The Best Italian Olive Oil Brands and How to Use Them

Aug 13, 2025

When it comes to flavor, purity, and culinary tradition, few ingredients compare to artisanal Italian olive oil. Sourced from sun-drenched groves and crafted with generations of expertise, these golden-green treasures are a cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking. Whether you’re drizzling over just-picked tomatoes, dressing a crisp salad, or dipping warm artisan bread, the right olive oil transforms simple ingredients into unforgettable dishes.

At Nicola’s Marketplace, we’ve curated a selection of seven exceptional Italian olive oils that highlight the very best of regional flavor and artisanal production. You can explore them all here: Browse Our Italian Olive Oil Collection

Why Italian Olive Oil Is So Highly Regarded

Italy is home to hundreds of olive cultivars and time-honored farming techniques that produce oil with incredible depth and aroma. What makes Italian olive oil so special?

Climate and soil: Italy’s Mediterranean conditions are ideal for growing flavor-rich olives.
Harvesting traditions: Many producers handpick olives and cold-press them immediately to retain nutrients and flavor.
Strict quality standards: Designations like DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) ensure authenticity and exceptional quality.

From bold and peppery to smooth and buttery, Italian olive oil offers something for every palate and plate.

Top Italian Olive Oils at Nicola’s Marketplace

At Nicola’s Marketplace, we proudly curate a selection of world-class extra virgin olive oils that bring authentic Italian flavor straight to your kitchen.

SPEDALOTTO TONDA IBLEA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Crafted by Vincenzo Paternò, this D.O.P. oil bursts with the vibrant aroma of fresh tomato and a luscious fruity flavor reminiscent of biting into a perfectly ripe tomato. Ideal for enhancing tomato-based dishes, it pairs beautifully with classics like caprese and panzanella salads.

TENUTA DI CAPEZZANA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – From the esteemed Contini Bonacossi family, this refined Tuscan oil offers crisp green apple notes balanced with soothing chamomile and delicate herbs. Perfect for drizzling over creamy cannellini beans or tender Tuscan kale.

Lametia DOP Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Produced by Mariangela in Calabria’s Lamezia Terme Valley, this early-harvest mono-cultivar Carolea oil features aromas of fresh herbs, apple, and tomato with a balanced bitterness and spiciness. Delicious over salads, tomato sauces, grilled fish, or mozzarella with sea salt.

Titone Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Meticulously crafted by Antonella Titone, this D.O.P. oil delivers a lively blend of aromatic herbs, peppery arugula, and fresh tomato leaf. A stunning finishing touch for fresh salads, raw vegetables, or avocado toast.

Crudo Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Made from 100% Ogliarola olives by Gaetano Schiralli and his daughter Nicole, this bold oil shines in raw applications. With aromas of green almond and artichoke and a long-lasting peppery kick, it’s ideal for ceviche, grilled vegetables, or traditional Orecchiette alla Pugliese.

Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Crafted by Salvatore Cutrera and his family from 100% Nocellara del Belice olives, this award-winning oil offers ripe tomato and herbaceous aromas with a spicy black pepper finish. Perfect over swordfish with oregano and capers, drizzled on grilled vegetables, or whisked into a lemony aioli.

Whether you’re drizzling over fresh bread, finishing a salad, or creating a gourmet pasta dish, these oils transform simple ingredients into extraordinary meals.

How to Use Italian Olive Oil Like a Pro

Drizzle to Finish

Use your best Italian olive oil as a finishing touch on pastas, risottos, grilled meats, or even pizza. A simple drizzle adds rich aroma and mouthfeel.

Make Better Salad Dressings

Toss your bottled dressing. Whisk together Italian olive oil with lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and a touch of mustard for a fresh, clean vinaigrette.

Dip With Intention

Pour olive oil into a shallow dish, add flaky sea salt or herbs, and dip warm bread. Pair it with olives and cheese for an easy Mediterranean appetizer.

Upgrade Simple Dishes

Even a basic pasta or vegetable dish becomes special with the right olive oil. Try it with roasted potatoes, sautéed greens, or soft scrambled eggs.

Roast or Grill

Use robust olive oils for high-heat cooking like roasting carrots, grilling zucchini, or baking chicken. The oil imparts flavor and creates a crisp finish.

How to Store Italian Olive Oil

Keep it in a cool, dark place
Seal the bottle tightly after each use
Use within 6 months of opening to enjoy peak flavor

Avoid placing it near your stove or in direct sunlight, as heat and light degrade the oil over time.

Discover the Magic of Italian Olive Oil

With so many uses and flavor profiles, Italian olive oil is one of the most versatile and rewarding ingredients you can keep in your kitchen. Whether you're a passionate home cook or simply want to enhance your everyday meals, choosing the right olive oil makes all the difference.

Explore our full collection of premium olive oils and bring the taste of Italy to your table:
Shop Our Olive Oils