Pleas tell me your favorite , must go to restaurants in Rome, Venice and Florence. We like very casual, not too expensive, fun, atmospheric and "regular" food..nothing foo foo or chi chi. thanks.
In Rome, Cul de Sac and Roma Sparita.
Florence: Mario's Trattoria. Fun & lively - open for lunch only (I believe)
Roma: Tratorria Monti, lunch at Costanza, La Rosetta near the Pantheon, Il Giardino Romano and I still dream of the apple and prawn salad from La Taverna degli Amici. Venice: Corte Sconta, Taverna San Trovaso, and the fabulous Tratoria da a Marisa. Best meal I had in all of Italy. Dinner reservations a must. Closed 3 days a week. Recall 2 of the days were Sunday and Monday but don't recall the third. It is open for lunch but be there by noon or you won't get a table. Approximately 24seats inside. Truly a Venetian gem. Florence: Taverna de' Neri and Ristorante Giglio Rosso.
Some of the best pizza we had in Rome was at Taverna Le Coppelle at Via delle Coppelle, 38, 00186. Google it for location. It matches your description perfectly. Afterwards go to nearby La Palma or Giolitti for gelato. We preferred http://www.giolitti.it/ for an authentic old-style gelato experience, marble counters and uniformed workers. Pay at the cash register first, then take your ticket to the counter to hand to the scoopers. Don't sit down inside unless you've paid extra.
In Florence: Mangiafuoco Bracerie (Via Guelfa, 24/R); near the Accademia. Several other Helpline readers have liked it, one did not, but we did (very much) and ate there twice in March 2011. It meets all of the criteria that you mentioned.
Birreria Centrale in Florence. Atmospheric, great food, friendly wait staff. Try the steak, white beans, or ribollita.
In Venice, we find Al Covo truly outstanding in every way. All the praise this restaurant receives is well-deserved. Likewise, Trattorio de Fiore is amazing and deserves its Michelin rating.
In Venice, we find Al Covo truly outstanding in every way. All the praise this restaurant receives is well-deserved. Likewise, Trattorio de Fiore is amazing and deserves its Michelin rating.
Antica Osteria da Giovanni on Via della Lungara It is in Trastevere in the Vatican end. Tiny place, not an extensive menu, GREAT prices, and 2 men cooking and serving. We loved it. The food was wonderful, and the place very homey.
Florence. If you are in the Sant Ambrogio area the liveliest and best for people watching has to be Rocco's inside the market. Lunch time only.
In Venice you must try Trattoria Fiore, Calle de la Botteghe near San Stefano church. I ate there twice while on a RS tour in September and you will not be disappointed. This is a family restaurant with exposed brick and beamed ceilings. The food is wonderful and better yet...the waiters make you feel most welcome and obviously love their job. I ate there twice in 4 days. I had the Lasagna Bolognase and Sea Bass on a bed of vegetables and they were the
best meals I experienced in Venice. You will not be disappointed.