I don't know if someone can give a documented answer to this topic, but I'd say yes.
Yes because if you mind while travelling abroad, the major number of restaurants are...Italian.
Probably it happens because Italian food usually pleases all, and adults and children. Anyone in this planet eat a dish of tomato pasta, but not necessarily eat a Brazilian dish such as feijoada or a Thailand dish with unusual ingredients for an European, just to make an example.
Italian food is the most popular foreign food. Mostly, it accounts because of its world famous pizza which is available in any corner of the world.
pizza, pasta, zuppa, sasuage, stuffed item food is the most popular italian food. ( Mahendra KC)
Pizza!!
Yep. In Paris there are many Italian restaurants. Besides the traditional French food, Italian food is the most popular.
Italian food is known for being delicious and plentiful. Food is very important in the Italian culture. It is always well seasoned. One of the most popular of Italian foods is pasta.
Italian food is widely popular for its accessibility and appeal. Italian cuisine is a favorite to many because almost everyone likes the flavors it offers. It is known for its comfort food recipes which is what pleases crowds the most.
subway is the most popular fast food resaurant in the world starting at the end of 2010
Tiramisu is the most popular Italian dessert. Another popular Italian dessert is gelato.
I suggest that in China, it is Chinese food, in Italy it is Italian and elsewhere it varies. But, that begs the question as to what is Chinese and what is Italian. Spaghetti, which most people associate with Italy, is actually derived from Chinese noodles.
Pizza is the most popular Italian food in the US. The pizza we buy, although delicious, is not at all like its Italian cousin. Both have crust, cheese, and tomato on them, but in Italy these ingredients are not broken down as much. You will see slices of tomato and cheese instead of cooked tomatoes or shredded cheese. The taste, too, is different; Italian pizza tastes much fresher.
Mozzerella is the type of cheese most often used on pizza, lasagna, caprese salads, and other popular Italian dishes. Ricotta cheese is the liquidy cheese used to stuff raviolis and canolis. Parmesean is also a popular Italian cheese.
Hidden Valley is the most popular Ranch Dressing. Italian is Heinz.