Restaurants I went to in Italy and Greece

Owen Lucas

Owen Lucas

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A few pictures of the eats from my Italy and Greece trip this summer.

When going to touristy areas, research the restaurants further away from the attractions. The lines will be shorter and they restaurants will be more genuine. We went to many that were a block or 2 away and we knew we were in good company because the locals were eating there and it was pretty apparent we were outsiders.


Cantina e Cucina
Via del Governo Vecchio, 87

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Pupina
37 Via Marianna Dionigi


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La Locanda di Pietro
Via Sebastiano Veniero, 28/c, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Nice hidden restaurant as it is not near any of the Vatican entrances.

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Awesome, looks absolutely delicious--thanks for posting.

Would you concur the Italians are better cooks than the Greeks?
 
GON said:
Would you concur the Italians are better cooks than the Greeks?
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According to my taste, yes. I love the smokey flavor of Italian food, the cheeses, the pasta. I will go back again just for the food! Greek is a little too acidic but does have it's place. Some of the Italian food I ate in Greece was pretty good too lol. Una Face Una Raca "one face one race" as they say.
 
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Frankie Restaurant
Skoufa 42, Athina 106 72, Greece



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Zinglee
Tsakalof 2, Athina 106 73, Greece

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Sky Bar
Ploutarchou 66, Athina 106 76, Greece
(Atop Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in Athens)



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Melinia Restaurant
Κεντρική Πλατεία Ραφήνας, Rafina 190 09, Greece

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Barba Vaggos
Plastíra, Rafina 190 09, Greece

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Luuma Restaurant Bar
Leof. Artemidos 165, Artemis 190 16, Greece

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CKN said:
I just got back from Italy, Greece, Crete, Spain, Turkey and Egypt. You ate a little higher on the "food ladder" than I did.
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These are only pictures of the nicest places we ate at. We did hit up some smaller joints and cafes, which were pretty good as well but not photo worthy.


Egypt, wow, is it a good time to go now? From a US tourist POV there probably aren't many Americans out there. I like to travel in the off season and we made it just before things got crazy. Did you see / hear a lot of Russian? I understand Egypt is one of the few places they can still visit.
 
Owen Lucas said:
These are only pictures of the nicest places we ate at. We did hit up some smaller joints and cafes, which were pretty good as well but not photo worthy.


Egypt, wow, is it a good time to go now? From a US tourist POV there probably aren't many Americans out there. I like to travel in the off season and we made it just before things got crazy. Did you see / hear a lot of Russian? I understand Egypt is one of the few places they can still visit.
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Cairo, and Port Said. The tour buses in Port Said had an armed escort that had automatic weapons and a guy manning a gun turret poking out of a RAM full size van. They cleared intersections and secured sites we visited. Quite surreal. In Cairo Pyramids were Great. Can't say anything else positive-so I won't describe how I really feel.

Saw a lot of NATO exercises when we were there.
 
blkwtr said:
We went to Montecatini Terme in Italy last Spring and found this little restaurant with room for about 15 people. The owner/chef was a 90 year old lady who prepared us a wonderful meal. No pictures of the food but here's a couple pictures of the chef:

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That is awesome, thanks for posting the pictures and sharing the story.
 
Suddenly hungry not sure why!

The food looks great. How did you find those places?

One thing we found - we did NOT trust American/Canadian/most any(!) restaurant review type sites after 2-3 duds - for Italian restaurant reviews. Best to chat it up with locals - of course then they will send you to their buddy's or relative's place. But then again we liked just buying stuff at their markets and cooking at our villa. So good and LOW cost too
 
GSCJR said:
food from Autogrill
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Thanks for the memory jog.

Movie: Bread and Tulips....a family leaves the wife/mother at an Autogrill....they need time to realize she's absent....wife finds new life.
Poignant and real flick.

Also, a tip if you're taking a 'coach' (aka bus)..follow the driver to his restaurant.
 
GSCJR said:
@Owen Lucas, where are the mandatory pictures of the food from Autogrill? :ROFLMAO:
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I did not notice the Autogrill but will look out for it next time! I guess it's fast food? I'd love to try it out, Italian FF must be amazing.

Pablo said:
The food looks great. How did you find those places?

One thing we found - we did NOT trust American/Canadian/most any(!) restaurant review type sites after 2-3 duds - for Italian restaurant reviews. Best to chat it up with locals - of course then they will send you to their buddy's or relative's place. But then again we liked just buying stuff at their markets and cooking at our villa. So good and LOW cost too
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I researched a few places before we left and had an itinerary planned for most days and walking routes. I strictly used Google maps and decided which restaurant based on the most recent reviews. I specifically did not go to the restaurants right next to the attractions.

An extra 2 minute extra walk will still yield plenty of amazing restaurants. We got lost a few times since Google Maps GPS in these tight streets is not very accurate but with how we ate, it didn't hurt to get a few extra steps in though!

blkwtr said:
We went to Montecatini Terme in Italy last Spring and found this little restaurant with room for about 15 people. The owner/chef was a 90 year old lady who prepared us a wonderful meal. No pictures of the food but here's a couple pictures of the chef:
Click to expand...

Wow what a trooper, it doesn't get any more authentic than a chef like that! I saw a similar restaurant on our route and walked in, reservations only. Via di Ripetta, 158, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
 
Guy I used to work with went to Italy. He was telling us everything in Rome was closed on Sunday, the day he was there. The ONE place that was open was called La Bella Ali Baba. A middle eastern guy making Italian food. He coulda stayed here and had that.
We were cryin' we were laughing so hard.
 
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