L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 26 L'Italo-Americano L e t ' s b e h o n e s t , when you come t o I t a l y , o n e o f the greatest joys and highlights of the trip is food; however, with popular tourist destina- tions often crowded with visi- tors, finding a genuine Italian dining experience can some- times be a challenge. This is s o m e t h i n g I o f t e n t h i n k about when I bring friends from abroad to big cities in Italy, but it's also a consider- ation when I travel to places like Paris or London, where tourism is everywhere, and you have to be careful about where you eat: everyone has had the experience of wan- dering into a restaurant in a busy tourist district, only to leave disappointed by over- priced, mediocre food, and that's why recognizing and avoiding tourist traps is key. As a long-time fan of La Cucina Italiana, I recently got a subscription. While I was reading one of their lat- est editions, an article by Fabiana Salsi caught my a t t e n t i o n b e c a u s e i t addressed this very topic, offering a clear outline of all the red flags to avoid when seeking a place to eat out in busy Italian tourist destina- tions. I realized that most of the tips Salsi mentioned are things that Italians always point out when we are guid- ing visitors through cities with heavy tourist traffic. Reading that article felt like the perfect opportunity to expand on those insights, a d d i n g m y o w n t a k e , a n d helping fellow travelers avoid the pitfalls of disappointing d i n i n g e x p e r i e n c e s w h i l e vacationing in the Belpaese. If you want to avoid eating in a mediocre tourist trap, keep in mind these eight points! 1. Look for menus that reflect regional special- ties I n I t a l y , a r e s t a u r a n t ' s menu is often a reflection of its location: authentic Italian eateries focus on regional s p e c i a l t i e s a n d h i g h l i g h t fresh, local ingredients. However, tourist trap restau- rants usually offer an over- whelming variety of dishes, often with little connection to the area. If you spot a menu that includes pizza, pasta, sushi, and burgers all in one place, that's a strong indica- tor that the restaurant caters to a broad tourist audience rather than staying true to Italian culinary traditions. 2. Beware of aggres- sive street promoters Another telltale sign of a tourist trap is the presence of overly eager street promot- ers. I am sure you are famil- iar with them (they are pret- ty ubiquitous in Spain and France, too): they stand out- side restaurants, actively try- ing to convince you to come in and dine. Now, while it's not uncommon for restau- rants in tourist-heavy areas t o a t t r a c t p a s s e r s b y , a n aggressive sales pitch is usu- ally a red flag, as authentic Italian establishments typi- cally don't need to rely on street promoters. Instead, they build their reputation through word of mouth and repeat local business. If a restaurant's promoter seems o v e r l y i n s i s t e n t o r o f f e r s huge discounts just to lure you in, it's best to walk away and look for somewhere qui- eter. 3. Check for locals! One of the best ways to determine if a restaurant is authentic is by observing the clientele: a restaurant filled predominantly with tourists is likely more focused on tourist dollars than on deliv- ering a true Italian dining experience. Local Italians often seek out places where the food is fresh, the prices a r e r e a s o n a b l e , a n d t h e atmosphere is genuine. If the only language you hear in the restaurant is English or other foreign languages, it may be worth looking else- where. 4. Be aware of the hid- den costs Many tourist traps will offer seemingly low-priced meals but then tack on hid- d e n c o s t s , w h i c h m a y include high service charges (called coperto) or appetiz- e r s a n d b r e a d y o u d i d n ' t order but will be charged for. Good restaurants in Italy are transparent with their pric- ing, and, of course, if some- thing on the menu is unclear, don't hesitate to ask for clari- fication before ordering. Also keep in mind that, while the coperto is common in Italy, it should be a rea- sonable amount (typically between €1 and €3 per per- son). If you notice excessive charges or additional unex- pected fees, it could be a sign that the restaurant is more interested in taking advan- tage of tourists than serving quality meals. 5. Watch out for overly themed restaurants W h e n y o u w a l k i n t o a restaurant, the ambiance should feel real and reflective of the local culture. Over- t h e - t o p , o v e r l y t h e m e d decor, such as plastic vines o r f a k e R o m a n s t a t u e s , might be trying too hard to create an "authentic" atmos- phere. Italian restaurants typically maintain a straight- forward, elegant style that emphasizes the food rather than relying on gimmicks. In some tourist-heavy areas, however, tourist traps try to set a "traditional Italian" mood with kitschy decor that o f t e n w a n t s t o m a t c h t h e stereotype of Italy people have abroad. Steer clear of t h o s e . I n s t e a d , s e e k o u t places that have a welcoming and cozy ambiance, often with simple decor, wooden tables, and a focus on fresh ingredients. A genuine Ital- ian restaurant feels lived-in a n d h a s a w a r m , r e l a x e d environment rather than a theme park vibe. 6. Look for transpar- ent pricing R e s t a u r a n t s t h a t d o n ' t display their prices clearly are usually a red flag: if they don't have prices listed on the menu outside, or if they are hidden in small print, it could indicate they are tak- ing advantage of unsuspect- i n g t o u r i s t s . I n I t a l y , a s anywhere in the world, most legitimate restaurants will d i s p l a y t h e i r m e n u s a n d prices clearly at the entrance or on their website. 7. Trust your instincts and avoid Menu Turisti- co deals W h e n y o u s e e a M e n u Turistico advertised, it can be tempting: after all, it's an i n e x p e n s i v e o p t i o n t h a t promises a full meal. Howev- er, be wary of these deals: many times, they include mass-produced food, served quickly and without atten- tion to quality. They may be cheap and convenient, but t h e y a r e c e r t a i n l y n o t a n expression of good Italian food. 8 . C h e c k o n l i n e reviews carefully T h i s i s a n i n t e r e s t i n g point made by Salsi in her a r t i c l e : w h e n c h e c k i n g reviews on sites like TripAd- visor or Google, make sure they come from credible sources. A restaurant with too many overly positive, g e n e r i c r e v i e w s m i g h t b e padding its online reputation w i t h f a k e f e e d b a c k ; r e a l reviews, on the other hand, u s u a l l y m e n t i o n s p e c i f i c details such as the ambiance, the service, and particular dishes that stood out. Also, many tourists unknowingly end up in tourist traps by r e l y i n g s o l e l y o n o n l i n e reviews, so if you have the chance, seek personal rec- ommendations from locals or the advice of a concierge or hotel staff member who has firsthand knowledge of the dining scene. Fabiana Salsi's original article, Ristoranti trappo- le per turisti: 7 segnali per non farsi fregare, is a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e a t www.lacucinaitaliana.it/ CHIARA D'ALESSIO How to avoid tourist traps in Italy's restaurants: a complete guide Beware of "menu turistici," they often signal low quality food (Photo: Shutterstock) LA BUONA TAVOLA RECIPES COOKING TIPS SEASONAL DISHES

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