Located right behind the Uffizi Gallery but hidden enough not to draw crowds, ‘Ino is one of Florence’s most charming spots for a light lunch or afternoon aperitif; it’s open only from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. The wine list is local and lovely, and you can order cheese and meat plates, sandwiches made with homemade focaccia, and extensive offerings of wines by the glass. “’Ino serves the best panini in Italy,” says Florence local Alessandro Grassi.

When you need a break from the cutting-edge fashion at Milan’s first glamorous lifestyle shop, 10 Corso Como, stroll across the small courtyard to 10 Corso Como Café. Over lunch recently, sparrows flitted from table to table in a setting of mostly black-and-white furniture and linens, making the atmosphere feel like one out of an art film commissioned by Miuccia Prada. The guests tended to eat like birds as well—a colorful selection of crudités was delivered to every table, and the organic salad and pasta dishes were delicious but served in very small portions. The best time to come is around 6 p.m. for the aperitivi scene. You can also stay here at the upscale bed and breakfast, 3 Rooms.

While the name highlights their excellent mozzarella and tapas, 110 Cavalli is also perfect for an after-dinner drink. Stop by this cozy spot, which is just outside Cisternino, for lively music, great views and an expertly crafted cocktail.

This tiny, mostly vegetarian café in Piazza della Passera, one of the Oltrarno neighborhood’s loveliest and liveliest, has an eclectic menu with an international twist, with dishes like chickpea croquettes served with a light, delicious yogurt sauce and seasonal vegetables dressed with sesame oil. Another very Italian chickpea declination is the dish after which the restaurant is named: in the port town of Livorno in the 1930s, when the cost of both bread and a traditional chickpea flour fritter was 5 cents, a customer who wanted both would ask for “5 of fritter and 5 of bread.” Be sure to order the cecina, this delicious chickpea incarnation.

With one of the most panoramic terraces in Rome, the 7th floor of the Hotel Hassler Roma is a serene spot for lunch, dinner or aperitivo.

This trattoria in Atrani, a member of the association of Slow Food in Italy, A Paranza is known for its excellent seafood. The décor is old school Amalfi (white walls and tiled floors) even though it was recently refurbished after a flood and so is the cuisine, which focuses on whatever is freshest.

Located in the Campo San Angelo, this is considered by many to serve the best pizza in Venice. With tables spilling onto a beautiful piazza, this is a good choice for families and an al fresco lunch.

On an island that has been overrun with tourists looking for a piece of Murano’s famous glass, Acquastanca is an authentic neighborhood hideaway that’s both stylish and unpretentious. Opened by an island resident who used to work at Harry’s Bar and her sister-in-law, an enviable chef, the food is delicious—with a great spaghetti alle vongole among the seafood choices—and the wine list a treasure trove of regional vintages close to Venice. Save room for the homemade desserts like the lemon meringue cake.

A Michelin-starred restaurant that was opened by husband and wife food lovers in 1962, Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia still serves delicious food in a slightly stuffy atmosphere. The family run spot, daughter Stephanie is passionately involved, has a cult status with foodies who are willing to make the trek (a 20-minute cab ride out of the center of town).

This casual pizzeria serves excellent pizza and seafood dishes in the small Piazza Garibaldi located in the center of town. With an easy going, family-friendly dining room and tables in the piazza outside, Bocconcino is popular with both locals and tourists. The restaurant, always crowded for lunch and dinner, does not accept reservations so expect quick service and a fast turn-around. The interplay of pizza, seafood and dessert is creative and well worth the rush.

Overlooking Piazza Santa Margarita, Al Bocon DiVino is an espresso bar with a nice selection of sandwiches.

Located in a Cortina suburb, Al Camin serves both traditional and contemporary takes on Veneto cuisine (which comes from a county nearby). A favorite among locals, the homey spot is known for its cheese and homemade pasta. The extensive wine selection includes an array of choices including local bottles and international ones.

