Quick answer
Italy is the easiest country in Western Europe for vegetarians. Pizza margherita, pasta all'arrabbiata, cacio e pepe, risotto, ribollita and gelato are meat-free, and every menu has several vegetarian options. Indian restaurants exist in Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan, but most Indian travellers find Italian food easy enough not to need them. Watch for meat stock and animal rennet.
How easy is it to eat well?
Vegetarian & Jain friendliness
5 = easy everywhere, 1 = plan every meal
Indian food availability
5 = Indian restaurants everywhere, 1 = rare
What to order (and what to ask about)
Pizza margherita
Tomato, mozzarella and basil. Roman pizza is thin and crisp; Neapolitan is soft. Pizza al taglio, sold by weight, makes a cheap lunch.
Cacio e pepe
Rome's pecorino and black pepper pasta. Pecorino is made with animal rennet.
Pasta all'arrabbiata
Tomato, garlic and chilli. The closest Italian dish to Indian heat levels, and vegan.
Carbonara and amatriciana
Rome's other classic pastas both use guanciale, cured pork cheek.
Supplì
Fried rice croquettes with molten mozzarella. The classic version contains meat ragù; ask for a tomato or cacio e pepe supplì.
Carciofi alla romana
Artichokes braised with mint and garlic, or deep-fried whole in the old Jewish quarter. A winter and spring speciality.
Risotto
Creamy rice with mushrooms, saffron or vegetables. Ask whether the stock is vegetable ('brodo vegetale'); many kitchens use chicken or beef.
Pesto alla genovese
Basil, pine nuts, olive oil and Parmigiano from Liguria. Parmigiano Reggiano always uses animal rennet.
Ribollita
Tuscan bread, bean and cabbage soup, usually vegetarian. A hearty Florentine winter dish.
Gelato
Fruit sorbets are usually vegan and eggless; some cream flavours use egg. Look for 'artigianale' and muted colours.
Tiramisu
Coffee-soaked biscuits with mascarpone; contains raw egg and often a little liqueur.
Phrases that help
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sono vegetariano / vegetariana. | I am vegetarian (male / female). |
| Senza carne né pesce, per favore. | Without meat or fish, please. |
| Senza uova. | Without eggs. |
| C'è brodo di carne? | Is there meat stock in it? |
| Senza aglio e cipolla. | Without garlic and onion, for Jain diets. |
Is Italy easy for vegetarians?
Very. Italian cooking is built on vegetables, pulses, bread, pasta, rice and cheese, and most menus list several vegetarian dishes under primi (pasta, risotto and soup) and contorni (vegetable sides). Pizza, pasta and gelato alone make it hard to go hungry, and the quality is high even at modest places.
What to watch for
- Stock: risotto and soups may use chicken or beef stock. Ask for brodo vegetale.
- Cured meat: guanciale, pancetta and prosciutto turn up in pasta, salads and on antipasto platters.
- Rennet: Parmigiano Reggiano and pecorino use animal rennet. Strict vegetarians should ask for dishes without them.
- Anchovies: hidden in some sauces, dressings and Roman pizza toppings.
For Jain travellers
Jain eating is manageable with care. Pizza margherita and many pasta sauces can be made without garlic or onion if you ask clearly ("senza aglio e cipolla"). Root vegetables are less central than in Switzerland. Carry packaged food for long travel days and breakfasts.
Where can you find Indian food in Italy?
Rome has the most choice, with many Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants around Termini station and the Esquilino district. Milan has a good range, and Florence and Venice each have a handful. Quality varies; menus are mostly North Indian. On most trips we plan, travellers eat Italian at lunch and keep one or two Indian dinners for when they want dal and roti.
How much does eating out cost?
Pizza al taglio or a panino costs €4–8, a pizzeria dinner €12–20 a person, and a trattoria meal €25–40. Many restaurants add a cover charge (coperto) of €2–4 per person. A scoop or two of gelato costs €3–5. Coffee is cheaper standing at the bar.
Budget ₹3,000–5,000 per person a day for food — see our Italy trip cost.
For where to stay near good food in Rome, see where to stay in Rome. For sights, see things to do in Italy, and for entry requirements, the Italy visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Italy good for vegetarian travellers?
Where can I find Indian restaurants in Rome?
Is Italian cheese vegetarian?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
