Italian restaurant music: 6 playlists that set the perfect mood
Great Italian food deserves a soundtrack to match. But Italian restaurant music isn't one-size-fits-all.
What music do you play in an Italian restaurant? A family-style trattoria, a sleek urban enoteca and a romantic fine-dining room each call for a different atmosphere. Here are six playlists licensed for business use to pair with your restaurant's unique menu and experience.
Italian Restaurants
Featuring: Time-honored Italian hits
A mix of beloved Italian tunes (think Volare and That's Amore) that transport your guests straight to the heart of Italy. Great for traditional eateries where guests can hum along while twirling spaghetti. Best for traditional trattorias and family-run dining rooms.
Includes music by Fabrizio De André, Umberto Bindi, Marino Marini, Gino Paoli, Nilla Pizzi, Luciano Tajoli and Luigi Tenco.
Swoon Over Crooners
Featuring: Legendary jazz, big band and swing
Nostalgic tracks from classic and contemporary artists that bring back the golden era of crooners. Create a warm, timeless ambience that pairs well with good wine and good pasta. Best for a wine-led evening service.
Includes music by Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Dean Martin, Anita O'Day and Frank Sinatra.
Romantic Dinner
Featuring: Jazz and love ballads
A slower, swankier take on the Italian Restaurant playlist, this set adds smooth jazz and heartfelt ballads. It's the soundtrack for couples leaning in close and celebratory dinners that deserve a little extra magic. Best for a restaurant full of cosy two-tops.
Includes music by Chet Baker, Freddy Cole, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Billie Holiday, Etta Jones and Sarah Vaughan.
Background Piano
Featuring: Elegant piano compositions
For fine dining and intimate conversation, a sophisticated playlist is the way to go. Chic and understated, this playlist creates space for your food, wine and service to take center stage. Best for fine dining rooms and tasting menus.
Includes music by Johannes Bornlöf, Ever So Blue, Franz Gordon, Anna Landström and Megan Wofford.
Italian-American Restaurant
Featuring: Rat Pack favorites
A nod to classic Italian-American romance, this playlist filled with the smooth stylings of the Rat Pack and their peers evokes candlelit suppers and vintage charm. Best for snug pizza places off the turnpike.
Includes music by Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr., Buddy Greco, Mel Tormé and Dinah Washington.
Most-Played Italy
Featuring: Today's top Italian hits
If your menu puts a modern spin on tradition, pair it with this eclectic mix of the latest songs topping Italy's charts. A mix of Italian pop and international hits, it's perfect for a modern bistro with a contemporary menu.
Includes music by 22simba, Artie 5ive, Cesare Cremonini, Geolier and Ultimo.
What should an Italian restaurant play at lunch and dinner?
Lighter, brighter Italian music at lunch and slower, warmer as the dinner service builds.
Dayparting your playlists is the way to make the music transition seamlessly throughout the day. Soundtrack can help you schedule playlists by time of day, so your Italian restaurant's music changes at the right moment without staff having to touch anything.
Can you play a personal Spotify playlist in an Italian restaurant?
No, you can't use a personal Spotify account to play music in a restaurant because a personal Spotify account isn't licensed for business use. Personal music streaming apps aren't licensed for business use and using them violates their terms and conditions.
Restaurant music licensing rules are clear: restaurants need a licensed music provider like Soundtrack that's built for business use, including in restaurants. If you have Spotify playlists you want to use in your restaurant, use Soundtrack's Spotify Import tool to make it happen.
Find your soundtrack
Soundtrack has the right music for restaurants, no matter the concept.
Whether you're serving gelato to a favorite family or handmade gnocchi to a tableful of seasoned foodies, Soundtrack has a playlist to help you create the perfect dining experience. Try Soundtrack free for 14 days and see how the right music can change your space.
