May 5, 2025, 11:48 am | Read time: 2 minutes
“La Dolce Vita” literally translates to “the sweet life” and captures the unique lifestyle in Italy. Relaxed, sociable, and savoring life with all senses: Italians know how to celebrate life. Contributing to this are the numerous culinary delights. Cozy restaurants everywhere invite you to indulge extensively. But who really knows the differences between a trattoria, osteria, and ristorante?
Trattoria, osteria, and ristorante are all types of Italian restaurants. Fans of Italy are likely familiar with them, especially since they are found one after another in tourist areas. But do you know how to distinguish them? TRAVELBOOK explains.
1. The Trattoria
In a Trattoria, “small” is a big deal: it is a small, family-run eatery with a limited menu. Here, you can enjoy regional dishes at affordable prices. A complete meal in a Trattoria consists of four courses. Trattorias are more typical of rural Italian areas, and you usually won’t find pizza here.
2. The Osteria
Like the Trattoria, the Osteria also focuses on simple yet cozy decor, family operation, and selected local cuisine at affordable prices. The Osteria differs from the Trattoria in that it is more of a tavern than a proper restaurant. Wine is mainly served here, and once you could bring your own food. Today, an Osteria is more like a “neighborhood inn.” Alla salute!
3. The Ristorante
Pasta, risotto, fish, and meat dishes: The Ristorante offers culinary delights with a full range of Italian dishes and a complete menu — from appetizers through the “primo” and “secondo” to dessert, coffee, and digestif. Some Ristorantes do not serve pizza — for that, you go to a “Ristorante-Pizzeria” or a “Pizzeria.”
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Birreria, Spaghetteria, and Piadineria
In addition to Trattoria, Osteria, and Ristorante, there are other establishments whose names may not always be clear to tourists. The “Birreria” is the beer counterpart to the Osteria, a beer rather than wine locale, where simple dishes and often pizza are served. The “Spaghetteria” focuses on all kinds of pasta dishes but often has other foods on the menu. A wide selection of Piadine — flatbread filled with various ingredients — is offered by the “Piadineria.”
Sources:
- Italian restaurant culture on gardasee.de