Among the many things I was excited about during my trip to Italy, food and wine were at the top of the list. I have to say, when it comes to Italian cuisine in heavily touristy areas, you might be a little disappointed. Many restaurants in the areas we stayed offered mostly pizza and pasta. I understand that these are popular staples, but I had expected dishes that were a bit different from what we often see in the U.S.
Finding a local spot with authentic cuisine proved challenging, and in the few places we did find, there was often a language barrier and reservations were usually required. But the effort was worth it. Our favorite meal was at a small, dimly lit restaurant in Venice called La Bitta. No pizza here, instead, they served signature homemade pasta perfectly paired with a few select meats from their limited but exquisite menu. Their famous dessert, pannacotta, was delightful, rich and satisfying without leaving you overly full.
We stumbled upon La Bitta while wandering the streets of Venice, searching for a new spot to try. The restaurant didn’t open for another hour, so we made a reservation and waited patiently at a nearby bar. This ended up being our most memorable dining experience. Even with a bottle of red wine, the bill was remarkably low, unlike most touristy restaurants, where the food may be mediocre but the prices are high.
The takeaway? Spend time seeking out local favorites. If you don’t mind paying more for a standard touristy experience, the busy areas work fine but the real gems require a little effort.
Now, onto wine. The wine in Italy was excellent almost everywhere we went. Their “house” or “table wine” is comparable to a $15–$20 bottle in the U.S., and slightly more expensive bottles rival $30 or more back home.
According to our wine tour host, David Hughes of Fattoria Il Piano Wine Tasting and Tour in San Gimignano, Tuscany, table wine is of consistently high quality because it’s served at lunch and dinner daily. One photo shows a large container of wine locals purchase for home consumption. I thought it would last me months; David said it lasts them about two weeks!
The Fattoria Il Piano Wine Tasting and Tour was engaging, educational, and fun. The included lunch was the second-best meal of our entire trip. David even taught me the local way to enjoy bread, smothered in olive oil and sprinkled with salt. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend this tour for both the wine and David’s infectious personality. I’ve included a link below.
We purchased several bottles from different vineyards around Tuscany and had them shipped home. Shipping was pricey, but the wine itself was affordable, so it balanced out. If you’d like a list of the wines we purchased and shipping costs, leave a comment below. Red is my favorite, though I also tried a Chardonnay that was crisp, buttery, and bold, definitely not your typical Chardonnay!
Two other favorite food spots were in Rome:
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Alessio, near the main plaza, offers a full-course meal starting with antipasti, followed by a first and second course, dessert, and espresso or limoncello. My favorite dish was the vegetable risotto, unlike any rice dish I’ve ever had. Visit their website for directions and menu.
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Ai Tre Scalini, a lively bar with great music, friendly bartenders, and excellent house wines. After enjoying their bar snacks, their carefully crafted dishes will not disappoint, even after a few drinks.
And, of course, gelato and cappuccinos are excellent almost everywhere you go.
For me, that’s it, for now. If you’ve visited any of the five cities featured in my ebook “Tour 5 Italian Cities in 15 Days” and discovered great restaurants worth sharing, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you and expand my list of favorites for my next trip to Italy!
Rome Restaurants and Bars:
Venice Italian Bistro:
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La Bitta: Yelp Link (Reservations, cash only)
Tuscany – Wine Tasting and Lunch:
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Fattoria Il Piano Wines: Website
