Gourmet products local specialties and wines Italy

During your walk along Via Toledo, make a short detour to the Umberto I Gallery, first to admire its monumental iron and glass architecture, then to stop at this tiny counter and enjoy a sfogliatella, a speciality of the house that is very well executed. Riccia (puff pastry) or frolla (shortcrust pastry), you will have to choose, unless you are tempted by another of their delicious pastries, such as babà au rhum or promessa d'amore, a dessert to be discovered!

At the entrance to the historic centre, at the foot of the ramparts, La Marianna has been run by the same family since 1961. They are credited with the invention of stracciatella, an ice cream delicately sprinkled with chocolate chips. And we advise you to try it, it is excellent and really generous in chocolate! Whether this legend is true or false, in any case, the Bergamasques have not lost the habit of going there for Sunday breakfast, at aperitif time, or for brunching in the pretty garden when the weather is nice.

The queue is often long in front of the counterold style but, rest assured, the service is fast. Since 1939, this gelateria, unlike any other, has been known in Verona for its sweet treats. So order a giandujotto (chocolate ice cream + melted chocolate + fresh cream + hazelnuts!) or a pinguino (vanilla and chocolate stick), and eat them while walking through the streets of the old town. Depending on your taste, you can also opt for a fruit verrine, a tiramisu or an iced millefeuille, among other sweets.

Dream bakery! Here's the ideal spotto indulge your sweet tooth and bite into a creamy focaccia drenched in olive oil, right on the seafront in Monterosso. For it's their focaccias in particular that have made their reputation, so divine are they... Pizzas are also served in the evening. You can either take your picnic and sit a few meters away, facing the sea, or simply take advantage of the small tables provided. In short, this isn't just any bakery...

Small trade offering a good selection of labels carefully selected among small local producers, as well as a good choice of gastronomic products and preserves of the Cinque Terre.

In this café located along the corso that crosses the historic centre, you can relax on the terrace while savouring one of their delicacies. There is no shortage of specialities, such as the excellent pistachio tartufo, or the chocolate tartufo. The pastries are all very tempting, as are the home-made ice creams, some of which are made from organic products. Granite, finally, is refreshing in summer. Be careful though, because prices go hand in hand with quality... So treat yourself to a little pleasure to taste with happiness.

Tuscany has probably found its culinary ambassador with Eataly, from extra virgin olive oils to Chianina meats, breads, fresh pasta and local vegetables to the best drinks. Different thematic tables are available to enjoy yourself and discover the establishment. The pizzeria is a great success! Early risers meet at the bar-panetteria, which opens at 7:30 am for a generous breakfast with cappuccino, brioches and hot breads from the wood oven.

In the historical centre, a stone's throw from the church of San Giovanni Battista, a small enoteca well known to regulars and tourists passing through. You can settle in to taste and get to know the Cinque Terre nectars, guaranteed by local production. For example, taste the Eliseo red wine that gave its name to this charming bistro

Since 1925, the Sommariva mill has been producing oil from the small taggiasca olives, an extra virgin cold-pressed oil used for the specialties of Ligurian cuisine. The company is one of the first associations of organic farmers and producers in Italy. All the products come from the family farm and are preserved in olive oil, without additives or chemical preservatives. A small museum dedicated to the history of olive growing was inaugurated by the brothers Gianni and Agostino in memory of their founding father.

This local pastry institution is not extraordinary at first sight, but since the 1950s it has been known in the area for its torta monterossina, prepared with chocolate, cream and apricot jam... Trust us, it's worth a visit.

Opened in the summer of 2017, this grocery store (which also sells souvenirs) is located inside an old renovated building. It is worth a detour just for its vaults and stone walls. The choice of wines, pesto, pasta, etc., is impressive, but the prices remain more expensive than elsewhere.

The superb glass roof of the former Colonna Gallery is a small Art Nouveau jewel built before the 1920s for the Roman bourgeoisie. Completely renovated in 2003, it was named after the famous actor Alberto Sordi who died the same year. The gallery houses major international ready-to-wear brands, the Feltrinelli bookstore and a chic café for a cappuccino break in all-Italian elegance.There are also the clothing stores La Rinascente and Zara. You can have a coffee or a light meal in Trevietritone.

Since 1936, Albino Aliani's family has been delighting the Serenissima with the flavors of their native region. From must-tries such as the exceptional Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan) and the no less superb Parma ham, to more confidential products, the charming team will take you on a journey through the Italian boot. You'll be invited to taste before choosing, and advised according to your affinities. Purchased products can be vacuum-packed for the journey and for... the delight of your loved ones!

