How to Order Food and Drinks in Italian
You can easily and confidently order food and drinks in a restaurant in Italy, even if you don't speak a word of Italian. Carrying a phrase book in your day pack or pocket will make it a breeze to communicate with your waiter, so you'll have a smooth and memorable experience. Buon appetito!
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Instructions
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Carry an Italian phrase book made for travelers when you go to restaurants. It will help you translate the menu and communicate with the service staff when they ask a question you don't understand.
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Summon the waiter by saying, "Per favore?" ("Please?") once you've been seated. The waiter will bring you a menu and ask you what you'd like to drink ("Da bere?").
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Translate items on the menu with the Italian/English dictionary portion of your phrase book. This can be the key element that prevents an unpleasant surprise when, for example, you receive frutti di mare (seafood) instead of the fruit salad you expected.
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Decide what you want for the appetizer ("antipasto"), first course ("primi", or "primo piatto"), second course ("secondo", or "secondo piatto") and vegetable side dish ("contorni"). You don't have to order every course.
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Get the waiter's attention again to order. Say "Per ("for") primi, vorrei ("I'd like", or "vorremo", "we'd like") _______, per secondo vorrei _________", and so on. If you just order one course, the waiter may say, "E dopo?" ("And then?"). Let him know you're done ordering by saying "E tutto" ("That's all"). When you're done with the meal, the waiter may ask what you'd like for dessert ("Qualcosa di dolce?").
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Say "Non capisco" ("I don't understand") if the waiter asks you a question you can't translate. They'll usually either slow down or attempt to say it in English. You can also ask, "Me lo scrivo?" ("Write it for me?").
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Ask for the bill by saying "Il conto, per favore". In most areas of Italy, the waiter won't bring it until requested.
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Tips & Warnings
Refer to your phrase book for phonetic pronunciation of the Italian words listed above. You don't have to memorize them - you can write out a cheat sheet using the phonetic spelling and keep it in your pocket.
Speak slowly. Even if your pronunciation isn't correct, your attempt will be appreciated. If you feel like you're butchering it, you can always just point to what you want on the menu.
If you don't know what something on the menu is, you can say "Que cosa?" ("what is this?"). Many Italians know enough English to be able to explain it, or they'll bring some out to show you.
