A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I made a reservation" in Italian
Use 'Ho fatto una prenotazione' to confirm your restaurant booking in Italy.
Ho fatto una prenotazione.
oh fah-ttoh OO-nah preh-noh-tah-TSYOH-nehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Say this when you arrive at a restaurant where you've previously called or booked online. It's the standard way to let them know you have a table waiting for you.
Alternatives
- Ho prenotato.This is a shorter, more direct way to say the same thing.
- Abbiamo una prenotazione.Use this if you're speaking on behalf of a group.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'fare' with 'fare'
While 'fare' means 'to do' or 'to make', in this context, 'Ho fatto una prenotazione' is the correct idiom, not a literal translation of 'I did a reservation'.
Pronouncing 'prenotazione'
The 'z' sound is like 'ts' in 'cats', and the 'i' before it is part of that sound, not a separate syllable.
A small cultural note
While not strictly necessary in all trattorias, making a reservation is highly recommended for popular restaurants, especially on weekend evenings.
Frequently asked
How to say I have a reservation in Italian?
You can say 'Ho una prenotazione' which means 'I have a reservation'. 'Ho fatto una prenotazione' is more about the action of making it.
What's the difference between prenotare and fare una prenotazione?
Both are correct and mean to make a reservation. 'Prenotare' is the verb, and 'fare una prenotazione' uses the noun 'prenotazione'.
When do I need to make a reservation in Italy?
For popular restaurants, especially in tourist areas or on Friday/Saturday nights, a reservation is often essential. For smaller, local places, it might not be needed.
