Stanley Tucci's Italy: Must-Visit Food Spots and a Dish Worth the Journey

Stanley Tucci's Insights on Food, Travel, and Connection

Stanley Tucci has always been passionate about food, travel, and the connections that form between people through shared experiences. His tips for exploring Italy and beyond revolve around a deep appreciation for local culture, community, and the beauty found in everyday places.

One of Tucci’s top recommendations for travelers is to visit a local market. “A market tells you how important food is or isn’t to the people there. It exposes the soul of a place,” he said in a recent interview. According to Tucci, farmers markets are especially revealing. “They are a way of understanding the people who live in any given place. Not only the produce or products that are sold, but how fresh they are, and where they come from? Are the majority locally sourced or imported? What are the vendors like that are selling them? Who is shopping there?”

Whether it’s through his Instagram posts, where he shares cooking videos and farmers market hauls, or his culinary-focused travel shows, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and Tucci in Italy, it’s clear that Tucci is deeply invested in the power of food to bring people together. This passion was recently highlighted in a video he shared on social media in collaboration with Apple Pay. The post features Tucci gathering a group of Italian nonnas for a meal he sourced from local shops, using Apple Pay throughout the process. “I use Apple Pay constantly. It has made my life so much simpler, and I rely on Apple Pay when I shop at so many vendors when traveling and at home,” Tucci said.

Tucci also shared some personal insights into his travel habits and preferences:

• Best tip for avoiding jet lag? Exercise before and after a flight.
• Most unusual thing you always pack? None of your business.
• A place that you haven’t been to yet that you really want to visit? Japan.
• Favorite romantic getaway? Paris and Lake Como.
• Favorite food city in the world? Impossible to answer. But Paris, London, and Milan. Tucci hasn’t traveled extensively in Asia or been to South America or Africa, so his knowledge is mainly focused on Europe.
• One dish worth traveling for? The pasta with butter and cheese at Trippa in Milan.

Tucci is no stranger to Italy, having explored its diverse regions to understand its unique cuisines. “Italy is an incredibly complex country historically, politically, ethnically, and geographically, which makes it the perfect culinary melting pot. Spending so much time there over the years has allowed me to better understand who I am and who my relatives were and are,” he shared.

Must-Visit Destinations in Italy

For first-time visitors, Tucci has a few must-see spots. He recommends Milan for its progressiveness and elegance, as well as its proximity to the lakes and mountains. “Milan is known for its risotto, osso buco, polenta, and the like.” For those looking for grandeur and iconic dishes, Rome is a must. “Rome is for its grandeur and for the four ubiquitous pastas—alla matriciana, cacio pepe, carbonara, and alla gricia—not to mention the artichokes.”

He also suggests Palermo and Naples for their vibrant energy, pizza, eggplant parmigiana, and seafood. Florence, on the other hand, offers cultural richness and simple, delicious food like bistecca fiorentina and ribollita.

Tucci also emphasizes the importance of timing. “Do your best to go off-season to avoid the crowds, especially in Venice, Florence, and Rome. And eat where the locals eat!”

Beyond Italy: Other Food-Focused Destinations

While Italy is a favorite, Tucci also highlights other European destinations that combine great food with stunning views. He mentions Paris and the South of France for their beauty and cuisine, as well as Iceland for its breathtaking landscapes and welcoming people.

In addition, Tucci has a soft spot for the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige. “It’s known for its stunning landscapes and amazing food, an amalgam of Italian, Austrian, with a hint of Hungarian.”