Italy is probably the most visited country in the world, Mamma mía!
But as any good traveler, or any other living creature in the planet, you have got to eat, right? True. And Italy is no exception. Once I heard that Italy has the most amazing and delicious food ever, in the world, and as a huge fan of hamburgers, I have to agree.
When you think of italian food you think of pizza and spaghetti. But that is only a small slice of all the italian cuisine, because there are as many dishes as regions, towns and dialects. But that is not the point, the reason for this post is to help other fellow travelers to know when to eat as an local italian.
First of all, breakfast. The italiana do not eat breakfast as outsiders could do, for example in Mexico we try to eat anything we can from the fridge or the cereal box. In Italy a glass of milk, a cup of tea or a orange juice (spremuta) and a slice of bread with nutella or a cornetto is quite enough. The reason? Because the lunch hours (or the strongest meal of the day) goes from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, no wonder, a cornetto and a espresso is not a heavy breakfast.
So, when you are in Italy and want to avoid the tourists traps known as restaurants located "conveniently" near the main tourist areas, be aware that you must arrive between that window of time (noon to 2:00 pm). All restaurants close after that time, and those who offer dinner, open after 7PM. In case of a Bar or caffe, the offer a daily menu, mostly convenient and cheap, with a perfect local experience. Yes, of course you will pay more, but you will always remember those meals.
In some cases, you will find a clean bathroom.
PLease, avoid the franchises while in Italy, try the local food, go to a market, try a Trattoria. Eat Italian.
2022
