Eating out in Italy is not as simple as you may think. Italian dinners are meant to be long, relaxing, and a time to socialize. You will find yourself feasting on culturally perfected foods while being purposely ignored by your waiter until a sufficient time has passed, not because they are being rude, but because that is the Italian way. Here are a few things you should know when it comes to Italians and food…

Types of Eateries
Knowing the differences between different types of eateries is important when deciding what kind of meal you want, how much you want to spend  and want type of atmosphere you are hoping to enjoy.

Bar
If you head into a bar in Rome and expect to find any sort of alcohol, not only are you violating your Student Code of Conduct but you’re also in for a shock. In Italy, bars are places where you can go for a quick snack or bite, such as a coffee, pastry or a small sandwich. The interiors are usually outfitted with long counters and high tables where you can stand and enjoy your food and drink.

Pasticceria
If you’re looking for something sweet and need a break from gelato, head to a local bakery, also known as a pasticceria. Depending on where you are in Italy, many of the pastries will change from region to region, so be sure to stop in a pasticceria in every region you visit! Tiramisu is a local Roman favorite!
 
Pizzeria
As the name hints, pizzerias specialize in serving pizza, and solely pizza, rarely offering any other dishes. When eating at a pizzeria, it’s important to note that you typically don’t order one pizza for the table as is common in the U.S., instead, everyone orders their own personal size pizza.

Pizza a Taglio (Pizza Rustica)
If you are looking for a quick lunch and don’t have time to sit, heading to a Pizza Rustica, as it’s referred to in Rome is your best bet. Rather than sitting down to eat, you choose and order your pizza from the pre-cooked selection that is displayed behind the counter. You will then request to have your pizza cut to size and heated for you to consume standing up at a counter.

Trattoria
If you are looking for a classic Italian meal but don’t have too much to spend, Trattorias are a great option. Trattorias are small family-run restaurants that specialize in serving  traditional food from their local region. The best places to find Trattorias  are down side streets or away from major tourist attractions.

Ristorante
Ristorantes are at the top of the price list for dining options. They typically offer classic Italian dishes or specialize in more modern twists on traditional meals. Dining at ristorantes should be reserved for special occasions or when your family is in town and you know they’ll pick up the tab!

Things you Should Know before Dining Out:

• Never go to a sit down dinner if you are in a rush
• Always ask for the check, it will never come voluntarily
• It’s pronounced, “Bru ske ta”, not “Bru shet a”

Tipping
The only time you should ever leave a tip is if the service you received was absolutely outstanding and you wanted to leave a little extra something for your server. The reason for no tipping in Italy is due to the fact that servers are already paid much higher than servers are here in the United States. If you are inclined to leave a tip because of great service, you should only leave €1 per person and not work off of a percentage like we do here in the U.S.

Bread Rule
Whenever bread is brought to your table, don’t expect it to be free. Most, if not all establishments will charge you for any bread that they bring to your table, even if you don’t eat it. If bread is brought to your table, just let the waiter know that you don’t want it and they will simply take it away.