trattoria

noun

trat·​to·​ria ˌträ-tə-ˈrē-ə 

plural trattorias or trattorie ˌträ-tə-ˈrē-ˌā 

: restaurant

specifically : a usually small Italian restaurant

Did you know?

In Italian, "trattore" is the word for an innkeeper or restaurant owner. That word derives from the Old French verb traitier, which means "to treat" and is related to the Latin tractare, meaning "to drag about, handle, or deal with." "Trattoria," which first appeared in English in 1832, is one of several words that have entered our language to refer to a kind of specialized eatery - in this case, one that specializes in Italian cuisine. Others that have come later include "bistro" (from French, 1921), "brasserie" (from French, 1864), and "taqueria" (from Mexican Spanish, 1982).

Examples of trattoria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their picks range from fresh seafood to old-school trattorias, sushi spots, classic bistros, and more. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026

Guests can also expect tile floors, wood paneling, and bentwood bistro chairs, lending a kind of timeless neighborhood trattoria vibe. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Umbria, the underrated, landlocked region in central Italy, is famous for its lush landscapes, medieval palaces, and rustic trattorias. — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

End the day with dinner in a traditional trattoria, enjoying the true highlight of Florentine cuisine—Her Majesty, the Bistecca alla Fiorentina. — Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from trattore restaurateur, from French traiteur, from traiter to treat, from Old French traitier — more at treat entry 1

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trattoria

• chorea
• correa
• doria
• gloria
• scoria
• shorea
• thoria
• aporia
• centaurea
• dysphoria
• euphoria
• septoria

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!