The best vegan dishes of Italian cuisine

Are you dreaming of holidays in Italy but you think that finding vegan-friendly dishes can be a problem?

You will be surprised to know that some of the most iconic and traditional Italian dishes are actually vegan! Vegetables, legumes, potatoes and flour are some of the main ingredients used daily in Italy, guaranteeing a balanced Mediterranean diet.

Explore vegan Italian delights on Ferryhopper, starting from Southern Italy all the way to the north, and start planning your trip!

A beautiful table set in an Italian restaurant

Italian cooking tradition and comfort food

It is well known that Italian cuisine is one of the best in the world, but did you know that it is suitable for everyone? Fresh produce and organic garden ingredients find their way to home cooking more than ever, giving life to unique recipes!

The Ferryhopper Team has chosen 8 delicious Italian vegan dishes for you:

1. The Sicilian caponata

Sicily enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, and this is certainly helpful for fruit and vegetables. Not to mention the Etna volcano, which gives products a unique flavor! Eggplants are certainly the protagonists of Sicilian cuisine, and together with tomatoes, olives and capers, they create the famous caponata.

Caponata is usually eaten as a side dish, but it is also used as a mouth-watering pasta sauce! There are several variations of the caponata throughout Italy, but it is said that in the city of Trapani you can find the best one.

2. Calabrian-style fried potatoes with peppers

During your tour of Southern Italy you should dedicate a few days to the Calabria region. Arriving at Villa San Giovanni, you can start your adventure and discover wild beaches, perched villages and the tasty Calabrian cuisine! One of the most representative Calabrian dishes is pipi e patate (potatoes with peppers).

Fried in abundant olive oil from the local olive groves, the soft and crunchy potatoes contrast perfectly with the bitter and smoky taste of peppers. Get ready for a mix of flavors that tastes like home!

3. Focaccia from Bari

Focaccia is the most famous Italian snack and it’s perfect for any occasion! In Bari, it is a real tradition and it’s garnished with cherry tomatoes and olives. In the Apulian capital, you can find vegan focaccia in any bakery, but the locals recommend those of Santa Teresa, Fiore and Santa Rita!

Traditional focaccia from Bari

4. The malloreddus

If you’re visiting Sardinia, one of the first things to order at the restaurant should be a dish of malloreddus!

Also known as “Sardinian gnocchi”, they are a type of fresh homemade pasta in the shape of small striped shells. The more traditional toppings usually include meat, but some say they’re even more delicious with fresh tomato sauce and basil!

5. The marinara pizza

Who said pizza needs to have mozzarella cheese? Vegan marinara pizza is among the most famous pizzas of the Neapolitan tradition! It is made with fresh tomato, olive oil, garlic and oregano! Simple and delicious, it is present on the menu of all the pizzerias in Naples and it is one of the most popular among locals!

6. Roman-style artichokes

The artichoke wins first place among the stars of Roman cuisine. You can try it 2 ways: alla romana (cooked in a pan with mint, olive oil and lemon juice) and alla giudia (fried and crunchy). It is a real pleasure that we recommend you try in the restaurants of Rome as an appetizer.

You can reach Rome in less than 1 hour on the road from the port of Civitavecchia and taste this specialty!

A delicious artichoke "alla giudia" served in a restaurant in Rome

7. The bordatino soup

Tuscany certainly holds the record for legume and vegetable soups to be enjoyed on cold winter days. If you love steaming soups, we recommend that you visit the city of Livorno and order the famous bordatino, made with beans, black cabbage and cornmeal.

This vegan comfort food will certainly warm your heart, and goes perfectly with homemade bread!

8. Genoese farinata

If you decide to go on holiday to Genoa, farinata is a must-try! This is a thin savory pie made with chickpea flour and cooked in a wood-fire oven. Rosemary or marjoram leaves are also usually added, giving this vegan treat an extra touch.

Stroll through the historic center of Genoa and enjoy the most beloved street-food in town!

A delicious freshly baked Genoese farinata

Useful tips for vegan travelers in Italy

Here are some more tips for spending a perfect vegan stay in Italy:

• At the restaurant, always ask your waiter about dish ingredients. Some of the dishes may include meat broth, butter or gelatin.
• Don't forget to carry some snacks with you (bars, nuts, dried fruit) to avoid feeling hungry if you can’t find a vegan restaurant on the spot.
• Not all hotels in Italy are equipped with cruelty-free detergents. If that's important to you, remember to pack the ones you use regularly.
• To easily find the restaurants, bars, bakeries, and even vegan herbal shops closest to you, you can download the VegAround and Happy Cow apps.

Fresh fruit and vegetables sold at an Italian food market

Did you expect to find so many vegan recipes in Italy? Plan your next trip and discover Italy from north to south! On Ferryhopper, you can find useful info about your favorite Italian cities, compare schedules, ferry companies and book your ferry tickets online with just a few clicks!

Tip: check the latest ferry timetables for Italy and explore the country's delicious vegan cuisine!