150+ Fun Italian Food Quotes, Captions, & Sayings
Need to find a funny Italian food quote for your Instagram post? The perfect captions for a few photos? Or perhaps you love Italian food as much as I do and are curious about the country’s proverbs and sayings?
Whatever your motivation, you’re bound to find what you need on this list of Italian food quotes!
Italian Food Sayings
WARNING: These Italian food quotes may make you hungry!
Italian cuisine and culture is near and dear to my heart. I grew up eating big meals and the best meatballs ever with my Italian grandparents. Sometimes it was a celebration, but most times, it was just Sunday. I thought everyone had Sunday dinners that lasted 8 hours!
As my nonna prepared heaps of delicious Italian food, my sister and I would beg her to teach us to speak Italian. She would rattle off Italian sayings about food that made no sense to us at the time in either language. Like “liscio come l’olio,” the literal translation of which is "smooth as oil."
We didn't learn to speak fluently, but we did learn the language of Italian cuisine. And more importantly, we embraced the culture my grandparents shared with us of sharing good food with loved ones.
I’ve also seen this culture in my many visits to Italy. As a matter of fact, I’m writing this in Salerno after spending six weeks food traveling in Italy and enjoying every bite.
From Milan in the north to Sicily in the south, Italians may eat regionally, but they all share the same food culture.
I think the Italian food sayings below do a great job of giving a glimpse into the Italian way of life and how Italians think about food.
Italian Proverbs About Food and Its Importance
Italian proverbs about food reflect the country’s food culture.
“Il cibo è la nostra religione, l’Italia è la nostra chiesa.” (Food is our religion, Italy is our church.)
"Il cibo non è solo cibo, è una storia che viene raccontata attraverso i sapori.” (Food is not just food, it's a story that is told through flavors.)
"Mangiare per vivere e non vivere per mangiare." (Eat to live, don't live to eat.)
"Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto." (Eat well, laugh often, love much.)
"Il cibo è il linguaggio dell'amore." (Food is the language of love.)
"La vita è una cena che va gustata con calma." (Life is a dinner that should be enjoyed slowly.)
"Mangia bene, vivi felice.” (Eat well, live happily.)
"Il cibo è un'esperienza, non solo una necessità." (Food is an experience, not just a necessity.)
"Il cibo buono non ha bisogno di parole." ("Good food needs no words.”)
"Nel cibo italiano non c'è solo l'odore e il sapore, ma anche la storia della cultura e della tradizione.” (In Italian food, there is not only the smell and taste, but also the history of culture and tradition.)
Italian Proverbs About Food and Family
Groups of friends and families gather together to share a meal in a square in Rome.
"La condivisione del cibo è un momento sacro." (The sharing of food is a sacred moment.)
"Non c'è niente di più bello che mangiare con le persone che ami." (There is nothing more beautiful than eating with the people you love.)
"La famiglia e il cibo sono come la pancia e la schiena; quando una soffre, l'altra fa lo stesso." (Family and food are like the stomach and the back; when one suffers, the other does the same.)
Italian Phrases about Food and Wine
Wine is just as common as water with meals in Italy.
“Buon cibo. Buon vino. Buon amici.” (Good food. Good wine. Good friends.)
"Due dita di vino e una pedata al medico." (Two fingers of wine and we can kick the doctor out the door.)
"Un pranzo senza vino è come un giorno senza sole.” (A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.)
"La cena inizia con la compagnia e finisce con il vino." (Dinner starts with company and ends with wine.)
Italian Cooking Phrases
Our family cooking meatballs together
"L'amore per la cucina e l'amore per la vita sono entrambi passioni." (The love for cooking and the love for life are both passions.)
"Tutto fa brodo." (Everything makes broth.)
"La vera cucina italiana è fatta con amore e passione." (True Italian cooking is made with love and passion.)
"La cucina è una scienza, un'arte e una passione.” (Cooking is a science, an art, and a passion.)
"Il buongiorno si vede dal mattino, la cucina dall’odore." (You can tell what kind of day it will be from the morning—and what kind of meal it will be by the smell of the kitchen.)
"La cucina è il cuore della casa." (The kitchen is the heart of the home.)
"La cucina piccola fa la casa grande.” (A small kitchen makes a big house.)
