Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour Tuscany, Umbria remains Italy’s best-kept culinary secret. A journey through this land of rolling hills, medieval villages, and fertile valleys is as much a feast for the senses as it is an exploration of its deep-rooted food traditions. Whether you savour the earthy aroma of black truffles, indulge in the region’s renowned olive oil, or take part in a private in-villa cooking class to uncover the secrets of Umbrian cuisine, there’s something for every visitor here. Read on to discover some of our favourite gastronomical experiences in Umbria.
THE TRUFFLE CAPITAL OF ITALY
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Umbria is a haven for truffle lovers. The town of Norcia is famed for its prized black truffles, and the region offers fantastic opportunities for truffle hunting - an immersive way to experience these gastronomical treasures first-hand. In autumn and winter, the forests yield sought-after white truffles, making this an excellent time to visit while also avoiding the summer heat and crowds.
THE OLIVE OIL ROUTE
The rolling hills of Trevi, Spello, and Spoleto are home to some of Italy’s finest extra virgin olive oils. As such, Umbria is the perfect place to visit family-run olive groves, where centuries-old trees produce a peppery, vibrant oil - ideal for drizzling over warm bread or fresh vegetables (especially the region’s seasonal wild asparagus!). Always look for DOP-certified oil to ensure its authenticity and regional origin.
THE ART OF CURED MEATS
For centuries, Umbria has been a centre of cured meat production, so much so that the term norcineria - named after the town of Norcia - has been coined to signify artisanal butchery. Alongside classic cured meats, be sure to sample some of the region’s tantalising delicacies, such as wild boar prosciutto, fennel-infused salami, and spicy capocollo. Local markets and butcher shops are a great place to discover Umbria’s cured meats, with some specialist butchers even offering tasting platters paired with regional wines.
PASTA & LEGUMES
No visit to Italy is complete without sampling some of its world-renowned pasta. Umbria’s signature dish is strangozzi, a thick noodle traditionally served with truffle sauce, black pepper, or a rich tomato-based sugo. The region is also famed for Castelluccio lentils, grown on the high plains of the Sibillini Mountains. These tiny, flavourful lentils are a cornerstone in traditional Umbrian soups and stews. For a hands-on experience, host a private cooking class in your villa and learn the art of pasta-making from a skilled local chef.
UMBRIA FOR WINE LOVERS
With its historic vineyards and rolling landscapes, Umbria produces some of Italy’s most exquisite wines. Try the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, a bold red wine with deep, complex flavours of blackberries, spices, and dark chocolate, aged for at least 30 months. Alternatively, the Orvieto Classico DOC - a crisp, floral white wine - is the perfect match for seafood and local cheeses. Enjoy a tour around one of Umbria’s rolling vineyards to discover your own local vintages, or read our guide on the best Italian villas for wine lovers for inspiration on where to stay.
SWEET TEMPTATIONS
No good culinary journey is complete without a sweet treat to round it off. Treat yourself to a rocciata di assisi, a traditional Umbrian dessert similar to strudel. Packed with apples, nuts, raisins, and cinnamon, this delicious baked pastry dates back to medieval times and has remained a staple of local gastronomy since. If you have room, savour the unrivalled pairing of tozzetti and Vin Santo. Tozzetti are crunchy Umbrian almond biscuits, often flavoured with anise or citrus zest. Dipping them into Vin Santo, an amber-coloured dessert wine with notes of fruit, honey, and nuts, is truly a treat for the senses.
