6 Signs You Are at a Tourist Restaurant in Italy

[@doctorj6030]

We followed your advice in Rome & Florence, we walked blocks away & found two family owned restaurants, great food, one we went to twice & they spoke very little English.

[@alexgi93]

All good advice except salt&pepper on the table, it’s pretty common in Italy, maybe not in fancy restaurants but for sure in a trattoria/osteria.

[@christopheferraux2864]

Hello from France These tips are valid in many countries

[@WDH59510]

Including for example the rue des Bouchers in Brussels which any self-respecting tourist should avoid like the plague.

[@StamfordBridge]

I would emphasize more the food quality as the reason to avoid tourist restaurants. I’ve sometimes still chosen them for the view or convenience, but the food is usually a big step down. You pay more for less.

[@MommaDee23]

He did mention it right of the bat 😉

[@StamfordBridge]

@@MommaDee23 Actually, for a while he didn’t give any reason why someone would want to avoid a tourist restaurant. Then he mentioned food quality and price once. I was just chiming in to emphasize the food quality issue. It’s something I’ve found to be the consistent difference between tourist restaurants and non-tourist restaurants, not just in Italy but in many countries.

[@user-ut4zw6so6o]

Spent a week in Sorrento with my friend and his elderly mother. We ate at the same restaurant every night, just a local family restaurant. We got to know the owner, waiters and because of the presence of my friends mother we were spoiled a little bit and it was really nice to get to know people.

[@jojoin514]

We will be in Italy next October and Sorrento is a stop. What's the name of the restaurant please

[@YakAttack915]

Really great insights! Been following you for a while, and my wife and I are actually playing a trip to Italy next year. So this is giving us great tips to incorporate into our planning. Love your energy, humbleness, and dedication to bring the content that you do to us

[@Dan-B]

A good rule is to take a stroll down a side street, chances are you’re going to find some smaller, independently owned businesses.

[@Chrisb8s]

I saw one in rome that had a chalkboard that literally said “tourist menu”.

[@Sbinott0]

The salt and pepper thing isn’t necessarily true, we usually have it at restaurants

[@tommasobianchi5496]

Yeah, it was quite odd to hear that, the easiest way to spot a tourist trap is the looks of the place

[@TravelInOneMinute]

Every time when traveling I try to find places for local, that way I can feel better the atmosphere of the place

[@Kwippy]

Pretty hard to avoid tourist restaurant when you are in somewhere like Venice where tourists outnumber local people many times over.

[@Sbinott0]

Nah just go perpendicular to the main tourist hell highway and you’ll find some of the cheapest and best food you’ll have. How to spot a tourist restaurant in venice: all of the people inside (cooking and serving) are either chinese or from bangladesh and more generally not italian

[@thehistorynerd8537]

When I was in Rome there was plenty of places where it was mostly locals, even right outside of tourist areas, compared to Dubrovnik where Tourist restaurants were everywhere (I was really dissapointed with that, I wanted a Croat experience). Heck, even right outside the Vatican City, a Holy site to over a billion people, it is mostly appartments, small convienent stores, only one tourist shop every few blocks instead of every block or so, and mostly hearing Italian instead of, at the time I went, French or German. The main street next to the Vatican was "more touristy", but it is mostly local food in the area/ a block away. (This was in the Aurelio district)

[@DrVVVinK]

@@Sbinott0 Yeah, I see statements like this a lot for NYC, and I am like, walk three or 4 blocks from Time Square and take a right or left turn. Not will you find local places to eat instead of chains, but it will be a lot quieter too.

[@tommasobianchi5496]

Not really true, Venice is full of excellent and local restaurants, just walk away from the main spots, in 5 minutes you will have discovered a new place and found somewhere nice to eat

[@AymanTravelTransport]

I imagine Venice must be riddled with tourist traps, especially the overpriced Gondola rides that Mark warned us about in other videos

[@Komodo12]

I went to Italy last September, and I did not know that bit about salt and pepper shakers. Interesting. Some of the tips also could apply to other countries - the touters are reallly aggressive in Peru.

[@TheJimNorth]

Touters are very persistent in Athens. To the point that they decide to read out the english printed menu to you 😅 that is usually enough to put me of.

[@geraldmarcyk524]

In Italy, you know you are in a restaurant for locals if you see dogs inside. Italians treat dogs the same way as if they were little children and it is not usual to find a dog or two quietly sitting beneath their human's table.