"La pasta è un piacere che non ha età.” (Pasta is a pleasure that knows no age.)
Italian Food Quotes
Obviously, I’m not the only one who loves Italian food. It is one of the most beloved cuisines on the planet. CNN even has it ranked as the #1 cuisine in the world!
Many famous chefs, authors, and celebrities have expressed their love for Italian food and culture over the years. Now their Italian quotes are here in one place, and they make perfect Italian food captions! I hope you enjoy their wit and humor!
BTW, it's a good idea to read these on a full stomach!
Quotes about Italian Food Culture
It's not exactly an Italian proverb, but my nonna always said, "The meal will be good because we used the best ingredients."
Years later when I became a chef, I heard her words repeat in my head daily, and she was right. She used high-quality olive oil, fresh produce, and always the best Italian cheeses, and you could taste the love in every bite.
High-quality ingredients are a must in Italian cooking.
"Italian food is all about gathering friends and family around the table, sharing stories and laughter." —Lidia Bastianich
“I think people in Italy live their lives better than we do. It’s an older country, and they’ve learned to celebrate dinner and lunch, whereas we sort of eat as quickly as we can to get through it.” —George Clooney
"In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine." —Robin Leach
"Italian food is not just a meal, it's an experience." —Carmine Gallo
"Italian food is like fashion; it always looks good but it's designed to be practical." —Nigella Lawson
"Italians are always passionate about their food. You can't eat in Italy and not feel loved." —Joe Bastianich
"Italian food really reflects the people. It reflects like a prism that fragments into regions." —Lidia Bastianich
"Italian food is about fresh ingredients and celebrating what's good in your region." —Gail Simmons
"To eat well in Italy is to eat fresh and local." —Jamie Oliver
”Italian food is all about cooking with heart." —Carla Hall
"Italian food is really a celebration of produce, and protein is a secondary thought." —Mario Batali
"Italian food is not just about the food, it's about the whole experience, the ambiance, the people, the wine." —Lidia Bastianich
Quotes About Loving Italian fooD
If you are a big Italian food fan, you are not alone! You can go to an Italian restaurant in almost any country, and Italian food will always be popular no matter where you find it. But in many Italian restaurants outside of Italy, we are often offered the same smattering of dishes.
At the osterias, trattorias, and ristorante in Italy, you get to taste the specialties of each region—there’s so much more Italian food to love than you will be exposed to outside of Italy! The seafood in Venice, the amazing local Italian salumi and cheeses of the Emilia-Romagna region, the homemade tortelloni of Bologna, the perfect pestos of Liguria are all amazing—and, of course, Rome for foodies is heaven.
The following are some of the best quotes expressing a deep love for Italian food!
The homemade tortelloni of Bologna
"I don't trust people who don't love Italian food. They're either lying or they're not human." —Marisa Tomei
“I love places that have an incredible history. I love the Italian way of life. I love the food. I love the people. I love the attitudes of Italians.” —Elton John
"I can resist everything except Italian food." —Oscar Wilde
"I love Italian food so much that I eat it almost every day." —Sophia Bush
"I could eat Italian food every day of my life. It's that good." —Jennifer Aniston
"If you want to eat well in England, eat Italian food." —Craig Brown
"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with Italian food." —Dave Berry
"I love Italian food. It's bold and flavorful without making you feel like you've eaten a brick." —Linda Grayson
"You may have the universe if I may have Italy." —Giuseppe Verdi
"For me, I love food. It's my greatest pleasure, and I love Italian food the most." —Joe Bastianich
"Italian food is so good it just deserves to be celebrated." —Trevor Donovan
"I love Italian food because it's like a beautiful painting on a plate. It's a work of art." —Emeril Lagasse
"You don’t have to be Italian to love Italian food." —Rachael Ray
"I love Italian food because it's like a warm hug from your mamma." —Nigella Lawson
"It's not only about the Italian culture; it's about the cuisine. I don't think there's anyone who doesn't love Italian food." —Rick Yune
"I love Italian food because it's like a warm embrace. It's comforting and familiar." —Ina Garten
“Italy will always have the best food.” —Diane von Furstenberg
“I once went to Alba, Italy, during their white truffle festival, and I was like, ‘Just leave me here!’ ” —Amber Valletta
“Italian food is my favorite food. It’s the most sophisticated eating system.” —Peter Gabriel
Wherever I go, I am Italian. The way I talk, the way I eat, the way femininity is important to me. The way I love Italian food. —Monica Bellucci
Italian Quotes About Food and Love
Some people love Italian food so much, they’ve compared it to a romantic relationship. Now that’s a lot of love—maybe even too much!
