The best restaurants Emilia-Romagna

Timetable

Italians eat a little later than Northern Europeans. At lunchtime, the kitchen usually opens at 1pm, and at dinner at 7pm. Most restaurants have at least one closing day per week, which varies greatly but often on Monday. On Sundays, they may be open for lunch and closed in the evening.

Budget & Tips

In Emilia-Romagna, you can eat divinely for a democratic price. In a typical trattoria, your pasta dish will cost you 10 €. An à la carte meal with a primo, a secondo and a dessert varies between 30 and 40 €. For a light and inexpensive meal, you can opt for the aperitivo formula offered by many bars: for the price of your drink, you can help yourself to as much as you like at a buffet with good little things to nibble on. The region is a land of gourmets, and it also has starred restaurants, with prices to match!

At the time of the bill, Italian law obliges restaurateurs to issue customers with a ticket (scontrino). Do not leave the restaurant without it as you may need it in case of a check-out. However, such checks are still quite rare in Italy.

What costs extra

In Italy, we pay for food, between €1.50 and €4. Some establishments also charge for the service, about 10% of the total bill. Tipping is always appreciated.

The local way

Swallow a piadina or bologna panino on the go at any time of day. Forbid cappuccino from 11:00 a.m. (avoid if you don't want to be directly labeled as a tourist). Use your only fork to eat your pasta (and this applies to all of Italy).

To be avoided

There's no shortage of good addresses to make a bomb or swallow a snack. Avoid American and international fast-food chains and use local brands.

Kids

Children are welcome everywhere in Italy and restaurants are no exception. Let them remember, of course, that a pizzeria is not a playground.

Smokers

Smoking has been prohibited in restaurants since January 2005.

Tourist traps

Avoid restaurants that offer a "tourist menu.

It's not always true, but when a restaurant displays faded photos of its dishes - and not exactly appetizing ones at that - it's rarely a good sign.