The terrace of this small agriturismo and restaurant is a good spot for an aperitif in Pollara, the seaside village where Il Postino was filmed in 1995 and which has the most stunning  sunset viewing in all of Salina. For a local memento, purchase a bag of capers, Salina's local delicacy, which the family grows (ergo the name).

Diners receive a warm welcome here thanks to owner Diane Rankin’s Texas hospitality, which in turn may be why Covo is a perennial favorite with American food writers. But in the end, its popularity is due to its great food, which focuses on fish. The restaurant is central, about a twenty-minute walk from Piazza San Marco, but located in the quiet neighborhood of Campiello della Pescaria. The garden in the back is the place to sit for a lazy lunch. Please note that Al Covo is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

In a hidden location, on a narrow cobblestone street near the Trevi fountain, this authentic trattoria is one a favorite of Alberto Moncanda, the owner of three boutique hotels. “Al Moro, is a well-known trattoria; well-known for its delicious food and grumpy owners. Film director Federico Fellini, an Al Moro regular, gave the elder Moro a part in his film Satyricon...My favorite dishes are the pasta al Moro ( a light version of carbonara) and scampi al Moro, which is also very light and delicious. I prefer this restaurant for dinner.”

The oldest bar on Capri’s legendary piazzetta, the Piccolo is a favorite spot for an aperitif and people watching before and after dinner.

In a lovely bucolic setting on a hillside in Tremezzo, Al Veluu is a lovely spot for alfresco dining.

Tucked deep in the Santa Croce neighborhood, this gelateria is worth seeking out for its delicious handmade creations, which come in such unusual flavors as ginger and celery, as well as the creamiest pistachio, chocolate and banana you will taste in Venice. The ice cream is totally seasonal and prepared with the best ingredients, as will tell you  the (aptly named) owner Carlo Pistacchi, who is passionate and knowledgeable about his craft.

This elegant restaurant in the well-known art town of Pietrasanta is a ten-minute drive outside of Forte dei Marmi but well worth the effort for those who have several nights in the area. The setting is chic with ethnic design influences and the food is excellent, offering a variety of seafood dishes and grilled specialties. There is also an impressive wine list.

Located in the heart of old Venice beyond the Rialto Bridge is the charming Alla Madonna, renowned for its seafood and menu of Venetian classics. Over 50 years old, this eatery boasts nine dining rooms adorned with the artwork of prominent contemporary Italian artists, along with a competent staff and a down-to-earth ambience.

This popular trattoria, in Montalcino, serves delicious lunches, apertifs or wines by the glass either inside or out on the cobblestoned patio. The traditional Tuscan dishes are prepared with fresh, local ingredients and the convivial atmosphere draws a loyal following.

Florence is a city better known for its cultural venues than for great restaurants (many places cater to the tourist and study-abroad crowds). A wonderful exception is Alle Murate, which combines art and refined cuisine in one of Italy’s most unique restaurant settings. The Palazzo dell’Arte dei Giudici e Notai, a former fourteenth-century guildhall, has walls that are covered in well-preserved frescoes. Chef (she prefers the title of cook) Giovanna Iorio is all about simple, seasonal foods, and dishes might include a grilled mackerel fillet with mixed vegetables, pigeon stuffed with pine nuts and raisins and for dessert, a warm cheesecake with yogurt and lemon cream. Before or after the meal, you should take the guided tour (available in English), which leads you through the candlelit space, explaining everything from the ceiling frescoes all the way down to the ancient foundations.

I adore this small fish restaurant, which has only eight tables (reservations are a must). One of my favorite dishes—when it’s in season—is sautéed razor clams piled high on the plate. It’s difficult to recommend specific dishes, as the menu reflects the day’s catch. Grilled swordfish and sautéed tuna may sound ho-hum but are brought to exquisite heights by the light touch of the cook and the ultra-fresh fish.