Photos: Meals to woof down at Italy's first dog restaurant

Dedicated menu is spoiled for choice: from hake with ricotta to minced chicken with puree

Published: November 24, 2023 13:50 Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor and with inputs from AFP

1 of 10

Rome: Pepe's meal is so good he licks the plate clean. In any other Rome establishment, slobbering on one's chicken and mashed potato would be frowned upon - but this is "Fiuto", Italy's first dogs' restaurant. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 10

The lighting is soft, lounge music plays in the background, attentive staff show people and pets to their tables and ask whether furry, four-legged customers might fancy a boiled egg with pureed peas and fontina cheese? Or perhaps a simple fish with ricotta and courgettes? Image Credit: AFP

3 of 10

Thirsty pups can opt for a green apple and watermelon juice, or go wild and have a pear, strawberry or banana one instead. "We drew up the menu with a veterinary nutritionist with whom I determined the ingredients, taking allergies into account, because dogs have many more allergies than humans," said head chef Luca Grammatico, who previously worked as a dog trainer. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 10

Pepe, a four-year-old Bichon with a naughty face, licks every last crumb off his elegant black bowl, almost taking the geometric patterns off too. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 10

Pets "are part of our family, so why not treat them like family?" says Sara Nicosanti, as she takes a selfie with Mango, her five-year-old Jack Russell, in the mirror-lined area designed especially for this purpose. There is not a bark to be heard: guests focus on their designer bowls, sitting on fleece blankets next to their owners' tables. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 10

Nicosanti, a 36-year-old real estate agent, says she is "very happy" with the choice at the restaurant, which opened just a month ago, because the dogs "can have a balanced diet too", with "suitable ingredients". "No spices, no salt and no oils," insists Grammatico. Food for canine customers is prepared in a separate kitchen to that of their human owners. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 10

Portions are tailored to the dogs' size - S (for those weighing two to 10 kilograms), M (11-20 kg), L (21-30 kg) and even XL (over 30 kg). "Fish is very popular because it is a different flavour to their usual food," Grammatico said. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 10

Chef and dog trainer Luca prepares dishes for dogs at the Fiuto restaurant in Rome. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 10

Since it opened, the restaurant has welcomed an average of six to 10 dogs every evening during the week and 10 to 15 at weekends, for a price per head of between eight and 20 euros (around $22), depending on the size of the dog. "We've installed screens (between tables) so that when the dogs eat, they can't see each other or disturb each other by invading each other's spaces," said Marco Turano. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 10

The restaurant's three co-founders did not expect the establishment in the heart of Rome's Ponte Milvio district to be so successful. "We are obviously super happy," said Turano, 33, as he wrapped up a surprise present - a detangling conditioner - for Rudy. And while there won't be candles, he will get a birthday cake of sorts: "a cheese biscuit with ricotta cheese and an end note of green apple". Image Credit: AFP

Photos Lifestyle

Photos: Meals to woof down at Italy's first dog restaurant

More From Photos

Bank of England freezes rate after jumbo US cut

Evacuations as tail of Storm Boris floods northeast Italy

Late Harrods owner Al Fayed accused of rape: BBC

Deadly Portugal wildfires force new evacuations

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Photos: Meals to woof down at Italy's first dog restaurant

More From Photos

Bank of England freezes rate after jumbo US cut

Evacuations as tail of Storm Boris floods northeast Italy

Late Harrods owner Al Fayed accused of rape: BBC

Deadly Portugal wildfires force new evacuations

GULFNEWS SECTIONS