An Italian food expert reveals the red flags that suggest an Italian restaurant might not be genuine.
Orazio Salvini, founder of Real Italian Restaurants, warns that some establishments use Italian names, decor, and imagery to attract customers, but don’t deliver an authentic dining experience.
“Many UK diners think they know Italian food – but what they’re eating would leave actual Italians horrified,” he says. “Real Italian dishes focus on simplicity, quality, and regional traditions, which don’t match up to the overloaded dishes that imitation places serve.”
Garlic bread on the menu. “If you see garlic bread listed as a starter, you’re probably not in a good restaurant,” Salvini noted. “This dish simply doesn’t exist in Italy in the form Brits know it. What Italians actually eat is ‘bruschetta’ – toasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with good olive oil, sometimes with fresh tomatoes added.”
Chicken or cream in carbonara. “Real carbonara contains five ingredients: pasta, eggs, pecorino cheese, guanciale (cured pork cheek), and black pepper. If you see cream, peas, chicken, or mushrooms, the restaurant isn’t following traditional recipes.”
Excessive menu size. “Authentic restaurants typically offer smaller, focused menus that change seasonally,” Salvini said. “If you see a massive menu with dozens of pasta dishes, pizzas, and meat options all available year-round, it suggests the kitchen isn’t preparing fresh food daily and is relying on frozen ingredients.”
Parmesan offered with seafood pasta. “No Italian would ever add cheese to seafood pasta – it’s considered a culinary sin that overpowers the fish. If a server offers parmesan with every pasta dish without exception, they’re not following tradition.”
Non-regional specialities. “Italy has 20 regions, each with different culinary traditions. Authentic restaurants usually specialise in dishes from specific areas. Look out for places that mix dishes from different areas like Sicily, Tuscany, and Lombardy.”
Salvini advises diners to look for restaurants where staff can speak knowledgeably about regional cooking techniques and ingredients. “Ask where their olive oil comes from or which region inspired a dish. Authentic places take pride in these details and will happily share.”
The Real Italian Restaurants expert suggests looking for places run by Italian families or chefs trained in Italy who focus on quality over quantity. “Good Italian food celebrates simplicity and seasonality. The best restaurants offer a few specials that regularly change based on what’s fresh.”