Flights, trains, rooms and tours are all booked for Oct 16th thru Nov 6th. Now we need some great places to eat t in these areas . We looking for the more non tourist traps. Good simple great food at some what of a value. Of coarse good wine also.
Any input would help. We want to eat where the locals go..
Thanks
Posted by
Ventura, CA, USA
297 posts
Pretty hard to find a place that isn't good in Italy.
In Florence, we love La Ghiotta. This is the place the locals go to. Not fancy, but great food and wine, and very reasonable.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-ghiotta-firenze
In Sorrento, we recommend Bagni Delfino, in Marina Grande. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187782-d1806249-Reviews-Ristorante_Bagni_Delfino-Sorrento_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html
Others will have their own favorites.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Pretty easy to find a place that isn't good in Italy. That's based on my experience over five trips. So good for you for doing your research.
I find that often the places with the most authentic local ambience don't always have the greatest food, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. I've found food that I enjoyed the most at places that tourists do indeed go to because the reputation for good food has become known. (There is a difference between a "tourist trap" and a restaurant that has been discovered by tourists.) One example of the latter is Marco G in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. Outstanding food, but it was mostly tourists both times we went. Similarly I recently ate at several places in the Testaccio n'hood of Rome that's famous for authentic Roman cuisine. Quite often I appeared to be the only tourist in a room that had filled up with Italians who all clearly knew each other. In those cases, I wasn't thrilled with the food but I absolutely loved the ambience.
In Venice, I recommend Paradiso Perduto as a hangout for locals. Decent food, great ambience, often they have live music. It's in the Cannaregio n'hood.
Posted by
east haven, ct
365 posts
Lucca -Vecchia trattoria Buralli
Rome - Ristorante LaPentolaccia
Sorrento - Ristorante Bagni Delfino
Florence - Ristorante il Latini or Ristorante LaSpada
just to name a few.... Buon appetito
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8127 posts
I used to make plans ahead of time to eat at famous and fine restaurants in our travels.
Never can I remember keeping those plans. They were often too expensive (for what you get) or we found their menus downright unappetizing. I've never figured out where the Italians can put all the food--when they go out on a Friday night.
Ask at your hotel where a good, fairly priced restaurant would be close by.
Posted by
Kansas City
180 posts
Florence -
La Buchetta Cafe (Via De' Benci 3/3a) - the most amazing steak with a walnut and blue cheese sauce, really good pasta, and friendly staff (reservations are a good idea)
Cacio Vino Trallalla - a tiny 4 table restaurant owned by two lovely people - food was amazing (try the goat cheese and honey starter and the dessert trio is a MUST), wine was great, a very nice and cozy meal (reservations required)
A must for lunch in Florence is All'Antico Vinaio (Via De' Neri 65/R 74 /76/R) - you stand in a fast moving line for this HUGE sandwich on fresh baked bread for €5.. you pick the meat, cheese, and veggies.. and it's fantastic!!
Rome - Osteria Barberini (Via Della Purificazione 21) was a wonderful, locally owned restaurant right by the Barberini metro stop.. food was excellent and the owner treated us to some grappa after finding out we had never tried it (reservations required)
Posted by
San Mateo, CA, USA
257 posts
In Florence I just love Trattoria Antica Da Tito. The food is fantastic and the staff some of the most friendly in Italy. The owner Bobo is fantastic, but you will NEED a reservation or get very lucky. His homemade limoncello is the best I have had. In Lucca I like Trattoria da Leo which is usually filled with locals most nights.