Division 56: Food and beverage service activities

Section I, Accommodation and food service activities. 21 subcategories with ISTAT's explanatory notes and the ATECO 2022 codes they come from.

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  1. 56Food and beverage service activities

    This division includes food and beverage serving activities providing meals or drinks fit for immediate consumption, whether in traditional restaurants, self-service or takeaway restaurants, whether permanent or temporary, with or without seating. The fact that meals fit for immediate consumption are offered is decisive, not the kind of facility providing them.

    Excludes

    • production of meals not fit for immediate consumption, see divisions 10, 111011
    • production of meals not planned to be consumed immediately, see divisions 10 and 111011
    • production of prepared food which is not considered to be a meal, see divisions 10, 111011
    • sale of not self-manufactured food that is not considered to be a meal, see section GG
    • sale of meals that are not fit for immediate consumption, see section GG
    • coffee dispenser and vending machines selling food and drinks prepared by the machine itself, see division 4747
    • business and other management consultancy activities in the restaurant industry, see division 7070
  2. 56.1Restaurants and mobile food service activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This group includes restaurant and mobile food service activities for a general public, on a regular basis.

    Implementation rule

    • This group includes the activities of restaurants and other similar places, e.g. fast-food restaurants and pizzerias.
  3. 56.11Restaurant activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This class includes the provision of predominantly food services to customers (for example, in traditional restaurants, self-service or takeaway restaurants), with or without seating, in permanent or temporary facilities. Activities of take-out eating places are classified here.

    Units classified in class 56.11 may also deliver the food they prepare. If the home delivery is provided by independent units, these units are instead classified in class 53.20.

    This class also includes:

    Also includes

    • operation of restaurants on transport equipment, if operated by separate units not part of the transport provider, e.g.:
      • on trains
      • on ships
    • operation of restaurants within transport facilities, if operated by separate units not part of the transport provider, e.g.:
      • in train stations
      • in airports
    • operation of restaurants in a hotel, if operated by separate units not part of the hotel
    • operation of takeaway restaurants in a supermarket, if operated by separate units not part of the supermarket
    • operation of restaurants in shopping malls

    Excludes

    • manufacture of ice cream, see 10.5210.52
    • manufacture of fresh pastry goods and cakes, see 10.7110.71
    • retail sale of food through vending machines, see 47.247.2
    • operation of railway dining cars as an integrated operation of railway companies, see 49.1149.11
    • food delivery by independent units, see 53.2053.20
    • mobile food service activities, see 56.1256.12
    • event catering activities, see 56.2156.21
    • concession operation of eating facilities, see 56.2256.22
    • activities of food service contractors (e.g. for transport companies), see 56.2256.22
    • activities of tea rooms, see 56.3056.30
  4. 56.11.1Restaurants, other than ice cream parlours and pastry shops
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This category includes the provision of food services to customers in table-service (traditional), self-service or take-away restaurants and other similar food operators, e.g. pizzerias, rotisseries and fry shops.

    This category also includes the provision of food services to customers in fast-food restaurants and cafeterias.

  5. 56.11.11Table-service restaurants, other than ice cream parlours and pastry shops
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.11 Ristorazione con somministrazione (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • provision of food services to customers in table-service (traditional) restaurants and pizzerias
    • provision of food services to customers in table-service (traditional) food taverns and Italian trattorias
    • provision of food services to customers in fast-food restaurants, delicatessens, fry shops, pizzerias with table service

    Also includes

    • provision of food services to customers in table-service (traditional) pubs with equipped kitchens
    • provision of food services to customers in table-service (traditional) wine bars with equipped kitchens
    • activities of independent chefs working at table-service (traditional) restaurants
    • activities of independent waiters working at table-service (traditional) restaurants
  6. 56.11.12Self-service or takeaway restaurants, other than ice cream parlours and pastry shops
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.20 Ristorazione senza somministrazione con preparazione di cibi da asporto (in part) · 96.09.09 Altre attività di servizi per la persona n.c.a. (in part)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • provision of food services to customers in self-service or take-away e.g. rotisseries, fry shops, pizzerias

    Also includes

    • activities of ghost kitchens
  7. 56.11.2Ice cream parlours and pastry shops
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This category includes the provision of food services to customers in table-service (traditional), self-service or take-away ice cream parlours, including yogurt bars, and pastry shops.

