At Italian Street Kitchen, we bring the heart of Italy straight to your table. Made with tradition, passion, and the finest ingredients, our menu features the best of Italian cuisine that will send you right back to the homeland with every bite. The public have spoken: they want to know what the best Italian food around is, and we’ve delivered. If you haven’t yet had the chance to try these 10 iconic dishes, well, what are you waiting for?
1. Pizza
No list of the best Italian food is complete without pizza. Often considered the most popular dish in the world, pizza comes in many forms. At ISK, we serve authentic Italian wood-fired pizzas that call to mind our classic heritage. Whether you’re enjoying a classic Margherita or a bold Diavola, each bite is a true taste of Italy’s rich pizza tradition. What really makes this one of the best authentic Italian dishes though, is having it expertly cooked in a wood-fired oven. Want to know more? Read about why wood-fired pizza is so much better, here.
2. Fiorentina
While we’re sure you’ve had a number of pizzas in your time, you might not yet have experienced the delight of a Fiorentina. One of the best traditional Italian dishes you’ll find, it has a history almost as old as the city it came from; Florence.
This rustic dish will make you feel like you’re in a traditional Tuscan trattoria. A T-bone steak, simply seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, it’s a celebration of high-quality, tender meat. This glorious cut of meat is so large that sharing isn’t just tradition, it’s a necessity. If you’re a true steak lover, order it on your next night out at an Italian restaurant Sydney and thank us later.
3. Lasagna
Italian comfort food at its best, lasagna is made with layers of fresh pasta, rich bolognese sauce, and creamy béchamel. This ISK classic offers a warm, satisfying taste of Italian home cooking you simply cannot miss. Originating in Naples all the way back in the Middle Ages, lasagna is a baked dish with a heritage as rich as its wonderful flavours. While there are numerous variations, I like to make it with layers of fresh pasta, beef ragu mozzarella, parmesan, Napoli sauce and creamy béchamel to create the ultimate comfort food.
4. Arancini
Feel like wandering the cobbled laneways of your favourite Italian village? Our arancini will send you there! Aranchini is considered to be one of the best Italian dishes and is beloved by many.
Believed to have originated in Sicily during the 10th century, its name translates to ‘little orange’ due to the round shape and beautiful golden colour. Crispy, golden, and filled with a delicious mixture of rice, cheese, and meat, these Sicilian rice balls are perfect for snacking or as a starter at the best Italian restaurant near you.
5. Gelato
Italians aren’t only known for our many savoury delights; we can have quite a sweet tooth too. Although they look similar and gelato actually translates to ‘ice cream’, it’s quite different to the more common frozen dessert. For one thing it’s much lower in fat, so while no one is going to claim it’s in the ‘healthy’ category, you can feel a little less guilty about indulging than you would with regular ice cream … or so I always tell myself.
Gelato also has a higher density because of the air and water added to ice cream to increase the volume. As a result, gelato is really bursting with flavour in comparison. Lower in fat AND more flavourful, I don’t know why you would ever go back to ice cream after having gelato.
6. Carbonara
Creamy, rich, and packed with flavour, carbonara is a true Italian pasta classic. Authentic carbonara uses fresh eggs, guanciale, pecorino cheese, and black pepper. That’s right, not a trace of cream or bacon despite them being included in countless disappointing imitations. This dish is the perfect example of how simplicity can create extraordinary—try it the right way at an ISK near you.
7. Meatballs
ISK’s tender and delicious meatballs are a true Italian comfort food. Made from a blend of meat, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan, they’re served in a rich tomato sauce and are always a crowd favourite. In Italy, meatballs are traditionally served as a side dish or appetiser rather than with spaghetti, but regardless of how you have them, the critical components are the quality of the ingredients and the way they’re prepared. Made from a hand-blend of top-quality meat, salt, pepper and herbs, simmered in a classic sugo, the flavour profile of this classic Italian cuisine is always a crowd favourite
8. Polenta
Although not as well-known as pasta, polenta was actually the more commonly eaten food in Northern Italy for many years. Originally made from whatever starches were available, corn became the primary ingredient in polenta once it was introduced to Europe in the 16th century.
Traditionally, corn flour is boiled in water which results in a tasty mash that superbly accompanies a variety of meats and stews. However, my favourite way to have polenta is to fry it until golden, which transforms the mushy texture into a crispy delight.
9. Porchetta
This mouth-watering roast pork belly dish originated in Ariccia but soon became widespread throughout Italy. Slow-roasted and seasoned with herbs, porchetta is a tender, flavourful roast pork that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Often served in a sandwich or as a main dish, it’s a deliciously indulgent choice for meat lovers.
10. Tiramisu
Developed in Treviso during the 1960s, tiramisu quickly gained popularity all over the world and is now perhaps Italy’s most adored after-dinner dessert. It showcases alternating layers of soft, sweetened mascarpone cream and coffee-soaked savoiardi biscuits to provide the perfect ending to a meal at an Italian restaurant and an appropriate ending to this list of the best Italian food.
Essential Ingredients in Italian Cuisine
The best Italian food thrives on simplicity, relying on a few, high-quality ingredients to create rich, authentic flavours. Staple ingredients like tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, and oregano define Italian cooking. Using fresh, seasonal produce is critical to achieving that unmistakable Italian taste. Take a look through all the finest Italian ingredients at Isabella’s Pantry.
What Makes Italian Food the Best in the World?
It feels like everyone loves Italian food, and at ISK we believe that universal appeal comes back to fresh ingredients, simple preparations, and time-honoured traditions. From the hearty dishes of northern Italy to the sun-kissed flavours of the south, regional differences add to its diversity. High-quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, Parmigiano Reggiano, and extra virgin olive oil are essential for capturing the true essence of Italian cooking.
How Italians Pair Food & Wine
Wine is an integral part of the Italian dining experience. Each region boasts its own wine pairing traditions, carefully selecting wines that complement the local cuisine. For instance, a robust Chianti pairs perfectly with a Florentine steak, while a crisp Pinot Grigio enhances seafood dishes. And beyond simply wine, have some fun indulging in Isabella’s Pantry Italian Cocktails which offer an extended range of refreshing and delicious options.
How to Make These Italian Dishes at Home
Ready to embark on your own Italian culinary adventure? You can recreate the best Italian dishes at home using authentic ingredients and traditional cooking methods—just check out Italian Street Kitchen’s recipes at Isabella’s Pantry for inspiration and guidance on creating your own Italian masterpiece.
Try the Best Italian Food Today!
These 10 dishes are considered the best of the best when it comes to the best Italian food. They represent the heart and soul of Italian cuisine, showcasing the country’s passion for fresh ingredients, simple preparations, and bold flavours. Whether you’re visiting an Italian restaurant or looking to create these dishes at home, experience the joy of ISK’s authentic cooking!
