Italian food is world famous for tempting the taste buds.  Pizza, pasta, rustichella and panzerotti sandwiches, and Italian cheese are enjoyed in every part of the globe. The traditional Italian meals include small breakfast, one-dish lunch, and one-dish dinner. Coffee is the most preferred drink.  Antipasto refers to marinated vegetables, seafood, etc.; primo means pasta or rice dish; secondo refers to meat dishes; contorno and dolce or dessert are side dishes. 

Regions in Italy are known for their specialties. Pasta and olive oil are features of southern Italian food. North Italy focuses on rice and butter. In Naples, citrus and fresh fruits are given primacy along with liquor. In Venice, fish and seafood are the obvious choice.

The following are a few of the famed dishes from Italy:
Risotto is Aroborio rice sauteed and cooked in a shallow pan. This creamy dish contains meat, seafood, vegetables, and cheeses.
Arancini is deeply fried rice with tomato sauce, eggs, and cheese.
Gelato is a kind of typical ice cream from Italy.
Pizza is the most admired and famous Italian food eaten throughout the world.

Italy has the finest restaurants and bars in major cities and towns. Most restaurants still charge a small cover charge, though it is outlawed. Gastronomia is a kind of self-service a kind of self-service restaurant and offers only take-away.  It is a great place to enjoy traditional Italian dishes at a fairly low cost.