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What is a Trattoria?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

A trattoria is an Italian term for a fairly casual, mid-priced restaurant. Less formal than a ristorante and more formal than an osteria, the trattoria is traditionally a family-run establishment that offers simple fare and a relaxed atmosphere. Outside of Italy, the term can be applied to any type of Italian restaurant, which can lead to considerable confusion of expectations.

Restaurants in Italy focus on atmosphere nearly as much as food, providing the visitor or resident thousands of choices for every dining experience. At a trattoria, the mood is meant to be relaxed and fairly informal. While ristorantes may offer a wide range of antipasti and several courses of food, trattorias prefer to offer a few, well-executed entrees. Wine is often less expensive and served in a decanter, as opposed to by the bottle.

An antipasti platter served at a trattoria.
An antipasti platter served at a trattoria.

In terms of cuisine, a trattoria in Italy will frequently offer regional, local, and family specialties on the menu. The focus is generally on the best of local Italian food, rather than adopting a global cuisine. Wines and other drinks may be from local producers or even family vineyards. In family owned versions, recipes may be centuries old and be a tribute to the long history of great Italian food. Eating in this type of restaurant while traveling in Italy can give a tourist real insight into the neighborhood and region.

Ciabatta rolls may be served at a trattoria.
Ciabatta rolls may be served at a trattoria.

Foods commonly featured on the menu of a trattoria will vary based on the regional cuisine. In coastal areas, expect to find copious amounts of seafood, usually grilled or fried. Inland areas may focus on the wide variety of fresh vegetables and produce to create vegetable soup, homemade tomato sauce, and poultry or red meat dishes. Expect to find locally produced cheeses, wines, and herbs prominent on the menu.

A trattoria is a mid-priced, fairly casual restaurant.
A trattoria is a mid-priced, fairly casual restaurant.

The easy elegance of this type of restaurant makes it a great option for take-out or picnic fare. Many trattorias feature extensive take-away menus that provide restless travelers with great food on the road. Unfortunately, getting food to go does not allow the patron to enjoy the talk, mood, and atmosphere of the restaurant, which may be worth sitting down for.

Trattorias often serve wine in a decanter, rather than by the bottle.
Trattorias often serve wine in a decanter, rather than by the bottle.

Italian restaurants outside of Italy may designate themselves as trattorias to suggest a family-friendly style or relaxed atmosphere. The wise epicure may want to check out the reviews before assuming these establishments are true to their name; while some may indeed invoke the air of a traditional Italian cafe, others are simply chain restaurants masquerading under an Italian name.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a DelightedCooking writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a DelightedCooking writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Azuza

@indemnifyme - I actually have a restaurant near me that has trattoria in the name, and it is much like a traditional Italian trattoria.

It is very casual, and very friendly. The food is great, but not overly priced. And the wine is actually very affordable, and tasty too.

My favorite dish this restaurant serves is a pesto ravioli. I had never had pesto before I started eating there and now I'm hooked!

indemnifyme

I've noticed that most Italian restaurants in my city (I don't live in Italy!) are called the "Something Trattoria." But the type of restaurant it actually is varies-some of them are very fancy, some more casual.

I personally think that I would like an actual Italian style Trattoria. The atmosphere sounds nice! I do enjoy fine dining on occasion, but for an every day dinner I think a more casual atmosphere is much better.

whiteplane

I went to Italy and ate at this amazing trattoria. It was amazing for all the right reasons. The food was delicious but the atmosphere was incredible too, relaxed and very informal. We were very obviously American tourists but they made us feel right at home.

The restaurant kind of looked like an Italian restaurant from the movies. There were candles in wine bottles and checkered table clothes. All the waiters had big mustaches and they were very excited about drinking wine. But it all felt very real and authentic. We ate in nicer restaurants during that trip but I don't think I enjoyed any meal as much as that one.

ZsaZsa56

It seems like in America the words Trattoria, Osteria and Ristorante get used pretty interchangeably. I don't think they are meant to imply anything about the restaurant except that they serve Italian food.

There are lots of American only variation like spaghetti house, pasta factory and tomato palace. And when I think about it the best Italian food I've ever head came from restaurants that didn't use any of these words.

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    • An antipasti platter served at a trattoria.
      An antipasti platter served at a trattoria.
    • Ciabatta rolls may be served at a trattoria.
      Ciabatta rolls may be served at a trattoria.
    • A trattoria is a mid-priced, fairly casual restaurant.
      By: Yuri Arcurs
      A trattoria is a mid-priced, fairly casual restaurant.
    • Trattorias often serve wine in a decanter, rather than by the bottle.
      By: Stefano Tiraboschi
      Trattorias often serve wine in a decanter, rather than by the bottle.
    • A trattoria specialty, insalata caprese features fresh basil, juicy tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil.
      By: hitdelight
      A trattoria specialty, insalata caprese features fresh basil, juicy tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil.