Parma: Gastronomic Capital of Emilia-Romagna

Welcome to Parma, a city where every corner is infused with history and every dish tells a centuries-old story. In the heart of Emilia-Romagna, this gastronomic pearl has earned the prestigious title of Italian Capital of Culture 2020 and UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy, recognitions that celebrate a culinary heritage unique in the world.

Here, between the elegant streets of the historic center and the green hills surrounding the city, two of the most beloved excellences of Italian cuisine are born: Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham DOP. But Parma is much more: it's a territory where the passion for good food is passed down from generation to generation, where every family jealously guards ancient recipes and where culinary art becomes a true philosophy of life.

Prepare for an unforgettable sensory journey, where every bite is an authentic experience and every flavor tells the story of a generous land and a people who have made gastronomic excellence their banner in the world.

Parmigiano Reggiano: The King of Cheeses

You cannot speak of Parma without dedicating a special chapter to Parmigiano Reggiano, the cheese that more than any other represents Italian dairy excellence. In the countryside surrounding the city, ancient dairies have been passing down the art of its production for centuries, following a very strict specification that guarantees quality and authenticity.

The Dairy Tradition

The production process of Parmigiano Reggiano has remained unchanged over time: only milk, rennet and salt, no additives. The magic happens in the expert hands of the cheese makers, who every morning at dawn begin processing the milk just milked from local cows. The result is a cheese with unique organoleptic characteristics, which matures slowly for at least 12 months, but reaches its most sublime expression after 24, 36 or even 50 months of aging.

Where to Taste Real Parmigiano

• Caseificio Sociale della Valsassina: guided tours with tastings
• Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium: sales point and information
• Salumeria Garibaldi: selection of different aging periods
• Mercato della Ghiaia: Saturday morning, historic cheese stand

Parma Ham DOP: A Masterpiece of Wisdom

In the hills of Langhirano, just a few kilometers from the city, lies the kingdom of Parma Ham DOP. Here, where the air of the valleys mixes with sea breezes, the world's most famous prosciutto is born, recognizable by its characteristic ducal crown fire-branded mark.

The Art of Salting

The production of Parma Ham is a ritual that has been handed down for over 2000 years. Pork legs, coming exclusively from farms in Central-Northern Italy, are salted with only sea salt from Trapani and then left to rest in controlled environments. The unique climate of the Parma hills, with its thermal variations and perfect humidity, does the rest, giving the prosciutto that sweetness and delicacy that makes it unmistakable.

Ham Factories to Visit

• Prosciuttificio San Nicola: guided tours with tasting
• Antica Corte Pallavicina: complete experience with dinner
• Ham Museum: history and traditions of processing
• Salumificio Parmacotto: visits by reservation

Traditional Parma First Courses

Pasta in Parma is an art that manifests itself in unique creations, where the simplicity of ingredients transforms into dishes of extraordinary refinement. Tradition dictates the use of only egg pasta rolled strictly by hand, seasoned with sauces that enhance local products.

Tortelli d'Erbetta

Tortelli d'erbetta are perhaps the most representative dish of Parma cuisine. The filling, made with fresh ricotta, spinach and Parmigiano Reggiano, is wrapped in a very thin pasta sheet and simply dressed with melted butter and grated Parmigiano. Every family has its secret recipe, passed down by grandmothers with love and jealousy.

Anolini in Brodo

Anolini in brodo are the festive dish par excellence, essential on the Christmas table of every Parma family. The filling of beef pot roast, Parmigiano and breadcrumbs is enclosed in small pasta discs and served in a very fragrant meat broth, cooked for hours with meticulous care.

Where to Eat in Parma: Places of Taste

Parma offers a very rich variety of places to taste local specialties, from traditional taverns to starred restaurants, including characteristic family trattorias that preserve centuries-old recipes.

Starred and Gourmet Restaurants

• Osteria del Borgo: refined cuisine in elegant surroundings
• Parizzi: tradition and innovation in the city center
• Cocchi: creative cuisine with local ingredients

Historic Trattorias

• Trattoria del Tribunale: since 1956, authentic home cooking
• Osteria della Ghiaia: family atmosphere and traditional dishes
• Al Vedel: small hidden gem in the historic center

Aperitivo Spots

The aperitivo tradition in Parma is sacred. The downtown venues come alive at sunset with platters of cold cuts and cheeses, accompanied by excellent local wines like Malvasia di Candia and Lambrusco di Parma.

Markets and Historic Shops

To fully experience Parma's gastronomic scene, you cannot miss a visit to the neighborhood markets and historic shops, where you can buy the most authentic products and interact directly with producers.

Mercato della Ghiaia

Every Saturday morning, the historic Piazza della Ghiaia transforms into a colorful market where local producers sell their products directly. Here you'll find the most aged cheeses, artisanal cold cuts, homemade tomato preserves and fresh pasta made that morning.

Downtown Shops

• Specialità di Parma: selection of the best local excellences
• Gastronomia Garibaldi: since 1963, reference point for food lovers
• Antica Salumeria Giusti: tradition and quality since 1605
• Enoteca Fontana: wide selection of Emilia-Romagna wines

Gastronomic Events and Food Festivals

Parma's calendar is rich with events dedicated to food and culinary traditions, perfect opportunities to fully immerse yourself in local food culture and discover authentic flavors in festive atmospheres.

Parma Ham Festival

Every year in September, Langhirano hosts the Parma Ham Festival, three days dedicated to the king of cold cuts with tastings, visits to ham factories, cooking shows and entertainment. An unmissable event for lovers of good food.

Cibo Nostrum

The Cibo Nostrum event celebrates the territory's food and wine excellences with show cooking, guided tastings and meetings with producers. A unique opportunity to discover the secrets of Parma cuisine directly from the protagonists themselves.

"In Parma you don't just eat, you live a complete sensory experience that involves all the senses and touches the soul. Every dish is a story, every flavor a memory that will forever accompany those who are fortunate enough to taste our specialties." - An ancient Parma saying

Parma awaits you with its authentic flavors, its millennial traditions and the warm hospitality of its inhabitants. Come discover why this city is considered one of the world capitals of gastronomy, where every meal is a celebration and every taste is a journey through the history and culture of a unique territory. Don't forget to take a piece of Parma with you: an aged Parmigiano Reggiano, some slices of the finest Parma Ham and, above all, the indelible memories of a gastronomic experience that you'll hardly find elsewhere in the world.