Why Family-Style Dining Reigns Supreme At Italian Restaurants

Italians are well known for eating family-style, especially at home. This long-standing tradition of shared, multi-course meals goes beyond passing around dishes of antipasti or grabbing a scrumptious cannoli off the communal dessert plate. It's an integral part of their culture of togetherness. Mealtime is the ideal chance to catch up with friends and family and share a laugh or two over la cena. When eating in, home cooks often serve a large spread in the middle of the table; whereas in restaurants, diners usually have to focus on their own individual selections. Don't worry, the art of sharing at mealtime is still pretty common, and many restaurants are totally willing to accommodate family-style eating.

Some of the best Italian restaurants in America faithfully serve their patrons family-style. Even popular national chains like Buca di Beppo and Maggiano's Little Italy have their waitstaff deliver shareable bowls and platters overflowing with classic dishes right to your table for everyone to nibble on and enjoy. But could this be a new trend or a surefire way to hold on to this pillar of Italian culture?

One reason why family-style dining reigns supreme at Italian restaurants is because it mirrors their traditional cultural emphasis on community, bonding, and sharing food; just like they do at home. It transforms a restaurant's typically solo-focused grub grab and turns it into a dolce vita experience rather than the chance to simply refuel. The occasion fosters a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that goes beyond encouraging social interactions. Passing trays of food sparks connection.

In a conversation with Charleston City Paper, Anthony Marini, owner of South Carolina's The Pass and The Italian Boy, said of family-style dining in America, "It's a culture shift. The stuffiness of the app, entree, dessert format now has gone a little bit by the wayside. You've got more groups going out, younger people are going out ... and people want to share more." 

We love the way simply diving into the same pot at an Italian restaurant removes the stiffness of a formal dinner affair and replaces it with a more relaxed environment. That's another thing that makes family-style eating ideal for gatherings and celebrations, especially when much of your party orders off the kid's menu. You can (almost) leave your manners at the door, as passing a taste of the old country around the huddle is fun, interactive, and less stressful for all ages.

Family-style meals at an Italian restaurant is almost like a buffet experience. You can freely sample a wide variety of dishes instead of being stuck with one or two items as you dig into anything on the table that looks appetizing. From pastas and proteins to salad and breadsticks, you essentially get a sampler platter without having to order the whole kit and kaboodle. There's no need to covet your companion's entree, either. See a new dish you've never tried? Give it a spoonful taste test before you load up your plate.

The family-style experience is generally pretty cost-effective, too. Ditch the other restaurants' tiny portions for a generous serving of la cucina Italiana that's specifically designed for sharing. Large trays of lasagna or spaghetti are often a more economical way to ensure large families or groups are stuffed to the gills. So, if you don't leave the restaurant about to burst your pants button, you did something wrong. After all, ordering solo is one of the top things you should stop doing at an Italian restaurant.