We have not been in Italy since 1999. I had very little trouble eating veg last time - but that was 11 years ago. Any advice or tips when it comes to ordering? I'm looking for generic, all over Italy advice - but if you have specific restaurants in mind we will be in the following areas - Venice, Sorrento/Naples, Rome, Florence, Lucca/Pisa, Cinque Terre, and Milan. I could, and have survived on pizza and gelato - but am open to more. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2001 posts
How vegetarian are you? ie, do you eat fish? Since I eat fish and dairy, I have never had a problem getting something to eat in Italy. Sometimes, the restaurant has made me an omelet or a cheese platter for my primi or secondi course and they have been delicious.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
There are many examples of vegetable based pasta sauces. Although I am not vegetarian, I can't remember the last time I had a meat based pasta (my favourite is a zucchini based sauce that is a speciality of the Sorrento area). Also have noticed a growth in the availability of proper mixed salads.
There is a small chain of lunchtime restaurants in Rome, L'Insalata Ricca, that specialises in salad. Here is their salad menu
http://www.linsalataricca.it/menu.asp#
Also hot food takeaway places have a good selection of vegetable snacks eg fried balls of rice and cheese.
Have a look at Tripadvisor for each of the places you visit because you can sort their restaurant listings by type of cuisine including vegetarian.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
How about risottos? You'd probably need to ask if they used meat or vegetables to create the stock. The asparagus risotto I had in Rome what my absolute favourite dish during my last Italy trip.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
162 posts
This is a great question!! I am vegetarian as well and we are going in September and never thought to ask about this, just figured I would find it out while I'm there! I do not eat meat, fish, or poultry or anything that uses any kind of animal stocks, i.e. soups, gravies, etc..
I am not vegan so I do eat dairy, so figured I would just go for salads and pastas with only alfredo or veggie type sauces...I would just ask up front before you choose to be seated...