If you're looking for vegan food in Italy, supermarkets like COOP and Carrefour are full of sweet pastries, creamy yogurts, chestnut milk, and the best vegan Cornetto ice cream. Here's my go-to shopping list of must-try finds.
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Do you have a favorite Italian vegan product?
I spend time in northern Italy at Lago Maggiore almost every year. It's a dream destination that never gets old. And of course, you can't imagine Italian dolce vita without food.
Since I love good food with the same passion as Italians, it's pure joy for me to wander the supermarkets and discover vegan food in Italy. Every year I stumble on new gems to bring home, along with old favorites I can't resist rebuying.
Here are my top finds: sweet, savory, and vegan milk. I've also included which supermarket I found them in (mostly COOP and Carrefour), so you can track them down too.
Vegan Labels in Italy
Shopping for vegan food in Italy can be easy, if you know what to look for. Here are the most common labels you'll see:
- Vegan
A "vegan" label or a green "V" is rare but does exist (see Cornetti, Grisbi cookies, or Amando ice cream below).
- Vegetale
This is your best friend. "100% vegetale" means plant-based and therefore vegan. You'll see this more often than "vegan," especially on brands like Valsoia.
- No Label
Many products aren't marked at all, but they are vegan. Always read the ingredient list carefully; you might be pleasantly surprised.
Vegan Food in Italy: Best SWEETS
If you've got a sweet tooth, Italian supermarkets won't disappoint. These are the products I grab every year:
Puff Pastry Sweets
Crispy, buttery-tasting, and melt-in-your-mouth pastries by BiancoForno found at Carrefour. The Ventaglini are charmingly called Schweineöhrchen ("little pig ears") in German. The Fiorentine are filled with apricot jam. Both perfect with an espresso.
Cornetti
A cornetto looks like a croissant, but this Italian version is much softer, almost brioche-like. Always sweet, often filled with jam, and dangerously easy to eat two at a time. Got them at COOP.
Cookies
- Frollini Ai Cereali (ViVi Verde, COOP)
Fiber-rich, everyday cookies.
- Sassellesi (Carrefour brand)
Deeply chocolatey without being bitter. The cookie part is crumbly and light, almost melting as you bite in.
- Grisbi Hazelnut-Chocolate (Carrefour)
These smell like freshly roasted hazelnuts the moment you open the pack. The filling is silky and intense. If you love hazelnuts, this one is your cookie.
Ice Cream
- Valsoia (COOP & Carrefour)
Valsoia's vegan Cornetto ice creams are legendary, the best I've had. By the way, this cornetto is not to be mistaken with the croissant-like cornetto above (cornetto simply means cone).
Also, their Amarena cherry is unbeatable.
Good to know: Valsoia is a fully plant-based Italian brand, and they got plenty of products (sweet and savory) in every supermarket.
- Amando (Carrefour)
A newer discovery for me. Vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut. Creamy and rich, absolutely worth clearing freezer space for.
Check out the other vegan ice creams at Carrefour, they have a great variety.
Vegan Food in Italy: Best SAVORY Products
Italian supermarkets are full of savory vegan food, from gnocchi (or gnocchetti) to Valsoia's frozen patties. But here are the true gems I always seek out:
- Focaccia (Forno Ludovico, COOP)
The basic versions-tomato, onion, or mushroom-are usually vegan. We often buy several for the car ride home. Fluffy, salty, and just so satisfying.
- Farinata di Ceci (fiorfiore, COOP)
A chickpea-based flatbread/pancake made with just chickpea flour, water, olive oil, and salt. It bakes up golden, light, and almost "eggy." The first time we made it, we double-checked the ingredients after eating because we couldn't believe it didn't contain eggs. It's amazing on its own, and equally good topped with pesto, hummus, or roasted veggies.
- Vegan Yogurt (Soyasun, COOP & Carrefour)
Their Bifidus bianco is the creamiest unsweetened yogurt I've ever tried. The blueberry (mirtillo) version is dangerously addictive.
- Nutritional Yeast (Probios, COOP)
Our favorite "nooch". Mild, cheesy, no bitterness. We always "import" a stash back to Germany (see proof).
- Microwave Popcorn (COOP brand)
Okay, nothing specific Italian, but perfect if your holiday home has a microwave. The ingredient list is clean and simple, just popcorn, oil, and salt.
Vegan Milk in Italy
Plant milks are everywhere. You'll see soy, almond, rice, oat, and a mix of everything. Of course, the brand Alpro is available at every store.
Just watch the labels as many are sweetened.
Special mention: OraSi Chestnut Milk (COOP). Sweet, nutty, unusual, and worth a try if you want something new.
Final Tips
Both Carrefour and COOP have solid websites where you can preview the vegan food in Italy before heading to the store. Just note: availability can vary by location.
I've heard that Lidl in Italy offers a surprisingly wide range of vegan options, but since I haven't been to one myself, I can't give exact recommendations. Still, if you spot a Lidl while you're there, it's worth popping in for a quick look. And if you find any amazing vegan products, let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear!
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Enjoy,
Ramona
PS: If you try any of these vegan products in Italy, tell me in the comments how you liked them. I'm always curious.
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