Dining Out
- Tipping
- Not Mandatory: Tipping in Italy is not mandatory but very appreciated.
- Small Gestures: Leaving a few euros is appreciated for good service—rounding up the bill or leaving 10% is enough.
- Check for Service Charge: Some restaurants include a “coperto” (cover charge) or “servizio” (service charge) on the bill, that is not the tip! It refers to items like bread, cutlery, or the table setup.
- Restaurant Reservations
- Fine Dining & Popular Spots: For well-known restaurants, especially in areas like Trastevere, Campo de’ Fiori, or near the Vatican, reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner or weekends.
- Casual Eateries: Reservations are generally less necessary at casual restaurants. However, if you have a large group (more than 4 people) or are visiting during a busy time (weekends, evenings), it might be helpful to call ahead and secure a table.
- Making Reservations: The most common apps for making reservations are Open Table and TheFork, however, many restaurants still take reservations the old fashioned way: with a phone call!
- Many restaurants have websites where you can book a table online.
- - **Daily Menus:** Most restaurants, during the weekdays (only at lunchtime) will offer a special "daily menu". The dishes in the are usually significantly cheaper than ordering dishes à la carte from the regular menu.