How to Order at a Restaurant in Italy
Italians are infamous for comparing the pleasure of a meal to pleasure in life. Nothing can make a vacation in Italy more gratifying than an extraordinary dining experience. However, ordering at a restaurant in Italy can be intimidating if you're not prepared. Americans know their lasagna, but do they know their mortadella from their mozzarella?
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Instructions
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Familiarize yourself with common Italian dining phrases. Purchase an Italian phrase book that has an extensive dining section.
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Determine what kind of meal you are in the mood to eat. For a quick and cheap bite, try a bar. For a casual dining experience, visit a pizzerie. Visit a tavola calda if you want a hot meal to go. When eating at full-fledged restaurants like ristorantes or trattorias, multiple courses are encouraged.
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Choose your beverage. You'll typically be asked to order your beverage before your meal. Mineral water or wine are acceptable choices.
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Decide if you want to order a la carte or off of a "menu turistico." A "menu turistico," which translates to a tourist's menu, offers three or four set courses at a fixed price.
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Order one course at a time if you are ordering a la carte. Start with an antipasto (appetizer). Then choose your primo piatto which is usually pasta or soup. If you're still hungry, order a secondo piatto which is typically meat or fish.
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Save room for dolci (dessert). Cannoli is always a fabulous choice.
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Order coffee last.
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Tips & Warnings
Never butter your bread.
Eat whole fruit with a fork and a knife.
Don't be embarrased to use your Italian phrase book when ordering.
Never order coffee with dessert. This is an American custom that is not understood in Italy.
Never order soda with your meal.
Expect to see a small service charge per person on your bill. This is a customary charge.
Most restaurants in Italy include gratuity in the bill.
It is illegal to smoke in bars and restaurants in Italy unless they have a ventilated smoking room.
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Comments
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William Campbell
Oct 16, 2007
Fairly good article. As a former Italy resident, I do know that you should be wary when ordering 'water', or 'agua/aqua'. In many tourist traps/cities, ordering water will result in a hefty charge for expensive bottled water. Also, if you expect plain water, order 'agua/aqua naturale', as this will prevent you from getting sparkling water. Also: Pizzas are intended for one person. While it's okay to share around a bit, if you order a pizza plan on eating most of it yourself. -
William Campbell
Oct 16, 2007
Fairly good article. As a former Italy resident, I do know that you should be wary when ordering 'water', or 'agua/aqua'. In many tourist traps/cities, ordering water will result in a hefty charge for expensive bottled water. Also, if you expect plain water, order 'agua/aqua naturale', as this will prevent you from getting sparkling water. Also: Pizzas are intended for one person. While it's okay to share around a bit, if you order a pizza plan on eating most of it yourself.
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WendellRicketts
Jun 13, 2007
It's simply not true that Italian restaurants add a gratuity. There's always a "coperto" (cover charge) but there is no gratuity added or expected. There might be exceptions in high-end restaurants and/or for large parties, but not in 90% of the cases. You can absolutely order coffee with dessert if you want it; it may be an "american custom," but no one's going to deny you coffee if you want it. Same goes for soda: Ask for what you want.
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WendellRicketts
Jun 13, 2007
It's simply not true that Italian restaurants add a gratuity. There's always a "coperto" (cover charge) but there is no gratuity added or expected. There might be exceptions in high-end restaurants and/or for large parties, but not in 90% of the cases. You can absolutely order coffee with dessert if you want it; it may be an "american custom," but no one's going to deny you coffee if you want it. Same goes for soda: Ask for what you want.
