Italian Dining Phrases for Ordering at a Restaurant
- Sierra Busch
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
Picture this: you're sitting at a charming trattoria in a medieval hill town, the aroma of fresh pasta and simmering ragù filling the air. The waiter approaches with a warm smile and a menu written entirely in Italian. Your heart races a little - do you know what to order? How do you ask questions? What if you accidentally order something you don't want?
We've been there, and we're here to help! At Creative Edge Travel, we believe that connecting with Italian culture goes far beyond visiting monuments - it's about sitting at the table with locals, understanding their traditions, and being able to navigate an authentic Italian dining experience with confidence. That's why we're sharing these essential Italian dining phrases you need to know to order like a pro at any Italian restaurant!
Whether you're planning your first trip to Italy or returning for another adventure, mastering these Italian dining phrases will transform your meals from stressful to delightful. Let's dive (or dig) in!
In this article:
Italian Dining Phrases for Ordering at a Restaurant
Before we get into the specifics of menu terms, let's start with the fundamental Italian dining phrases that will help you navigate any restaurant situation. These are the phrases we use constantly when dining across Italy, and they'll instantly make your experience more authentic and enjoyable.
Upon arriving:
"Buonasera" (bwoh-nah-SEH-rah) - Good evening
"Un tavolo per due, per favore" (oon TAH-voh-loh pehr DOO-eh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) - A table for two, please
"Avete una prenotazione?" (ah-VEH-teh OO-nah preh-noh-tah-tsee-OH-neh) - Do you have a reservation?
When ordering:
"Il menù, per favore" (eel meh-NOO, pehr fah-VOH-reh) - The menu, please
"Vorrei..." (vohr-RAY) - I would like...
"Prendo..." (PREHN-doh) - I'll take...
"Cosa mi consiglia?" (KOH-zah mee kohn-SEEL-yah) - What do you recommend?
"Quali sono le specialità?" (KWAH-lee SOH-noh leh speh-chah-lee-TAH) - What are the specialties?
Important questions:
"È piccante?" (eh pee-KAHN-teh) - Is it spicy?
"Contiene..." (kohn-tee-EH-neh) - Does it contain...
"Sono allergico a..." (SOH-noh ah-LEHR-jee-koh ah) - I'm allergic to...
"È vegetariano?" (eh veh-jeh-tah-ree-AH-noh) - Is it vegetarian?
How to Read an Italian Menu at a Restaurant?
Understanding how to read an Italian menu is crucial for a successful dining experience. Unlike many restaurants in other countries, traditional Italian menus follow a specific structure that reflects the Italian approach to dining -multiple courses meant to be savored slowly, each showcasing different flavors and preparations.
Italian menus are typically divided into several sections, and knowing what each section means will help you order the right amount of food and create a balanced meal. We always recommend following the Italian tradition of ordering at least a primo and secondo, though you can absolutely share dishes or skip courses based on your appetite!
The typical Italian menu structure includes the following. You’ll need to be familiar with these Italian dining phrases:
Antipasti (ahn-tee-PAHS-tee) - Appetizers Think bruschetta, sliced cured meats, marinated vegetables, or seafood preparations such as salmon carpaccio. These are small plates designed to awaken your palate. In our experience, antipasti are perfect for sharing and getting a taste of local specialties.
Primi Piatti (PREE-mee pee-AH-tee) - First courses This is where pasta, risotto, and soups live. Despite being called "first courses," these are substantial dishes that could easily be considered a main course in other cultures.
Secondi Piatti (seh-KOHN-dee pee-AH-tee) - Second courses These are protein-focused dishes - meat, fish, or poultry - typically served without sides.
Contorni (kohn-TOHR-nee) - Side dishes Vegetables, salads, and sides are ordered separately to accompany your secondo.
Dolci (DOHL-chee) - Desserts The sweet finale to your meal. Also known as our favorite!
Bevande (beh-VAHN-deh) - Drinks. Wine, water, and other beverages.
Important Italian Dining Phrases or Concepts
Beyond ordering, there are several key Italian dining phrases and concepts that will enhance your restaurant experience. Understanding these cultural nuances shows respect for Italian traditions and helps you dine like a local rather than a tourist.
Coperto (koh-PEHR-toh) - Cover charge This is a small fee (usually 1-3 euros per person) that covers bread, table service, and use of the table. It's standard practice in Italy and not a scam! Don't be surprised when you see this on your bill.
Servizio (sehr-VEE-tsyoh) - Service charge Sometimes included in the bill, sometimes not. If "servizio incluso" appears on your bill, tipping isn't necessary (though rounding up is appreciated).
Il conto (eel KOHN-toh) - The check When you're ready to pay, you'll need to ask for the bill. “Il conto per favore” (“Check please!”) is an essential Italian dining phrase. Unlike in North America, Italian waiters won't bring it until requested - they want you to enjoy your meal without feeling rushed!
