Image credit: Yu/Unsplash
Highlights
Italy’s cuisine has received UNESCO’s nod for inclusion in the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ list.
The final verdict will be announced at UNESCO’s intergovernmental committee in New Delhi, India, in December 2025.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has recognised the global love for Neapolitan pizzas, pesto alla Genovese, and tiramisu by giving Italian cuisine the initial green light to be inscribed in the list of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’. This preliminary assessment of the Italian cuisine nomination dossier was made following a joint proposal from the Italian ministries of Culture and Agriculture.
Also, check out our guide to the 10 different types of eateries you’ll find in Italy.
Italian cuisine in the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ list: Key details
UNESCO: First ‘yes’ to Italian cuisine for Intangible Heritage status https://t.co/Lp5OnsrfTi
— euronews (@euronews) November 11, 2025
“We have nominated a great tradition, something that distinguishes us, but we have not yet crossed this great and well-deserved finishing line,” said Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, in a report by Euronews.
While the initial ‘yes’ is reason enough to be excited, it shouldn’t create the illusion that the final decision has been made. UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee will meet in New Delhi, India, from December 8-13, 2025, when UNESCO will announce the final verdict on entries to the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ list.
Did you know
While most international countries serve pasta as a main course, Italy serves it as ‘primo piatto’ or first plate. The pasta serving is also relatively smaller. The main course, also known as the ‘secondo’, typically comprises a fish or meat course.
Currently, Italy has bragging rights to several elements on the UNESCO list of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’, including:
The art of the Neapolitan ‘Pizzaiuolo’ (2017)
The art of glass beads (2020)
The practice of opera singing (2023)
Manual bell ringing (2024)
If you’re planning to visit Italy, rejoice in the fact that its booming culinary scene and food valleys will leave you spoilt for choice. Sample authentic pizza fritta and Neapolitan pizza in Naples, the saffron-flavoured Risotto alla Milanese in Milan, Prosciutto di Parma ham in Parma, Italian fried rice balls ‘Arancini’ in Palermo, fried pastry tubes called Cannoli in Sicily, tart gelatos, and of course, the global phenomenon ‘Tiramisu’.
(Feature image credit: Yu/Unsplash)
Related | This Gorgeous Region Of Italy Has Vineyards, Hilltop Medieval Villages & Incredible Food
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Assistant Editor – Growth
Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has ..Read Morepreviously worked at Condé Nast India and Times Internet. When not working, you can catch her binge-reading the latest thriller on the block, re-watching Friends, trying a new recipe or hosting her friends. Read Less
Dining and Cooking