Vegetarian food in Italy

Lots of pasta preparations are vegetarian. They make great salads and soups as well[INVALID]-you'll need to ask about the soup to be sure it is vegetarian. There are also the "contorni" or side dishes, which are often vegetables. Spinach is particularly common as a side dish, but you'll also see potatoes, aubergines, zucchini, etc. offered as side dishes.

In Florence I think Brac is an excellent vegetarian place: http://www.florence-journal.com/florence/2010/03/cucina-della-brac.html

And be sure to enjoy a caprese salad, which is sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves. Yum.

Make sure you check out Happy Cow website. I am going in November, and will make a point to have a few meals in a pure vegetarian restaurant, but other than that, I will live on pizza, pasta, gelato, wine, cheese, bread, roasted veggies, egg plant parm, pasta faggiole soup, etc. www.happycow.net

I'm not a vegetarian, but I think you will have no problem at all finding vegetarian food in Italy. Italy in general has a very regional, seasonal cuisine so your options will depend on what region and what season you're talking about. Lots and lots of pasta options are vegetarian, including some of the best ones I've had. Also lots of stuffed pastas and ravioli dishes are vegetarian. then you have risotto, salad, beans, fungi, as well as seasonal veggies like artichokes, asparagus, etc. And yes, pizza, oh the pizza!! :) I can think of lots of days in Italy where I didn't eat meat, not intentionally but just because there are so many other options. Probably the best plate of food I've eaten in italy was lunch at one of Rick's recommended places in Pienza. It was fall so the mushrooms were in season and I had homemade pici pasta with a tomato-mushroom sauce. Ridiculously delicious and completely satisfying and no meat in sight. BTW, I could think of a lot worse things in life than living on pizza, gelato, and wine ;)

Be cautious with risotto[INVALID]-it is traditionally made with chicken or meat broth. You would have to askhow it is prepared.

Hi, My husband is a vegetarian (not a vegan) Have been to Italy 2x and we has never had a problem. Don't think you will either. Good advice from previous posters.

I second the suggestion of Caprese salad provided the mozzarella is fresh. A lot of pizzas are vegetarian. A Margarita pizza has tomato, mozzarella and basil on top, and nothing else. There are plenty more suitable variations for pizza topping.