Acqua naturale/frizzante (AH-kwah nah-too-RAH-leh/free-TSAHN-teh) - Still/sparkling water You'll always be asked which type of water you prefer. Tap water ("acqua del rubinetto") is safe but not commonly served in restaurants.
Pane (PAH-neh) - Bread Usually included with your coperto charge and brought to the table automatically.
Il bagno (eel BAHN-yoh) - The bathroom
"Dov'è il bagno?" (doh-VEH eel BAHN-yoh) means "Where is the bathroom?"
Primi Meaning: Understanding First Courses
Now let's talk about the primi meaning and why this course is so special in Italian dining culture. Primi piatti, or first courses, are the heart and soul of Italian cuisine. This is where pasta, risotto, gnocchi, and soups shine in all their glory.
Understanding primi meaning goes beyond just knowing it means "first"—it represents the Italian philosophy that carbohydrates are essential to a proper meal and deserve their own dedicated course. We've found that primi are often where restaurants showcase their most creative and regional specialties.
Common primi you'll encounter:
Pasta dishes:
"Pasta al pomodoro" (PAHS-tah ahl poh-moh-DOH-roh) - Pasta with tomato sauce
"Carbonara" (kar-boh-NAH-rah) - Pasta with egg, guanciale, pecorino, and black pepper
"Cacio e pepe" (KAH-choh eh PEH-peh) - Pasta with cheese and pepper
"Amatriciana" (ah-mah-tree-CHAH-nah) - Pasta with tomato, guanciale, and pecorino
"Pasta alle vongole" (PAHS-tah AH-leh VOHN-goh-leh) - Pasta with clams
Risotto:
"Risotto ai funghi" (ree-ZOHT-toh eye FOON-ghee) - Mushroom risotto
"Risotto alla milanese" (ree-ZOHT-toh AH-lah mee-lah-NEH-zeh) - Saffron risotto
Soups:
"Minestrone" (mee-neh-STROH-neh) - Vegetable soup
"Ribollita" (ree-bohl-LEE-tah) - Tuscan bread and vegetable soup
Secondi Meaning: Mastering Main Courses
Understanding the secondi meaning is essential for ordering a complete Italian meal. Secondi piatti are your main protein courses - typically meat, fish, or poultry prepared in various, traditional ways. Unlike primi, which are generous portions of carbohydrates, secondi focus on showcasing high-quality proteins.
The secondi meaning literally translates to "second courses," but these dishes are substantial and satisfying. What surprises many first-time visitors to Italy is that secondi are served without any accompaniments - you'll need to order contorni (side dishes) separately if you want vegetables or potatoes with your protein.
Common secondi phrases and dishes:
Meat (Carne - KAR-neh):
"Bistecca alla fiorentina" (bee-STEH-kah AH-lah fyoh-rehn-TEE-nah) - Florentine T-bone steak
"Saltimbocca" (sahl-teem-BOH-kah) - Veal with prosciutto and sage
"Ossobuco" (oh-soh-BOO-koh) - Braised veal shanks
"Pollo arrosto" (POHL-loh ahr-ROH-stoh) - Roasted chicken
"Brasato" (brah-ZAH-toh) - Braised beef
Fish (Pesce - PEH-sheh):
"Branzino al forno" (brahn-ZEE-noh ahl FOHR-noh) - Baked sea bass
"Pesce spada" (PEH-sheh SPAH-dah) - Swordfish
"Fritto misto" (FREET-toh MEES-toh) - Mixed fried seafood
"Salmone alla griglia" (sahl-MOH-neh AH-lah GREEL-yah) - Grilled salmon
Helpful secondi phrases:
"Come è cucinato?" (KOH-meh eh koo-chee-NAH-toh) - How is it cooked?
"Ben cotto" (behn KOHT-toh) - Well done
"Al sangue" (ahl SAHN-gweh) - Rare
"Medio" (MEH-dyoh) - Medium
Contorni Meaning: Completing Your Meal with Sides
The contorni meaning refers to side dishes, and understanding this concept is crucial for creating a balanced Italian meal. While the contorni meaning literally translates to "contours" or "outlines," in restaurant terms it represents all the vegetable sides and accompaniments you can order alongside your secondi (or primi if you’re not getting secondi).
One of the most common mistakes we see travelers make is ordering only a secondi and being surprised when it arrives as just a piece of meat or fish on a plate! Italian restaurants expect you to build your own meal by selecting contorni to complement your main protein. Ordering a proper Italian meals is like composing a symphony of flavors and designing your own Italian dining experience.
