Marche (Le Marche) is central Italy's 'one region in many' on the Adriatic coast, blending sandy beaches and the dramatic Conero Riviera with Renaissance art cities, medieval hilltop villages, and the snow-capped Sibillini Mountains. From Urbino's Ducal Palace to the underground wonder of the Frasassi Caves, it offers Italy's variety with a fraction of the crowds.
Le Marche is one of Italy's most underrated culinary regions, where the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountains meet in a cooking that balances land and sea. The coast delivers brodetto, the multi-fish stew that varies from port to port, raw and grilled Adriatic catch, and the wild moscioli mussels of Portonovo, while the interior offers vincisgrassi baked pasta, maccheroncini di Campofilone, ciauscolo salami, coniglio in porchetta, and Acqualagna truffles. Ascoli Piceno gives Italy its beloved olive all'ascolana, and the region's wines, led by Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Verdicchio di Matelica, Rosso Conero, and Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, are increasingly celebrated. Home to the Marche's only three-Michelin-star restaurant, Uliassi in Senigallia, the region rewards the curious traveller with serious food at every level.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Marche.
Olive all'ascolana
Large green Ascolana tenera olives stuffed with seasoned meat, breaded, and deep-fried, the signature dish of Ascoli Piceno
Where to try: Ascoli Piceno restaurants and street kiosks
Price: €6-10 (~$6-11)
Brodetto
Rich Adriatic multi-fish stew with port-by-port variations in Ancona, San Benedetto, and Fano
Where to try: Coastal seafood restaurants in Ancona, San Benedetto del Tronto, and Fano
Price: €20-28 (~$22-30)
Vincisgrassi
Rich Marche baked lasagna of layered pasta with meat ragù and béchamel, distinct from modern lasagna
Where to try: Traditional trattorias and osterie across the interior
Price: €12-16 (~$13-17)
Ciauscolo IGP
Soft, spreadable cured salami eaten on bread, an IGP-protected Marche specialty
Where to try: Salumerie and osterie throughout the region
Price: €7-14 (~$8-15)
Maccheroncini di Campofilone IGP
Ultra-thin egg pasta from the village of Campofilone, traditionally dressed with meat ragù
Where to try: Fermo, Campofilone, and southern Marche restaurants
Price: €11-14 (~$12-15)
Stoccafisso all'anconetana
Ancona's slow-cooked stockfish stew with potatoes, tomatoes, olives, and herbs
Where to try: Ancona osterie and traditional restaurants
Price: €16-20 (~$17-22)
Crescia sfogliata
Urbino's flaky layered flatbread, served warm and folded around cured meats, cheeses, or greens
Where to try: Urbino bakeries and osterie
Price: €5-9 (~$5-10)
Moscioli di Portonovo
Wild mussels harvested from the Conero rocks, a Slow Food Presidium served gratinated, in soup, or with pasta
Where to try: Portonovo and Conero coast seafood restaurants (in season)
Price: €15-18 (~$16-19)
Coniglio in porchetta
Rabbit stuffed with wild fennel, garlic, and herbs, roasted in the porchetta style
Where to try: Inland trattorias and osterie across the Marche
Price: €14-16 (~$15-17)
Frustingo
Dense, dark Marche cake of dried figs, nuts, dried fruit, and spices, made around the festive season
Where to try: Bakeries and traditional restaurants in winter
Price: €5-8 (~$5-9)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Marchigiana
Seafood
Food tours & tastings in Marche
Eat your way through Marche with a guide.
Browse food experiences in MarcheWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Olive all'ascolana
Fried stuffed olives sold hot by the cone, the quintessential Ascoli Piceno street snack
Find it at: Ascoli Piceno kiosks and bars
Crescia / pizza al taglio
Flatbread and pizza by the slice, sold across the region's towns
Find it at: Bakeries and kiosks throughout the Marche
Fritto di pesce
Paper cones of fried Adriatic fish and squid sold along the coast
Find it at: Senigallia, Ancona, and San Benedetto seafronts
Gelato
Artisan seasonal gelato from coastal and town gelaterie
Find it at: Civitanova Marche, Senigallia, and resort towns
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Mercato delle Erbe, Ancona
Ancona's central covered market with fresh produce, fish, and local specialties
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30AM-1PM, some afternoons
Mercato Coperto, Ascoli Piceno
Covered market near Piazza del Popolo with Piceno produce and salumi
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30AM-1:30PM
Acqualagna Truffle Fair
Seasonal autumn truffle fair in Italy's truffle capital with white and black truffles
Hours: Weekends late Oct-Nov
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (12:30-2:30 PM) is the main meal in many towns; dinner starts late at 8 PM
Brodetto varies by port, so try the local version in Ancona, San Benedetto, and Fano
Moscioli di Portonovo are seasonal and wild-harvested, so ask before ordering
Pair seafood with Verdicchio and inland meats with Rosso Conero or Rosso Piceno
Reserve fine-dining tables like Uliassi and La Madonnina del Pescatore well in advance
- Vegetarian
- Available but limited at traditional restaurants; fresh pasta, crescia, and vegetable dishes offer options
- Halal
- Limited options; larger towns such as Ancona have some halal restaurants
- Gluten free
- Increasingly available; ask for 'senza glutine', though much regional pasta is egg-based
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €8-15 per meal (~$9-16) | Olive ascolane, pizza al taglio, fritto di pesce cones, and gelato |
| Mid-range | €25-50 per meal (~$27-54) | Traditional trattorias and osterie with full regional menus |
| Upscale | €90+ per meal (~$97+) | Fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants including Uliassi and La Madonnina del Pescatore |