Must-see restaurants in Italy

  • Il Dolce Angolo

    Trapani

    For sensational cannoli, pistachio-studded biscotti (cookies) and a rainbow of other sweet creations crafted in one-bite form by talented patissier…

  • Osteria al Casale

    Matera

    While al Casale's secondi are uniformly meaty, this osteria does offer more vegetarian options than most. Antipasti such as sformatino (a 'mis-shapen'…

  • Ristorantino dell'Avvocato

    Naples

    This elegant yet welcoming restaurant is a favourite of Neapolitan gastronomes. Apple of their eye is affable lawyer turned head chef Raffaele Cardillo,…

  • L'Oste Scuro

    Ionian Coast

    Plastered with old photographs, time-warped L'Oste Scuro is a solid spot for classic, homestyle seafood. The produce is fresh and cooked simply, whether…

  • Babel

    Ravello

    A cool little deli-cafe with a compact menu of what you could call 'Italian tapas', affordable bites including Italian gazpacho (cold soup), bruschetta,…

  • Osteria de' Poeti

    Bologna

    In the wine cellar of a 14th-century palazzo, this historic eatery is an atmospheric spot to delve into Bologna's much-lauded cuisine. Take a table by the…

  • Osteria Margutta

    Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale

    This vintage osteria (tavern), around since 1965, oozes theatre: a rich interior mixes blue glass with rich reds and fringed lampshades, while the flower-…

  • La Cantinetta di Passignano

    Chianti

    Tuscan menus are dominated by meat dishes, so the existence of this upmarket cantinetta, which focusses on seafood, comes as a pleasant surprise. We…

  • Pizzeria Frida

    Palermo

    With footpath tables under umbrella awnings on a low-key Capo piazza, this local favourite makes thin-crust pizzas in a variety of shapes, including…

  • Gambardella

    Minori

    Tucked to the right, facing the pretty buttercup-yellow church, this is the place to come for superb coffee and exemplary pastries – try the sfogliatella …

  • Osteria Fornelli

    Volterra

    Contemporary cuisine is the exception rather than the rule here in Volterra, so the existence of this modern bistro next to the town's walls is cause for…

  • Osteria Libertaria

    Elba

    Fish drives the menu of this traditional osteria (casual tavern) – no wonder, as the boats that land it are moored right outside. Traditional dishes such…

  • Ristorante Del Cambio

    Turin

    Crimson velvet, glittering chandeliers, baroque mirrors and a timeless air greet you at this grande dame of the Turin dining scene, regularly patronised…

  • Ristorante Monumento

    Lazio

    In Ostia's tiny medieval centre, this historic restaurant started life in the 19th century, catering to the labourers working on reclaiming the local…

  • Caffè Tomaso

    Udine

    Local produce and fresh takes on Friulian standards are served in this dark and highly atmospheric dining room filled with bright wooden furniture under a…

  • Al Pozzo Etrusco

    Orvieto

    Named after an ancient Etruscan well that graces its basement, this is a firm local favourite. Your host, Giovanni, will guide you through his seasonal…

  • La Prosciutteria

    Siena

    The name says it all. Prosciutto is the focus here, served in panini or on a taglieri (tasting board); cheese is an optional extra. Order to take away –…

  • Osteria dei Battibecchi

    Ravenna

    Simple Romagna food done right is the hallmark of this Slow Food–recommended local favourite. Offerings range from the basket of warm piadina bread that…

  • Ai Mercanti

    Venice

    With its pumpkin-coloured walls, gleaming golden fixtures and jet-black tables and chairs, Ai Mercanti effortlessly conjures up a romantic mood. No wonder…

  • Taverna dei Barbi

    Val d'Orcia

    There aren't any vineyard views at this winery restaurant, but there's plenty of atmosphere. A particularly welcoming choice in the cooler months, when…

  • Naif

    Agrigento

    In warm weather, tables spill from the interior dining room into the courtyard at this sweet eatery tucked between two side streets in the medieval centre…

  • Da Fiore

    San Polo & Santa Croce

    Dire Straits was on high rotation last time we visited this Michelin-starred restaurant, which somewhat distracted from the refined ambience created by…

  • Locanda Cipriani

    Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

    Run by the Cipriani family since 1935, the Locanda is Harry’s Bar gone rustic, with a wood-beamed dining room opening onto a pretty garden. But standards…

  • Le Arcate

    Amalfi

    If you've had it with the tourist tumult of Amalfi, try temporarily relocating to its quieter cousin Atrani to eat al fresco at one of its traditional…

  • Settembrini

    Vatican City, Borgo & Prati

    All designer labels and media gossip, this fashionable cafe and restaurant buzzes throughout the day. Its menu covers the full gamut, listing everything…

  • Meimuna

    Enna

    Meimuna's contemporary reinterpretation of a trattoria combines stylish decor with modern versions of traditional Sicilian flavours. Hearty dishes like…

  • La Botte

    Stresa

    Regional dishes are at the heart of this tiny trattoria’s business, so expect grilled lake fish, pear and blue-cheese risotto and plenty of polenta (the…

  • La Posada Ristorante

    Corniglia

    Near the top of the stairs leading up from the train station, La Posada is one of Corniglia's most memorable settings for an al fresco meal. On a terrace…

  • La Locanda

    Central Sicily

    Celebrating a hilltop location near Piazza Armerina's cathedral, La Locanda combines a top Sicilian wine list with creative spins on traditional flavours…

  • Isabella de Cham Pizza Fritta

    Naples

    Rising star Isabella de Cham is at the helm of this all-female-run pizzeria specialising in fried pizza with a twist. Bite-sized dough balls are topped…

  • Picchio Verde

    Umbria

    Huddled away in the upper part of the old town, this inviting trattoria attracts a faithful local following for its cosy vaulted interior, authentic food…

  • TIPIC ficusbar

    The Veneto

    This hipster bar gets everything right, from the cool industrial decor to the organic cicheti (Venetian tapas) and the 30 top-quality wines by the glass,…

  • Osteria degli Amici

    Stresa

    You may need to queue here, but it’s worth it to dine under vines on one of Stresa’s prettiest terraces in the centre of town, just off pedestrianised Via…

  • Al Ritrovo

    Western Sicily

    This unassuming roadside eatery, 8km south of San Vito, features couscous prominently on the menu. However, there are also plenty of seafood and meat…

  • Ristorante Monna Lisa

    Lago Trasimeno

    You can imagine Mona Lisa giving a wry smile of approval to the food served at this intimate, art-strewn restaurant in the heart of town. You, too, will…

  • Osteria Flaminio

    Rome

    This friendly eatery makes for a fine lunch stop after a visit to the MAXXI art museum. The vibe is casual and its interior is a handsome mix of dark-wood…

  • Ristorante Miramare

    Cilento Coast

    Enjoying a supreme position, with a broad terrace overlooking the turquoise sea and small adjacent sandy cove, this place is part of the same-name hotel…

  • Mezzaluna

    Turin

    One of Turin's first vegan restaurants, Mezzaluna serves traditional Piemontese dishes with organic, vegan ingredients. Try bagna caoda (a traditional…

  • Cumpà Cosimo

    Ravello

    This wonderfully dated trattoria serves down-to-earth Italian grub in a unfussy, celeb-free environment. An informal family affair – meat comes from the…

  • Al Pontile

    Ischia

    Sit outside, front or back, with the castle as an evocative backdrop to the shopping street or sea. The reassuringly brief menu includes pasta mainstays…

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