and although it looks like Campari, it’s not quite as bitter yet not as sweet as Aperol. Alternatively, buy Campari or Aperol.
Between Campari, Aperol and Select, I always opt for Select because I never find it abroad (and even harder to find in other Italian regions)
How To Use It: Use it just as you would Campari to make a Spritz or a Negroni.
Buranelli
Where To Buy Them: My favorite bakeries in Venice or breakfast nooks
Buranelli cookies, also known as bussolai or essi, are small butter cookies originating from the small island of Burano in Venice. Shaped into either an “S” or a circle, these cookies have a long shelf life, making them an ideal food souvenir from Veneto.
Risotto Rice
Risotto rice is a staple in Veneto, used specifically for making creamy risotti. While Arborio is commonly used, Carnaroli rice, a robust, short-grain variety with a higher starch content, is even better. But the best ever is the Vialone Nano Veronese Rice, a PGI-protected medium-sized grain rice.
Readily Available Food Souvenirs In All 20 Regions In Italy
The following items can be purchased in all 20 regions in Italy. These are larger umbrella categories of food items and within each category, you should look for regional specialities. For example, in Tuscany, check out the local cheese pecorino and the local wine Brunello.
Regional Cheese
Regional cheese is one of the best food souvenirs and gifts you can bring back from Italy in general. As long as it’s not fresh (such as mozzarella, mascarpone or ricotta), cheese can be vacuum packed and brought back into most countries (check your country for most updated rules and regulations beforehand).
Popular Italian cheeses to bring home include:
- Parmigiano Reggiano
- Pecorino
Tip: Pack your cheese on your carry-on instead of your checked bag to better control the temperature. In the summer, cargo space in planes can get quite hot and that doesn’t bode well for your Italian cheese.
Dried Pasta
Dried pasta is a fantastic food souvenir from Italy because it doesn’t weigh much. Each region has its own special shape that it prides itself on. Although tempting, don’t try to bring back fresh pasta such as lasagne sheets, stuffed pastas or fresh egg ribbon pasta such as tagliatelle or pappardelle. Dried varieties only!
Cooking Guides: Make sure you are cooking pasta correctly, meaning al dente!
Coffee
Coffee culture is HUGE in Italy so it’s no surprise that you can find it everywhere. Northern Italy is more famous for their artisan roasters while southern Italy tends to have better mass produced coffee. Read all about my favorites in Italian Coffee Brands – To Enjoy in Italy and at Home.
Wine
Wine is pretty much religion in Italy and you can bet that each of Italy’s 20 regions is brewing up their own type.
Artisan Chocolate
While it’s easy to find excellent commercial chocolate brands at grocery stores throughout all of Italy, it’s equally easy to find artisan varieties who specialize in regional chocolates.
Curious to learn what else you should bring back from other cities and regions in Italy?
Find the best souvenirs and gifts from Amalfi Coast – Cinque Terre – Dolomites – Emilia-Romagna – Florence – Milan – Naples – Piedmont – Puglia – Rome – Sardinia – Sicily – Tuscany – Umbria – Veneto – Venice.
Or, check out my Condensed Region-by-Region Guide.
