Enjoying yourself Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Timetable Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Italians eat a little later than northern Europeans. At lunchtime, the kitchen usually opens at 1pm, and at dinner, at 7pm. However, restaurants in tourist areas have adapted to a foreign clientele that is mostly Austrian and German: on the coast and in the mountains, they are open from 12 noon and in the evening from 6 pm. Most establishments have at least one day a week when they are closed, which varies greatly but is often Monday. On Sundays, they may be open at noon and closed in the evening. It is best to reserve a table in advance; in Trieste, this is strongly recommended, as the establishments regularly have to refuse customers who arrive unexpectedly.
Budget & Tips Friuli-Venezia Giulia
In Friuli Venezia Giulia, you can eat very well and locally for a democratic price. In a typical trattoria, a pasta dish will cost you 10 €. The traditional frico, musetto con brovada and gnocchi will cost you between 8 and 10 €. In restaurants, an à la carte meal with a first course, a second course and a dessert will cost between 30 and 40 €, a little more if it is a gastronomic establishment.
On the coast and in Trieste, seafood is on the menu of most restaurants. It is possible to eat fresh fish at good prices, although prices are a little higher in the seaside resorts of Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro. If you want to order the fish of the day, note that the price on the menu is all'etto, that is to say, per 100 g. Make sure you know the weight of your fish and the amount you will have to pay before ordering to avoid surprises when you pay the bill.
What costs extra Friuli-Venezia Giulia
In Italy, you pay between €1.50 and €4.00 for the table. Some establishments also charge for service, about 10% of the total bill. Tipping is always appreciated.
The local way Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Use your only fork to eat your pasta (and this is true for all of Italy). In Trieste, fill a small hunger with a panino with Prague ham con cren e senape (with horseradish and mustard) bought in a buffet in town. Drink your espresso (or nero in Trieste) at the bar and indulge in a pastry, preferably a piece of gubana or putizza. Ataperitivo time, accompany your glass of wine, beer or cocktail (the spritz has become trendy everywhere) with an assortment of appetizers.
To be avoided Friuli-Venezia Giulia
There is no shortage of good places to eat or snack. Avoid the American and international fast food chains and choose the local ones.
Kids Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Children are welcome everywhere in Italy and restaurants are no exception. They should remember, of course, that a pizzeria is not a playground...
Smokers Friuli-Venezia Giulia
No smoking in restaurants.
Tourist traps Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Avoid restaurants that offer a "tourist menu.
When a restaurant displays faded photos of its dishes - not exactly appetizing, by the way - it is rarely a good sign.
Take a break Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Timetable Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Cafés, tea rooms and gourmet shops (pastry shops and bakeries with tasting rooms) are generally open from morning until late afternoon (Italians love the little pastry shop with espresso around 5-6pm!). Ice cream shops open a little later, around noon, and close in the evening. Bar hours vary: often open at noon in the city, around 5pm elsewhere, they close between 11pm and 3am.
Budget & Tips Friuli-Venezia Giulia
An espresso will cost you between 1 € and 1,50 €, count 50 cents more for a cappuccino. In many cafés, you will first go to the cashier where you will be given your stump(scontrino). You can then give it to the barista and drink at the counter. In the more touristy places, you will be charged more for coffee if you are seated on the terrace. A glass of wine is particularly affordable in Friuli Venezia Giulia. While elsewhere in Italy it costs between €3.50 and €7, here you will be served a goblet of local wine - which is excellent, by the way - for €2-3. The glass, however, will be scrupulously filled to 12.5 cl! On the other hand, beer is quite expensive in Italy, especially craft beers which are very popular at the moment. Cocktails are charged between 4 and 8 € on average.
Age restrictions Friuli-Venezia Giulia
In Italy, the legal drinking age is 18.
What's very local Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Have an espresso at the bar in the morning before going to work. Don't drink cappuccino after 11am (avoid if you don't want to be labelled as a tourist). Meet up with friends in the early evening ataperitivo time.
