Everyone loves Italian food — but are they eating it right?
From Tokyo to Toronto, from New York to Nairobi — Italian cuisine has conquered the world. You’ll find “authentic Italian” pizza in Bangkok, spaghetti in Buenos Aires, and tiramisu in every airport lounge with Wi-Fi and a dream.
But how close is the international version to the real thing? And what do Italians really think when they see pineapple on pizza or cream in carbonara?
Let’s break it down — one delicious dish at a time.
🍕 1. Pizza
Abroad: Thick crust, stuffed crust, deep dish, BBQ chicken, and yes… Hawaiian.
In Italy: Thin, wood-fired, minimalist. The Margherita reigns supreme.
🧠 Did you know? Italians don’t slice their pizza in advance — it arrives whole, and you cut it yourself. Also: pineapple? We don’t talk about it.
✅ Must-try in Italy: Pizza Margherita in Naples — crispy, bubbly, and pure magic.
🍝 2. Spaghetti Bolognese
Abroad: Spaghetti with meat sauce and lots of garlic.
In Italy: Wrong pasta, wrong name, wrong sauce.
In Bologna, it’s called “Ragù alla Bolognese” and it’s served with tagliatelle, never spaghetti. The sauce is slow-cooked for hours — no garlic, no shortcuts.
✅ Must-try in Italy: Tagliatelle al Ragù in Bologna. Trust us: your life will be divided into before and after.
🧀 3. Lasagna
Abroad: Layers of meat, cheese, and pasta drowned in sauce.
In Italy: Fewer layers, more balance, and usually with béchamel and ragù — not rivers of mozzarella.
🎬 You’ve seen it in Garfield, but in Italy, it’s a Sunday lunch masterpiece, especially in Emilia-Romagna.
✅ Must-try in Italy: Classic Lasagna alla Bolognese, homemade by a nonna (or close enough).
🍨 4. Gelato
Abroad: Looks like ice cream but costs double.
In Italy: Silky, fresh, artisanal. No artificial colors, no sky-blue bubblegum flavor.
🍦 Real gelato is lower in fat but richer in taste. It melts faster — and that’s a good sign.
✅ Must-try in Italy: Pistachio from Bronte, hazelnut from Piedmont, or lemon in Amalfi.
☕ 5. Espresso
Abroad: Double caramel oat milk latte with pumpkin foam.
In Italy: A tiny cup of intense joy, no sugar unless absolutely necessary. No take-away. No grande size. And cappuccino after lunch? Blasphemy.
✅ Must-try in Italy: Espresso al banco (standing at the bar) like a true local.
🥖 6. Garlic Bread
Abroad: Garlic + butter + baguette = appetizer.
In Italy: …doesn’t exist. Really. We do have bruschetta, but that’s toasted bread with olive oil and fresh toppings. No garlic bombs here.
✅ Must-try in Italy: Bruschetta al pomodoro with sun-ripened tomatoes and local olive oil. Pure, simple perfection.
🍰 7. Tiramisu
Abroad: Often soggy, overly creamy, sometimes frozen.
In Italy: Light, layered, with the perfect mix of espresso-soaked savoiardi, mascarpone, and a dusting of cocoa.
✅ Must-try in Italy: Tiramisu in Treviso — its hometown.
🧳 Want to Taste the Real Italy?
At Tour Guide Erik, we don’t just show you the famous sights — we introduce you to the true flavors of Italy. From hidden trattorias in Rome to countryside kitchens in Tuscany, we’ll help you discover what those iconic dishes really taste like.
Because once you’ve had real carbonara in Rome, there’s no going back.
✈️ Bonus: “Tourist Version” vs “Local Version” – Can You Spot the Difference?
Join our Food & Culture Tours and we’ll take you on a delicious game of culinary detective work — one bite at a time.
📸 Follow us on Instagram @baccotours to see how the real Italian dishes compare to the global remakes. It’s funny, it’s tasty… and a little bit heartbreaking.
Travel is the only way to know the truth:
Does your favorite Italian dish pass the Italian test? 🇮🇹