However, if you’re looking for Italian food quotes for Instagram, some of these are hilarious!
My mom’s lasagna is definitely an expression of love!
"Italian food is sexy, rich, and intoxicating. It's everything you want in a lover." —Giada De Laurentiis
"Italian food is so simple and delicious. It's the perfect expression of love and joy." —Jamie Dornan
"Italian food is romantic, sentimental, and full of flavor." —Buddy Valastro
"There's nothing more romantic than Italian food." —Elisha Cuthbert
"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore." —Dean Martin
"Italian food is the closest thing we have to true love." —Mario Batali
"Italian food is like a long, slow kiss. It's satisfying, sensual, and irresistible." —Nigella Lawson
"Italian food is full of the flavors of love—love for the ingredients, love for the process, and love for the people you're feeding." —Domenica Marchetti
"Italian food is like a love affair. It's passionate, intense, and leaves you longing for more." —Jamie Oliver
“In Italy, food is an expression of love. It is how you show those around you that you care for them. Having a love for food means you also have a love for those you are preparing it for and for yourself.” —Joe Bastianich
Italian Pasta Quotes
One of the best things about eating in Italy is homemade pasta. All of the old traditional places will make it fresh, and it's divine!
There are so many tasty pasta recipes, it's hard to pick a favorite pasta dish. In Rome, they feast on cacio e pepe, amatriciana, gricia, and carbonara. Visiting Bologna, you’ll find amazing tortelloni, Bolognese, and lasagna. And Tuscans eat wonderful papardelle and the signature dish of Lucca, tordelli Lucchese.
Whether you’re touring Italy or at your local Italian restaurant, pasta is a pleaser. And usually pretty photogenic. These quotes would make great captions for your pasta photos!
I agree with Sofia Loren, "Life is too short not to eat pasta."
"Life is a combination of magic and pasta." —Federico Fellini
“If I'm in Rome for only 48 hours, I would consider it a sin against God to not eat cacio e pepe, the most uniquely Roman of pastas, in some crummy little joint where Romans eat. I'd much rather do that than go to the Vatican. That's Rome to me.” —Anthony Bourdain
"Pasta doesn't make you fat. How much pasta you eat makes you fat." —Giada De Laurentiis
"As long as there's pasta and Chinese food in the world, I'm okay." —Michael Chang
"Nothing says 'home' like a plate of spaghetti." —Louis Prima
"The only way to eat spaghetti is to twirl it; fork against spoon; if you happen to splash a drop or two of sauce onto your shirt, so be it." —Dan Jenkins
"Spaghetti can be eaten most successfully if you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner." —Sophia Loren
"Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti." —Sophia Loren
"All I want for Christmas is pasta." —Unknown (but I’ve got a long list of suspects)
"I love spaghetti and meatballs . . . I eat a lot." —Dennis Rodman
"Life is too short not to eat pasta." —Sophia Loren
“Only thing I am testing positive for is pasta or cheese.” —Joe Lauzon
“Life is not worth living if I cannot have pasta or bread again.” —Monica Seles
“I’d take pasta over skinny any day.” —Kathryn Budig
“Pasta with melted cheese is the one thing I could eat over and over again.” —Yotam Ottolenghi
“In heaven, after antipasti, the first course will be pasta.” —Steve Albini
“I'm a big pasta fan. I'm a big Italian food fan. Anything Italian—I love cheese, mozzarella. Mozzarella is my favorite, so I have to say anything Italian, I'll take it.” —Malin Akerman
Italian Food Quotes about Pizza
In Italy, I've never had a bad pizza. Whether it's the Roman street food, pizza al taglio, or the UNESCO recognized pizza Napaletana, the most famous food of Naples, chances are that whichever pizza you have in Italy will be better than anything you've had in the States.
During the month I spent in Campania, Italy’s pizza region, I consumed the most pizza I’ve ever had in my life—months worth in just those few weeks! I have become addicted to not only Neapolitan Margherita pizza, but the pizza dough itself. I don’t even need anything on top of it.
