We predict this year's food trends will take a page from Italy by embracing wellness, simplicity, and authenticity
Food trends, like all art, are cyclical–what once felt passé will feel fresh again. In today’s saturated culinary world where it can feel like every idea has already been explored, there’s only one place to look for inspiration: the past!
We’re dusting off old cookbooks and stepping back into a world where shrimp cocktail trees and tinned fish platters are suddenly the height of cool. But this nostalgia comes with a contemporary twist: a focus on wellness and longevity. The classic recipes of yesteryear are being redefined for today’s priorities: Caesar salads with bitter greens, gelatin for its collagen benefits, tinned anchovies with sustainably sourced fish and extra virgin olive oil.
Italian cuisine is the exact style of cooking to embrace all these trends: deeply rooted in history and passed-down customs, but with an emphasis on wellness and simplicity. It’s perfectly poised for this revival, and these are the Italian food trends we expect for 2025.
The Rise of Giardiniera & Pickled Everything
Pickles have hit peak popularity, so what’s next? Expect giardiniera, Italy's pickled veggie mix, to finally claim the spotlight as pickling takes center stage. Already loved as a jarred sandwich topping, we’re predicting gourmet versions of giardiniera to hit the shelves—and it’s easier than you think to make at home. Not only is it flavorful and delicious, but pairing a pickled vegetable with carb-heavy meals is a European secret to curbing blood sugar spikes. We love it when wellness tastes this good.
Parmigiano Reggiano Renaissance
Will 2025 be the year Americans finally learn the difference between “parmesan” and THE Parmigiano Reggiano? There’s so much to love about this cheese. Not only is it so versatile and delicious, but it’s an emblem of the slow food movement: true Parmigiano Reggiano is aged for at least a year, and usually longer. From a health perspective, as it ages, most of the lactose breaks down, making it more digestible for those who usually avoid dairy. With its impressive macros and high protein content, it’s also become a darling of the fitness and wellness community. We’ll take a hunk of Parm over a protein bar any day, thank you very much.
Olive Oil Provenance Matters
Extra virgin olive oil is no longer just a pantry staple—it’s a product people are scrutinizing for quality and authenticity, and rightfully so! Olive oils are not all created equal: to reap the health benefits, it’s essential to choose an oil that’s minimally processed, properly packaged in dark glass or tins to preserve their integrity, and certified as true extra virgin from the first pressing. With this shift in awareness, we predict top-tier Italian olive oils from regions like Liguria or Sicily will take center stage.
The Carb Comeback (But Smarter)
Carbs are back in style, but with a sidekick: think food pairing for blood sugar balance. Pasta with protein, bread with healthy fats... 2025 is all about embracing carbs thoughtfully. This is a way of eating Italians have utilized for centuries: it’s not about restriction or cutting things out of your diet, but combining food in a way that leaves you feeling your best.
Sicilian Pistachios Step Up
We've surely all seen the Dubai Chocolate Bar and Pistachio Lattes running rampant on social media. Well, if you ask us, the bright green pistachios from Sicily deserve the spotlight. We predict that pistachios in desserts will become a staple in the U.S. just as much as they already are in Italy, but with their rich flavor and notable health benefits, we foresee them becoming more popular in savory food, too. We adore a pistachio pesto and a dusting of pistachios on pizza, or just about anything else.
Retro Chic Returns
Think chicken tetrazzini, tableside Caesar salads, plus gelatin molds and aspics (savory meat broth-based gelatins). Nostalgic dishes are back – so dust off your cookbooks from the ‘80s, because that’s what’s cool again. Basically, if it’s something nonna would have made for you when you were a kid, it’s poised to be the coolest recipe at the party.
"Snack Meals" & Deconstructed Dining
From girl dinner to curated snack boards, the trend toward antipasti-style dining at home isn’t a struggle meal! It celebrates simplicity, variety, and the art of turning basic pantry staples into something more satisfying. Keeping antipasti essentials like olives, crackers, and spreads on hand makes this relaxed style of eating surprisingly easy to prep… and the result can be way more elevated than it sounds.
Caesar’s Expansion
The classic Caesar salad is expanding its empire. Caesar wraps, Caesar pastas and pizzas, even Caesar-seasoned fries (is Caesar the new truffle?) – it’s all fair game. The iconic dressing is becoming a flavor that will reign supreme in new and unexpected ways.
Bitter is Better
With the rise of amaro cocktails and radicchio salads on menus, we predict that tasteful bitterness will become a sought-after flavor. In Italian culture, bitter flavors have long been celebrated for their role in wellness. For example, amaro, the herbal digestif, is believed to aid digestion after a meal. Similarly, bitter greens like radicchio, endive and chicory are staples in Italian cuisine, prized for their bold flavor and their ability to balance rich dishes. Embracing bitterness isn’t just trendy—it’s a timeless part of Italian culinary tradition.
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