Me and my wife will be heading to Italy the first week of March (Florence/2 nights, Venice/2nights and Rome 3/nights in that order) we plan on budgeting 100 euro a day for food and drink for the two of us but if we were to splurge one meal (50+/meal each) which city/restaurant would you recommend?
Posted by
69 posts
Depends on what you like. In Italy, I enjoyed eating pasta and season antipasti at smaller, family run trattorie and osterie more than anything else and had terrific meals for two (usually an antipasto, 2 primi, a secondo or dolce plus 500-1000ml of wine) for 50E or less.
I'd personally find a high-end seafood place in or near Venice that has fresh shellfish and fish from the Adriatic or find a restaurant with a reputable bistecca fiorentina in or around Florence. The famous Dario Cecchini has a restaurant that serves steak for 50E a head including wine between Florence and Siena.
If you want a fine dining ambiance, go to Paris or Lyon. Kidding. I'm sure there are great options for this, but I don't know where.
Posted by
Sunnyvale, CA
147 posts
Al Gatto Nero on Burano, Venice. http://www.gattonero.com/en/a-la-carte-menu.html#.Xi9yHxd7lTY
Go for the Risotto
Posted by
Schaumburg, IL
275 posts
Found Venice to be overly expensive and Florence a much better value and better food & service throughout the city.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Stop off the train in Bologna for a few hours (leave your bags in a locker at the train station and have a meal in Bologna.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8304 posts
Let me warn you about a big meal in Italy. It's an enormous amount of food with many, many courses.
I'm a big guy and sometimes can pack it in. But I have no idea how some of the rather small Italians can pack in so much food at a big restaurant meal on a Saturday night.
Unfortunately, we Americans are used to eating meals. In Italy, they dine--and spend hours at the table.
I hear the best Italian food's in Bologna. If you wish to dine, ask your hotel desk attendant where they eat.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7049 posts
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a good meal. Splurging for the sake of splurging could be a waste of money. As you’re walking around, look for an establishment that has an atmosphere that appeals to you with a menu that has items you like. That’s the one. My guess is it won’t be in the main tourist area, rather, on a side street off the beaten path. We
Posted by
8084 posts
100 Euros a day should work. If you stay in a B&B you get a free breakfast.
Florence would be a better place for a special meal. Venice is $$$$$
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1285 posts
Best meal we have ever had in Venice, and we have dined here three times for special occasions.
Posted by
69 posts
You may also want to consider Roscioli in Rome. It's not fancy, ambiance wise (you may be sitting next to a deli counter), but they have impeccably sourced cured meats, cheeses, and wine, as well as terrific pasta dishes. A dinner for two there could be $60-200, depending on how much you eat and drink, and what you eat and drink.