3 Best Cities to Explore the Food of Umbria
Orvieto in Umbria, Italy
The cuisine of Umbria captures simple but elegant flavors that adhere to the strict calendar of seasonal ingredients that you can find during your Italian food tour. Olive groves and flocks of sheep overtake the hills of Italy’s only region that does not touch the sea or border of another country. The mountainous heart of Umbria abounds with medieval towns and castles that have been untouched by time and are bursting with gastronomic traditions where dishes have been handed down through generations and pay homage to heritage in kitchens that you can explore and experience.
1. Perugia
Porchetta
Perugia is the capital city of the Umbria region. The cuisine of Perugia reflects the famous hill towns, olive groves, fields, forests, and vineyards of Umbria. Typical dishes from Perugia reflect the heritage of the surrounding medieval towns and castles, mountains and grasses. The culinary style dates back to the Etruscan period and the influential cooking techniques of the Roman Empire, resulting in many delicacies you can enjoy throughout the region but perfected along Perugia’s enticing streets.
Famous dishes of Perugia: Porchetta | Porcini mushrooms | Prosciutto | Truffles | Chocolate
2. Assisi
Tagliatelle with black truffle
The cuisine of Assisi is almost monastic in its devotion to pure flavors and representative of the broader Umbrian gastronomic traditions utilizing unique raw ingredients. Instead of typical dishes, Assisi has mastered the use of specific ingredients that can create remarkable flavor by using handmade pastas like tagliatelle accompanied with black truffle or a sauce of garlic, oil, and chili pepper. The simple construct of the dishes celebrates the authentic flavor of each ingredient.
Typical dishes of Assisi: Cold cuts | Tomatoes | Garlic | Black truffles | Olive oil | Tagliatelle
3. Orvieto
Delicatessen in Orvieto
The cuisine of Orvieto embodies the traditional spirit of enjoying food and wine by using ingredients easily accessible in the hills and cultivated on small local farms that reflect the city’s more than 2,500 years of existence. Extra-virgin olive oil, cheeses made from cow and sheep’s milk, as well as egg-based pastas, shape the typical regional cuisine. The traditions remain prevalent in contemporary cuisine and are enhanced by local wines for significant flavors to explore and embrace when visiting Italy.
Popular dishes of Orvieto: Umbricelli all’arrabbiata | Sausages | Wild game | Umbricelli al tartufo | Olive oil | Pecorino
How to Plan Your Umbria Food Tour
Alley with restaurants in Assisi
The towns and cities of Umbria embody the charming landscape and preserved culture. With stunning golden hills, medieval lanes, and quiet plains, Umbria celebrates its heritage on the table, which you can experience during an Italy food tour. Find more information for your next trip with Zicasso’s Italy Travel Guide and speak with an Italy travel specialist by filling out a Trip Request or by calling our team at 1-888-265-9707.
