Italy has a strong coffee culture, so strong that Starbuck's can't even compete with it. If you are coming to Florence, consult this article for insider tips and where to get the best specialty coffee and espresso in Florence.

Florence has a secret level- and it’s above your head at these top picks for rooftop bars in Florence Italy. Selected and written by a local sommelier & culinary tour guide. Views and quality don't have to be compromised at these exceptional gems with taste.   

Curious to see how parmigiano-reggiano cheese is made in Italy and what makes this cheese so special? Read on to gain formaggio expertise from our team of certified cheese experts in Bologna!

Bologna’s bustling bar scene is set to please cocktail connoisseurs on a night out. To help you in your nightly explorations, here are a selection of the best venues in town. By Elisa Scarton Detti and Coral Sisk.

Researching dining in Italy? This post covers local etiquette, nuances with food dos and donts, common pitfalls and insider tips from a published local food writer to optimize a seamless Italy food itinerary.

Bologna has a lesser-sung gelato scene compared to Florence’s and it deserves worthy attention. Luckily, we’ve taken up the difficult job of taste tasting Bologna’s gelaterias to bring you this list of the city’s best! By Coral Sisk, who has previously served on gelato judge panels.

Curious about the difference between osteria and trattoria? Save this post written by a local food blogger to avoid common tourist mistakes and what to look for when researching restaurants in Italy.

Craving gelato in between plates of risotto? A visit to Italy isn’t complete without gelato! Here are our picks for the best gelato shops in Milan.

Looking for hotel recommendations in Milan, Italy? Consult this insider's guide for boutique stays in Milan ranging from buzzy and modern to quiet and serene.

Looking for travel hacks to reserving museum tickets in Florence, the 411 on the Firenze card and a few spots on where to eat near Florence’s major attractions? We got you covered!

Visiting Milan? Here’s our recommendations for some great spots to grab lunch or dinner – for quintessential MIlanese dishes like risotto giallo or cottoletta, more contemporary interpretations, Chinese hand-pulled noodles or a quick plate of pasta – we got you covered with our insider tips from a local.

Looking for somewhere remarkable to stay during your visit to Florence? Here are our top recommendations for unique hotels, bnb’s and more on where to stay in Florence (Updated for 2026)

Curious about the best time to visit Florence? Spoiler alert- skip the humid hot summers for crisp sunny winter days, pop-up wonderlands, twinkly festive lights, seasonal foods and local tourists. Read more By Elisa Scarton Detti and Coral Sisk.

When the weather cools even the slightest, cravings hit for cioccolata calda or Italian hot chocolate. Here are our favorite places to enjoy Italian hot chocolate in Florence (along with some of the city’s best pastries and cafes with a view!)

Looking for delicious ways to savor Florence during Christmas and New Years Eve? We have festive solutions to whet your appetite! Read on for more details on special culinary experiences offered during this time

Bologna, the home of incredible culinary delights, gorgeous palazzos and a vibrant contemporary culture scene- definitely worth a night or two in your travel itinerary! Read on for our guide to where to stay and hotel in Bologna!

By Elisa Scarton Detti and Coral Sisk

Curious for where to eat and drink in Florence’s artisan quarter? Bookmark this curated list of restaurants and bars in Santo Spirito.

Looking for little hilltop towns where stracciatella gelato was invented, buttery meaty stuffed pasta, polenta cakes, vermouth bars and beautiful views? 3 more reasons to stay in Milan for a while are for the daytrips! Read on with dining tips

Milan whether you love it, hate it is one of Italy’s best cities for food. The proof is in these 8 plates of risotto at some of Milan’s most delicious restaurants. A bit of traditional, modern and blue collar picks included. Buon appetito!

Visiting Milan during Salone del Mobile? We dish up tips on what to see, eat & drink during Milan Design Week (including our Insider’s gourmet tour!)

In February 2026, Milan and nearby Cortona will host the Winter Olympics. So ahead of this momentous sporting event and to celebrate the launch of our Insider’s Milan Food Tour, here are seven reasons you should visit Milan.  

If you are visiting the city as part of a day trip from Florence or elsewhere or simply looking for best pasta in Bologna, we compiled a shortlist of excellent lunchtime recommendations in Bologna especially if you’re craving a plate of tagliatelle con ragu' alla Bolognese.

In this post, we’re sharing cozy eats and corners of the city that you mightn’t have heard of. If you are planning a trip to Italy, read on for more insider tips and local recommendations.

With the holidays fast approaching, our party plate favorite is an Italian characuterie platter A.K.A the antipasto platter. Read on for our tips for building the ultimate Italian tagliere with plenty of wine pairing suggestions approved by our in-house Sommlady.

Curious how Italy tastes during the holidays? This is your cheat sheet to the unmissable holiday foods, traditions and markets in the regions our culinary wine experiences spend the most time in: Tuscany (where Florence is capital) and Emilia Romagna (where Bologna is capital). Plus some Italian fan favorites.

Curious about what to drink Italy? When the best time for a cappuccino is? If ordering a spritz will insult the chef? This is your guide I’ve picked up over the years of living in Florence as a sommelier and food blogger, as well as favorite spots to caffeinate, wine and dine

Curious about the Wine Windows in Florence? Read up on these charming architectural peculiarities of Florence with our sommelier-approved guide to Florence’s wine windows, aka buchette del vino. Curious to experience the best? Check out our Wine Window Food Tour of Florence!

Savor our guide to devouring the finest bistecca alla fiorentina (florentine steak) in Italy's Renaissance capital of Florence. Read for food blogger-approved historic trattorias hidden away from the tourist crowds to accolade-worthy restaurants curating intentionally sourced meats. Taste for yourself on this ultimate dining experience showcasing the essence of Florentine food culture.

Bologna isn’t lacking when it comes to restaurants, so if you’re looking for a little guidance, these are Curious Appetite’s picks in Bologna if you’re looking for the best traditional dishes Italy’s bastion of fresh pasta has to offer. For more eats in the city, check out our La Grassa Bologna Food Tour.