Calling to make restaurant reservations?

You could ask your hotel to do it for you.

Often, I have asked our hotel concierge to make the reservations for us.

I used WhatsApp and sent texts. I got responses and reservations.

Try using thefork app. If the restaurant is on there, it's super easy

We have used all the above!

One of the many services provided by the front desk at your hotel, just ask. They can also get you into places that would otherwise say they are "full tonight."

I would call, or have the hotel call, even if online booking is offered. In Rome last Dec we would have been very hungry if we had waited for an online response.

I emailed the restaurant to ask questions and to make reservations.

Email often works but don’t be afraid to ask if they speak English. More and more young people are speaking English quite well in Italy. We have seen this trending over the past 12 years of visits and by now, it is quite common that if the person who answers does not speak English, they will call someone who does to the phone.

Start your call with “parli Englese”

I rarely go to restaurants that require reservations but if it were necessary, I would ask the hotel staff to help out with that. Occasionally I'll stop by a restaurant in the afternoon and make a reservation for that evening.

All of the above work, as does enlisting the help of most Airbnb and VRBO owners if you're going that route. Pretty much everyone wants to help.

Ditto whatsapp and texting through there if available. That is what I did and received responses in a timely fashion. It was super easy and didn't need to worry about language differences by talking on the phone