[@tinalettieri]

Yes. haha. Salerno is full of dogs. Most are well behaved. I used to go to Bar Verdi across from Teatro Verdi so there were lots of artistic types in there and they all had their dogs. The dogs are doted on by everyone. I was walking down the street and a very cute little pup came over for a head scratch so of course I obliged.

[@Keith_Aerotrunk]

Great insights in this video. Huge tips for those traveling. Thanks for sharing, Mark.

[@bencompson]

Went to Rome in November or 2022. One of the best trips of my life. Can't wait to go back. Prior to this trip I would agree about the restaurants around major tourist sites with sandwich boards with menus in English out front.....especially in Venice. My wife and I are minor foodies so we seek out the good stuff, both fancy and basic local cuisine and street food. But, at the start of this trip to Rome I got a mild stomach bug. I recovered quickly thank goodness but was still uneasy about going to expensive restaurants until my appetite was fully back. So one night we were wandering near our hotel looking for a sit down place to eat. The weather was cool but fine. We ended up at a place right beside the Pantheon, pretty much next to where Wolter is standing in the video talking about places to avoid in Rome. The place was full of Italians....probably Italian tourists but still Italians. We sat outside looking directly at the Pantheon. A world cup soccer game was on all the TVs. The patrons in the restaurant (and in all the other bars and places on the piazza) were cheering the game. We ordered simple Roman food like cacio e pepe, etc. Inexpensive local wine. I will not claim it was the best food I ever had but it was legitimately good. The service was quick and friendly. The atmosphere was perfect. We were surrounded by Italians and the view was amazing. I wouldn't say the food was cheap but neither was it a rip off. It was an enjoyable meal and a memorable evening. So sure, pay attention. Don't get ripped off. Don't order extravagant food at touristy places, but at the same time don't write a place off just because it is near a tourist site. You might be surprised........and that view _ is _ worth something.

[@tinalettieri]

I spent a month in Salerno recently. I was on my way back to the B&B and decided to get lunch rather than cook. I went into an authentic Indian restaurant and it was good. After 76 years of Italian food, a little diversity is enjoyable.

[@pongop]

Thank you for the great tips!

[@danieldumas7361]

As a rule of thumb, I usually stop at a local shop/boutique and ask the cashier/sales person "If your friends wanted to take you out for lunch on your birthday, where would you have them take you?" My only exception was in Paris where, after visiting Sacre Coeur in the afternoon, I lingered around Montmartre, so as I may dine at a Touristy Restaurant that provided me an epic view of all of Paris as dusk was setting and the City of Lights came alive at my feet. No Regrets!

[@picobello99]

It's a good question. But do realise the custom is usually the other way around here. If it's your birthday, you pay 😁

[@danieldumas7361]

@@picobello99 🙄

[@reneeburich9497]

You are always giving g our practical, trustworthy info. Thank you!

[@rochellecippa9939]

OMG! Your son is ADORABLE!!! He did an incredible job on the video about gnocchi and the trains!! He should have his own blog!! The world will love him!! What a charming young man!! You parents should be very proud! I taught school for 34 years and knew many children! Your son is extraordinary!!!! I am a big fan!!

[@MrKuliouou]

Hand written menu on a board is good sign of a local restaurant

[@Phlegethon]

I mean in Japan they won’t have English menus at the non tourist restaurants

[@doyogawithgail]

Yep, total rookie mistake ordering cappuccino after breakfast! Good tips Mark! Thanks :)

[@tinalettieri]

After breakfast is ok, after Noon isn't.

[@CajunCooper89]

Aww. Saddened by the thought I probably won’t get sauce and meatballs. I really wanted to see how close to my dads Sicilian family’s sauce I’d find. Looking forward to all the other Italian dishes, though. We’ll be there in late Oct early Nov. Thanks for your wonderful tips!! They are appreciated!!

[@michaelhorgan9525]

In teramo Italy in Abruzzo they have this dish called chitarra Alla terramana which is a dish made with a fresh pasta called chitarra (made with eggs) served in a sauce with tiny meatballs called pallottine.

[@ilgufo1146]

Yeah, often there is no salt and pepper on the table, but you can ask to bring them to you and it is a completely normal thing. Don't be shy and enjoy the food as you prefer.

[@tobiojo6469]

Hey Mark, awesome video

[@leyenda6149]

Happy Father's Day to Mark and all you fathers out there!

