Pizzeria – This is the fast food of Italy. Pizzas are served hot and quickly. Many pizzerias offer pasta a well and offer dozens of pizza choices. Many are surprised by the size of an individual pizza so consider sharing.

Osteria – This is a very simple establishment with simple food served quickly but not as fast as a Pizzeria. The menu will be mostly pasta/spaghetti dishes.

Trattoria – This is considered the mid range choice for time and ambiance. Considered less expensive and less formal.

Ristorante – This is the source of “slow food” where you will experience courses served over time. Considered more expensive and formal than the other types but in small towns and villages they can still be inexpensive. Reservations are recommended in this type of establishment; especially on weekends and during high season.

Here is a basic guide to when Italians eat

Breakfast (7.00 – 11.00)

This is always a light meal. May consist of a cappuccino or coffee & brioche (type of croissant) at a bar (often standing up) or coffee and biscuits and possibly a piece of fruit at home. The brioche can be plain (liscia), filled with jam (con marmellata) or confectioners custard (con crema), even occasionally with chocolate (con cioccolata).

Note: For Italians cappuccino is a breakfast drink and most do not drink it after 11 am. As a foreigner though you can do what you like!

Lunch (12.30 – 14.00 in the North, 13.30-14.30 in the South )

• Antipasti (starters) light starters typically salumi (cold hams, salami)
• Primo piatto (1st course) usually rice ( risotto) or pasta (or, more rarely, soup)
• Secondo piatto (2nd course) meat or fish
• Contorni (side dish) vegetables (vedure) or salad (insalata)
• Dolce (desert) includes cakes, ice creams etc but very
• Often seasonal fresh fruit
• Caffé espresso

During the week most Italians will eat at least a primo and secondo piatto and probably fruit as well.

For a special lunch all the above will be eaten.

For a very quick snack on the run, they will have a panino (filled roll) at the bar. Typical fillings are mozzarella cheese and pomodori (tomatoes) called "caprese" or prosciutto cotto (cooked ham) or prosciutto crudo (raw ham). During your Italy tour, try them all!

Merenda (16.00) snack for children (bread, fruit, yoghurt, or ice-cream)

Dinner (20.00 – 22.00)

Depending on the person, dinner may be a lighter meal e.g. salad or either il primo or il secondo piatto. Many Italians (especially if eating out) will have the full works again. Going out for a pizza to a pizzeria (where else?) is also very popular. Many places deliver or do carry out.

Bars

Bars are wonderful places. Usually open from 7.30, they serve breakfast in the morning, panini at lunch, ice creams mid afternoon, aperativi early evening and of course café throughout the day. Many are also sell cakes (pasticceria).If it is also a tabaccheria it will sell stamps, telephone cards, bus tickets, parking, car tax, lottery tickets.

When ordering to eat at a busy bar, you usually have to pay for what you want at the till (cassa) first, then take the receipt and repeat your order to the barman. If the bar is quiet and you are known there the barman may take your order and you pay at the end. There is no hard and fast rule on which you do – watch what the locals are doing!

The experts at Italy 4 Real can make dining reservations for you at any level. We personally inspect each establishment so we know what to avoid and what to recommend.