Ukrainians’ favourite Italian brands

After moving to Italy, even a simple trip to the shops can turn into a bit of an adventure. You might not find the Ukrainian brands you’re used to on the shelves; instead, you’ll come across dozens of new brand names and products. And it’s not always clear which ones are worth paying attention to.

That’s why we’ve put together a selection of Italian brands that have already won over Ukrainians. There are options here for those looking for something tasty, furnishing their home, choosing cosmetics or searching for a gift.

☕ Coffee

Lavazza is one of the best-known Italian coffee brands. Its range includes espresso coffee, ground coffee and beans for home coffee machines.
illy is the choice for those who prefer a more premium coffee. The brand hails from Trieste and specialises mainly in espresso.
Kimbo is a brand from Naples that captures the tradition of southern Italian coffee particularly well.

🍝 Pasta and sauces

De Cecco is one of the best-known producers of Italian pasta. As well as classic pasta shapes, the brand also offers flour, sauces and other products.
Rummo is another pasta brand well worth trying. Its history dates back to Benevento in the 19th century.
And if you fancy adding a genuine Italian flavour to your pasta, take a look at Mutti — a brand specialising in tomato purées, sauces and other tomato-based products.

🍪 Sweets

Baci Perugina — those famous chocolate sweets with a whole hazelnut inside and little romantic messages.
Mulino Bianco — biscuits, crackers and other baked goods that are easy to find in Italian supermarkets. The range includes both classic biscuits and seasonal products.
Bauli is worth bearing in mind if you’re looking for traditional Italian baked goods. The brand is particularly famous for its panettone and pandoro, which traditionally appear on the shelves in the run-up to.

💄 Italian cosmetics

You can find plenty of cosmetics brands worth knowing about in local shops.

KIKO Milano — make-up, skincare and a wide range of make-up products without the premium price tag.
Collistar — an Italian cosmetics brand based in Milan, offering face and body care, hair care and make-up.
Bottega Verde — a brand with Tuscan roots, specialising in cosmetics and skincare based on plant-derived ingredients.
L’Erbolario — another brand worth checking out if you like cosmetics with plant extracts and fragrances.

🏠 For the home

Bialetti — a classic choice for those who want to make Italian-style coffee at home.
Alessi — tableware and homeware that combine practicality with distinctive Italian design.
Smeg — household appliances that are easily recognisable by their retro aesthetic. Kettles, toasters, coffee machines and other appliances can be not only a useful purchase but also a stylish addition to your interior.
Marcato — an Italian brand of kitchenware, best known for its home pasta machines.

🎁What to choose as a gift?

If you want to give your loved ones a little taste of everyday life in Italy, you don’t necessarily have to look for expensive souvenirs. To introduce them to local products, you could start with a packet of coffee, pasta, biscuits or a small set of cosmetics.

To share your finds with family in another country, you can send them as a separate parcel via Meest.

Meest helps you send gifts, purchases and other items permitted for international shipment from Italy, so that your interesting finds and small gestures of care are more than just words📦💙

Before sending, be sure to check the current rules and restrictions regarding parcel contents for the destination country.