favorite "cheap" meals in italy

(Italy).  Italy is not really known as a budget travel location, but there are still some amazing and affordable places to eat amazingly well.  And since the house wine (vino de casa) at all Italian restaurants are super good and cheap, there's really no need to spend a lot of money on fancy wines (unless you are a wine connoisseur).

Below is a list of my favorite "cheap" options, in no particular order...

Our favorite affordable restaurant in Italy!

1.   The "local" experience at Trattoria La Casalinga in Florence.

We loved every single thing about this restaurant - the amazing food (pastas, salads, roasted chicken, desserts, etc.), the friendly service, the owner who didn't speak any English but whose presence behind the counter could not be missed, and the joyful, relaxing ambience.  We loved it so much that we drove back early from Greve in Chianti just so we could dine at this restaurant again.  And the reasonable, local prices make it a true gem - especially when it's only a short walk from a major tourist attraction (i.e., the Pitti  Palace and Boboli Gardens).

Delicious salad and bruschetta.

Fresh pasta with rabbit ragu.

OMG - amazing chicken and potatoes!

Fluffy pillows of gnocchi.

The cream in this berry tart was perfect!

I'm not even sure what to recommend, but months later, I still salivate when I think about their fresh pastas, the roast chicken leg and potatoes, the zingy and fresh arugula salad with nutty, buttery parmaggiano reggiano. mmmmmmm  The potatoes were literally the best potatoes I've ever had in my life, and that's a lot of potato-eating.

This is what our plates looked like everytime after we devoured everything!

Our meals for two people, including wine, dessert and espresso were around $60.


2.   Fabulous sandwiches and wine at All'Antico Vinaio in Florence.
 

Oh porchetta - how i love you.

This was probably our cheapest meal in all of Italy, and yet, it was still one of the tastiest and most memorable.  The porchetta sandwich here was immense and utterly divine (only 5 euros).  With 3 glasses of wine at 2 euros a pop, the entire lunch was 11 euros!
 

Get in my belly!

The master at work...

But aside from the fabulous price, this sandwich was the best porchetta sandwich I've ever eaten.  I'm sure the other sandwiches are good too in view of the crazy lines, but I only had eyes for my porchetta.  (There seemed to be two locations - one right across the street from another... I went to the one with the bistro, but they don't serve the sandwiches at the bistro - you have to order sandwiches at the counter.)
 

Get here around 11am to beat the lunch crowd.

 runner up:  Casa de Vino in Florence.  This lovely little wine shop also serves up some creative and tasty sandwiches with different cheeses, coldcuts and spreads.   I believe the sandwiches ranged from between 6-9 euros and the wines by the glass were pretty cheap.  Sometimes they'll have these mini truffle sandwiches that are only about 2 euros.

cheese sandwiches with a spicy red pepper spread - yum.

3.  Delicious little plates and wine at All'Arco, a chicetti bar in Venice.

Hiding near the Rialto Bridge.

Literally the best meal I've ever had in Venice (and probably the cheapest).  The small plates of cheeses and seafood were so fresh and flavorful.  I happily lounged there with my food and wine for hours just people-watching and filling my tummy. 

These mini little squid things were my favorites!

runner up:  Le volupi e l'uva in Florence.  Another little gem of a wine shop in Florence that served up tasty sandwiches and small bites.  Hard to find, but totally worth it!

4.  Fun (and cheesy) dinner and show experience at La Tagliata in Positano.

This view was worth the trip!

This restaurant is a bit out of the way (but they have free shuttle service from the hotels in Positano) and believe me, it's worth the hassle.  Not only is the food and entertainment wonderful - the views are unbeatable as you look down onto Positano hugged on one side by the blue sea and the other by dramatic mountains and cliffs.

I think the price was only about 30 euros per person and it included all the food and the wine, the entertainment and the transportation to and from your hotel.  Unlike some of these touristy shows, the food - which they proudly tell you, is "cooked by mamma" - is delicious, especially the grilled meats and pastas.  Mamma does actually make an appearance towards the end of the meal while all the singing and dancing is happening.  

It was a truly wonderful - albeit cheesy - experience.  But hey, I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

What are your favorite "cheap eats" in Italy?  Let me know down below!  Happy eating!