Blue Bar

While living in Orvieto, Italy, I had many months to explore all of the different (& very tasty) restaurants, cafes, and bars in town. For a town that is only a mile long, there is a lot packed in -- and mostly for a very affordable price. Not all of these are open year-round; if traveling between Christmas and the end of February, expect some closures or shortened hours. Italians usually have a quick & very light breakfast -- some espresso and maybe a pastry. Don't expect a full American breakfast anywhere you travel in Italy! Lunch is usually one course, typically very quick like pizza or small plate pasta. Aperitivo is Italy's happy hour, but much cooler. Usually, with the purchase of a drink the snacks come free (and flowing!). Traditional Italian dinner is at least 3 courses, though at some restaurants you are not expected to order that many. Depending on how nice the restaurant is though, you may be expected to order 2. Because Orvieto is smaller (& because you don't tip in Italy) a two-course dinner is typical and budget-friendly. And remember -- it is inappropriate to leave food leftover on your plate. Another important note about Italian cafe/restaurant culture is that a lot of the spots on this list are interchangeable. In Italy, it is typical/expected that a cafe is open for coffee & pastries at breakfast time, transition to a lunch after noon with quick plates, aperitivo in the afternoon, and a bar after dinner. For restaurants, they typically open around noon for lunch (if they even open for lunch), then resume around dinnertime. Rule of thumb is that anywhere that starts serving dinner before 7/7:30 isn't authentic & is a tourist trap.