At least with these quotes, I’ll never be without a caption for my hundreds of pizza photos!
"You can't make everyone happy. You're not pizza." —Unknown
"Every pizza is a personal pizza if you try hard and believe in yourself." —Bill Murray
"I want a pizza with my face on it." —Lady Gaga
"Pizza is the only love triangle I ever want." —Unknown
"Pizza is like the entire food pyramid at once." —Madeline Oles
"There's no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box on your lap." —Kevin James
”Pizza makes me think that anything is possible." —Henry Rollins
"I love pizza; you can't really go wrong with pizza." —Nick Jonas
"Pizza is my valentine.” —Unknown
"I think of dieting, then I eat pizza." —Lara Stone
“I love my pizza so much, in fact, that I have come to believe in my delirium that my pizza might actually love me in return.” —Elizabeth Gilbert
“The perfect lover is one who turns into a pizza at 4:00 A.M.” —Charles Pierce
“You know what? Part of me just wants to eat pizza and go to sleep.” —Gwen Stefani
“Anyone who says that money cannot buy happiness has clearly never spent their money on pizza.” —Andrew W.K.
“And I don’t cook, either. Not as long as they still deliver pizza.” —Tiger Woods
“I’m always in the mood for pizza.” —Emma Kenney
“You can do irrefutably impossible things with the right amount of planning and support from intelligent and hardworking people and pizza.” —Scott M. Gimple
Read Next: Food Guide to Naples
Quotes About Cooking Italian food
If you've ever shared a meal in an Italian home, or even an Italian-American household, you know using jarred tomato or marinara sauce is a sin. You don't have to be a really good cook. Making sauce the old-school way is probably easier than you think and takes just a few simple ingredients.
The same is true for most Italian cooking. Good Italian food is made with good ingredients and lots of love. One of my favorite Roman dishes to make at home, cacio e pepe, has only three ingredients. And, of course, you can’t cook Italian without making the most famous dish from Bologna: the hearty meat sauce, Bolognese.
Here are my favorite Italian food quotes about cooking.
Cacio e pepe, one of my favorite Italian recipes
"When I want to feel loved, I cook Italian food. It's like a big, warm hug from my nonna." —Sofia Vergara
“I do not cook. However, if I did, I’d cook all Italian food, all the time.” —Ne-Yo
"I'm convinced that anyone can grow up to be a good Italian cook." —Cook’s Illustrated Magazine
"Italian food is about good honest cooking with high-quality ingredients." —Giada De Laurentiis
"Italian food is really home cooking, and there is nothing better." —Emeril Lagasse
"Italian food is all about ingredients, and it's not fussy and it's not fancy." —Wolfgang Puck
"Italian food is really a cuisine of poverty. It's the kind of food that grandmothers used to make with a little bit of this, and a little bit of that." —Mario Batali
"Italian food is simple and uncomplicated, yet it's also sophisticated and elegant." —Lidia Bastianich
"When I'm feeling down, I cook Italian food. It's my therapy." —Gwyneth Paltrow
"I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches. And always cook Italian food." —Sophia Loren
“I’ve always been able to cook Italian food. That’s in my blood because I’m half Sicilian.” —Jen Lancaster
Italian Quotes About Food & Music
Since cooking is an art form, it’s not surprising that many people have compared the cuisine of Italy to music. After all, in both Italian cuisine and music, simple elements come together to make something extraordinary.
Panzanella salad from Tuscany
"Italian food is like a symphony for the mouth. Each flavor is like a different instrument, playing in harmony." —Bobby Flay
"Italian food is my soul food and I love it. It’s like a great pop song, or a fabulous outfit. Even if you don’t know what the words mean or how to pronounce it properly it still sounds and feels wonderful." —Stevie Nicks
"Italian food is like a symphony, each ingredient playing its part to create a masterpiece." - Marco Pierre White
"A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins." —Laurie Colwin
"An Italian menu without eggplant is like Pavarotti without the high C." —Unknown
"Italian food is like a beautiful song, it speaks to your soul." —Giada De Laurentiis
Quotes About Eating Italian Food
The joy that comes from eating Italian food has been compared to much more than music. I know when I eat Italian food, it usually makes me feel full and happy.
