Italy

Contrary to popular belief, there is really no such thing as a national “Italian food”. Rather, what Italy offers is a variety of foods with distinct regional influences. Our travels through Italy have allowed us to sample foods from Piedmont to Puglia, and many points in between. Join us for a culinary journey through some of Italy’s most famous foods.

“They eat the dainty food of famous chefs with the same pleasure with which they devour gross peasant dishes, mostly composed of garlic and tomatoes, or fisherman’s octopus and shrimps, fried in heavily scented olive oil on a little deserted beach.”

-Luigi Barzini, Author of The Italians (1964)

Our Favourites

Each of these restaurants holds a special place in our hearts.  Often, it’s more than just the food itself. It’s the richness of culture, the wonderful people behind the scenes, the way a spot makes us feel at home.

Relive our travels in Italy

Our Toronto Board

Our Instagram Story

Our Second Instagram Story

Other Great Spots:

We have eaten at each of these places, and genuinely loved our experience!   

Bologna

Rome

Learn About The Via Francigena

Our Toronto Board

Our Instagram Story

Our Second Instagram Story

Small Villages and Towns:

Places we found while walking the Via Francigena. 

Al Grill

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  • Santhia
Simple, delicious food done right. Friendly service in a nice, modern setting make this a nice quick stop.
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Albergo della Torre

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  • Mortara
A wee bit out of the way this place is well worth seeking out. Italian classics with inventive twists and excellent service make this an excellent value-for-money choice. Don’t leave without ordering the Pistachio Soufflé. Thank us later.
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Orient Istanbul Kebap Pizza Grill

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  • Mortara
Need a break from Italian food? In Mortara? Don’t judge a book by its cover; check out this fabulous hole-in-the-wall kebab shop. Fabulous food; great prices; super friendly owner and staff. Love this place!
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Pizzeria Mezzaluna

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  • Robbio
Friendly service and casual vibe made for a great stopover on the Via Francigena. Pretty good pizza and pasta, their real game is calzone. Add an inexpensive glass (or two) of good red wine and you’re good to go!
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Ristorante Trattoria Tarello

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  • Italy, Roppolo
Tarello blurs the line between fine dining and the traditional trattoria experience. The menu and wine list scream fine dining, served in a bistro vibe. Get any dish done with wild rabbit – trust us on this one.
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Ocio

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  • Italy, Ivrea
Popular for it’s fast food style burgers, Ocio offers so much more. Check out their chalkboard for fabulously executed local and regional pasta specials. Thank us later!
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