Kosher food in Italy Tips for a kosher stay in Italy from a local Jew
Are you travelling in Italy and looking for Kosher food?
Do you live in Italy and keep kosher?
My name is Avigail, I run a small kosher food business in Amalfi Coast, Italy.
I have many customers coming from the US, Israel, France, UK
or from other countries with a Jewish population; they all are shocked
when they come to Italy and don't find kosher products at the groceries
stores, kosher restaurant in every corner or simply kosher bread or
kosher meat to buy.
That's why I decide to write this page and give you some tips to make
your stay in Italy more comfortable and help you find kosher food
options.
Italy has a glorious Jewish History, but a tiny Jewish population (less
than 35000!). Before the Shoah the Jewish popolutaion in Italy was
45000. One third were deported and killed in the nazi camps.
Italian Judaism is Orthodox.
The biggest Jewish community in Italy is in Rome (also the most ancient
Jewish community in the Diaspora). In Rome lives half of the Italian
Jewish population.
In Rome you can find some kosher restaurants in the Jewish ghetto area and in Piazza Bologna area.
There are also some small groceries shops and butchers. You can also find glatt kosher meat and Halav Israel cheese.
If you are looking for a minyan you will find it easily in Rome. There are some small shules and of course the big synagogue.
But what's the situation in the rest of Italy?
In Milan (North Italy) you will find the second largest Italian Jewish
community. There is a Jewish school, some kosher restaurants and kosher
shops and some shules with minyan.
Venice: there is a beth chabad in the ancient ghetto. Here you will also find a shul, and two restaurants.
Florence:
there are two kosher restaurants in
Florence, both in Via Farini. On the same street you will
find the big Synagogue. There is a minyan only on Shabat.
Not far from the synagogue (Via Pilastri) there is a Bet Chabad. Beth
Chabad in Florence is open on Shabatot and moadim. They have a place
where hot meals are served. There is also Chabad Tuscany where the
local Chabad Rabbi organizes activities for Jewish students of the
city. In via Carducci there is a shop (carrefour) that sells a few
kosher products and frozen meat (Lubavitch shechita). There is also a
kosher butcher at Sant Ambrogio Market.
Tuscany is a big region. It includes some big cities like Florence,
Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Livorno, Grosseto, Arezzo. Some beautiful islands
(Elba, Isola del Giglio) and of course Chianti, San Gimignano, Cortona,
Argentario....
After you visited Pisa
tower you might be hungry and looking for a kosher restaurant.
Unfortunately there are no kosher establishments in Pisa. In the city
there is a nice small synagogue. The community in Pisa is active but
there are only a few families and some Israeli students from Pisa
University.
Same thing in Siena: a beautiful synagogue in a building next to Piazza del Campo. No kosher restaurants or shops.
Many cruises arrive to Livorno port. In Livorno there is a Jewish Community and a kosher shop.
In Chianti there are some kosher establishments offering wine and cheese tasting.
Rome has
many kosher restaurants. The heart of Jewish life in Rome is via
Portico d'Ottavia, the old ghetto. On this street, in the center of
Rome, not far from Tiberina Island there is the Bet Knesset Hagadol and
the Jewish museum. Next to the synagogue a kosher sushi restaurant
(Daruma) and a few roman style kosher restaurants: Bellacarne (meat),
Baghetto (meat), Baghetto (milky), Sughetto (meat), Renato al ghetto
(meat) and Yotvata (halav Israel). There are also a kosher bakery, a
kosher shop, gelato shop and a fast food.
Chabad also has some branches in Rome.
In piazza Bologna area there are also some kosher shops and restaurants.
Mikvehs are also available in Rome.
Portofino
and the Italian riviera: one of Italy's most exclusive location has no
kosher places where to eat. If you visit Portofino or Cinque Terre on a
day trip from Florence you'll need to pack some food for the day.
If you are staying in a hotel or a Villa you may consider ordering our kosher catering service or kosher chef service.
Capri is
one of the most gorgeous places on earth. Tourists from all over the
world come to Capri to visit the famous blu grotto and beautiful
Anacapri. A kosher restaurant opened in Capri in 2023, but it's only
open 3 months a year. Contact the kosher restaurant in Capri and
make sure is open before you plan on visit the island. The restaurant
is next to the famous piazzetta. There is also a Sefer Torah and shabat
services durin high season.
If the kosher restaurant in Capri is closed our kosher delivery service is available to Capri or you can check if our kosher chef service is available.
Amalfi Coast
is the most visited place in South Italy. From Vietri sul Mare, to
Maiori, Minori, Cetara, Amalfi, Praiano and Positano you will see an
incredible coast line. You can visit Amalfi coast on a day trip from
Naples or Capri, but you can also spend some relaxing days in one of
the beautiful hotels in Amalfi or Positano, Ravello or Sorrento. There
are no kosher shops or Chabad centers in the area. That's why we are
here: we opened a kosher kitchen and a kosher delivery serving all the
Amalfi coast, Naples, Pompei, Capri and Sorrento. We also have a bed & breakfast in Ravello and a kosher home restaurant available on request. Kosher chef service is also available in your rented villa in Amalfi Coast.
Naples is
the capital of the South, but with a tiny Jewish Community. A small
synagogue is active only from October to June. There are no Chabad
houses in Naples area, but there are some Chabad activities for
Passover and for big groups of tourists. If you are in Naples for
Shabbat you can join the meals served after Arvit and Mussaf. You can also contact us for weekdays take away meals or deliveries to your hotel.
Sardinia is
a big island without Jewish community or kosher establishment. If you
visit Sardinia (Alghero is a very popular destination) make sure to
pack some dry food or bring with you whatever you need to cook there.
If you are a big family or a group you may consider hire our kosher chef during your stay.
Sicily is as big as Israel but after the expulsion of the Jews in the 15th century there are no Jewish community on the island.
In the last years Sicily (especially Taormina) has become a very
popular destination among american and Israeli Jews. Like for Sardinia
you need to make sure to pack and bring with you all the food you need
for your stay in Sicily. If you are a big family or a group you may consider hire our kosher chef during your stay.
Apulia is
famous for its delicious food. Where can you find kosher food in
Apulia? As for 2024 there are no kosher establishment in all the area. If you are a big family or a group you may consider hire our kosher chef during your stay.
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Is there any kosher product I can find in a regular grocery store?
Yes, here is a list (please check for updates) of kosher products from Italian Rabbinate
