Truffles, hazelnuts, and wine, oh my! This small northern Italian town is a foodie's paradise

I’ve been spoiled enough to have eaten my way around the entire county of Italy: from the rolling hills of Emilia Romagna down to the coasts of Sicilia. I love Italy for many reasons, but its impeccable cuisine is at the top of that list. Yet, any time I’m craving a weekend getaway specifically for eating well, I find myself returning to the small Piemontese town of Alba.

One of the best places in Italy for truffles At the Alba Truffle Festival in Italy, visitors explore a vibrant market filled with freshly harvested truffles. The event showcases unique culinary experiences and celebrates local gastronomy.

Part of Alba’s charm is that its climate is prime for growing truffles. While black truffles are possible to find year round, if you want to try some coveted white truffles, which are much rarer and harder to come by, you’ll need to head to Alba in November or December. Throughout the entire year, you can visit local trattorias and have an entire black truffle added to common Piemontese dishes like agnolotti di plin or tajarin for only 5 euros.

One of the best ways to learn more about truffles is by going on a truffle hunting tour with a beloved canine. Some dogs in Italy are trained from young pups to sniff out truffles, and it’s quite the treat to join them for a morning or afternoon hike.

Beyond truffles, Alba has some of the finest dishes in Italy Colorful market stall showcasing spices, nuts, and food products, with people browsing in a bustling open-air environment. The scene captures a lively atmosphere of a traditional street market.

Truffles are definitely the star in Alba, but the city’s offerings go far beyond the fancy funghi. You also must try tajarin pasta, a thin cut spaghetti-like pasta made with a high ratio of egg yolks. You’ll also need to try the ever-so-divisive vitello tonnato, made with thin strips of boiled veal and topped with a tuna and egg sauce. Hazelnuts here are known as Tonda Gentile delle Langhe, and are some of the most prominent in the country. So much so, that Alba is credited to be the birthplace of Nutella.

Other regional specialties include battuta di manzo (beef tartare), insalata Russa (cold Russian potato salad), and gnocchi with Castelmagno cheese. If you need something to wash it down with, Piedmont produces some of the best red wine in the country with Barolo and Barbaresco varietals. Consider taking a wine tour with a local wine producer while in town.