Italian food continues to be a staple on menus, from classic comfort food to authentic trattoria-style dishes, regional pizza and pasta, all the way through to global twists and innovative desserts. We take a look at the very latest trends in this popular crowd-pleasing cuisine.
Rustic
Fuss free, ingredient-led dishes remain at the forefront of Italian cuisine on menus. Think Bistecca alla Fiorentina, prosciutto sliced to order, bruschetta, panzanella salad and homemade focaccia.
Regional
As diners continue to love all things Italian, their knowledge grows, with more interest in regional specialities and variations, especially when it comes to pizza mari and pasta. Examples include Neopolitan pizza fritta, Roman pinsa and Sicilian pasta alla norma.
Comfort
There is nothing quite as comforting as a plate full of delicious fried carbs. Try arancini, gnocco fritto (puffed, fried dough, ideally stuffed with mortadella!), and panzerotti (calzone style turnovers).
American-Italian
Going from strength to strength is the contemporary, American take on Italian cuisine, such as chicken parmo, vodka sauce and ‘100 layer’ lasagne. All washed down with a Campari spritz!
Dessert
Traditional Italian desserts such as tiramisu, cannoli, panna cotta and affogato are all highly on trend at the moment, but as people delve deeper into this cuisine, the demand is increasing for lesser-known delights such as pastiera (ricotta tart), maritozzi (cream filled brioche buns) and bombolini (dough nuts).
