01/04/2026
Holy Week is here - and in Italy that means tradition, reflection… and a LOT of food!
But what do Italians actually eat for Easter?
Like most Italian holidays, it depends on the region - but some traditions are shared across the country.
The season starts with Lent (beginning on Ash Wednesday), a period of reflection, prayer, and small sacrifices. Many people give up everyday habits or indulgences - like sweets, alcohol, or even social media.
On Good Friday, meals are simple and some people may fast. Traditionally, Italians avoid meat on this day and eat fish instead (so maybe consider ordering the bistecca Fiorentina another time 😉).
Then comes Easter Sunday… and everything changes.
It’s all about celebration: long family lunches, multiple courses, and plenty of rich dishes. Across Italy, you’ll often find lamb and eggs on the table - symbols of life and renewal.
And dessert?
The iconic Colomba Pasquale - a dove-shaped cake similar to panettone - is everywhere this time of year.�Regional classics shine too, like pastiera napoletana from Napoli… and of course, the chocolate Easter egg: given as gifts, often with a surprise hidden inside.
Fun fact: Eggs have symbolized new life since ancient times, long before Christianity - later becoming a symbol of the Resurrection.