[@themcalisteradventures2612]

My favorite meals in Italy were when we wandered off the tourist track and had to Google translate to read the menu ❤ If the menu is only in Italian your in for a great meal! 😊

[@MrNoncredo]

alfredo sauce too

[@gatopardoantico5657]

yes, most if not all would also apply to Greece, in a slightly less sophisticated way.

[@philyra2]

I had the good fortune of being friends with a local while I was in Rome. He took me to some amazing local places in Trastevere and Testacchio. In Florence, I hunted out some little hole-in-the-wall places a few streets off the tourist track. It was definitely worth it. The food quality is so much better and so are the prices!

[@ilBUZZo]

Wait, I'm italian and every time I go to a not touristy restaurant there's always salt and pepper already on the table

[@tinalettieri]

Not in the South.

[@ilBUZZo]

@@tinalettieri well, with me it happened in the south too

[@tinalettieri]

@@ilBUZZo maybe I forget

[@MiaHessMusic]

I have to say. this video made me laugh! Especially the pictures and language part!!

[@stanislas4990]

Useful video. Salt and pepper on the table = tourist restaurant. I didn't know that. Avoid tourist restaurants, because quite often the food is not really good, and more expensive. Pictures on the menu (or in front of the restaurant) anywhere in the world: bad food. Don't go there.

[@Sbinott0]

Italian here, that tip is wrong, but everything else is pretty much true

[@Originalman144]

It's important to mention that it does depend on the type of restaurant you are looking for. For example, if you want to sit for a Neapolitan pizza then it doesn't matter if it's a tourist restaurant or not as the owner is probably from Naples and you are getting the same thing as 2-3 block away. However, if you want a more initmate family run regional food experience then you should avoid the tourist restaurant as the quality will not be as good.

[@OnlyThe1Son]

as an Italian , let me tell you. We Italians arent as sophisticated about food as westerners like to fantasize about. in fact we dont even eat that well frankly.. we eat very simple, processed food, cheese, supermarket products in boxes and bags and packets.. youd be very shocked when you go to 1000s of Italian homes in Italy and see how we eat.. you all probably eat better Italian food outside of Italy in your countries than we do.. of course there are many italians who eat very well.. but from the 70 million people here.. youd be very surprised how easy, fast and simple our food is.. just take a look at our supermarkets and then compare them to yours.. salt and pepper? its on the table because Italians are obsessed with Salt.. and most italians salt their food.. Italians are picky and like their dishes a certain way.. this whole As ROMANS, AS ITALIANS.. its kind of Bullshit.. just my two cents..

[@sandrosoler4275]

if it's at Termini

[@R32R38]

Never knew that about cappucino.

[@tombloomfield4784]

Much by the same, or equivalent is true in Portugal where I am now. In Lisbon there are restaurants offering regional Portuguese food. They will present themselves as doing that. Best advice is to go a few streets back and find the unobtrusive doorway with locals going in and out.

[@DrVVVinK]

When I was in Italy I found out a lot of the local restaurants, one needs to make reservations for dinner, and lunch on weekends the day of or the day before. One just can't walk in.

[@user-mp9tu6cp7d]

We asked a shop owner for recommendations. He asked us if we wanted a tourist restaurant. We replied NO! Where do you go? He took us a couple blocks away where everyone was speaking Italian, menu all in Italian. One of the best meals of my life!

[@mongulkhanaxe6639]

When I travel, I saw a lot of tourists enjoy being in tourist trap restaurants. They even got upset when I bring them to the resturants for locals

[@user-rp9rb5bl8j]

So who has better food italy or peru?

[@andreamalloy6266]

I never heard about the salt and pepper on the table! I'll definitely be on the lookout next time I go to Italy 😀

[@tinalettieri]

After he said it, I realized that I have never seen it on the table in Italy because I never eat in tourist places.

[@timmmahhhh]

Aggressive touts: I don't remember a lot of this in Italy but it was prevalent in Athens.

[@WDH59510]

Can confirm that. My only time in Athens, I found the aggression in the Plaka district quite unnerving.

[@theorderofthebees7308]

If you see Vespas parked outside probably not a tourist spot .

[@leploeo7145]

My advice would be that you should analyze the menu beforehand. If you spot dishes like tortellini pasta e prosciutto, and these basic classic dishes, then the restaurant is probably a touristic one

[@rudfil]

One of the worst pizzas I ever had was right in the heart of Venice near the canal. But I had a great pizza in some little town outside of Venice.

