Look for restaurants with local people eating in them. Chances are they will be good, but, in Rome many local people eat their main meal of the day at lunch. So, lunch may be more expensive than a US sandwich/salad lunch.

A group of us were in fact cheated in Venice, but we complained and got the money back. Well, my wife complained and we got the money back. She is a Harvard MBA and a tough negotiator, I am the good guy in the negotiations. We played good cop-bad cop, and made it an issue of cultural miscommunication in order to allow them to save face.

The issue was bringing us food we had not ordered and which our group assumed were comps to make up for some really egregious screwups in the initial order. Believe me, we were not comped on "the special desserts we will make just for you to maked up for your trouble," though the limoncello was free!

If it happens to you, and as other posters note, it is much more likely to happen to you in a tourist restaurant than a local one, don't get mad, just get your money back!

One thing to note, in many cafes that serve pizza, paninis, pastries, etc. there are three choices - eat standing up, eat inside, where you pay first and get your food, or eat at the lovely sitting area outside where you are served by a waitress. They may have very different prices.

If you sit outside with service just know that the price can double or triple. This is not a rip-off just the cost of service and the outside seating. If you're not sure and want to sit outside look at the menu outside not the one in the window or inside.

My advice for Italy is talk to the locals. When my husband and I were in Florence, we got to chatting with two locals seated at a table next to us. They gave us a list of places to eat for lunch and dinner, places you would never know about from reading even the best underground tourist books. I never even questioned being ripped off and the food and wine were so good I couldn't care less about the bill. I grew up in NYC and I think I had a better chance of being ripped off there than anywhere in Europe! Italy is fantastic. Enjoy and remember to speak to the locals.

Yes being charged for something you think is comp can happen, it happened to us a few times. Best to ask as it is being offered. At a well known restaurant in Florence my friend and I kept accepting drinks and desserts that the waiter/own brought to us with great flourish that it was just for us, etc. Well, the charges were just for us too. I have had this happen in extremely nontouristy areas too, when they thank their lucky stars that clueless tourists have been handed to them.

I don't know if you noticed my sentence in my other post but notice the different ways to write certain numbers.

The restaurant bills are pretty easy to figure out. Tax and tips are included and most prices are rounded to the nearest Euro.

However, two years ago in Rome, I did get charged a surcharge for eating on an outside table which was doubled because I was by myself.

MANGO:

Don't forget the "coperto" ("cover" in Italian). You'll be charged anything from a euro on up depending on the priciness of the restaurant. The cover is for the bread that they will put on the table regardless of whether you want it or eat it. You're not being ripped off - this is automatic and absolutely the norm in almost every restaurant in Italy.

People who feel they were ripped off never fail to post. The thousands of people who had a great meal with no problems just say they had a great time in Rome.

In 10 meals in Rome and 2 in Florence last month I was never 'ripped-off'. And this is 2 blonde females here!

I was charged at every meal 1 or 2 euros for a basket of bread, which most often we didn't eat, but although I once tried to return it I was ignored so I didn't bother after that. Hell, it is just a minimal amount, and you don't have to leave a tip in Italy due to the service charge so is it really an issue? I don't think so.

The "flip side of the coin." We had the most gracious service in Italy restaurants this past summer.

First instance: Il Latini, Florence. Our two youngest grandsons didn't like any of the food, and barely picked during dinner. Our kind waiter spoke to the manager and the charge removed for two dinners (we didn't know this transpired until we received the check.)

Second instance: My DIL ordered fish at Etrusca Ristorante in Fiesole, and when it was served the eyes were still in it. She recoiled. We nicely asked the waiter if she could order something else, which she did.

When the final bill came, the fish dinner was not on it: The restaurant removed the charge on their own volition. I had fully expected to pay for the fish dinner she sent back to the kitchen.

There are good and bad things that happen when you are on vacation, and chances are you will come back from your Italy trip with a more positive view of Italia!

I have never had the slightest problem with any restaurant in Rome, and that includes ordering tap water with the meal when that is what I wanted. It must be pointed out, however, that most times I was with French friends, and French was the language that was used. However, I have also been there with American friends a couple of times, also without problems. Restaurant selection might be a factor in avoiding problems -- we always went exclusively to local places on side streets and would only go to the Piazza Navona or the Via Veneto if we just wanted coffee or a beer or something, with full knowledge in advance of what the price would be.
With complete knowledge of the prices on the menu, local mores, and a pleasant attitude, I have never had a single unpleasant experience anywhere in Italy.

Of course being short changed or "ripped off" in some way is not as common as having a pleasant experience, that is why so many of us love Italy. But it does happen, it doesn't hurt to look at your check when it comes.

Just posted a reply to your question about anxiety re walking around safely in Rome at night. Without repeating myself, I'll just say that my husband and I just came back from Rome 2 weeks ago and had NO experience with rip-offs in restaurants.

Things you might need to know before heading to Italy to allay your fears:

Every restaurant, plain or fancy, big or small, charged a "coperto" or cover charge which included, as far as we could tell, the bread basket. The charges ranged from 2 Euros pp to 4 Euros pp.

Most, but not all, restaurants included the service charge/tip in the total bill but, if you're not sure and you'd had wonderful service, just ask. You can then be as generous as you'd like to your waiter without feeling ripped-off.

Unlike America, Italy does NOT provide coffee refills at no cost. My husband and I, both coffee fanatics, just smiled when we received our (tiny) cups of expresso machiato or (half-filled) cups of cafe Americano (still caffeinated but watered down a bit) and enjoyed every mouthful.

I had also done a fair amount of internet research (thanks to all you Fodorites) and came prepared with restaurant suggestions which were infallible. The other terrific help for good restaurants was our guidebook, Access Rome, which is arranged neighborhood by neighborhood and lists historical sites and attractions, shops, restaurants, etc. with tons of useful information (I've used Access London successfully and now swear by them).

RELAX, ENJOY AND MANGIA !!!!

Kurt,

Often restaurants have their menus and prices in a case on the wall by the door, so you can know pricewise what to expect. Also remember the tips posted above.

On three trips to Europe, we never had a problem.

Thanks everyone for the amazing responses! I wish I could write each of you specifically but that would take al night! Sorry I wasn't too confident about things, but you've instilled much into me :) I will be sure to give a report when back on New Years Day. God Bless!

Kurt

Hey Kurt, you will have a good time!
Please write us a report when you return.

Best wishes!

Kurt, here's something i like to remind people about, especially those who are getting their information from internet discussion forums like this one. i believe it is an extremely important point...

Rarely does anyone return from their trip to Europe and rush here to post...

"nothing went wrong", "no one tried to pick my pocket at the train station", "all the waiters in Paris were polite", "the restaurant bills were all correct", etc. etc.

You see my point. People tend to want to make a big deal when things go wrong, or they feel they were wronged. Not that I disagree with that being important to their experience and possibly helpful when they share it with others... but I do feel it gives the wrong impression, especially for 1st time travelers, about how often theft (in all its various forms) actually happens to an individual tourist.

Be safe, but more important... ENJOY!

Thanks SeaUrchin! :)

Suze- I totally agree! Thanks for keeping things in perspective :P