Last updated on July 27th, 2024
If you’re traveling in Italy with a picky eater, you might be wondering, “What am I going to feed my kid?”
It’s a worry for a lot of us parents out there when we are in a foreign country with kids. Lucky for you – Italy is one of the most kid-friendly countries in terms of food.
I am a mom of four and I’ve been living in Italy since 2012. I’ve got quite a bit of experience with eating out with kids in Italy! Most of my kids are pretty good but my second sometimes makes things challenging.
Over the years, I (along with the help of my Italian children) have come down to the best foods to order for kids while traveling in Italy to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. And the best part about all these foods? You can find them anywhere in Italy and at almost any restaurant.
So no matter where you are and what kind of restaurant you’re at, don’t fret. You can easily ask for these foods if you don’t see them on the menu but trust me, you are sure to always find one of these!
Eating in Italy Basics: If you are curious to know more about navigating dining in Italy, you may be interested in
How To Order Food In Italian
Tipping In Italy – When & How Much From A Local
What Is A Coperto? All About Italy’s Cover Charge
A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy
How To Order Food In Italian
Travelling with Your Bambino? Be sure to read
What Do Babies Eat in Italy?
Italian Baby Food – A Traveler’s Guide
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Pizza
There is no food more kid-friendly than a pizza in Italy. The one catch is that usually you have to be at a pizzeria to order pizza for your kiddos. That being said, most pizzerias serve a ton of other foods besides pizza, especially if you see ristorante e pizzeria. If you have a really picky eater, look for this and you will find first courses, mains and even pizza. It’s the best solution for everyone in my experience.
Pizza Basics: To learn more about pizza in Italy, check out
Ordering Pizza in Italy
Authentic Italian Pizza Toppings
Best Pizza In Venice, Italy – My ‘Don’t Miss’ List
Best Pizza in Florence, Italy – From a Local
How Do Italians Eat Pizza?
Do Italians Eat Pizza With a Fork?
What is Pinsa?
Pasta al Pomodoro
Pasta al pomodoro or pasta with tomato sauce is pure comfort food for Italian kids. This is one of those dishes that you can order literally anywhere, even if you don’t see it on the menu. Most restaurants will even prepare a baby plate if you are traveling with toddlers.
Another common alternative is pasta in bianco or pasta with butter and parmesan. Again, ask for this anywhere and the restaurant will be happy to prepare it for your little one.
Pasta Pesto
Pasta pesto is a classic first course in Italy that almost all kids love. The best pasta pesto is from Liguria but it’s such a staple that you can really find it anywhere. Each region may have their own spin on the classic basil pesto so be sure to confirm it’s just plain old pesto before ordering for your picky eat.
Tip: If you are traveling with really small kids, ask for pasta corta or short pasta such as penne instead of spaghetti when ordering pasta for kids in Italy. It’s way easier to eat and far less messy!
Gnocchi
Gnocchi are small, bite size potato dumplings that melt in your mouth. What’s not to love about that? Depending on where you are in Italy you will see it served in different pasta sauces but typical ones are al formaggio (in a cheese sauce), al sugo di carne (with meat sauce) or in burro e salvia (with butter and sage).
Carbonara
Carbonara is a creamy pasta dish made with eggs and bacon and served with parmesan cheese. Throughout my decades here in Italy, I have never met a kid who didn’t like carbonara. Originally from Rome, this creamy pasta dish is at its best in the eternal city but it’s so popular you can order it at almost any restaurant in Italy.
Tortelli con Sugo di Carne
Tortelli are large potato filled ravioli served in meat sauce. This is pure carbs on carbs so in theory, there is nothing you child shouldn’t love about tortelli.
Bistecca di Maiale (o Costole)
A bistecca di maiale is a grilled pork chop (costole are grilled pork ribs) seasoned with salt and pepper. Plain and simple, this local cut of pork is one of the best choices for picky eaters. They are big so unless your kid isn’t eating anything else, you may need to help him or her out. Order with roasted potatoes for a sure win.
Pollo Arrosto
Chicken is usually available on menus in some form or another. If the chicken is local, you might even just find it grilled or al mattone (cooked on brick) which means spatchcocked but the best is roasted. Be sure to order sides unless you just want the meat.
Polpette
Polpette in Italian are meatballs and unlike in America, Italian meatballs are served as a main course without pasta. They are usually fried but not always and best paired with some kind of potato.
The kind of polpette you get will depend on where you are in Italy but it will most likely be beef, pork or a combination of the two.
Fritto Misto
Fritto Misto is a mixed fried food platter, usually with potatoes, seasonal vegetables and some kind of meat or fish of your choice. This might be chicken, rabbit, calamari or other fish. If you are on the coast, it will most likely be mixed seafood but if you are inland you will have a choice of chicken, rabbit or other game.
Fried food is so well done in Italy that I guarantee your kids will gobble down, even the fried vegetables!
Grigliata Mista
A grigliata mista is a plate of mixed grilled meats usually including a sausage, a pork chop, a couple of ribs and perhaps something else local to the area. It’s a good option because there is likely to be something your kid eats while the rest of your family can enjoy what he or she doesn’t eat.
Kids in Italy: Curious to read more about eating with kids in Italy? Check out
Best Squares To Eat And Drink With Kids In Venice
8+ Kid Friendly Restaurants In Venice – From A Mom Of Four Living In Italy
Where To Get A Quick Bite With Kids In Florence (Without Going Out Of Your Way!)
Where To Eat With Kids In Florence
School Lunches In Italy – What An Italian School Lunch Menu Looks Like
Kid-Friendly Foods to Order at Restaurants in Italy
Dining Out With Kids In Italy – What To Expect + Tips
Italy’s Best Supermarket Snacks for Kids
School Lunches in Italy
Travelling with Your Bambino? Be sure to read
What Do Babies Eat in Italy?
Italian Baby Food – A Traveler’s Guide
