Rome, Florence , Venice: restaurants réservation?

IMO, after living in Italy for several years, anywhere worth eating is worth having a reservation for dinner. A reservation show respect, gets you a better table, and ensures you can eat at that place you are dying to try. I am not going to recommend specific restaurants because lists are everywhere. If you search this Forum a bit, you will find many recommendations for specific restaurants.

As a general rule, any restaurant that is not geared for the "sit em down and serve em up" tourist trade is probably going to be crowded with locals and other foodies, so I would suggest that a reservation is necessary, especially in July. I have regretted not reserving at decent restaurants in the past. That said, you should buy a copy of RS's Italy book or the Lonely Planet guide for Italy and begin studying up on which restaurants are worth a trip.

From our experience, reservations are far more expected than in the US. We have found better service and tables with reservation than walking in. And we have made reservations on short notice. Frequently will walk by during the day and make a reservation for that evening. Have even stopped by at 5 and make a reservation for 7.30. Now, we would never think about eating at a nice restaurant without making a prior reservation.

Also, remember that there will be no attempt to turn over your table. You really do have the table for the night unless you are sitting there with you Ipad. And it is rude waiter who gives you the tab before you ask for it. You almost always have to ask for the check. And, please, do not stick you hand in the air and pretend you are writing on your palm. Snapping your fingers only works in the movies. A single nod to your waiter is sufficient. And European waiters do not hover!

Other posters are correct on this issue. Italian restaurant owners typically give preferential treatment to those who reserve, even if the reservation is made mere hours before sit-down time.

Certain restaurants do require advance reservations; like Alle Testiere, Antiche Carampane, and Il Ridotto in Venice. Very few require a week or more in advance. It depends on the size of the place, and the date you wish to visit.

Rome: Trattoria Vecchia
Venice: Da'Alvise
Florence: Trattoria Diladdarno

I agree about the reservations. The past 2 times we went to Venice we did not have reservations and we're not happy with our restaurant choices.. We are also going this July. Osteria Nono Risorto was recommended by someone on this forum. Their website says they are open for lunch and dinner. But need to call for a reservation, no email. We plan on making reservations when we first get to Europe in early July.

Osteria Nono Risorto

Nono Risorto has tables outside. Their seating capacity is not small. Reservations there can be made the day of or the day before. It's a very casual place.

And we have made reservations on short notice. Frequently will walk by during the day and make a reservation for that evening. Have even stopped by at 5 and make a reservation for 7.30.

Good point, Frank. While someplace VERY special might require a few days in advance (La Pratolina in Rome, for example), I often called as late as 18:00 to get a table for 20:00.

Do yourself a favor and get the Eat Italy app. The download is free and you purchase the cities of your choice for a few dollars. They were a game changer for our trips.

In Venice we generally avoid canal side places to eat. They are usually overpriced and under quality. Especially in the Rialto Bridge area. But there are some exceptions on many canals.

There is one canal side place you might want to try near San Marco. Trattoria Da Giorgia ai Greci. A bit pricey (most places in Venice are) but the food is really great.

In the Rialto Bridge area (but not on a canal) consider Trattoria Da Marco Valla Fava on Calle Stagneri. It is definitely pricy so you might want to do lunch there rather than dinner. Some of the best sea food ever!! Try to eat inside rather than outside. The place has been around at least 50 years so they must be doing it right.

Also in the Rialto area (on the other side of the Grand Canal on the walk toward Piazzale Roma) is an out of the way place named Pane Vino e San Daniele on Calle Dei Boteri. Definitely a local place, good food, good house wine, and not expensive at all.

Thanks for all those answers (and restaurants name, i've noted them all).

So the general idea seems to make reservation if I want the best experience.

How do we ask for a reservation in italian ?

Is english (or french) is speaken widely in restaurants staff ?

About getting the rick stve or lonely planet guide,i 've never really looked for restaurant recommendations in travel guide because my idea was that they miust not be up to date and not really the best we can get. Trip advisor , at least, have many people reviews not only the opinion of the guy (or girl) who wrote the guide.

How do we ask for a reservation in italian?

Bongiorno, vorrei prenotare un tavola per due per strasera (or domani sera), alle venti.

Better yet, simply say:

Bongiorno, Lei parla inglese?

Almost always, in larger cities, someone working in a popular restaurant speaks English. Almost always, this person is the one who answers the phone.

When making reservations, the time you call matters. Some places don't answer their phone during siesta hours. It's also not a good idea to call during the busiest hours, as well.

You might consider ai Mercanti in Venice,San Marco.
We have eaten there a couple of times, the menu is very creative.

http://www.aimercanti.it/en/bistronomie/menu.html

Servings are small, allowing one to eat an antipasto, primi, secondi and dessert.

DCH115 - can you be more specific on the Italy app? I'm looking now and there are so many! Thanks!

I speak Italian and my husband always relied on me to make reservations, but after we had lived there a year, I told him he had to step up (in an effort to get him to learn more of the language.) He did. He'd call the place, or stop by, and ask in English. Never had a problem as there is always someone who can manage a reservation in English. Always nice to start with a friendly Buongiorno though. And always end with Grazie, arrivederci!

"Florence: Trattoria Diladdarno"

Yes. Yes. Yes.

We were in Florence last month and this was our favorite dinner. After eating here (on Christmas Eve), we cancelled subsequent reservations at other restaurants to return two more times. Start with their 'Cutting Board' and be sure to have some 'Blood of the Dragon' (Donati Marco's Sangue di Drago) to wash it down. :)

Another Firenze favorite was Al Tranvai... maybe seven tables in the whole place which added to its' charm. A wonderful meal both times we went. Start with their zucchini flowers... you'll understand when you're there!