Why Italy

How important is it to plan out meals on an Italy trip?

I am going to Italy in a couple of weeks and have exhausted my time researching hotels, transportation, and site seeing. I haven't had time to research restaurants at all. I am a big fan of good and excellent foods though. Is it absolutely necessary for me to research restaurants and go to those specifically? Or is Italy a pretty safe bet for finding good restaurants around every corner?

Public Comments

1. It's Italy. It's known for its food. Buy a Steve Reeve's book. He reviews every city.
2. There are lots of good restaurants just about anywhere you go here. Check the menus while you're out sightseeing and find the places that sound interesting. Generally, you're better off not eating in the immediate vicinity of the tourist attractions - the prices will be higher and the food quality can be lower.
3. It's a pretty safe bet. When you're at the hotel, just ask where a nice place is, and do you need to reserve in advance. Most Italians eat quite late, so if you go in at 6 or 7 pm, you'll be a little early for the evening rush. 'Trattoria' tend to be family-run places, and are very good. Absolutely try places recommended by locals, they are usually the best.
4. There are some excellent restaurants in the major cities, and towns, and I have never had a bad meal in Italy. Restaurants that are close to the main tourists attractions tend to serve mediocre meals at expensive prices. To find the best restaurants you have to do some research, and find places where the locals eat.