Southwestern Sardinia
By the side of the main road up to Arbus's hilltop centre, Ristorante Sa Lolla is a simple, unpretentious restaurant good for a filling meal of seasonal…
Must-see restaurants in Italy
Mantua
Step into this traditional deli and feel the clock turning right back. Hanging hams and salami, stacks of pungent local cheese and see-through vats of…
Oristano
This place doesn’t look like much from the outside; in fact, it's not so amazing inside either. No matter, it serves the best pizza in town. If you're off…
Agrigento
The 'Sicilian Embassy' does its utmost to improve foreign relations, plying tourists with tasty plates of traditional Sicilian fare and good seafood. In…
Southwestern Sardinia
Housed in a Pompeiian-red villa in a residential street near the historic centre, Su Mallaccioi is signposted off the main road through the village…
Treviso
The original source of tiramisu is a disappointingly modern restaurant on a tiny square. The coffee-soaked dessert was invented in the 1960s, and even at …
Calabria
Pizzo enjoys something of a reputation for its gelato, and, on the main square, Ercole is reckoned by many to serve the best in town. The most admired…
Assisi
Stop by for tasty and wholesome piadine (flat-bread sandwiches) filled with combinations of cheeses, veggies, salads and cured meats. It also serves…
Bolzano (Bozen)
Fink's dining room is a calm, contemporary take on stube style, where you can fill up on local comfort food that's cooked with care, including a weekday…
Centro Storico
Handily sandwiched between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, this bright and breezy takeaway dishes up tasty slices of low-cal pizza, made with carefully…
Giudecca, Lido & the Southern Islands
Asking for a menu here is like asking for one at your grandma’s house; expect a generous plate of pasta, a meat or fish dish, and a side dish. The bar is…
Genoa
There are laneway tables for warm nights or a cosy, beamed, monochrome dining room for the rest of the time. The seafood and seasonal vegetable primis …
Vernazza
Batti Batti knocks out the best focaccia slices in the village (some would say in Cinque Terre), along with bountifully topped pizza. Their friggitoria, a…
Agropoli
Fairly scruffy, old-school bar that sells some unusual ice cream flavours, including marron glacé (candied chestnut) and limone sicilia (Sicilian lemon),…
Verona
Located in an oddly 20th-century part of the historical centre, Du de Cope is a thoroughly modern, convivial pizzeria. Peek over the counter and watch…
Siena
The menu of creative Tuscan cuisine served here changes almost daily and the results can be inconsistent. The best tables are in the downstairs dining…
Sulcis
Tucked away in a backstreet in Pula's historic centre, Zia (Aunty) Leunora specialises in seafood and serves a full range of classic staples, including…
Cagliari
If you get the urge for something uncomplicated, head to this fast-food joint for a satisfying fill-up of fried snacks. Sit on the terrace at the top of…
Eastern Tuscany
An iconic address, this grandiose dining room dates to 1807. Sweep up the marble staircase and into a historical world of glass chandeliers, Renaissance…
Centro Storico
It doesn't look like much from outside, or even from inside, but this faded, old-fashioned milk bar is famous for its classic ice creams. Pick of the…
Siena
As popular with locals as it is with tourists, this casual place near the Pinacoteca Nazionale serves Tuscan dishes with a modern twist. The interior…
Asti
You could be sharing this osteria, bedecked with white tablecloths, with a quartet of nuns or a birthday party of celebrating college graduates. At this…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
A bright, modern interior by the studio of Radical Design-guru Alessandro Mendini sets the scene for a pan-Asian menu that includes Chinese and Japanese…
Centro Storico
This unsigned corner shop is the Ghetto's most famous bakery. It's authentically no-frills, and the burnished cakes, tarts and biscuits, all made from…
Costa Smeralda
Wood-fired pizza and cracking seafood are the hallmarks of this popular eatery. Locals come here to grab a bite to eat and chat with the pizzaiolo (pizza…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
Tasty traditional food and a prime location – near the Colosseum but just off the beaten track – are the hallmarks of this family-run trattoria. There are…
Olbia
The Lanterna distinguishes itself with its cosy subterranean setting of exposed stone and beams. The menu ranges from pizza to Sardinian dishes such as…
Vernazza
Slick gelateria with natural, authentic flavours, dessert cups and vegan specials. Try unique concoctions like peach with basil, or the creamy rich…
Ristorante da Giancarlo e Rita
Bosa
Despite its less-than-enticing location – in the Hotel Mannu next to a busy petrol station – this restaurant serves fine island food. Fish and seafood…
Oltrarno
The big bold views of the River Arno swirling beneath your feet steals the show at this tiny two-room eatery, a disarmingly simple address with deli…
Procida
A retro, no-frills neighbourhood trattoria close to the port. The menu holds few surprises, but the ingredients are fresh; try the spaghetti con frutti di…
Bergamo
Inventive takes on modern Italian cooking make this a fine pick among the Città Bassa restaurants. Try the gnocchi with basil and clams or the thyme…
Southern Tuscany
Bag a table on the street-side terrace of this casual trattoria near the tourist office for simple, traditional local dishes by day (try the tortelli alla…
Rome
If the daily diet of pasta and pizza is beginning to wear thin, this casual sushi place makes for a change. It offers a good-value menu of sushi and…
Tropea
Set on the lip of Tropea’s stunning cliffs, Pimm’s serves up simple but excellent local seafood, as well as salads starring the town’s prized red onions…
Olbia
A convenient place to recharge your batteries any time of day, this cosy corner cafe in the heart of town sells everything from morning pastries and…
San Teodoro
Proximity to the waterfront is the main drawcard at this sprawling place out by La Cinta beach. The menu ranges from garlicky mussels to salt-crusted sea…
Bolzano (Bozen)
Walthers' two strong points are its perfect location on picturesque Piazza Walther and its ample menu of pizzas, all of which can be made gluten-free upon…
Salerno & the Cilento
Tucked around the corner from the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore (note the magnificent carved door) in Teggiano's main square, this small bar with its…
Porto Cervo
Fine dining it is not, but if you're seeking a cheerful, affordable, family-friendly place with decent food, Hivaoa hits the mark every time. Go for wood…
