Italy, a land renowned for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and its extraordinary culinary heritage, is a gourmand’s delight. A recent poll found that Italian cuisine is the world’s most popular ethnic food and it’s not hard to see why. However, there’s more to explore than pizza and pasta, despite how popular those iconic dishes are, with plenty more hidden culinary gems in Italy to try.

While cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence capture the spotlight with their iconic Italian dishes, the true essence of Italian cuisine lies in its diverse regions, each boasting unique flavors and specialties. This guide invites you to venture off the beaten path to uncover Italy’s hidden culinary gems, with a special focus on the unspoiled treasures of Umbria.