This ice-cream parlour and patisserie delights the inhabitants of the Monti district with its Sicilian sweets. In addition to the ice creams, the island's cakes are also very popular:cassata siciliana, cioccolato di Modica, pasticini di mandorla... made with almonds and ricotta, this is a culinary voyage in itself! As all this is very sweet, and you can't always over-indulge in the good stuff (and in Italy, that's much harder than elsewhere!), miniature versions are also available. Another in Rome, via Labicana 126/128, not far from the Colosseum.

On the road to the station, the glacier il Gelatone is a compulsory step for those who are preparing to leave Venice. In this way, you will leave with the sweet memories of sesame, honey and pink grapefruit scents. 

A reference to Rome, the market takes place around the statue of Giordano Bruno, a philosopher monk burned there during the Inquisition, to whom the Italian power of 1870 wanted to pay tribute, as a challenge to the papacy. There are fruits and vegetables, fish, cheeses, delicatessen, flowers, as well as all Roman and Italian specialities. Admittedly, it is not the most typical market in the city as there are so many products intended for tourists, but its visit is pleasant.

It is impossible not to give in to the pleasure of ice cream during a stay in Italy. On the Bastioni Marco Polo, west of the city centre and facing the sea, the Igloo offers a wide choice of artisanal ice creams. About twenty flavours are offered daily. Another very popular speciality of the Sardinians: the refreshing granita. Here, no syrup, but fruits and crushed ice. It is always crowded in the small room, but it is worth waiting a little. A delightful treat!

Bistro and shop, this place run by the warm Paolina honours the best of Sardinian products. Francesco, a friend of hers, runs the shop and speaks perfect French. Take the time to chat with him, as he will teach you a lot about Sardinia. He can also offer you a tasting of pastries, breads, oils, wines and liqueurs, so that you can choose the product you like best. You can sit on the terrace in the shade and in the quiet. Simple and tasty cuisine based on local products.

The market takes place on Wednesday morning from 8 a. m. to 2 p. m. in the city center.

Porta Palazzo is one of the oldest markets in Europe, as you can hear the merchants' voices in the streets since 1825. In the 1980s, Arab, Chinese and African immigration brought an exotic touch to traditional stalls. Thus, alongside the sellers of fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, merchants of spices, fabrics and cheap clothes gradually set up shop, but not without charm. A stroll is highly recommended, just to contemplate the cheeses of the Piedmontese Alps, the butcher's and fishmonger's halls.

Along the Rio Terà San Leonardo, this sweet haven is the best surprise before or after a long walk in Cannaregio. Venetians stop here for a coffee, a brioche or a spritz at the counter, but also for delicious slices of pizza to be enjoyed at any time of the day. Meringues, nougats, marzipan and dry cakes are also on the menu, each one tastier than the last. And during the holiday season, each time of year has its own cake: fugassa at Christmas and chiacchiere at Carnival, for example.

Straight into Piazza Navona, an address that, behind its tourist mask, hides an authentic soul and a well justified reputation: its frozen tartufo (chocolate ice cream covered with biscuit, cream and cocoa powder) is the best in Rome. To be enjoyed on the terrace, if you are willing to pay the price

The famous Piedmontese glacier, on the strength of its success in Turin, has opened several points of sale in Italy. The four boutiques in Milan continue to be very successful in both summer and winter. All the perfumes are made with rigorously fresh products, acquired directly from the producers. The most delicious recipes are Piedmont hazelnuts, crème de Grom (pastry cream with biscuit shavings), pistachios (strictly Sicilian) or lemon (from the Amalfi coast). Small detail, the cone biscuit is extra crunchy.

A very traditional gelateria where the ice cream is made in front of you, behind a window. There is a wide choice of flavours, from the most classic (pure chocolate, pistachio, stracciatella...) to the most original (white chocolate with basil, raspberries and sage or lavender and white peach). Fruit ice creams are also particularly recommended, such as Amalfi silt, organic lemon ice cream from the Amalfi coast. A good gelateria in the center. Another address in Rome, along the Tiber, lungotevere dei Vallati, 25.

To get the day off to a good start, nothing beats a good cappuccino accompanied by an Italian pastry! The more classic will opt for a cornetto, but if you want to try a Roman specialty, the maritozzo (a brioche filled with whipped cream) is the one to go for, as it's very good here. 60 years of experience for this great bar, which is also the perfect place to take a break before or after a long visit to the Vatican Museums. For lunch, pasta, pizza and salads are served on the go.

The city's oldest flea market, where you can find everything. Hardware, vintage clothes, bicycles (people used to come here to find stolen bikes in Milan), postcards and old paintings are on display every Saturday at the far end of the Navigli district, in a colorful and friendly spirit. Much sought-after by music lovers: the vinyl record dealer, where rare gems of all genres can be found. A hundred or so stalls for original and extravagant souvenirs. A young, bohemian atmosphere.

