One of the greatest pleasures of visiting Italy is its cuisine. Rich in diversity and regional traditions, it’s appreciated all over the world.
If French cuisine is known for its rarefied techniques, Italian cooking is known for its approachability. Based on fresh, seasonal and quality ingredients, its hallmark is simplicity and genuine ingredients. Pasta, bread, rice, vegetables, meat, fish, cheeses, oils, and wines are the stars of dishes that express the territory, culture, and history of each region.
If we mention Michelin starred restaurants, France will most likely spring to mind and it is true that it has more than any other country, at 626. But what most people don’t know is that Italy is third overall globally, at 381, just behind Japan, with 414.
To earn 3 stars is extremely rare, but now, the number of three-Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy has risen to 13 with Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler in Bruneck (South Tyrol) and Quattro Passi in Nerano on Campania’s Amalfi Coast joining the list of places offering “exceptional cuisine” and worth a special journey.
The 11 three-star restaurants still on the list this year are Villa Crespi in Orta San Giulio (Novara), Piazza Duomo in Alba (Cuneo), Da Vittorio in Brusaporto (Bergamo), Le Calandre in Rubano (Padova), Dal Pescatore in Canneto sull’Oglio (Mantova), Osteria Francescana in Modena, Enoteca Pinchiorri in Firenze, La Pergola in Roma, Reale in Castel di Sangro (L’Aquila), Uliassi in Senigallia (Ancona) and Enrico Bartolini at the Mudec in Milan.
In addition, the 69th edition of the Italy Michelin Guide includes five new two-star restaurants and 26 restaurants that have been awarded ‘one Michelin star’, to a total of 395 restaurants across the country.
Further, 13 restaurants have entered the ‘Michelin Green Star’ list testifying to a committed, ethical and sustainable cuisine.
“This is a record edition that gives the measure of the itality and talent of Italian cuisine,” said Michelin Guides International Director Gwendal Poullennec at the presentation of the new Italy guide in Brescia.
