Name: Kennedy Dierks
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
School: Seton Hall University, NJ
Major: Biology, Catholic Studies
Minor: Art History
Study Abroad Location: Italy
Length of study abroad: 2 weeks
Welcome to Spoon Eats World, where college students dish on their unforgettable food spots they found while studying abroad. They took notes inside and outside of the international classroom, capturing their favorite bites and best local spots – from bustling markets and cozy cafes, to TikTok-famous eateries and hidden gems.
When it comes to the food in Italy, every single stereotype is true. Not only is it absolutely delicious, but no matter what you’re eating — from pasta and pizza to gelato and tiramisu — you can taste the freshness and flavor in every single bite. There’s no need to overcomplicate dishes in Italy because the recipes, techniques, and ingredients speak for themselves. Simple is the name of the culinary game, and every pastry, meal, or drink delivers top-notch flavor and quality.
I had the privilege of studying abroad in Italy in March of 2024 as part of Seton Hall’s embedded programs, meaning that we had a jam-packed two weeks of extended spring break for a single course as opposed to a full semester with multiple classes. We visited 10 cities in 14 days for our course, titled “Foundations of Christian Culture,” and traveled through Naples, Rome, Pompei, and several small cities and towns in Sicily. Throughout the trip, we tried Italian classics, like gelato and pasta, plus specialized local favorites, such as Cassatella di sant’Agata in Catania and buffalo mozzarella pizza in Naples, and it seemed like each bite was better than the last. Though I’d have any meal over again, here are the best 8 bites I tried during my study abroad food tour all over Italy.
March 1, 2024 — The Perfect Prosciutto Pizza
Maybe it was the fact that this was my first bite of food in Italy. Maybe it was the fact that it was Napoleon pizza in Naples. I don’t know what exactly made this fluffy yet crispy crust pie from Bellilo Napoli so good, aside from the obvious fact that it was topped with fresh burrata, perfectly zesty arugula, salty and fatty prosciutto, and delicate shavings of parmesan cheese. This spot was recommended by the hotel concierge, and it set a high standard for pizza that simply couldn’t be topped throughout the rest of my trip.
March 1, 2024 — That’s That Me (Italian) Espresso
Who knew that a hotel general store would have my all-time favorite espresso? (On second thought, this is an unfair comparison, since Italian rest stops put Wawa, 7-Eleven, Starbucks, and the likes to absolute shame.) Unlike coffee culture in America, which tends to romanticize slow and cozy coffee shops, espresso in Italy is often enjoyed at the bar, standing up, and quickly. It’s a social ritual for many, and a crucial part of daily life. It was hard not to savor this deliciously rich doppio (or double shot) from Bar Liola, though, after a long flight and bus ride to our first stop in Taormina.
March 2, 2024 — The Ideal Aperol Spritz
Since I’m a self-proclaimed Aperol Spritz girlie, I had to practice what I preach while abroad, so made it my mission to try one (or two, or three) Aperol Spritzes in every city, and this one at La Villa Bar in Villa Comunale di Sorrento took the cake (or should I say cocktail). Imo, it can be tough to nail the perfect Aperol to prosecco to soda ratio, but La Villa did it perfectly, and the champagne was delightfully sweet (but not too sweet) to complement the bitter citrus notes of the Aperol. The stunning views of the Amalfi Coast helped, too.
March 4, 2024 — The Best Italian Breakfast Ever
I am not a huge breakfast girlie when I’m home, but Italian breakfast flips some sort of primal switch in me. Whereas breakfast culture in America is grab-and-go, Italian breakfast is often unrushed and intentional. Plus, I prefer savory over sweet for my first meal of the day, and Italians don’t subscribe to the same pancakes and eggs routine as Americans — anything goes. It’s hard to articulate how excited I was for a caprese salad with plump tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, crispy arugula, and bright balsamic at 7 a.m., especially when it was paired with farm-fresh hard-boiled eggs, a lungo espresso, and mini chocolate croissant from our hotel in Catania, Sicily.
March 8, 2024 — The Best Dairy Dessert I’ve Ever Had
Lactose intolerance be damned, I would suffer all of the consequences 100 times over to experience a single bite of Italian gelato and a million times over for this particular pairing. Gelateria La Romana was recommended by our tour guide-turned-friend, Lory, and I am endlessly grateful for her input — otherwise, I would have overlooked what may be one of my all-time favorite flavors. La Romana’s signature is Crema dal 1947, a delicate Italian custard cream made with real vanilla extract and a touch of lemon zest for a creamy and refreshing bite.
And, since I’m a chocolate lover, I had to get my go-to, Bacio di dama (which translates to “lady’s kiss”) inspired by the Italian cookie of the same name. This hazelnut truffle gelato is drenched in cocoa hazelnut cream for a nutty and chocolate-y gelato, and La Romana had the best variation of Bacio I tried.
March 10, 2024 — My First-Ever Cacio e Pepe
Say it with me: American Cacio e Pepe is a disgrace to the Italians. For better or for worse, my first time trying this pasta dish — which translates to “cheese and pepper” — was at Ristorante Goose in Rome, and this deceptively simple dish set my standards way too high. While the American version may include pancetta, ham, or another fatty cut of pork, the Italians cut straight to the good stuff: pasta, egg, parmesan, and pepper. This four-ingredient pasta was delightfully salty, sharp, and creamy, but didn’t feel heavy or rich in the slightest. Thank you, Italy, for this one.
March 10, 2024 — The Creamiest Tiramisu
You can’t be in Italy and not try Tiramisu. I was underwhelmed by the presentation at Ristorante Goose in Rome, but the first creamy, slightly sweet, and espresso-rich bite immediately changed my mind. The lady fingers were drenched in rich coffee but not soggy; the gentle sting of the coffee liqueur cut through the rich (but also light and fluffy) semi-sweet mascarpone filling; and the layers (which were the ideal cream-to-lady fingers ratio) were dusted with rich cocoa powder. Frank Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond was right: “The stomach knows not ugly,” after all.
But My Best Bite Was…
Sometimes, less really is more. The best part of this bite was how it surprised me. Trattoria Medina in Naples served up what may seem like the most basic pasta dish you’ve ever seen — penne noodles and red sauce — but the underwhelming simplicity of the dish was quickly outshone by perfectly al dente pasta that had a slight eggy richness, juicy and bright tomato sauce that stuck to every ridge and crevice of the noodles, all complemented by fresh and herby basil and a sharp sprinkle of parmesan. I’ve since returned to Trattoria Medina, and I can confirm that the first bite was just as good as my last.