A trattoria (pl.: trattorie) is an Italian-style eating establishment, generally much less formal than a ristorante (lit. 'restaurant') but more formal than an osteria.^[1]

A trattoria rooted in tradition, typically, is without a printed menu, with casual service, wine sold by the decanter rather than the bottle, low prices, and a menu of modest but plentiful offerings that follow regional and local recipes rather than haute cuisine.^[2] Sometimes, food is served family-style, at common tables. Optionally, a trattoria may offer takeaway. This tradition has waned in recent decades. Many trattorie have taken on some of the trappings of a ristorante, providing relatively few concessions to the old rustic and familial style. The name trattoria has also been adopted by some high-level restaurants.^[1]

Etymology

The word trattoria is cognate with the French term traiteur^[3] (a caterer providing take-out food). Derived in Italian from trarre, meaning 'to treat' (from the Latin tractare/trahere, 'to draw'),^[4] its etymology has also been linked to the Latin term littera tractoria, which referred to a letter ordering provision of food and drink for officials traveling on the business of the Holy Roman Empire.^[3][5]