A “restaurant” in Italy is more formal and pricier than a trattoria or pizzeria, with a menu that often isn’t limited to typical Italian food.

Less formal and less expensive than a ristorante.  Usually family-run.  A trattoria offers a full à la carte menu of authentic Italian dishes.

Relaxed and unpretentious tavern-style eateries serving snacks and simple dishes.  Some osterie (plural) specialise in meats cooked over an open wood fire.

Enoteche (plural) are wine bars, often connected with local wineries and vineyards, where you can enjoy wine-tasting by the glass and buy bottles to take home.  An enoteca will often also offer a limited menu of simple dishes to enjoy with your wine.

Serves hand-made, freshly-baked pizzas, cooked in a wood-fired oven or a pizza oven.  Pizzas from bars or storefronts are often frozen and re-heated and best avoided in favour of a proper pizzeria.

The literal translation is ‘hot table’.  Informal eateries offering pre-made (not à la carte) dishes, often featuring local specialties, with cafeteria-style self-service.

‘Sandwich bar’ doesn’t even begin to describe the delectable discoveries you’ll make in a good paninoteca.