Eating in Italy

Eating in Italy - Where to Eat

A Gelateria Near Campo De Fiori - Rome

BAR: Not a U.S.-style bar. Those places, usually hotels, that have U.S-style bars will advertise "American bar." While you can buy beer, brandy or other alcoholic beverages at Italian bars, the central feature is the espresso coffee machine. You can have a Caffe or Espresso ( about Euro 0.70 ) or a Cappuccino for about Euro 80 cents to 1 Euro. Italians visit bars throughout the day, but especially in the morning, when pastries are served with the coffee.

Fresh Ice-cream

GELATERIA: Serves Home made Icecream Giolitti is One of the Most renown in Rome and it is surely worth a walk in that general area - I Tre Scalini a Piazza Navona is Famous for its 'Tartufo Icecream' but somebody has to pay for the location.

PASTICCERIA: Pastry shop, often connected to, or part of a bar. Such a sign usually means a wider selection of pastries available. Many serve foods other than pastries, such as sandwiches ("panini" -- literally, "little breads.") If "panini" is advertised on a sign, again, you could expect a larger selection. These are excellent places to get a quick, inexpensive snack or lunch. As in a bar, you pay first, and order second.

TAVOLA CALDA: Literally, "hot table." The closest U.S. translation is "grill." These are more elaborate than panini shops, featuring hot dishes. Some are small with only a few choices each day, and you select what you want from a glass-enclosed display. Most have a few tables. More elaborate ones are similar to U.S. self-service cafeterias.

ROSTICCERIA (Girarrosto) / Pizza al Taglio : These shops sell rotisserie-cooked meats, most often whole chickens; sometimes advertised as a "polleria." They also offer "suppli'" or a bowl of fried rice with mozzarella inside , crocchette a bowl of fried mash-potatoes, Pizza al Taglio ( means Pizza by the slice) and other inexpensive lunch or quiick dinner.

RISTORANTE: A restaurant offering a large-selection menu and full waiter service. These range from small and intimate to very large and ornate (and sometimes expensive).

PIZZERIA: Just like America...it sells pizza. Pizza was invented in Italy, but they are quite different from the pizzas served by the US Pizza Chains. They are individually-sized or no more than 10-12 inches in diameter and come covered in a wide variety of toppings. Most pizzerias also sell other foods, and many other types of eating places also sell pizza. For example, a ristorante-pizzeria offers pizza as an alternative to its full restaurant selection.

TRATTORIA: With full waiter service, a smaller, usually family-run restaurant. The menu is more limited, the decor usually less ornate, and the prices usually lower than a full ristorante.

PUB / BIRRERIA: Like a British pub or American "bar," these have become popular in Rome and Italy. A variety of beers on tap, plus cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. A 0.4cl ( about 1 pint) beer is around Euro 4 to 5, Cocktails € 6 -7; Glasses of wine Euro 2 to 4.

HOSTARIA: The 'more popular' version of the Enoteca ( which is the more Yuppy version) - Usually Osteria serves home-made wines

Take a look at some of the best Rome Resturants