Italian restaurant names

Tips for naming a italian restaurant

• Use a place word such as Toscana, Roma, or Napoli when the menu follows that region, because it tells guests what to expect.
• Words like trattoria, osteria, and cucina signal the style of restaurant, so pick the one that matches your service level.
• A family word like nonna or famiglia works well for casual spots built around shared recipes and a home-cooked feel.
• Keep the Italian spelling simple, since double consonants and accents are the most common errors in print and online.
• Check that the name is not already used by a well-known Italian restaurant in your market before you order signage.

What to avoid

• Avoid stock phrases that appear on hundreds of restaurants, such as Little Italy or Bella Vita.
• Avoid names built only from famous Italian film or song titles, which can cause confusion or trademark trouble.
• Avoid mixing several regions in one name, since it suggests a menu that does not hold together.

Before you commit to a name

Search the name with your city on Google and Maps, check your state's business registry and the USPTO trademark database, and confirm the domain and social handles are free. These ideas are starting points; any of them may already be in use near you.

Once it's yours, put it on a free menu template and give it a home guests can order from directly with commission-free online ordering.