  8. 56.11.21Table-service ice cream parlours
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.30 Gelaterie e pasticcerie (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • table-service ice cream parlours
    • table-service yogurt bars

    Also includes

    • activities of independent waiters working at table-service ice cream parlours
  9. 56.11.22Self-service or take-away ice cream parlours
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.30 Gelaterie e pasticcerie (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • self-service or take-away ice cream parlours
    • self-service or take-away yogurt bars
  10. 56.11.23Table-service pastry shops
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.30 Gelaterie e pasticcerie (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • table-service pastry shops

    Also includes

    • activities of independent waiters working at table-service pastry shops
  11. 56.11.24Self-service or takeaway pastry shops
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.30 Gelaterie e pasticcerie (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • self-service or takeaway pastry shops
  12. 56.11.9Restaurant activities n.e.c.
  13. 56.11.91Restaurant activities on the premises on farms
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.12 Attività di ristorazione connesse alle aziende agricole (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • restaurant activities associated with crop and animal production
  14. 56.11.92Restaurant activities on the premises on fish farms
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.13 Attività di ristorazione connesse alle aziende ittiche (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • restaurant activities associated with fishing and aquaculture
  15. 56.11.93Restaurant activities on transport equipment
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.50 Ristorazione su treni e navi (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Also includes

    • operation of restaurants on transport equipment, if operated by separate units not part of the transport provider
  16. 56.12Mobile food service activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This class includes the preparation and serving of predominantly food for immediate consumption from movable carts or portable stalls.

    Mobile food service activities included in this class may be offered during trade fair events, in shopping malls, or anywhere else, e.g. even on trains and ships, as long as they are provided via movable carts or portable stalls.

    Excludes

    • manufacture of ice cream, see 10.5210.52
    • manufacture of fresh pastry goods and cakes, see 10.7110.71
    • retail sale of food through vending machines, see 47.247.2
    • food delivery by independent units, see 53.2053.20
    • preparation and serving of food from movable and temporary carts or portable stalls based on contractual arrangements with the customer, for a specific event, see 56.2156.21
    • concession operation of eating facilities, see 56.2256.22
    • mobile beverage serving activities, see 56.3056.30
  17. 56.12.0Mobile food service activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Implementation rule

    • Mobile food service activities are subdivided in mobile food service activities by restaurants and other similar food operators, mobile food service activities by ice cream vendors, mobile food service activities by pastry vendors.
  18. 56.12.01Mobile food service activities by restaurants and other similar food operators
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.42 Ristorazione ambulante (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • activities of mobile food operators, including:
      • hot food trucks
      • food vendors and food preparation in market stalls (excluding ice cream, pancake and other similar vendors)
      • snack vendors
  19. 56.12.02Mobile food service activities by ice cream vendors
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.41 Gelaterie e pasticcerie ambulanti (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • activities of mobile food operators, including:
      • ice cream vendors
      • frozen yogurt vendors
  20. 56.12.03Mobile food service activities by pastry vendors
    From ATECO 2022: 56.10.41 Gelaterie e pasticcerie ambulanti (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • activities of mobile food operators, including:
      • pancake vendors
      • pastry vendors
      • donut vendors
  21. 56.2Event catering, contract catering service activities and other food service activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This group includes catering activities for individual events or for a specified period of time and the operation of food concessions (for example, at sports or similar facilities). The services are provided on a contract basis and offered to a limited clientele.

  22. 56.21Event catering activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This class includes the provision of food and supply, based on contractual agreements, at the location specified by the customer, for a specific event.

    Events may be e.g. birthday dinners, weddings, conventions and conferences.

    This class includes banqueting activities.

    Event catering activities can include the provision of e.g. live music and dance activities.

    Excludes

    • manufacture of perishable food items, see 10.8910.89
    • retail sale of perishable food items, see 47.247.2
    • contract catering service activities and other food service activities, see 56.2256.22
  23. 56.21.0Event catering activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Implementation rule

    • Event catering activities are subdivided into event catering activities provided on the premises of the client organisation (e.g. country houses, farmhouses) or on the premises of catering halls.
  24. 56.21.01Event catering activities on the premises of the client organisation
    From ATECO 2022: 56.21.00 Catering per eventi, banqueting (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Implementation rule

    • The catering and banqueting activities are provided on the premises of the client organisation (e.g. country houses, farmhouses). These activities need mobile kitchens.
    • Operation of home restaurants is also included.
  25. 56.21.02Event catering activities on the premises of catering halls
    From ATECO 2022: 56.21.00 Catering per eventi, banqueting (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Implementation rule

    • The event catering and banqueting activities are provided on the premises of catering halls. These activities need fixed equipped kitchens.
  26. 56.22Contract catering service activities and other food service activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This class includes industrial catering, in other words, food preparation and supply based on contractual arrangements with the customer, for a fixed term. Further included is the operation of food concessions (for example, at sports and similar facilities). The food can be prepared directly on the premises of the client organisation or in a central unit.

