Practical information : Eating out Italy
Timetable
The restaurants are generally open from 12:30 to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 to 11:00 pm, or even later. It is often advisable to make reservations. In the big tourist cities, you will easily find restaurants open all day long.
Budget & Tips
From starred restaurants to neighborhood tavole calde , in Italy, no matter what your budget, you'll eat well! Excellent starred restaurants run by great chefs, such as Massimo Bottura or Antonino Cannavacciuolo, offer a unique and refined culinary experience. For this high quality restaurant, you should expect to pay between €250 and €350 on average for a menu. To discover traditional Italian cuisine, the trattorie are a safe bet and generally offer very good value for money. For about ten euros, you can enjoy a succulent and hearty pasta dish! As for pizza, you will find family-run and affordable establishments throughout the country (between €6 and €9 for a margherita pizza, depending on the city). Gourmet pizzerias, run by renowned pizzaioli , are also becoming increasingly popular in Italy's major cities. They offer original creations, with slightly higher prices (between 15 and 25 € per pizza). Finally, to eat on the go, there is nothing better than pizzerias or small grocery stores that also make their own sandwiches! Good to know: Italians still often pay in cash but, if they have the POS system, restaurant owners must give you the possibility to pay by credit card.
What costs extra
Italian restaurants often charge a coperto. It depends a lot on where you are, and is usually between 1 and 4 €. This extra charge per person includes food and sometimes bread. It is rare that it also includes water: you will be charged for the bottle, it is not usual to ask for a carafe. If the tip for the service is not mandatory, it is always appreciated!
The local way
Pasta is served at the beginning of the meal, as a primo, before the secondo (usually a meat or fish dish). And it is eaten strictly al dente !
Kids
Children are well cared for in Italy and are welcomed in restaurants. Special menus, high chairs and even coloring pages are often reserved for them.
Smokers
Smoking is strictly prohibited in the restaurants, including the bar area. Smoking areas are generally reserved for smokers outside.
Tourist traps
Some restaurants, near the most touristic sites, are not worthy of good Italian cuisine and should be avoided. You should also know that the price of the coperto should always be indicated on the menu.