Good food is undoubtedly one of the many things that make Italy famous.

In this country, the taste and quality of the items have become a cult. So, if you've recently moved to Italy or are considering doing so, you're in for a lot of pleasure as well as a lot of responsibilities.

Actually, one of the best ways to properly appreciate the atmosphere in Italy is to sample its delights, both in restaurants and at home. To accomplish so, you'll need to know the greatest products, where to get them in supermarkets or shops, and how to select the best ones to buy.

Do you think it'll be even more difficult if you still can't get your head around the local language?

You're right, it won't be easy, because labelling, as well as differences in food and how to acquire it, can be perplexing. Shopping in Italy might be tough to come by, and some stores may be out of reach for a student or young worker.

But in this post, we'll take you on a food tour and show you where and how to buy the greatest products, as well as the differences between supermarkets and grocery stores and how to save money while shopping in Italy.

Best supermarket chains in Italy

Let's begin by clarifying a basic concept: The reference word changes according to the size of the grocery store.

Therefore, when we say "supermarket," we're talking about big grocery stores where you can get anything you need, from food to household items.

Now let’s see a list of the best supermarket chains in Italy:

• Carrefour;
• Conad;
• Esselunga;
• Pam Panorama;
• Coop;
• Iper;
• Bennet;
• Tigros;
• Penny Market.
• Unes;
• DPiù;
• Selex.

These chains are widely distributed and may be found in most cities and towns. The main difference is that some of these are more prevalent in the north, while others are more numerous in the south. As a result, it is usually preferable to conduct an online search to determine which chains are present in your area of Italy and where the greatest products can be found.

All these supermarkets provide high-quality products, frequently offer attractive deals, and allow you to save money on your shopping. We recommend Lidl, Eurospin, Aldi, and MD if you're looking for the cheapest supermarkets in Italy.

Also, keep in mind that, particularly in city centres, there are smaller supermarkets that are always part of the same chains, but where the same things cost more. So, if you want to save time, go to a big store.

But, while you're there, which things should you pick?

What to buy in supermarkets in Italy

If you're in an Italian supermarket, your best bet is to read the labels and look for products of Italian origin.

This holds true for all foods: fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meat and fish, and legumes. There are some truly exceptional quality foods made in this country, and the flavour of the products is far better than the imported ones.

Then, once you're in Italy, why not try some of the country's original products?

Here are some suggestions to do the shopping in Italian supermarkets:

• Fruit and vegetables: choose the seasonal ones and be careful because you'll need plastic gloves to touch the products and bags to store them, both of which can be found in that sector adjacent to the shelves.
• Fish market: the finest choices are saltwater or freshwater fish of Italian origins, such as sea bass, sea bream, snapper, sardine, mackerel, and perch;
• Butcher: You will find meats from all over the world. To choose the best, look for colour as well as price, because the cheapest items are generally of lesser quality. Pay close attention to the labelling and other ingredients on pre-packaged meat.
• Cheese: in this case, it's best to choose cheeses made in the area where you're staying; the taste will be better, and you won't miss out on the chance to try local delicacies. Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano are two cheeses that should not be overlooked.
• Pasta: there are so many varieties on the shelves that choose is tough, so the only option may be to try them all.
• Extra virgin olive oil: a true Italian treasure.

Supermarket chains provide excellent food, and if you select them carefully, you will not be disappointed. There are, however, other places where you may get food if you truly want to soak up the vibe.

Let’s see which ones.

Aside from the supermarket, where can you get food?

There are numerous grocery stores to choose from in Italy.

Supermarkets are convenient because they provide everything you need in one location, but you can also find non-pre-packaged and fresh food in small, specialised manufacturers.

Italians are social people who enjoy food and sharing it with others. So, when they have more free time or for special occasions, they enjoy going in search of the perfect product to amaze friends and family with delicious lunches or dinners.

So, here's where you should go based on what you require.

Small specialist producers and shops

In any city of the world, you can find small italian grocery stores, specialised shops and/or independent producers, hidden in the streets or on street corners.

All these activities are vital to preserve and support since they provide traditional and high-quality products. Shopping in local stores is an important part of small communities' resistance against big supermarkets.

In these "shops," you will be able to sample the real flavours of the region while being assured of their provenance.

So go to the bakery (panetteria) for bread or focaccia, the butcher (macelleria) for meat, the greengrocer (fruttivendolo) for fruit and vegetables, and the fishmonger for fish (pescivendolo).

If you want to make something special at home, visit an Italian deli, where you can get ready-made dishes, fresh pasta, cheeses, and cold meats.

These shops' prices may be slightly higher than those found in supermarkets, but once you've tried them, you'll understand why.

Furthermore, you might have a direct interaction with the owner or whoever works at a small shop. He'll explain where the products come from and offer suggestions on the ones to buy. In supermarkets, this type of service is rare to come by.

The city’s weekly open air market

Another place to find fresh products is the market (mercato).

City’s open air markets take place once a week on different days in different parts of the city. It's like walking into a vast open-air supermarket with a variety of specialised stands.

These are individual stalls and awnings offering certain products, such as fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, cheeses, and so on. Going to the market is also part of the tradition: you get up in the morning, leave your apartment, and go shopping while walking through the city's streets, which are lined with booths and sellers for the event.

The market has a completely different vibe than a supermarket or a local store, not only because you are outside, but also because of the sounds and scents that flow from all directions.

Markets are also subject to the law of bargaining. It indicates that prices are frequently haggled over between the merchant and the buyer until both parties reach an agreement.

Even if you don't buy anything, taking a tour of the market is enjoyable. You may go around the stalls, look about, interact with other people, and enjoy a few moments of joy.

Online Shopping

Supermarkets are now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in major cities, but if you really want to avoid leaving the house, you may shop online.

Home deliveries have become trendy, but they are also incredibly practical in an emergency. In Italy, you can order through a variety of applications, such as Gorillas, or Everli (both of them are among our partners who offer special discounts to our community of tenants). Most of these companies usually provide their service only in main Italian cities, but thery’re growing up very fast, improving their service extending it to always larger areas.

The latter selects agricultural and artisan products for you. You can select and choose what you want, arrange a delivery time slot, and wait for your groceries to arrive at your doorstep.

Its mission is to connect customers with environmentally friendly producers and deliver effective service for both people and the environment.In short, these are our shopping advice for shopping in Italy, both online and offline, to ensure you get good things at reasonable rates so you may live in true Italian style.