9 Popular Street Foods of Italy

Here are nine popular street foods you must try when visiting Italy.

1. Arancini (Sicily)

Arancini are golden, deep-fried rice balls typically stuffed with savory fillings like ragù (meat sauce), mozzarella, peas, or ham. Originating from Sicily, these crispy delights are a favorite snack across southern Italy. Their name comes from arancia, meaning "orange," due to their round shape and golden color.

Arancini can be found in bakeries, street stalls, and cafes throughout Sicily. Each region may offer different versions, with coastal towns sometimes adding seafood or mushrooms. The combination of crunchy outside and creamy inside makes them irresistibly satisfying.

2. Pizza al Taglio (Rome)

Unlike the round pizzas served in restaurants, pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) is a Roman street food staple. Baked in large rectangular trays and sold by weight, this pizza offers a wide variety of toppings, from classic margherita to creative combinations like zucchini flowers and anchovies.

The dough is typically thick and airy, with a crispy bottom — perfect for holding generous toppings. Found in small shops and street vendors across Rome and beyond, pizza al taglio is a quick and delicious meal on the go.

3. Panzerotti (Puglia)

Panzerotti are small, crescent-shaped pastries that resemble mini calzones. Originating from the southern region of Puglia, these handheld snacks are typically filled with tomato sauce and mozzarella, then deep-fried until golden and bubbly.

Crunchy on the outside and molten cheesy on the inside, panzerotti are a beloved comfort food among Italians. Though most commonly enjoyed in southern Italy, their popularity has spread to cities like Milan, where panzerotti stalls attract long queues of hungry locals and tourists alike.

4. Supplì (Rome)

Often compared to Sicilian arancini, supplì are another beloved fried rice snack, but with a Roman twist. Traditionally, they are filled with tomato-flavored risotto and a core of gooey mozzarella. When you bite into one, the cheese stretches like a telephone wire — hence the nickname supplì al telefono.

Supplì are usually smaller and more cylindrical than arancini. They’re perfect as an appetizer or a quick bite during a stroll through Rome’s charming neighborhoods.

5. Farinata (Liguria)

A unique and gluten-free street food, farinata is a thin, savory pancake made from chickpea flour, water, olive oil, and salt. Baked in a wood-fired oven until crispy on the edges and soft in the center, farinata is especially popular in Liguria, particularly in Genoa.

Often served hot and sliced into wedges, farinata can be eaten plain or topped with ingredients like rosemary, onions, or cheese. Its humble ingredients and rich flavor make it a satisfying and nutritious street snack.

6. Porchetta Sandwich (Central Italy)

Porchetta is a savory, fatty, and moist boneless pork roast, traditionally seasoned with garlic, rosemary, fennel, and other herbs. In central Italy, especially in Lazio and Umbria, thinly sliced porchetta is served warm inside a crusty roll to create one of the most flavorful sandwiches you'll ever eat.

These sandwiches are typically sold from food trucks, market stalls, or roadside vans, especially during festivals and fairs. The combination of crispy pork skin and tender, aromatic meat makes porchetta sandwiches unforgettable.

7. Panelle (Sicily)

Panelle are thin, fried fritters made from chickpea flour, popular in Palermo and other parts of Sicily. These golden squares are often served inside a sesame seed bun, creating a simple yet tasty sandwich known as pane e panelle.

Seasoned with salt, pepper, and sometimes parsley, panelle are crispy on the outside and creamy inside. They are a staple of Sicilian street food culture and an affordable, vegan-friendly option packed with flavor.

8. Lampredotto (Florence)

Florence’s most iconic street food, lampredotto, might sound unusual to the uninitiated — it’s made from the fourth stomach of a cow, slow-cooked in broth and seasoned with herbs. But for locals, it’s a delicacy rooted in tradition.

Served in a bun and topped with green salsa (salsa verde) or spicy sauce, lampredotto is a tender and flavorful treat that’s typically enjoyed at food carts known as lampredottai. It's a must-try for adventurous eaters looking to taste authentic Florentine cuisine.

9. Sfogliatella (Naples)

No list of Italian street food is complete without a sweet option, and in Naples, sfogliatella takes the crown. This shell-shaped pastry is made from layers of thin, crisp dough and filled with a sweet mixture of ricotta cheese, semolina, candied citrus peel, and sugar.

There are two main types: sfogliatella riccia (the crunchy version) and sfogliatella frolla (a smoother, shortcrust version). You’ll find them in bakeries and cafes across Naples, often served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar — the perfect ending to a savory street food adventure.

Final Thoughts

Italy’s street food reflects the country's regional diversity and culinary ingenuity. Each dish tells a story — of migration, tradition, and the everyday life of locals who have kept these foods alive through generations. Whether it’s a crispy rice ball in Sicily, a hearty pork sandwich in Umbria, or a delicate pastry in Naples, Italian street food offers something for every palate.

So the next time you find yourself in Italy, don’t just head for the fine dining spots. Wander the streets, visit local markets, and try the food that Italians eat on the go. These humble yet delicious dishes are the heart and soul of Italian cuisine — and they’re best enjoyed with your hands, standing in the street, just like the locals do.