Italian Fast Casual Food: Piadi Brings The Piadina To NYC

"A piadina is a large circular flatbread made from flour, water and olive oil whose Italian pedigree is the Romagna half of the region (the reason why it's often called "piadine romagnole"). But the historical roots of the unleavened bread are said to trace back to Greece and its flatbread, pita. The cities of Ravenna, Forli and Cesena are considered the epicenter of piadina in Italy."

"The piadina, the king of Emilia Romagna street food, has made its way to New York City. This means that food enthusiasts no longer have to travel to Italy for an authentic taste of this popular round flatbread from north-central Italy. In February 2026, Piadi by La Piadineria opened its first U.S. location at 18 East 23rd Street in Manhattan's Flatiron District. The menu of the fast casual food chain features 17 signature takes on the traditional piadina, all made with fresh, high-quality Italian ingredients."

"Depending on where it's eaten, the flatbread is typically stuffed with different regional cheeses, cured meats (salumi) or vegetables that are folded over (much like a wrap) and grilled. Once considered a poor man's bread, that's no longer the case. Piadine are a staple in many Italian homes, serving as a substitute for other breads. Workers bring a stuffed piadina to their office or workplace for lunch. It's also sold on the streets and at festivals."

Piadina is a large, unleavened circular flatbread made from flour, water and olive oil with roots in Romagna and historical ties to Greek pita. Regional variations exist: Ravenna, Forlì and Cesena favor thicker, softer breads while Rimini produces wider, thinner versions. The flatbread is commonly folded and grilled with regional cheeses, salumi or vegetables and also appears as sweet fillings like Nutella or fruit. Once viewed as poor people's bread, piadine are now staples in Italian homes, sold at festivals and in dedicated piadinerie. Piadi by La Piadineria opened a New York location offering 17 signature piadine made with high-quality Italian ingredients.

Read at Forbes