Any suggestions on places to eat? Nothing too expensive, and prefer places that are more casual, would like to eat where the locals eat. We will be traveling through Rome, Florence, Venice, Vernazza, Elba Island, Siena, and Assisi.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon, USA
959 posts
My rule of thumb:
Don't use any guides.
Two or three blocks off the main street.
Menu written on a white board in Italian only.
10 tables or less.
The greeter is related to the cook.
The less English that THEY know, the better the food will be.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
stay away from the places that have signs saying "tourist menu".
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
65 posts
Very good advise above. The way I've always put it: If there's someone out front saying, "Come in. Spaghetti, pizza." Don't go there.
I can't remember being seriously disappointed with a Frommer's recommendation. I like most of what Rick recommends, but I often want to eat a higher end meal than he lists.
For specific places, I'd point you to La Stalla just outside of Assisi. They cook most everything over an open fire. Had a very memorable meal there in March 09.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
If you want a more casual eating experience try a rosticceria. They are hot food takeaway places but quite a lot have tables where they are happy for you to sit down and eat. You will find plenty of locals popping in on their way home to pick up something for dinner or on Sundays for lunch. They are also good places for picnic supplies.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
There are many, many such restaurants in Italy. Best bet is to ask at the front desk of your hotel/B&B for a place where locals eat. Say "No tourist". If you really want to impress them, say "alla nonna" which means "like grandmother used to make." They'll also be able to show you on a map how to get there.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11780 posts
I have been perusing Spotted By Locals at http://www.spottedbylocals.com/rome/ for dining ideas. Has anyone else used this site and had any luck? There seems to be consistency between the recommendations here and R.S., among other sources. I like that I can see where things are on a map.