I've visited every Italian region — Emilia-Romagna is the best for food

I've spent a lot of time in Italy, and my favorite region for food is Emilia-Romagna. The area is famous for Parmigiano-Reggiano, mortadella, and balsamic vinegar of Modena, and I especially love eating truffles and tortellini whenever I visit. Emilia-Romagna exports many of the country’s most beloved products, from Prosciutto di Parma to the products protected by PDO and PGI status.

The region has 44 PDO and PGI items — more than any other Italian region — and is home to well-known restaurants such as Osteria Francescana, Al Gatto Verde in Modena, and Trattoria da Amerigo in Savigno. After visiting at least twice a year for the past six years, I have yet to have even a subpar meal there.

Small towns supply much of the character: Savigno bills itself the “City of Truffles,” and an afternoon with Appennino Food Group can include truffle hunting with trained dogs. The company’s founder, Luigi Dattilo, famously asked for a truffle dog instead of a car at 17.

Italy, Emilia-Romagna

emilia-romagna, parmigiano-reggiano, mortadella, balsamic vinegar, modena, truffles, tortellini, pdo, pgi, osteria francescana