Best Restaurants Near Me Italian (2024)

FAQs

What would be the healthiest choice when dining at an Italian restaurant? ›

“Foods that are grilled, baked or steamed tend to make healthy options, while fried foods can hide more fat or calories,” says Nimmons. In general, she points to grilled chicken or salmon. “These are both excellent sources of protein, which will help keep you full and satisfied.

Indulge with our mouthwatering selection of Italian dishes available for every occasion – lunch to dinner. From sumptuous pasta to irresistible pizzas, we offer a menu that will please your cravings. With over 60 restaurants located nationwide, finding an ASK Italian restaurant near you has never been easier.

Osteria Francescana (Italian: [osteˈriːa frantʃeˈskaːna]; "Franciscan Tavern") is a restaurant owned and run by chef Massimo Bottura in Modena, Italy. In 2016 and 2018, William Reed Business Media named Osteria Francescana the best restaurant in the world that year in their annual The World's 50 Best Restaurants.

"Il conto, per favore."—The check, please.

In Italy, you typically have to ask for the check; the waiter does not simply drop off the check in advance, as in most American restaurants. Use the above phrase when you're ready to pay.

Best: Spaghetti Marinara

If you're craving pasta, this is a pretty healthy choice. Start with whole wheat spaghetti, and add a touch of olive oil to the marinara sauce. It's OK because it helps your body absorb an important tomato nutrient (lycopene) that protects your cells.

Taking leftovers home to eat later is relatively uncommon in Italy. However, it has become more common in recent years thanks to tourist influence. It is still somewhat irregular, so you may be met with confused looks when you ask for a doggy bag, particularly outside the tourist areas.

The Italian diet consists of breakfast (colazione), lunch (pranzo), and dinner (cena). In addition, Italians also have a snack (merenda) in the mid-afternoon. Italians consider food an essential part of their lives. They use mealtime to bond with friends and family.

Then there's the seamless service in a series of cosy rooms and the unparalleled warmth of Italian hospitality. This winning combination led Osteria Francescana to the No. 1 spot in The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2016 and 2018, but it could have turned out very differently.

1) Noma. After two straight years at the top of the San Pellegrino list — not to mention the closing of elBulli over the summer — there is little question that René Redzepi's Noma is the most in-demand table in the world.

What is the gourmet capital of Italy? ›

But make no mistake, Bologna is the place to be for foodies. It's considered to be the culinary capital of Italy!

Tipping isn't the norm in Italy like it may be in North America and some other countries in Europe, but it is still appreciated. Feel free to leave a small amount if the service has been particularly good. In taxis, tipping is not expected, but if rounding up the charge makes life easier, go for it.

Italians focus on food varieties that are nutritious and filling and don't make you feel bulky at the same time. They incorporate fresh vegetables, healthy fats, and nuts into their meals.

Order fish.

Fish is a great option, as long as it's not fried. You can order seafood in tons of different ways—steamed, blackened, baked, broiled, sautéed, or grilled. My favorite is grilled. Just like with meat, fish allows you to enjoy protein, fill up on real food, and avoid foods loaded in carbs and unhealthy fats.