Small cobblestone streets, clotheslines overflowing with bright linens and colorful underwear, tiny dogs yapping as they lick the crumbs of pastries and cornettos off the road—Italy is a picturesque destination, one colored by decades of romanticisation in the media.

Despite its aspirational depiction as a nation living in rustic nostalgia where every street is imbued with thousands of years of history, the most popular thing about Italy is its food. Often called the best cuisine in the world, Italian food draws people in with its rich sauces, fresh flavors, and accessible appeal.