Italy’s cuisine is perhaps best known for its classic pizza, which captivated the world to the point where it has become a worldwide favorite. A movie night or birthday celebration is never complete without pizza, but Italy is also not complete without its other dishes that are much lesser-known, but still as enchanting and flavorful as pizza.

What dishes should you look out for the next time you visit Italy, and would like to try their other specialties?

1. Gelato: Although this is not a main course, it is one of the most loved desserts around Italy and in many parts of the world. Gelato is a blissful, creamy ice cream that consists of a softer texture than the usual ice cream. While its trademark texture truly makes it a unique dessert, it also comes in almost every flavor, whether you like the classic chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, or the more eccentric flavors like Nutella, biscuits, and green tea.

2. Risotto: Found in many cities, it is most dominant in the city of Venice This rice dish available in seafood style or mushroom style, and can also be ordered as seasonal dishes, such as summer or spring risotto. These seasonal dishes make use of certain herbs and vegetables that are only grown during its respective season.

3. Prosciutto: For those who have a taste for extremely thin slices of meat, this is the dish for you. Known as the finest of Italian pork, these thin slices are mixed with many types of pasta and wrapped around layers of different kinds of cheeses.

4. Gnocchi: Otherwise known as the ‘flour dumpling’, it can come in many kinds of flavors and styles. They are available for vegetarians as well, particularly the ‘pomodoro style’, which makes use of sauce and cheese. Meat lovers will enjoy these flour dumplings with fine slabs of meat, all with different seasonings.

5. Saltimbocca: Also containing thin slices of meat, specifically veal, the dish is topped with prosciutto, usually salty, and herbs. These ingredients are combined using a toothpick and specially sautéed in a pan. Chicken and mutton can also be used for this dish, and the thinness of the meat promises to delightfully melt in your mouth along with the wide variety of flavors.

There are still many dishes to try in Italy that are not only at par with pizza, but you might also find them to exceed these standards. Find out for yourself the delicious extent of these dishes and book a custom Italian vacation today.