[@woltersworld]

I think I had that same worst pizza in Venice 😀

[@erikh9991]

I don't have time to find the good places to eat. We are ALWAYS stuck with the tourist food.

[@spacepilot12]

Interesting. I just got back from Italy and had great food but was disappointed in the pizza. Everyone on the Italian coast seemed to have it but It was thin, overbaked in spots, and had topics like salami rather than peperoni, hot dogs on sausage pizza etc. I only ate it at 2 places, but remember years ago getting great pizza cooked in a stone oven. Is there any trick to finding good pizza at a reasonable price, or just to stay out of possible "tourist restaurants"?

[@travelvideos]

Interesting tips and presentation. I am only eating McDonald's, but still watching.

[@Chrisb8s]

No matter where we go. From Tokyo to Bologna. We like to have McDonald’s once. Just for fun. In the US we never go to micky Ds. Lol

[@clelia7820]

@@Chrisb8s In Italy (but, in general, in EU) you can eat at McDonald's once in a while. The food they serve follows European rules and here, also, Italian taste. 😁

[@abc2662]

WI-FI AVAILABLE This sign at the door is a very bad signal. 😂

[@stevendomingue6033]

Ha. You sounded like Jeff Foxworth. If you see xxx, then it's probably a tourist restaurant. 😀

[@jontalbot1]

Only eaten at one or two tourist joints. The food was ordinary at best unlike regular places. As a rule of thumb the humblest neighbourhood trattoria will knock spots off any alleged Italian restaurants at home

[@spacecadet2226]

That’s why I always head for the local Olive Garden!

[@theorderofthebees7308]

😂😂😂😂

[@piknick111]

As long as prices aren’t tourist rip offs I will be a proud tourist. Also ok to eat local food. I remember my uncle who has traveled many places in the world would always eat at mcdonalds if they saw them because eating at some stereotypical places was ‘tourist’. Well what the hell do you think you are?! Honestly though trying international American fast food is quite interesting.

[@suem.1392]

I just learned that Italians don't have cappucino after breakfast! But is espresso ok at other times of the day?

[@luis16467]

Yes, espresso is drunk all day, more often before lunch time & soon after. Cappuccino is drunk in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon, but never as an accompaniment to meals.

[@tinalettieri]

You can have a second cup if it's before noon, especially if you were up early.

[@mromagnoli]

*tourist "site" - not "sight"

[@AgathaLOutahere]

Tourist places in Europe will charge you a Euro for the 4 small pieces of bread that accompany your dinner entree. At least, that's what happens in Greece.

[@Tramptraveller]

💝💝💝💝❄❄💝💝💝💝

[@marsdoria189]

When I was in Rome I saw a few pizza restaurants that served pineapple pizza and burgers. I avoided those like the covid virus from China. I think that's one of the good decisions I made in my trip to Italy.

[@magpie1862]

I just use Google Maps to find restaurants with the highest ratings. Helps to look away from the main tourist areas down some side streets too.

[@ralphturner3798]

I am a tourist, and I do not want to go where tourists go. Huh?

[@WDH59510]

But you want to be a non-touristy tourist and go where real Italians go, right ? Of course you do.

[@adamman8874]

I'm first

[@StamfordBridge]

Hence the name?

[@adamman8874]

@@StamfordBridge 😁 Nice one.

[@jayfdex]

This really makes me Not want go to italy ever 😂

[@Memphos1]

Actually, even if it's over 11:00 AM and is, let's say, 10:00 PM we can still order a macchiato, a coffee with a splash of milk and no one really cares. But yes, a cappuccino will be seen as very strange, but will be served if asked.

[@Nae2369]

Where your videos are informative, the majority of us don't give a dam what people think of tourists. If I spend my hard earned money to travel out of the country, I'm going to dres how I want, talk how I want and do as I want. You may crumble to the "don't" but most of us are not. That's all I have to say but there's a lot you should STOP telling people what to do

[@tinalettieri]

When in Rome... have some respect for your hosts or stay home.

[@bencompson]

All of that is your prerogative. Do as you please. But being the ugly American (or ugly whatever you are) comes at a cost. Italians, even in touristy places are friendly, warm and open. And remarkably so when you make an effort to be polite and respectful, or speak a few words in their language. Act like a self entitled jerk and they'll treat you accordingly....as they should. So sure, if your reasons for travel don't include interacting with the people, enjoying spectacular food and seeing things other than the post-card stuff.....by all means, carry on. You'll get just what you went for.