The best meal I’ve ever had in Italy didn’t come from a Michelin-starred kitchen. It was a handwritten menu on a piece of cardboard, served in a vineyard under olive trees, with a Nonna who wouldn’t let us leave without tasting her fig jam. That’s what this article is about – the kind of Italy you won’t find in guidebooks. This is your invitation to explore Italy through its flavors, its families, and its traditions and far from the crowds and clichés.
Italy is a true paradise for food lovers. While regions like Tuscany, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast are on every culinary bucket list, there are places where the flavors are purer, the crowds fewer, and the experience more personal. These 5 underrated regions offer not only delicious cuisine but immersive food experiences, breathtaking scenery, and heartfelt hospitality.
1. Cilento: A Slow Food Haven in the South
South of Naples lies Cilento, a coastal gem and one of the birthplaces of the Mediterranean diet. This UNESCO-protected region is all about time-honored traditions, extra virgin olive oil, and unspoiled landscapes.
Culinary Highlights
- Buffalo mozzarella from Paestum – visit a working farm like Tenuta Vannulo for tastings
- Anchovies from Cetara, local fig desserts, and organic wines from the hills
- Fresh seafood dishes like alici imbottite (stuffed anchovies)
Recommended Experience
Have lunch or dinner at Ristorante Osteria 1861, which was once an old warehouse used for smoking cured meats and drying Cilento figs . Then stroll through the medieval village of Castellabate or hike in the Cilento National Park for an unforgettable blend of taste and nature.
2. Le Marche: Olive Oil, White Wine & Authentic Farm Stays
Tucked between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, Le Marche is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. Here, family-run agriturismi serve multi-course meals made with their own wine, oil, and truffles.
Culinary Highlights
- Vincisgrassi – a rich local lasagna
- Olive all’Ascolana – stuffed fried olives
- Verdicchio and Pecorino white wines from Castelli di Jesi
Recommended Experience
Book a stay and cooking workshop at Agriturismo La Giara near Ascoli Piceno. In Urbino, dine at Il Cortegiano, where seasonal menus meet Renaissance charm. Don’t miss a walk through the Frasassi Caves or the UNESCO town of Urbino for cultural depth.
3. Abruzzo: Mountains, Wild Herbs & Handmade Pasta
In Abruzzo, nature defines the plate. Set between national parks and the Adriatic coast, this region serves up bold, rustic flavors rooted in shepherd culture.
Culinary Highlights
- Maccheroni alla Chitarra, made using a traditional stringed tool
- Arrosticini – grilled lamb skewers
- Saffron from L’Aquila, and pecorino aged in caves
Recommended Experience
Hike through Gran Sasso National Park, then relax with a wine tasting at Emidio Pepe, a biodynamic winery producing exceptional Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
4. Basilicata: Underrated Cuisine & Spectacular Scenery
Often overlooked, Basilicata is raw, rugged, and deeply rooted in peasant tradition. Think ancient grains, sun-dried peppers, and flavors that evolved with the landscape.
Culinary Highlights
- Peperoni Cruschi – crunchy sun-dried peppers
- Strascinati pasta and black bread from Matera
- Bold red wines like Aglianico del Vulture
Recommended Experience
Explore the Sassi of Matera, then dine at Ristorante Francesca, carved into a cave. In the countryside, Masseria Riccardi offers a two-hour farm experience that immerses guests in Lucanian rural life. Highlights include visiting an 18th-century farmhouse with a small rural museum, meeting cows and calves, and observing the cheese-making process. On request, children can join a hands-on workshop to become “little cheesemakers.” The tour ends with a tasting of fresh dairy products, seasonal vegetables, and traditional dishes paired with local wine.
5. Friuli Venezia Giulia: Alps, Prosciutto & Elegant Whites
Italy’s northeastern edge, Friuli Venezia Giulia, is where Austrian, Slovenian, and Italian cuisines blend into a unique, elegant food culture.
Culinary Highlights
- San Daniele prosciutto, hand-carved and melt-in-your-mouth
- Frico – a cheese crisp made from Montasio
- White wines like Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, and Pinot Grigio
Recommended Experience
Book a prosciutto tasting at Prosciuttificio Dok Dall’Ava in San Daniele, followed by a wine tour in Collio or a cultural day trip to Trieste, a Habsburg-era port city.
Culinary Experiences with a Deeper Connection
Tasting Italy is one thing but experiencing it is another. Each of these regions offers opportunities to go beyond the plate. Join a cooking class with a local Nonna who reveals her family’s secret recipe for Orecchiette or Vincisgrassi. Learn to taste olive oil like a pro, or participate in a grape harvest with winemakers who treat their vines like family.
At Italiaplus, we organize hands-on culinary experiences for private groups and companies – whether small teams or large groups. We offer exclusive cooking workshops, visits to Slow Food producers, or even culinary team challenges that combine flavor with creativity and teamwork. These experiences connect taste with tradition and turn a trip into a lasting memory.
Conclusion: Taste Beyond the Obvious
Italy offers so much more than pizza, pasta, and Chianti. Those willing to explore lesser-known regions will discover an incredible culinary variety and heartfelt hospitality. Perfect for food lovers, private groups, or gourmet travel with a cultural twist.
- Cook Orecchiette with a local Nonna in Basilicata
- Harvest grapes in Le Marche during the wine season
- Taste olive oil straight from the press in Cilento
- Create pasta from scratch in a Trattoria kitchen in Abruzzo
At Italiaplus, we design tailored culinary journeys for private groups and companies – from intimate cooking classes to immersive gourmet retreats. Whether you’re a small team, a group of friends, or a company on a team-building trip, we help you connect flavor with culture, people, and place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time for a culinary trip to Italy?
Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) are ideal – harvest season, mild weather, and fewer crowds.
Are these regions suitable for group travel or company offsites?
Absolutely. Italiaplus specializes in tailored group experiences, including farm stays, cooking workshops, and immersive local tastings.
What kind of food experiences can we include in a custom trip?
Your itinerary can include hands-on cooking classes with local chefs, wine and olive oil tastings, market visits, farm-to-table lunches, Slow Food producer tours, and regional food challenges designed to bring groups together through creativity and collaboration.
Do I need to speak Italian to enjoy these experiences?
Not at all. All activities organized by Italiaplus include bilingual support (English/Italian/German/Spanish). Our local hosts are used to welcoming international guests and ensure a warm, inclusive, and engaging atmosphere for everyone.
Interested in discovering Italy through its flavors?
We’ll create a customized culinary journey just for you, full of hidden gems and authentic experiences.
