Vegan in Italy: what to order, what to avoid (2026 guide)

Italy looks intimidating to vegans — cheese, butter, eggs in pasta — but it's actually one of the best-eating countries on a plant-based diet, if you know what to order.

Pasta: ask for "pasta di semola"

Dried pasta sold in supermarkets and most restaurants (pasta secca di semola) is just durum wheat and water — fully vegan. Fresh pasta (pasta all'uovo) contains eggs. Ask: "È senza uova?" ("Is it egg-free?").

Classic naturally-vegan dishes

• Pasta al pomodoro — tomato and basil
• Pasta aglio, olio e peperoncino — garlic, olive oil, chili
• Pasta alla Norma (request senza ricotta salata) — eggplant and tomato
• Pasta e fagioli — beans and pasta soup (confirm no pancetta)
• Bruschetta al pomodoro, focaccia, caponata
• Pizza marinara — tomato, garlic, oregano, no cheese (classic Neapolitan)

Supermarkets

• Esselunga, Coop, Carrefour: dedicated "Vegano" aisles, growing plant-milk range.
• NaturaSì: the Italian Whole Foods — fully organic, huge vegan selection.
• Lidl Italia (Vemondo): cheap and excellent.

Watch out for

• Parmigiano: contains animal rennet — always not vegan.
• Pesto Genovese: traditional recipe contains pecorino. Ask for "pesto senza formaggio".
• Bread: most Italian bread is vegan, but some focaccias use lard (strutto).
• Gelato: sorbetti (fruit sorbets) are usually vegan. Look for the green leaf on gelaterie counters.

Useful phrases

• Sono vegano/a — "I'm vegan"
• Senza latte, burro, uova, formaggio — "Without milk, butter, eggs, cheese"
• Avete piatti vegani? — "Do you have vegan dishes?"