Italian Street Food Secrets: A Guide to Casual Eats

When Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and covered the city of Pompei in layers of volcanic ash and pumice, it accidentally preserved some of Italy’s very first street food venues. Yes, Italy’s street food culture is almost 2000 years old and just like in Pompei times, you’re still likely to find vendors on busy street corners selling all kinds of delicious things.

But what are the street foods you have to try in each region? And don’t Italians have a weird rule about not eating food while walking? We’ll answer all those questions and more right here. As you’ll find out, we take casual eating quite seriously.

Northern Italy

Let’s begin our journey at the top of Italy where we’ll travel from the Po Valley to the Adriatic Sea for some of the very best fried street foods.

Modena

Gnocco fritto directly translates to “fried pastry” and though quite simple, is one of Italy’s best street food treats. They usually appear as rectangular or circular pieces of dough, are traditionally fried in lard, and can be served with cheese and jam or preserved meats. Cold Gnocco fritto are often dipped in a cappuccino for a classic Modena breakfast.

Rimini

This seaside city is the birthplace of two greats: the acclaimed film director, Fellini, and Piadina, the street food classic. This thin, unleavened flatbread is fried in lard on a hot pan and folded over cheese, meats, and the occasional vegetable. It’s a humble food but one that has come to be a marker of the area – you can’t get through a day by the Rimini beaches without spotting someone eating Piadina.

Central Italy

As we head into Central Italy, it’s time to try ancient Roman delights and Tuscany’s take on crêpes.

Lazio

This region of Italy is home to the capital, Rome, and with it many street food classics. Suppli is one of the best. The breaded, deep-fried rice (which has been simmered in a tomato and meat sauce for extra flavor) is filled with mozzarella and best eaten hot.

Maritozzi is a sweet street food option in the region that dates back to ancient Roman times. These sweet yeasted buns are filled with cream and their name translates as “almost-husbands” in reference to the young men who would give them to their future brides.

Tuscany

The French have crêpes but in Tuscany you get Necci. The thin pancakes are made using a staple ingredient of the area, chestnut flour, and are usually served warm during autumn and winter months with chocolate or ricotta.

Southern Italy

Home to some of Italy’s best food and most popular holiday destinations, the warm weather in these parts lends itself beautifully to casual street eats.

Naples

Cuoppo is considered to be not just the pinnacle of Neapolitan street food but of Italian street food in general. The Cuoppo paper cones are filled with all manner of fried vegetables and seafood that differ depending on the season and vendor. Some even include Frittatine di Pasta, fried pasta, in theirs too. Cuoppo is almost like the Neapolitan take on fish and chips, but much easier to eat with your hands.

Sicily

Arancini are perhaps the most famous street food export of the region. Filled with meat ragu or cheese, these breaded and fried rice balls can be seen piled up at fast food stands across Sicily. If you want something a little more unusual though, we’d recommend the Stigghiola. This sandwich is filled with sheep or goat intestines that have been grilled and charred with spring onion and then doused in lemon juice and herbs. Eating intestine may not immediately seem appetizing but it’s truly delicious and harks back to the days when peasants had to get creative with inexpensive meat offcuts.

Street Food Festivals in Italy

In a country so well-known for its food, it’s no surprise that food is regularly celebrated with festivals and the like. Here are some of our favorite street food festivals to visit in Italy:

Porchettiamo Festival

Only Italy would run a festival dedicated entirely to roast pork. It takes place in May of each year in the beautiful Umbrian town of San Terenziano and brings together all kinds of porchetta-focused street foods. It’s a great chance to taste the many kinds of porchetta of Italy and learn more about the traditions behind this classic Italian food.

Veneto’s Formaggio in Villa

Italy loves a festival centered on an ingredient and in Veneto you’ll find one held in a grand villa and dedicated entirely to cheese and the many street foods that celebrate it.

Sagra della Sfincia di Priescia

This Sicilian winter festival isn’t dedicated to an ingredient, but a much beloved sweet delicacy called Sfincia di priescia. This fried, sweet street food can be tasted in a myriad of forms during the festival, alongside many other delicious treats.

Tips for Enjoying Italian Street Food

Here are our three top tips for getting the most out of your Italian street food experience:

Explore more ordinary streets: If you want to eat the street food that locals love (and at local prices), stay away from high-rent and touristy areas. Instead, head to quieter spots where the food is likely to be even better.
Savor every bite: Italians take their food seriously so it’s generally seen as polite to not walk and eat at the same time, but to rather pause on a bench or in a park with your street food and enjoy it properly.
Try the thing you don’t recognize: It can be risky, but the delight of Italian street food is that pretty much all of it is good. Because prices tend to be cheaper than sitting in a restaurant, street vendors are a great chance to try new things.

From classic arancini to lesser-known delights like Piadini, there’s no end to the incredible foods you can find on just about any of Italy’s street corners. Next time you’re visiting, don’t just fill your schedule with restaurant bookings. Make time for markets, food trucks, and the adventure that is Italy’s storied street food culture.

Italian Street Food Secrets: A Guide to Casual Eats