Grabbing Lunch and Snacks in Ports of Call in France & Italy

[FirsttimecruiserRC2024]

Hello! 

First time cruiser here! I am cruising with my family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) and we have several ports of call in France and Italy (Marseille, La Spezia, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Naples).

I have done a ton of research and booked things that needed to be booked, but the only thing I haven't booked (and wasn't planning on booking) were lunch meals/snacks while we are out roaming the ports. 

I guess I assumed that we could find a little place to have a quick snack/pizza/glass of vino and then be on our merry way to see whatever it is we are exploring.  A lot of Instagram videos suggest you can't go anywhere in Italy to eat if you don't have a reservation.. 

Thoughts on this? We are with kids, so we obviously aren't looking for 'fine dining' options.... (and we will be back on board for dinner, so this is really lunch/mid-day snacks)

Edited June 28 by FirsttimecruiserRC2024
changed title

[CruiserBruce]

Absolutely not true. There will be many restaurants,  cafés and other eateries to enjoy. Have traveled all over Europe for over 30 years. The only time reservations are ever mentioned are for high end places for dinner.

[FirsttimecruiserRC2024]

3 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Absolutely not true. There will be many restaurants,  cafés and other eateries to enjoy. Have traveled all over Europe for over 30 years. The only time reservations are ever mentioned are for high end places for dinner.

Thank you!! Great to hear. 

[edinburgher]

15 hours ago, FirsttimecruiserRC2024 said:

A lot of Instagram videos suggest you can't go anywhere in Italy to eat if you don't have a reservation.. 

Total nonsense!

 

If this will be your first visit to Italy, as you will be four persons, read up on the different charges you will most likely encounter depending on where you choose to eat or drink  in any cafe or bar.

 

Unless things have changed very recently, there can be three different charges.

Cheapest is to stand at the counter,

Next cheapest is to sit at a table inside,

Most expensive is usually to sit outside on a terrace.

 

As "tap water" is not usually served,  you need to buy bottled water either carbonated or still.

 

And on you bill, you may see the “pane e coperto”  which is a per person charge for the bread and cover which will have been brought to your table whether or not you ordered it, and whether or not you eat it.

 

There should be info to be found online..

[FirsttimecruiserRC2024]

3 hours ago, edinburgher said:

Total nonsense!

 

If this will be your first visit to Italy, as you will be four persons, read up on the different charges you will most likely encounter depending on where you choose to eat or drink  in any cafe or bar.

 

Unless things have changed very recently, there can be three different charges.

Cheapest is to stand at the counter,

Next cheapest is to sit at a table inside,

Most expensive is usually to sit outside on a terrace.

 

As "tap water" is not usually served,  you need to buy bottled water either carbonated or still.

 

And on you bill, you may see the “pane e coperto”  which is a per person charge for the bread and cover which will have been brought to your table whether or not you ordered it, and whether or not you eat it.

 

There should be info to be found online..

This is great information- appreciate it, thank you!

[Chocolate Teapot]

On 6/29/2024 at 3:13 PM, edinburgher said:

Total nonsense!

 

If this will be your first visit to Italy, as you will be four persons, read up on the different charges you will most likely encounter depending on where you choose to eat or drink  in any cafe or bar.

 

Unless things have changed very recently, there can be three different charges.

Cheapest is to stand at the counter,

Next cheapest is to sit at a table inside,

Most expensive is usually to sit outside on a terrace.

 

As "tap water" is not usually served,  you need to buy bottled water either carbonated or still.

 

And on you bill, you may see the “pane e coperto”  which is a per person charge for the bread and cover which will have been brought to your table whether or not you ordered it, and whether or not you eat it.

 

There should be info to be found online..

Also to add that bottled water is often quite cheap (e.g. 2 euros for a litre bottle)

[tobyt]

Slice of pizza, gelato, handheld items…yum…we rarely spend hours of precious port time in anything fancy. I also always pack granola bars, they have saved us many times on delayed flights, long closed restaurants or just frankly Hangry and need a little something familiar!