Beware of appearances, Manarola's small convenience store sells delicious focaccia, as well as excellent regional products. At the back of the store, don't hesitate to ask for some slices of raw or white ham, or pieces of local cheese to stuff your sandwich before attacking the hiking trails! Of course the prices are quite high, but the small shop has the monopoly in Manarola! It's a pity, however, that despite the success and the tourists, the friendliness of the owner is not always there.

This friendly bakery near the port offers a wide range of sweet and savoury treats to take away, starting with focaccia secca, but also gourmet pastries, from pandolce alla Genovese to camogliesi al rhum. This Camogli specialty resembles a large chocolate boulder, dusted with powdered sugar and filled with a rum-based cream. For a quick lunch on the beach or out for a stroll, enjoy creamy focaccia, plain, with cheese or onions, thin slices of pizza, savory vegetable pies and many other delights.

Since 1890, this café-pastry delights its guests. The place is refined, with furniture of yesteryear. To taste: the < i > torta di riso < /i >, typical of Reggio.

The historic market of the city with more than 200 exhibitors. You will find clothing, food, accessories and shoes.

This "snowflake" has attracted ice lovers for several generations. The place does not pay a mine, but its reputation precedes it. A good place to stay, just a few steps from the Pantheon, the hotel is very popular with the locals, who enjoy its excellent ice creams.

Grom's gelato is made using only fresh, natural ingredients, sourced directly from producers. Founded in 2003 by Guido Martinetti and Federico Grom, the company was an instant success, opening stores all over Italy and abroad, in Paris for example. In Turin, there are three gelaterias in the city center. The range changes with the seasons, but in winter the thick, creamy hot chocolates, with or without panna, are extraordinary!

An unmissable address to have a good time while discovering the different and numerous wines of the region and Italy in general. In this charming little 18th century cellar, completely renovated, you can taste a rich selection of local and national wines, while eating delicious cheese antipasti or typical cold meats. The service is attentive, in a cosy setting. If you want to bring back a few bottles, here you will find some very good advice on how to find the ideal wine to offer or treat yourself.

Products of all kinds.

A bar, ice cream parlour and patisserie since 1922, Rosati is located in one of Rome's prettiest squares: the Piazza del Popolo. Like the Parisian Café de Flore, many Roman artists used to meet here: from the poet Trilussa to the writer Alberto Moravia, not forgetting Federico Fellini. We go to Rosati's for a coffee, but avoid the restaurant, which doesn't really uphold the establishment's reputation. If we mention Rosati in this guide, it's more for its location and history, as prices are high and service is a little rushed.

The Alghero region may not be the one where the best wines are made in Sardinia, but it is the one that has always known how to sell them best. This guided tour will be an opportunity to discover the history of the Sella e Mosca estate, founded in 1899. A film is shown before the visit to the cellars with a sommelier who explains the winemaking process. After a visit to the Museum of Archaeology, which also traces the history of the Sardinian vineyards, a spumante from the estate will be tasted while nibbling on Carasau bread.

Pork and boar hams, pecorino and panadas cheese, stuffed pasta with pork or lamb meat…

General food and freshly caught fish.

Crafts and antiques.

Since 1947, a glacier still very frequented at the entrance to the citadel.

Frue is a grocery store specialized in exclusive gastronomic products located in a pedestrian and shopping street. For the lunch break, you can enjoy sandwiches, salads and traditional products. Of course, the emphasis is on small producers and for a delicatessen in the capital, the prices are controlled. "Frue" in Sardinian is the soul of cheese. Originally a cheese shop, this store has, over time, expanded its offer with unique products: carasau bread from Ovedda, pecorino from Osilo, olio di oliva from Dolianova... To discover!

For the past 400 years, around the Convent of Sant'Angelo, this festival is devoted to flowers, according to a ancient Franciscan tradition.

This small store in Isola's area offers delicious ice creams and Sicilian cannoli and Neapolitan babas that will make you forget the surrounding world.

Specialities from sorbets to fruit.

Food, cosmetics, crafts, toys.

Exhibition of flowers and plants on the Navigli in April.

The famous Sicilian pastry with its fantastic treats, especially cannoli and cassata. Everything here is handcrafted manufacturing, often handmade, which has become very rare even in Sicily.

Pasticceria Cremeria Buonarroti is a patisserie offering a variety of delicious pastries. You can enjoy your desserts on site, order them online for home delivery or pick them up at the drive-in. In addition to pastries, Pasticceria Cremeria Buonarroti also offers savory dishes. You can relax in their tea room and enjoy a hot drink accompanied by an irresistible pastry, or get together for a convivial aperitif. They also offer a catering and home delivery service using their own resources and staff.