I have a reservation under the name Ferrari.
pre-no-ta-ZIO-ne — five syllables, stress on the fourth.
When you arrive at a restaurant where you have booked a table. Say this to the host or first staff member you meet at the entrance.
'Ho una prenotazione' means 'I have a reservation'. 'A nome' means 'under the name'. This is the standard formula. You can replace 'Ferrari' with your own surname.
Ho prenotato per le otto.
I have a reservation for eight o'clock.
Mention the time if the name does not get an immediate response
Abbiamo un tavolo prenotato per quattro.
We have a table reserved for four.
Useful when the reservation is under someone else's name
Ho prenotato online — sono Rossi.
I booked online — I'm Rossi.
Specify 'online' if you used a booking platform like TheFork
In Italy, reservations are strongly recommended on Friday and Saturday evenings and are essential on Sundays at popular trattorias. Walk-ins on busy nights are often turned away even if tables appear free — they may be reserved for later.