Popular contorni to know:
Vegetables (Verdure - vehr-DOO-reh):
"Insalata mista" (een-sah-LAH-tah MEES-tah) - Mixed salad
"Spinaci saltati" (spee-NAH-chee sahl-TAH-tee) - Sautéed spinach
"Fagiolini" (fah-joh-LEE-nee) - Green beans
"Melanzane alla parmigiana" (meh-lahn-ZAH-neh AH-lah par-mee-JAH-nah) - Eggplant parmesan
"Zucchine grigliate" (tsoo-KEE-neh greel-YAH-teh) - Grilled zucchini
"Carciofi" (kar-CHOH-fee) - Artichokes
Potatoes (Patate - pah-TAH-teh):
"Patate al forno" (pah-TAH-teh ahl FOHR-noh) - Roasted potatoes
"Patate fritte" (pah-TAH-teh FREET-teh) - French fries
"Purè di patate" (poo-REH dee pah-TAH-teh) - Mashed potatoes
Other sides:
"Funghi trifolati" (FOON-ghee tree-foh-LAH-tee) - Sautéed mushrooms
"Fagioli" (fah-JOH-lee) - Beans
Essential Italian Dining Phrases for Every Part of Your Meal
Now that you understand the menu structure, let's cover essential Italian dining phrases for every stage of your restaurant experience. These phrases will help you communicate confidently from the moment you sit down until you pay your bill.
Arriving and being seated:
"Abbiamo prenotato" (ahb-bee-AH-moh preh-noh-TAH-toh) - We have a reservation
"Per quante persone?" (pehr KWAHN-teh pehr-SOH-neh) - For how many people?
"Possiamo sederci fuori?" (pohs-see-AH-moh seh-DEHR-chee FWOH-ree) - Can we sit outside?
During the meal:
"Ancora un po' di pane, per favore" (ahn-KOH-rah oon poh dee PAH-neh, pehr fah-VOH-reh) - More bread, please
"Un altro bicchiere di vino" (oon AHL-troh beek-kee-EH-reh dee VEE-noh) - Another glass of wine
"È delizioso!" (eh deh-lee-tsee-OH-zoh) - It's delicious!
"Buonissimo!" (bwoh-NEES-see-moh) - Very good!
Finishing and paying:
"Posso avere il conto?" (POHS-soh ah-VEH-reh eel KOHN-toh) - Can I have the check?
"Possiamo pagare separatamente?" (pohs-see-AH-moh pah-GAH-reh seh-pah-rah-tah-MEHN-teh) - Can we pay separately?
"Accettate carte di credito?" (ah-cheh-TAH-teh KAR-teh dee KREH-dee-toh) - Do you accept credit cards?
"La mancia è inclusa?" (lah MAHN-chah eh een-KLOO-zah) - Is the tip included?
Expressing dietary needs:
"Sono vegetariano/a" (SOH-noh veh-jeh-tah-ree-AH-noh/nah) - I'm vegetarian
"Sono vegano/a" (SOH-noh veh-GAH-noh/nah) - I'm vegan
"Senza glutine" (SEHN-tsah GLOO-tee-neh) - Gluten-free
"Sono celiaco/a" (SOH-noh cheh-LEE-ah-koh/kah) - I have celiac disease
"Niente aglio" (nee-EHN-teh AHL-yoh) - No garlic
"Senza lattosio" (SEHN-tsah lah-TOH-zee-oh) - Lactose-free
Ready to Experience Authentic Italian Dining?
Now that you've learned these essential Italian dining phrases, you're ready to experience the true magic of Italian restaurants! Remember, Italians appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak their language, even if your pronunciation isn't perfect. A warm smile and a genuine "Grazie!" go a long way.
At Creative Edge Travel, we believe that dining in Italy is about more than just food—it's about connection, tradition, and understanding the culture that brings people together around the table. When you join one of our small group tours, we share meals with local families, visit artisan producers, and help you practice these phrases in real-world settings where you'll be warmly welcomed.
From learning to make fresh pasta with a nonna in her kitchen to enjoying sunset dinners at family-run trattorias that have been serving their communities for generations, we create opportunities for you to experience Italian dining culture in its most authentic form. These are the moments that transform a trip into a life-changing experience.
Want to experience authentic Italian dining with local friends?
Explore our upcoming Italy tours where we design special dining moments around the people who make Italian cuisine extraordinary. Whether you're dreaming of Tuscan wine country, the dramatic Dolomite Mountains, or the sun-soaked shores of Puglia, we'll connect you with the flavors, traditions, and warm hospitality that make Italian dining unforgettable.
Check out our Custom Travel Planning services to add exclusive dining experiences to your Italian adventure - from private cooking classes to aperitivo with local artisans. We'll help you navigate menus, discover hidden gem restaurants, and create memories around tables filled with laughter, incredible food, and new friends.
Buon appetito e buon viaggio! (bwohn ah-peh-TEE-toh eh bwohn vee-AH-joh) - Enjoy your meal and have a good trip!
