your guide to having dinner in italy

While it's pretty much globally recognized that humans need to eat three meals a day, it seems like each culture has their own rules around mealtime. This means that when traveling to a different country, you might immediately recognize some major differences when trying to plan the next time you are going to eat. Some countries eat dinner earlier, like in the United States, while other countries, like those in Europe, tend to eat dinner a lot later. You might also notice that different cultures have different societal norms tied to things like making reservations, getting the bill, how long dinner should take, etc. Lucky for you, I've been to Italy and have been out to dinner there so many times I can't even count SO I'm here to tell you everything you need to know about grabbing dinner in Italy.

WHAT TIME DOES DINNER START IN ITALY?

Dinner starts at 7:00 pm (19:00) in Italy with many restaurants actually closing down at about 3:00 pm (15:00) to prep for dinner. Typically, a restaurant's dinner hours start at 7:00 pm and don't end until around 10:30 pm and sometimes even later! This can be surprising for many Americans or Australians visiting Italy because our dinner time is usually around 5:30 pm (17:30) or 6:00 pm (18:00) and our restaurants don't close at all between lunch and dinner!

DO RESTAURANTS IN ITALY TAKE RESERVATIONS?

The answer to this depends on the region you're in and the particular restaurant. Famous restaurants, like those in Positano, will often allow dinner reservations and even allow guests to book their reservation months out. Other places, like many popular restaurants in Rome, do not offer reservations. Instead, guests must stand in line outside the restaurant and wait their turn for a table. This means that if you do have specific restaurants in mind you should definitely check to see if any of them do reservations. If they do, make one a week or two in advance (if its very popular, I would check a month in advance). If not, see if you can get there 30 mins to an hour before they open and stand in line if its super popular!

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO MAKE DINNER RESERVATIONS IN ITALY?

If the restaurant is SUPER popular like La Sponda and La Tagliata in Positano, then try to make the reservations a month or two in advance. As soon as you know you are going to be visiting the town, look up the restaurants you may want to go to and see what their reservation situation is like. Some you may be able to book months in advance while others open up their reservation books exactly one month before the date and fill super quickly. If the restaurant is not as popular but you know you want to visit, check if you can make a reservation a week or two in advance. I always like to play it safe when it comes to dinner reservations because if you're just visiting Italy for a week or two and you aren't a local, you might not get another chance!

IS THERE A RESTAURANT RESERVATION APP IN ITALY?

There are multiple popular restaurant reservation apps used across Italy, including TheFork, OpenTable, and Resy. If you're looking to make a reservation at a specific restaurant in Italy, I would advise going directly to their website to make a reservation, or visiting one of these reservation platforms. If the restaurant you want to make a reservation at doesn't have a website and isn't on TheFork, OpenTable, or Resy, you're going to want to call them and say "Vorrei fare una prenotazione per [number of people] persone, [date] alle [time] per favore.” If they don't take reservations or they don't answer, make sure to show up a few minutes before they open for dinner. If its a famous restaurant you want to go to that doesn't take reservations, get there 30 minutes to one hour before and stand in line. Better to be early and safe than sorry!

HOW EARLY SHOULD I ARRIVE FOR MY DINNER RESERVATION IN ITALY?

In Italy, it's generally a good idea to arrive for your dinner reservation right on time or just a few minutes early. Unlike in some other countries where arriving early is common, Italians tend to appreciate punctuality, and arriving too early might catch the restaurant staff unprepared as they finalize preparations for your table. A 5-10 minute window before your reservation time is perfectly acceptable, allowing you to settle in without rushing the staff or seeming too early .

DO YOU HAVE TO DRESS UP FOR DINNER IN ITALY? 

In Italy the dress code for dinner depends on the type of restaurant you're going to. At trattorias and osterias casual clothing is what most people choose to wear, but I would say it's best to avoid clothing like shorts or flip-flops no matter what. If you're dining at a more upscale or fine dining restaurant, I'd advise dressing more formally in a nice dress, slacks, or a collared shirt. Italians generally value a sense of style and appreciate when diners dress neatly, so it's always a good idea to err on the side caution and be slightly more dressed up than not dressed up enough, especially for dinner.

DO YOU SEAT YOURSELF AT RESTAURANTS IN ITALY?

Similar to restaurants in the United States and Australia, it's common practice to wait at the front of the establishment by the wait stand until a staff member leads you to your seat instead of seating yourself. If you do not see a wait stand or a host/hostess standing at the front of the restaurant, it's best to wait near the entrance until a staff member notices you and guides you to a table. This ensures that you are seated appropriately and that you aren't accidentally taking a reserved table.

WHAT IS THE MEAL STRUCTURE IN ITALY?

When you visit a restaurant in Italy, you'll notice that there's multiple courses. While many cultures have a few courses at dinner, Italians are known to spend a couple hours at a meal just enjoying the food and the company. Below is an outline of all the courses you'll likely see on a dinner menu at a restaurant in Italy:

Remember: just because you go to a restaurant that offers all of these courses doesn't mean you have to have every single one. If you want to have a traditional experience and you have the time and means, then go for it! If not, pick whichever dishes seem the most appealing to you and just enjoy.

WHAT RULES SHOULD I FOLLOW WHEN EATING DINNER IN ITALY?

If it's your first time eating a meal in Italy, make sure to follow these rules so that you can fully enjoy the dining experience and fit in with the local customs:

DO YOU TIP IN ITALY AFTER YOUR DINNER?

While tipping isn't necessary in Italy because Italian restaurant staff typically receive a fair wage and a service charge is often included in the bill, leaving a small tip as a token of appreciation is still appreciated. Rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros for good service is common practice, especially in more upscale restaurants or if you've received exceptional service.

HOW DO I GET DINNER CHECKS IN ITALY?

To get your dinner check in Italy, you typically need to ask for it. Unlike in some other countries where the check is automatically brought to the table when the meal is finished, Italian restaurants expect diners to request the bill when they are ready to leave. When you’re ready to pay, simply catch the attention of your server and say, “Il conto, per favore” (The bill, please). The server will then bring the check to your table. If you're in a hurry, it's okay to ask for the bill a bit earlier, but be mindful of the relaxed dining culture.

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ADVICE, TIPS & REVIEWS TO PREP FOR YOUR ITALY TRIP

If you're planning a trip to Italy or just dreaming of your next adventure, make sure to subscribe to my blog! As a passionate traveler and Italy enthusiast, I share insider tips, hidden gems, and all the essential information you need to make the most of your Italian journey. From dining etiquette to must-see sights and off-the-beaten-path experiences, I've got you covered. Don’t miss out on the latest updates—click the subscribe button now to stay informed and inspired for your next Italian getaway!