In Italy, perhaps the surest sign of a great meal is no sign at all — just the sound of clinking espresso cups and a handwritten menu outside a tiny trattoria tucked down a quiet alleyway. But how do you find a place like that when there’s no sign pointing you in the right direction? This guide will show you how to recognize a truly local spot so you avoid the tourist traps and leave full from a delicious meal and an authentic Italian experience.
Location, Location, Location
Italy’s most famous cities are full of beauty, history, and restaurants that know exactly how to cater to tourists. While there are still great meals to be found in the popular city centers, the further you venture from the main plazas, the better your chances of sitting down to a bowl of cacio e pepe that tastes exactly as it should, or a slow-cooked wild boar ragù that’s been simmering all afternoon.
That might mean wandering into a sleepy residential neighborhood or spending a few days in a smaller town without much tourist infrastructure. Sure, there are plenty of sleek wine bars and Michelin-starred kitchens in the heart of Rome or Florence, but Italy’s most unforgettable meals are served in places far from any souvenir stands.
The Menu Will Tell You Everything
If you see a handwritten chalkboard or a piece of paper taped to the wall, chances are you’re in for a good meal. If the menu is laminated, filled with photos, written entirely in English, or stacked with combos or promos, take the hint and take your appetite elsewhere. The best restaurants won’t bother with gimmicks or branding — they’re too busy cooking.
Eat as the Romans Do
Meal times in Italy tend to start later than some international travelers expect. Lunch usually begins around 1 pm, and dinner often doesn’t get into full swing until after 8 pm. Show up any earlier, and while you might be handed a menu, the kitchen probably isn’t ready.
Pro-tip: If the only thing they have available is lasagna, it’s because it was made earlier (or yesterday) and it’s going to be reheated. The good, fresh stuff will be served later, once the locals arrive, the wine starts flowing, and the chefs are firing on all cylinders.
Show Restraint With the Bread
A basket of bread will arrive at your table almost immediately, often before you’ve even had a chance to look at the menu. But just because it’s there doesn’t mean you need to fill up on it. This isn’t about counting calories or sticking to a diet, it’s about strategy.
Italian meals are usually multi-course, and the best bites are still ahead. If they bring out fresh-baked focaccia or gnocco fritto, it might be worth a slice or two. But make sure to save room for the primi, the secondi, and maybe even a slice of torta della nonna to finish.
Geography Is the Secret Ingredient
One of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors make is assuming that Italy is a culinary monolith. In reality, it’s a country of deep regional food traditions, what’s standard in one city might be completely out of place in another. Don’t expect to find trofie al pesto in Rome or orecchiette with broccoli rabe in Venice. Each region has its ownspecialties, shaped by history, geography, and season. Knowing what a region specializes in is the difference between just eating and eating well (this applies to wine, too!).
Trust the Quiet Places
The best meals in Italy don’t come with much fanfare. No big signs, no neon logos, no social media strategy. Just a few tables with plastic tablecloths, old photographs on the walls, and the smell of something good coming from the kitchen. You won’t discover these places on TikTok, and that’s the best part. If it feels understated, a little unpolished, or even slightly out of the way, you might be sitting down to one of the best meals of your life.
The Wine List Is Another Clue
If the drink menu is packed with international labels, jumbo cocktails, or anything kitschy like an Aperol spritz tower, proceed with caution. A good Italian restaurant keeps things simple: a short list of local wines, maybe a house red or white served in a carafe, and prices that don’t make you do a double-take.
Ask your server what pairs well with the dish, and if they can’t give you a straight answer, you’re probably not in the kind of place that cares about what ends up in your glass or on your plate.
Don’t Rush the Experience
In Italy, meals aren’t something to get through, but something to savor. Restaurants won’t bring the check until you ask for it, and lingering is expected, not frowned upon. Don’t try to squeeze in a meal before a tour or train, you’ll just end up watching the clock instead of enjoying what’s in front of you. Instead, make time to order dessert, sip an espresso, and if the waiter offers you a digestif afterward, always say yes. The best meals unfold slowly, course by course, glass by glass. And rushing through it means missing the point entirely.
Eating like a local in Italy isn’t as straightforward as simply avoiding tourist zones. While that’s a good start, it’s also about knowing how to pick up on subtle clues and seeking out places that cater to those who live there. The more you pay attention to the menu, the timing, the setting, the people, the better chance you have of finding a meal that feels authentic, full of flavor, and worth lingering over. So take your time and don’t be shy to ask for recommendations, chances are, you’ll walk away with a good meal and a story to tell.
Emily is a freelance writer who has been traveling full-time for over five years She has visited dozens of countries but can often be found in Spain and Mexico. In her Substack, Extracurricular Pursuits, she shares personal essays and travel stories that document the quirks, chaos and realities of living abroad.