Central Italy is home to many beautiful things. Jaw-dropping scenery, quaint little villages steeped in history and tradition, thriving food cultures that can differ from town to town. And of all the regions in the middle of this incredible country, Umbria is one of the most underrated. While tourists flock to neighbouring Tuscany and Lazio, Umbria retains a quiet, undisturbed charm that’s full of authentic Italian ways of life. And the food there is some of the best in all of Italy.

If you’re a fan of pork, game, salumi, truffles or lentils, Umbria is a must-visit. These are the foundations which the region’s cuisine is built upon, and while there are plenty of other delicious things to discover, those five ingredients are what the area is famous for among Italians. Despite being landlocked it’s also a great place to eat fish thanks to the beautiful Lake Trasimeno, which is full of freshwater species such as carp, pike and eel.

Norcia is arguably Umbria’s gastronomic capital, thanks to its ancient reputation for producing the world’s best butchers. Hill towns such as Trevi and Orvieto are surrounded by vineyards and olive groves producing famous Umbrian wines and oils. And if you’ve ever been lucky enough to tuck into a porchetta sandwich – now ubiquitous throughout Italy – then you should know Umbria is where it was first created (and continues to serve the best examples of the incredible dish).

Learn everything you need to know about this stunning part of Italy by reading our guides and articles below, then recreate the region’s cuisine in your own kitchen with one of our beautiful recipes.