Italian food might be your favorite date night food, but eating out can be too expensive. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that high-end restaurants can be extremely expensive, but there are various reasons behind that. With this article, we are sharing some of the reasons behind the expensive price of Italian food. So, let’s check out more details!
Why Is Italian Food So Expensive?
1. On-Premise Production
To begin with, Italian food will be more expensive at the restaurants that prepare pasta themselves. In simpler words, they knead the dough and shape the pasta on their own to make sure the flavors are on-point. Generally, high-end restaurants make pasta in their kitchen, which is one reason why Italian food will be expensive.
2. Time & Labor
Italian food is no joke and making one plate of good pasta takes time and effort. When it comes down to high-end restaurants, they work on every order mindfully, which is why the price will always be expensive. The best thing about such restaurants is that Italian food will have authentic flavors and will be worth the price (you might consider making pasta on your own, but it won’t have the authentic taste).
3. Associated Costs
When it comes down to restaurants, they have multiple costs which are taken out from the customers’ orders. For instance, these costs include ingredient costs, overhead costs (marketing, utilities, and fixed monthly expenses), labor costs, taxes, rent, and profit. When restaurants have to complete these costs through orders, the prices will increase. However, keep in mind that these costs increase with the reputation of the restaurant and the quality of ingredients that they are using.
4. Reputation
This is another reason behind the expensive price of Italian food. For instance, if you are eating from a place where even waiters wear tuxedos and have a warm ambiance, the price is ought to increase. On the other hand, if you are eating from a mediocre place that’s filled with hipsters, the price won’t be too much. So, it’s evident that which restaurant you choose also has an impact on the price. In simpler words, if you are visiting a five-star restaurant, they won’t price pasta at $4, of course.
5. Ingredients
As we are talking about Italian food, it’s needless to say that it uses specific and specialized ingredients. To illustrate, achieving the right flavor and aroma in Italian food is pretty challenging and can be impacted by the ingredients. In simpler words, the ingredients used in Italian recipes tend to be expensive, which leads to a higher price. In addition, those ingredients aren’t even readily available outside Italy, hence the higher price.
6. Location
If you are considering eating in Italy, the price of food will also depend on where the restaurant is located. Truth be told, Italy is loaded with luxury restaurants that serve gourmet meals. However, if the restaurants are located around the historical monuments or have a stunning view, they will cash that. As a result, the meal prices will be higher at such restaurants.
7. Tips To Buy Cheap Italian Food
If you are visiting Italy and the food prices seem too expensive, there are certain tips that you can try to make it affordable, such as;
- If you are sticking to British or American breakfast in Italy, it’s going to cost you a limb. So, when you are in Italy, try to eat from the local shops and stalls rather than going all fancy. In addition, Italy has some amazing food options available in the grocery store
- In Italy, paying more than 15 euros for lunch is considered a luxury. That being said, if you want to have lunch, opt for sandwich shops, street carts, and delis. You can also join a food tour to get authentic Italian food at a reasonable price
- When you visit the restaurants, try opting for house wine (if you play guess-game with Italian wines, you will end up adding multiple zeros to the bill). The house wine will cost around ten euros for one liter, and it’s fine
- Try to check out Yelp when looking for restaurants. This will make sure that you are choosing the restaurant with good reviews without breaking your bank (there are categories of restaurants to check out)