Where pasta reigns supreme: a journey through the Italian cities that invented its favorite dishes.

It's not enough to just eat; you need to know where it comes from. The most discerning tourist visiting Italy doesn't just want a plate of pasta; they want the original experience. Traveling to the city where a dish was created means discovering that, often, the recipe we eat outside of Italy is quite different from the authentic one.

Rome: the altar of the carbonara

Although there are debates, Rome is the undisputed capital of carbonaraForget the cream. (which is considered a "sin" by the Romans).

• The secret: Authentic carbonara contains only guanciale, pecorino romano, fresh eggs, and black pepper. Tasting this dish in a restaurant in the Trastevere neighborhood is a truly religious experience.

Genoa: the intense green of pesto

If you love Pesto sauceYou need to go to Liguria. Genoa basil is small and ultra-aromatic thanks to the sea breeze.

• The difference: The original pesto is made in a marble mortar and wooden pestle, preserving the vibrant green color and spicy flavor of the garlic and pine nuts.

Bologna: "la grassa" and its Bolognese (Ragù)

Beware! If you order "Spaghetti Bolognese" in Bologna, you might get a confused look.

• The origin: The true Bolognese sauce It is served with tagliatelle. (fresh egg pasta) Or lasagna. It's a thick sauce, cooked for hours, that includes beef, pork, and a touch of milk to reduce the acidity.

Origin guide: where to eat what?

Golden tip: the "Italian restaurant" label

Look for the seal of "Italian hospitality"He assures that the restaurant uses ingredients imported from Italy or produced locally following strict regulations of origin.

In southern Italy, in particular, small family-run "Trattorias" are still the best places to find the recipe that the dish's inventor envisioned.

Your favorite pasta has a zip code. noble

The Ristorante Hotel Cipriani, located in the Belmond Copacabana Palace, in Rio de Janeiro, was voted the best Italian restaurant in the world outside of Italy for the second consecutive year. The recognition was granted by the ranking 50 Top Italy 2026.

Check out the 10 best Italian restaurants in the world outside of Italy in 2026:

1. Ristorante Hotel Cipriani – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2. Il Carpaccio – Paris, France
3. DaNico – Toronto, Canada
4. Rezdôra – New York, United States
5. By Vittorio Shanghai – Shanghai, China
6. Subito Lathe – Singapore
7. Fiola – Washington DC, United States
8. Otto and Mezzo BOMBANA – Hong Kong
9. Agli Amici Rovinj – Rovinj, Croatia
10. Acquarello – Munich, Germany