Elba
The splendid beachside terrace at this ritzy restaurant near the Saracen tower is the perfect place to watch the sun set. Sadly, the overly fussy food…
Must-see restaurants in Italy
Matera
If you're looking for a snack on the go, grab a slice of just-baked focaccia or a knobbly, deep-brown Matera loaf from this popular bakery on Matera's…
Il Collio
Come here for well-prepared Friulian standards in an hold farmhouse. On warmer days, a terrace table makes for a wonderful lunch spot with views over the…
Lake Garda West Bank
Surprisingly good thin-crust pizzas straight from the wood-fired oven. Enjoy them lakeside beside the weeping willow, but watch out for the pushy, pizza…
Verona
Cheap central eatery near Piazza Brà serving simple street food such as panini, pizzas, a selection of vegan snacks and even rare baked potatoes to a…
Bosa
For a quick bite on the hoof, head to this humble, no-frills takeaway and join the ever-present queue of locals for a taste of Giovanni's fabulous sliced…
Eastern Sardinia
Just north of town, the brightly lit front terrace of this roadside eatery makes a festive spot to linger over wood-fired pizzas after a long day on the…
Agrigento
This fabulous gelateria is the perfect antidote to Agrigento’s oppressive heat. Especially scrumptious is the pistachio, flecked with nuts and super…
Ristorante Albergo Il Cinghialetto
Eastern Sardinia
Down in the modern part of the village is this simple, friendly pick, dishing up meaty Sardinian fare and pizza. An open fire keeps things toasty in…
Trieste
Be prepared for the crowds if you want to sample Zampolli's famous Sachertorte gelato, or the new mousse-style range which is currently all the rage.
Southern Tuscany
Soft lighting and walls adorned with wine bottles ensure an atmospheric setting, but the quality of the food doesn't match the high-ish prices.
Bari
Check out this simple corner stall for Barese street-food sgagliozze (deep-fried polenta cubes). You may need a lie-down afterwards.
Como
Fresh fruit, vegetables and delicacies abound at Como’s food market outside Porta Torre.
Alghero
Good for picnic supplies, Alghero's daily produce market is full of bountiful fruit and veg, all local and all seasonal.
Cagliari
A hugely popular hang-out on Piazza Yenne. Join the young crowd to linger over a drink and gelato, semifreddo or sorbet.
Southern Tuscany
You'll find flavoursome Maremmana dishes at this snug trattoria and pizzeria, with seafood and shellfish at the fore.
Riviera di Ponente
Fancily done dishes with an emphasis on seafood and fresh Ligurian herbs and vegetables.
Eastern Sardinia
For a quick bite in Mamoiada, try this ristorante-pizzeria near the north end of town.
San Gimignano
This weekly market includes produce stalls and fast-food stands.
Genoa
The city has a huge number of rosticerria, delis serving prepared dishes that can be taken home or to a picnic, or heated up for you there and eaten at a…
Bologna
Sporting a cute logo of its namesake gelatauro (a bull with ice-cream-cone horns), this Calabrese-American venture keeps students from the nearby…
Parma
Young camerieri (waiters) operate meat slicers, slide dexterously between tables and plonk down plates of ravioli and veal done all ways (all of them good…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
In a cobbled cul-de-sac a step away from Via Nazionale, Rome’s oldest pizzeria began life as a wine bar in 1905. Sadly, the quality of the pizzas has…
Turin
A bright, friendly spot for a simple pasta lunch or dinner, or an extended aperitivo. While not a vegetarian place, it's a favourite with many Torinese…
Northwestern Sardinia
Bar Il Veliero is pretty much all that's going on in Argentiera, at least outside summer. A simple bar set-up near the beach, it serves panini, snacks and…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Monti branch of a takeaway pizza chain serving only-just-acceptable pizzette (small round pizzas). Liquid sustenance is available in the form of bottled…
Courmayeur
Tucked down a side street is this cosy mountain nook offering cheap crêpes and fresh-from-the-oven focaccia, which you can enjoy perched on a wooden stool…
Sulcis
With its dodgy Snow White murals and cramped wooden interior, this modest eatery doesn't look like much but it serves decent pizza, both to eat in and…
Alghero
Self-caterers can stock up at this supermarket, usefully located by the Giardini Pubblici and open seven days a week.
Antico Caffè Pasticceria Balzola
Riviera di Ponente
High-kitsch pasticceria (pastry shop) selling Ligurian specialities, one of many in this seaside town.
Southwestern Sardinia
This tiny supermarket is on the central square in Torre dei Corsari.
