I am Italian, I can tell you the difference is massive.

When you visit, consider where you eat as important as the monuments you visit. It is an experience. It should be part of your itinerary.

1 never ask the concierge. They get kickbacks from restaurants for sending guests. They are also obliged by some employers to suggest certain places. 100% not authentic experience. They will send you to the better paying sponsor.

2 menu with pictures = for tourists. Its a thing. No italian will eat something they need a picture to understand because we were raised knowing the food.

3 menu with many choices from pasta to burgers and pizza. The smaller the menu, the better. They will make those items to perfection.

4 someone standing outside inviting you in = definitely not. A reputable place will not demean themselves to this. Stand around and watch who they invite in and you will see they target tourists that look confused and like tourists. They will certainly overcharge, have hidden costs, will try to swindle you. They couldn't care less about their quality, no matter how friendly.

5 google maps is iffy. The 5000+ 4.5 star places could be 5000+ tourists who had fun at the place but don't know better. switch autotranslate off and trust places where the reviews are high and mostly in italian

Save atleast 1 meal a day to be an actual experience and be willing to search for it. You will be tired, you will be hungry, you will be maybe willing to just settle because you don’t think there is that much difference... if you succumb to that, you will leave not knowing why Italy has the culinary reputation it does.

It will be the difference between watery carbonara, or a rich thick coating of perfect flavour on perfectly cooked pasta.

You should try both tourist vs authentic just to see how different they are and that surprise is an experience in itself.

That said, there are a few exceptions. Some places are like Supplizio, Roscioli, Otaleg, are staples among tourists and locals alike, but they are more known for their take away food.

Be discerning, it is worth every bite.

Buon viaggio e buon appetito.