budget eating in Italy

Eating Out

Posted by Katharine, February 26, 2007 at 12:18 PM

Where can my family of 5 (2 adults, 2 teens and 1 preteen)eat in Rome, Venice and Florence on an "Applebees" budget? (Note: not "Applebee's" tasteless palette though).
We will be traveling late April, early May. Thanks.;

6 Comments | Tags: Italy

6 Comments:

Alot of the little bakeries and food shops sell delicious paninis. For a couple of dollars its a satisfying lunch or snack.

ThatGirl153 at 12:25PM on 02/26/07

When we traveled thru Italy (a while back though), it cost less to eat or drink coffee standing at the counter rather than sitting down at a table in the small food cafes that are everywhere. The difference was not large, but you still save some.

Mr. K at 1:02PM on 02/26/07

for a super cheap lunch in Florence i would definitely check out Bondi, it's on the same street as the central market (it's on via dell'Ariento, past the market on the left if you are coming from the direction of the river). They serve these sandwiches that are sort of like panini, but they put this yummy cheesy/buttery mixture on the bread and then pop it in the oven with your chosen ingredients (ie, prosciutto, sausage, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, etc). It gets all melty and hot. Much fresher and tastier than the panini that are served at the tourist traps all around Florence - avoid those at all costs! They have tables with benches you can sit at, or just take the food with you and stroll around.

Dropping into the central market is a must, even to just see all the ingredients that come in, and there are places that you can stand and eat at as well.

for dinner, Il Cinghiale Bianco was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in Florence....but I haven't been to the restaurant since before the changeover to the euro so I can't tell you if it's still cheap or not. But I suppose it's worth checking out.

if i think of more i'll post them...

ambienttra at 3:17PM on 02/26/07

I'm actually headed to those places in about a week. I'll take notes and will post anything worth while when I return. Keep posted!!

JubileeNYC at 1:05AM on 02/27/07

Be careful - there's a distinct difference in price at many places when one sits and eats, as opposed to just noshing on the panino or rice ball at the bar or 2-go. Accept the fact in advance that there are some pricing issues there that one cannot hope to divine, and that many Italian proprietors will view you as a bit of a mark - the food, at least, will taste very good, generally.

That said, one can do very well with a family at any cafeteria-style establishments. These are just what they sound like - you grab a tray and move down the line. It's Italy, after all - there will be tasty roasted pork, maybe some gnocchi, some cooked greens, all on a budget. And if you're travelling between cities by car, always, always stop at an overhead Pavesi Autogrill for some more killer roadfood.

Sandro at 11:11AM on 02/27/07

Just finished my trip to Italy!

Here are some helpful hints.

#1) Be mindful of the cover charge (coperto) which is per person, bread charge (pane) also per person and the service charge (servizio) which can range from 10%-15% of the bill. All these charges would be clearly stated on the menu, so bear that in mind before being seated. If service is NOT included, you are expected to calculate and add that to the total.

#2) If you order items to go/eat standing up, those charges are not applicable.

#3) Don't be afraid to wander and compare prices. A few euros here and there can add up.

#4) Seek out the local supermarket and buy drinks in bulk!!! A giant 1.5L bottle of water for .16 Euro or the usual 16oz. bottle for 1 Euro...you get the idea.

#5) If you order water for your meal, you can ask for "acqua normale" which is tap water.

#6) In most cases, when I ordered my secondo course (entree) there isn't a side of veggies, as you may be use to. You'll need to order a separate contorno (side dish) or insalata (salad) to balance your meal. When in doubt, ask.

Finally, some suggestions:

Supermarkets -
Venice - Billa, Dorsoduro 1491/1492
Rome - Supermercati SIR, Plaza Indipendeza 28 (very near Termini Station)

Dining - Venice
Ae Oche, Calle del Tentor 1552/a (near vaporetto stop San Stae)
Your teenage kids would love this college hang out that specializes in pizzas. You'll appreciate the variety too. Cover is 1.50 pp, service 12%. Hang around abit and the college students break out into their university fight songs. Very clean and filled with american pop art.

Gelateria Nico, Dorsoduro 922
Just around the corner from Ae Oche. Great gelato for a great price (1 Euro for a piccolo).

Rome
Della Palma Gelato, Via della Maddalena 20/23
Make sure to find the branch that has the 100 different flavors of gelato displayed. Yes...100. Your kids might make this place a daily ritual. You've been warned.

La Nuova Famiglia, Via Gaeta 66
It's a ristorante and a pizzeria (one on each side of the street). We ate at the ristorante and enjoyed the meal. Note...this one has a pane charge. If you don't want to be charged, refuse the bread straight-away.

Hostaria da Bruno, Via Varese 29
It's not easy to find this place but it was homey and the food was great.

...forgive me for not taking the name of this place down nor the proper address. It's another hostaria on Via Montebello around the corner from Via Volturno. We dined on a Friday which was fish night and had a "bread sopping" good clams & mussels. They even capped off our meal with some sweets and a digestive.

I hope you have a great trip! If there's anything else you need, let me know!

angmui@gmail.com

JubileeNYC at 7:10PM on 03/17/07

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