People say that both the pasta and the pizza is great and much tastier in Italy than in another country. I haven't eaten pizza in another country than in Sweden and in Italy so I can only compare the pizza in those 2 countries. The pizza tastes the same in Italy as in Sweden. The pasta dishes on the other hand are delicious in Italy so if you go to Italy you shall eat a lot of pasta dishes. Here are some good words which can help you read the Italian menu:

 

fish  =  pesce

cheese   =   formagio

ham   =   prosciutto

chicken = pollo

vegetarian = vegetariano

mushroom   =  fungo (pl: funghi)

tomato  =  pomodoro

lettuce / salad = insalata

meat = carne

olive oil  =  olio d'olivia

bread  =  pane

ice cream  =  gelato

water with gas  =  acqua gassata

sanwich = panino (pl: panini)