Italy Kosher Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Stay, and Sip Across Rome, Milan, Venice, and Tuscany

Traveling in Italy as a Jewish visitor is a deeply layered experience. The country isn't just home to breathtaking cathedrals and Renaissance art, it's also home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in Europe. Jews have lived in Italy for more than 2,000 years (a new museum explores this long relationship in Ferrara), long before the unification of the country itself.

From the narrow lanes of Rome's Jewish Quarter to the grand canals of Venice and the Alpine peaks of Canazei, Jewish history is everywhere. And today, Italy's Jewish community continues to thrive. Small but proud, with kosher restaurants, schools, and synagogues spread across the country.

But if you keep kosher, traveling here can be… tricky. Deliciously so, but tricky nonetheless. Kosher food isn't always easy to find, and kosher accommodations are rare outside major cities. Still, with some planning, Italy offers an unforgettable experience where Jewish heritage, food, and beauty blend seamlessly.

Finding Kosher in Italy: Easier Said Than Done

Let's be honest, Italy is a foodie paradise, but it's not naturally geared toward kosher travelers. Between prosciutto-heavy antipasti and seafood-laden pasta, kosher dining requires a little extra effort.

In big cities like Rome and Milan, you'll find established kosher restaurants and bakeries. But venture into smaller towns, and you'll quickly realize how rare kosher options are. That's why most kosher travelers plan around cities with existing Jewish infrastructure or rely on hotels that cater specifically to kosher guests.

Kosher-friendly accommodations are limited. In most regions, you'll find either My Kosher Hotel in Canazei (a one-of-a-kind property in the Alps) or a handful of kosher apartments in major cities like Rome and Milan. Activities, too, often need to be planned through Jewish community centers or local Chabad houses.

Still, it's not impossible. The growing network of kosher travel services in Italy, combined with welcoming Jewish communities, means you can enjoy everything Italy has to offer without compromising your traditions.

👉 Tip: Visit the Union of Jewish Communities in Italy before your trip for updates on kosher restaurants and synagogues.

A Kosher Itinerary Through Italy

To make things easier, we've built an itinerary that connects five key destinations for kosher travelers:

This route offers the perfect balance of culture, faith, and food—without compromising your dietary needs.

The ghetto in Rome is one of the oldest and most vibrant in Europe.

Rome: The Beating Heart of Jewish Italy

No place in Italy tells the story of Jewish life like Rome. The city's Jewish Quarter, Il Ghetto, dates back to 1555 and still feels alive today. Synagogues, restaurants, and bakeries fill the cobblestone streets along the Tiber River.

And the food? It's extraordinary.

Kosher Restaurants in Rome

Start with Ba'Ghetto, the most famous kosher restaurant group in Italy. Their flagship in Via del Portico d'Ottavia serves Roman-Jewish classics like carciofi alla giudia (deep-fried artichokes), homemade pasta, and kosher-certified wines.

Other must-tries:

All these restaurants are within walking distance of the Great Synagogue of Rome, which also hosts the Jewish Museum of Rome, a must-visit for understanding the resilience of the community.

Terra di Seta is the only winery in Italy whose entire wine production, from grapes owned, has obtained the kosher certification.

Kosher Winery in Tuscany: Tradition in a Bottle

Italy's wine culture might seem off-limits to kosher travelers but it's not. Two Tuscan wineries, in particular, have redefined what kosher winemaking can look like.

Terra di Seta

Located near Siena, this family-run winery is 100% kosher and organic. The owners, Daniele and Maria Pellegrini, combine Tuscan tradition with Jewish heritage to produce elegant Chianti Classico wines under strict rabbinical supervision.

You can visit their vineyards, tour the cellar, and enjoy tastings paired with kosher cheeses. It's one of the most scenic and welcoming kosher wine experiences in Europe.

Cantina Giuliano

Founded by a young couple from Israel and Tuscany, Cantina Giuliano is both a kosher winery and boutique restaurant in the heart of Tuscany. The food is kosher-meat certified, the wines are handcrafted, and the atmosphere feels like dining in someone's home.

You can spend the afternoon learning about kosher winemaking while enjoying views of the Tuscan hills, a rare and memorable experience for observant travelers.

Ba'Ghetto is a must-visit place to sample typical dishes such as Jewish artichokes.

Milan: Kosher in the Fashion Capital

Milan isn't just about fashion and finance, it's also home to a vibrant Jewish population, with a handful of kosher restaurants and shops that keep the community well-fed and connected.

Kosher Food in Milan

One name stands out here too: Ba'Ghetto Milan. Their Milan location serves kosher Mediterranean and Roman-style dishes: think falafel, brisket, and Israeli salads right in the city center.

If you're craving something sweet, visit Kosher Cakes Milano, a small patisserie known for its parve desserts and warm hospitality.

The Milan Jewish Community Center and Synagogue of Via Guastalla are both worth a visit if you want to connect with locals or attend a Shabbat service.

Venice and its canals will be an unforgettable memory, especially for a romantic getaway.

Venice: Where History Floats

Venice is hauntingly beautiful and deeply tied to Jewish history. The city's Jewish Ghetto, established in 1516, is the oldest in the world. It's still home to active synagogues, a museum, and a few kosher dining options.

Kosher Food in Venice

Once again, Ba'Ghetto Venice leads the way. Their Venetian branch sits near the Ghetto Nuovo and offers fish-based dishes, pastas, and kosher wines. Try the grilled branzino or the artichoke risotto.

There's also Gam Gam Kosher Restaurant, run by the Chabad of Venice. It's located right by the canal, offering kosher meat meals and a friendly, communal vibe.

For travelers visiting during Pesach or Sukkot, Chabad often organizes events, communal meals, and Shabbat dinners. You can check their schedules on the Chabad of Venice website.

Canazei and My Kosher Hotel Italy: Faith Meets the Dolomites

If there's one name that every kosher traveler in Europe knows, it's My Kosher Hotel. Nestled in Canazei, in the Dolomites of Northern Italy, this four-star retreat is a dream for observant travelers.

Here, you don't have to ask if the food is kosher, it's the entire point. The hotel runs under the strict supervision of Rabbi Menachem Lazar, offering glatt kosher cuisine, a Mikveh, and a Shabbat elevator.

Meals are prepared fresh daily: warm challah, local trout, and Italian dishes adapted to kosher guidelines. During ski season, guests can head straight from the slopes to a hearty Shabbat dinner. In summer, hiking trails and alpine meadows surround the property, creating a perfect blend of spirituality and nature.

Every detail has been thought through: Eruv, minyan, and even a sukkah during the holidays. It's not just a hotel; it's a haven.

More info: My Kosher Hotel official site.

Tips for Traveling Kosher in Italy

Final Thoughts

Italy might not be the easiest destination for kosher travelers but it's one of the most rewarding. Few places in the world blend Jewish heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and culinary passion quite like this.

From the Jewish Quarter of Rome to the alpine air of Canazei, from a glass of kosher Chianti in Tuscany to candlelit dinners in Venice, every stop tells a story of survival, reinvention, and joy.

Travel here with curiosity, a bit of planning, and an open heart—you'll leave with more than great meals. You'll leave with memories steeped in both Jewish history and Italian soul.