Italian food guide
What is a trattoria?
Trattoria, ristorante, osteria: the names signal a type of restaurant, though today they're used loosely. Here's what each one traditionally means.
Last updated
The traditional meanings
- Ristorante: the more formal option, with fuller service and a broader menu.
- Trattoria: informal and often family-run, with simple regional dishes at moderate prices.
- Osteria: originally a place centered on wine, serving simple food alongside it.
The lines have blurred
In practice the distinctions are loose, in Italy and especially outside it. Restaurants choose a name for the mood they want to set. A trattoria today might be a casual neighborhood room or a polished dining room that's chosen the name for its warmth and its focus on regional cooking.
Seneca Trattoria is a good example of the name stretching. It's a Roman-style trattoria on the 19th floor of the InterContinental, with bay views and wood-fired cooking at the center of the menu.
What we look for in a trattoria
We look for rooms where the cooking stays regional and unfussy, and then score them like any other restaurant: real diner reviews, kitchen craft and our own visit. See the current best trattorias in San Diego ranking, or read how the score works in our methodology.