    Excludes

    • manufacture of perishable food items, see 10.8910.89
    • retail sale of perishable food items, see 47.247.2
  27. 56.22.0Contract catering service activities and other food service activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Implementation rule

    • Contract catering service activities and other food service activities are subdivided in contract catering service activities, and other food service activities.
  28. 56.22.01Contract catering service activities
    From ATECO 2022: 56.29.20 Catering continuativo su base contrattuale (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • activities of food service contractors, e.g. for:
      • transport companies
      • hospitals
      • schools
  29. 56.22.02Other food service activities
    From ATECO 2022: 56.29.10 Mense (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • operation of canteens or cafeterias on a concession basis, e.g. for:
      • factories
      • offices
      • hospitals
      • schools
      • universities
  30. 56.3Beverage serving activities
  31. 56.30Beverage serving activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This class predominantly includes serving beverages for immediate consumption on the premises.

    The activities can include the provision of, for example live music and dance activities.

    Excludes

    • reselling packaged/prepared beverages, see division 4747
    • retail sale of beverages through vending machines, see 47.247.2
    • provision of beverage preparation and supply based on contractual arrangements with the customer, for a fixed term, see 56.2256.22
    • operation of concert halls and music venues, see 90.3190.31
    • operation of dance floors where beverage serving is not the main activity, see 93.2993.29

    Implementation rule

    • Usually units with equipped kitchens do not provide beverage servicing activities but rather they provide restaurants and mobile food service activities and should therefore be classified in classes 56.11 and 56.12.
  32. 56.30.0Beverage serving activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Implementation rule

    • Beverage serving activities are subdivided in beverage serving activities in bars and coffee houses, beverage serving activities in cocktail lounges, mobile beverage serving activities, bar activities on transport equipment.
  33. 56.30.01Beverage serving activities in bars and coffee houses
    From ATECO 2022: 56.30.00 Bar e altri esercizi simili senza cucina (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • activities of:
      • bars
      • coffee houses
      • tea rooms
      • fruit juice bars
  34. 56.30.02Beverage serving activities in cocktail lounges
    From ATECO 2022: 56.30.00 Bar e altri esercizi simili senza cucina (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • activities of:
      • cocktail lounges
      • pubs
      • wine bars
    • beverage serving activities in nightclubs, dance floors and ballrooms, when carried out by separate units
  35. 56.30.03Mobile beverage serving activities
    From ATECO 2022: 56.30.00 Bar e altri esercizi simili senza cucina (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • mobile beverage serving activities
  36. 56.30.04Bar activities on transport equipment
    From ATECO 2022: 56.30.00 Bar e altri esercizi simili senza cucina (all from here)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Also includes

    • bar activities aboard means of transport (e.g. train or ship), when carried out by separate units
  37. 56.4Intermediation service activities for food and beverage services activities
  38. 56.40Intermediation service activities for food and beverage services activities
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    This class includes the intermediation of food and beverage services by bringing clients and service providers together for a fee or commission without the intermediary providing the food and beverage services intermediated.

    These intermediation activities can be carried out on digital platforms or through non-digital channels (including face-to-face, door-to-door, telephone, post, and so on).

    The fee or commission can be received from either the client or the provider of the food and beverage service. Revenue for the intermediation activities can include other sources of income (for example, revenues from the sale of advertising space).

    This class also includes reservation services for restaurants.

    Excludes

    • operation of online platforms to allow people to book a food delivery, see 53.3053.30
  39. 56.40.0Intermediation service activities for food and beverage services activities
  40. 56.40.00Intermediation service activities for food and beverage services activities
    From ATECO 2022: 47.99.10 Commercio al dettaglio di prodotti vari, mediante l'intervento di un dimostratore o di un incaricato alla vendita (porta a porta) (in part) · 61.90.99 Altre attività connesse alle telecomunicazioni n.c.a. (in part) · 62.09.09 Altre attività dei servizi connessi alle tecnologie dell'informatica n.c.a. (in part) · 63.12.00 Portali web (in part) · 63.99.00 Altre attività dei servizi di informazione n.c.a. (in part) · 79.90.19 Altri servizi di prenotazione e altre attività di assistenza turistica non svolte dalle agenzie di viaggio n.c.a. (in part)
    ISTAT explanatory notes ›

    Includes

    • operation of online platforms for home delivery of prepared meals, if the delivery is carried out by the same unit which prepares the meals

Source and disclaimer

The code you find here has no legal value, like the one from ISTAT's own navigator. You can use it as a reference when you register or change a VAT number with the Business Register or the Italian Revenue Agency. If in doubt, ask your accountant. ISTAT's official ATECO navigator.

Data: ISTAT, ATECO 2025 classification, CC BY 4.0 licence. We reorganised the files for search without changing the text of codes and notes, except for the capitalisation of section titles. CC BY 4.0

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