I have noticed on this Italy board many people making dinner reservations for various restaurants. Is it because you have special restaurants that were recommended or is it that hard to get into restaurants?

Rarely when we have been in Europe have we made dinner reservations, we just try to find where locals eat or ask around. We've had great recommendations from cab drivers, hotel help or store clerks.

Do you make reservations for some place special from the states or do you wait until you get to Italy?

I am on the go too much to tie myself down to a reservation, I am on vacation throwing responsibilities to the wind!!

I do make a reservation on the same or next day if a restaurant needs them.

Just like SeaUrchin, I don't like to be tied down to a schedule, so I only make them for special occassions. Otherwise, it's go with the flow.

I actually don't mind tying myself down to a dinner reservation (particularly if it can be easily cancelled) any more than I mind tying myself down to staying in a particular hotel.

I do not think you HAVE to make reservations to eat in Italy any more than you have to make them anywhere else. It probably isn't any harder to get into restaurants there which "require" reservations in Italy than it is to get into a restaurant in the US which "requires" a reservation.

My advice would be to go and wing it as you have usually done. If you find a place that you simply feel you must experience, and it takes reservations, then make one if you feel you won't get in without one.

Only once on Christmas Eve in Venice. If you are getting a restaurant recommendation from your hotel, however, it may be wise to ask if reservations are needed.

Unless I'm told I won't be able to get a table when I want it without a reservation, I either wing it or make a rez the morning of or the day before. The reason for doing this is there have been times when I have learned after the fact that by making a reservation, SOME restaurants will be more prepared....without a rez, I might not be offered some of the items that people with reservations may get served. Not every restaurant operates this way, but I've found it to be true from time to time.

Hi S,

I have found that it is very useful to stop in and make a reservation in the afternoon for dinner.

If it's a special dinner, I make reservations in advance.

I make reservations in Italy out of respect for the establishment. I also find that I get treated better (a very warm welcome upon arrival, good table or even choice of table) if I make reservations.

Thanks everyone. I guess when I was reading many of the trip reports it seemed like everyone had these reservations in advance for restaurants that were recommended on this site. (like way in advance) Perhaps I read too much into it.

of course we make reservations at home if needed and I suppose if I had read about a restaurant in particular and wanted to be sure to get in I would call in advance.

Thanks, I just thought I was missing something.

Not usually. Like ira, we might stop in at an interesting looking place and make a reservation for the same evening.

Maybe I'm not very sensitive, but I've never noticed getting any better or worse treatment with or without reservations.

And I'm not quite sure what it has to do with respecting a restaurant. Can't think of any restaurant employees we've encountered who seemed insulted because we inquired if they had a table with no advance reservation. I can't imagine why a restaurant owner or staff would be insulted or upset if someone wanted to dine in their establishment without a reservation.

Well like SeaUrchin and others I generally do not make reservations, but at times do during the lunch time for dinner that night. At times I have made reservations, but never more than one day ahead of time.

I have never email or called from the US to make a dinner reservation at a restaurant in Italy and never will.

I have never made dinner reservations.

We have never made dinner reservations. We try to eat in small, out of the way restaurants. Every staff of every restaurant has always made us feel very welcome and treated us well all over Italy. If a restaurant is that crowded, especially with tourists and requires or suggests reservations, we don't want to eat there.

Restaurants in Italy are really no different than restaurants anywhere else. Excellent restaurants or popular restaurants can be difficult to get into. This is especially true if you are trying to eat on the weekend. We therefore do make some reservations when there is a restaurant we are interested in. Sometimes we will make a reservation well in advance, sometimes we will wait until we get "in country". Often I will make the reservation through the hotel concierge. Sometimes we just wing it.
I imagine that I make one or two special reservations for dining per week of travel.

i think i'd qualify the need for reservations based not only on the establishment but the time you wish to dine...

americans tend to dine several hours earlier than their european counterparts. so i'd say that (assuming the restaurant is even open) your options for a 7pm or 8pm seating are far more favorable than a 9 or 9:30 table without reservations.

having been burned several times by this dynamic in italy, france and, particularly, spain, i will always reserve a later sitting at a popular spot rather than be SOL and catching the closing crew at mac donalds.

"i will always reserve a later sitting at a popular spot rather than be SOL and catching the closing crew at mac donalds."

Subcon, I feel your pain. PS - I have not heard the SOL expression in a long time.

Both. If there is a certain restaurant that I wish to dine in, I either make reservations from the States or have the hotel make them for me.

At one restaurant, the first opening that matched my plans, was a week away.

A group of sixteen Italians picked me up for dinner once and the local diner was packed, they had also made reservations. If they did not, there would not have been any room for even a four person drop in.

Well I eat dinner real late at home and eat dinner late in Italy...have never been hungry for dinner when the average American eats dinner. All the years of getting home late from my business I guess.

ttt