Eating out in Rome

When I was in Rome 1 year ago I was not shocked by the restaurant prices. They were about what I would expect in any large city.

Thanks for the quick response Bob. I appreciate it

In my experience over the years, I usually eat a much better meal for less, than in the US (can't speak to Canada)

For a decent restaurant (not the cheapest, but not Michelin type places) you can find antipasti for under 10 euro, but on up for hams and special cheeses. An excellent pasta for 10 to 15 euro, Fish and Beef, more, local product generally reasonable.

The big difference is if you have wine with dinner, in the US, and I suspect Canada, a glass is ~10 USD, in Italy that will buy you a half liter or a bottle (though of course, you can go up to 30-50 euro or more for a bottle).

My wife and I can eat well for ~50 euro for a main meal, an antipasta, a Primi or Secondi each, dessert, wine, water, coffee. In the US, with tax and tip, that meal would be closer to 80-100 USD.

How that relates to what you pay in CAD, don't know. Keep in mind, prices shown are what you pay, no tax added on, and no big tip.

Here is a menu, with prices, for a moderately upscale restaurant in Rome we go to: https://www.ristorantelascala.it/menu-ristorante-la-scala

I visited Rome solo last spring and felt the prices for dinner in a mid-range restaurant were quite affordable and included a salad, appetizer and main course, and I always ordered a glass of wine or cocktail--none were more than the equivalent of $30 US. I had breakfast included in my hotel rate, so filled up on that and generally had a snacky lunch, and always gelato, to tide me over.

I don't think Rome will be too shocking unless you live in a small community and aren't use to big city prices! On average over NY Dec 2023, most of our sit-down meals were around E50 to E60, including an appetizer each, one or two glasses of wine, mineral water, some sort of pasta or fish as the main & we left a 10% tip. Our pizza by the slice places were around E10-E12 including 2 bottles of water for 2 people. We had one less-than stellar meal but all the others were excellent. Frankly, in the Bay Area of SF, that quality of meal would be more expensive. If you want to just grab an few slices of pizza & sit on a stool by the window watching the world go by, Rome is good value. The best was weirdly close to the Trevi fountain. More details of places we liked are in our trip report. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/rome-was-jammed-over-ny-but-still-fun

Our exchange rate isn’t as good as it is for US travellers unfortunately so yes I think you will feel it a bit. We generally eat our main restaurant meal at lunch time and prices can be lower compared to dinner. My best guess would be to plan on about a 1/3 increase compared to here. Variables like wine and dessert could change that up or down. We were in Rome a year ago so a pretty recent experience.

Our experience in November in Rome was that prices were a bargain compared to Los Angeles, where increased food and labor costs have resulted in a decent omelet plus coffee and 20% tip costing $25 - and not at a high-end place. There has been much debate here, but remember that you aren't obligated to tip there. Of course we're buying Euro with USD rather than CAD.

Look at the menu for Armando al Pantheon, a popular trattoria in Rome to see the prices.

We thought it was a better deal than in the states last year can’t speak to CA pricing. But you do need reservations at most places. We found the best ones you had to call from home about two weeks out. Not email. We saw many people turned away without them

I was in Rome about 1 year ago, never had a reservation and was never turned away.

Where did you eat Bob? That is great you did not need reservations. Not the case we found when we were in Rome. Of course you can always find a place to eat somewhere. Just trying to help.