In Italy, if you’re stuffed you can use the Italian saying "sono pieno come un uovo” (I’m as full as an egg). If you’re looking for something a little more descriptive, try one of the following fun Italian food quotes!
Osso buco and risotto Milanese, specialties of Milan
"Italy is my first love, the place where I fell hard for food and the art of eating.” —Anthony Bourdain
"The trouble with Italian food is that you get five or six meals in one.” —Christopher Buckley
"The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you’re hungry again." —George Miller
"Italian food is the best comfort food. It's like a warm blanket on a cold day." —Emeril Lagasse
"Italian food is like a vacation for your taste buds. You always come back feeling refreshed and satisfied." —Rachael Ray
"Italian food is like a warm hug, it fills your heart and soul with goodness." —Giada De Laurentiis
"Italian food is like a beautiful sunset. It's something that you can never get tired of." —Chef Boyardee
"Italian food is a celebration of life. It's joy on a plate." —Lidia Bastianich
"Italian food is like a little piece of heaven on earth. It transports you to a different world." —Wolfgang Puck
"Italian food is like a great work of literature, it tells a story and evokes emotion." —Mario Batali
"I could live on Italian food. It's the perfect balance of flavor and texture." —Giada De Laurentiis
"Italian food is like a beautiful woman. It's all about the curves and the flavors." —Emeril Lagasse
"Italian food is like a piece of art, it's a feast for the eyes and the taste buds." —Mario Batali
“If your mother cooks Italian food, why should you go to a restaurant?” —Martin Scorsese
Italian Quotes About Gelato & Desserts
In Italy, “La Dolce Vita” or “The Sweet Life” is not just a movie title, it’s a way of life. Starting the day with an Italian breakfast pastry is the norm. So, if breakfasts in Italy are sweet, you can just imagine how decadent desserts are! Especially Italian Christmas desserts!
From maritozzi and fresh-baked desserts in Rome to the famous Sicilian cannoli, Italian desserts and gelato are some of the most delicious treats in the world.
If you’re indulging in dolce, here are some cleaver quotes to use as Instagram captions or to just enhance your experience.
Cassata cake, a popular Italian dessert from Sicily
“So the Italian gelato. Take the deliciousness of a regular ice-cream cone, times it by a million, then sprinkle it with crushed-up unicorn horns.” —Jenna Evans Welch
“You know, people come to Italy for all sorts of reasons, but when they stay, it’s for the same two things. Love and gelato.” —Jenna Evans Welch
"Life is too short to skip dessert, especially when it comes to Italian desserts and gelato." —Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
"Dolce are like a love potion, you can't get enough of them." —Giada De Laurentiis
“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.” —Truman Capote
"The best way to experience Italy is through its desserts." —Gail Simmons
"Panna cotta is a sensual experience. Creamy, silky, and sweet, it's the perfect way to end a meal." —Nigella Lawson
"Italian desserts are the perfect marriage of flavor and texture." —Emeril Lagasse
"Tiramisu is the dessert of the gods." —Lidia Bastianich
"In Italy, dessert is not an afterthought, it's an event." —Domenica Marchetti
"I am always in the mood for gelato." —Ina Garten
"Italian desserts are like a symphony of flavors and textures." —Giorgio Locatelli
"Gelato is the perfect treat any time of day." —Rachael Ray
"Tiramisu is a magical dessert that never fails to please." —Jamie Oliver
"Italian desserts are a celebration of life, love, and family." —Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
"Gelato is one of the few things in life that can always make you happy." —Giada De Laurentiis
"Italian desserts are like poetry in your mouth." —Nancy Silverton
"Gelato is not a luxury, it's a necessity." —Gigi Hadid
"Tiramisu is the ultimate comfort food." —Nigella Lawson
"Italian desserts are as rich in history as they are in flavor." —Mario Batali
"Gelato is a work of art that you can eat." —Debra Milke
“Bakeries in Rome are the only eateries you need. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert all under one roof.”—someone wise
I hope you enjoyed these Italian food quotes!
The next time you sit down with a glass of wine and a slice of pizza or a bowl of pasta, you'll be prepared with the best captions for your food photos!
You may also like:
Types of Italian Pizzas
Best Pizza in Rome
Where To Eat in Milan
Milano Aperitivo
Buon appetito!
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