Eating in Italy

Eating at ItalyLike its huge historical and artistic assets and fashion industry, Italy is also very famous for its fabulous foods and its a reason of pride for them. If you’re planning to spend holidays in Italy, then you’ll be having, hopefully, some of the best food, wine and pasta that you’ve ever had in your life during the trip.

 

Italian food, rich of vegetable and fruit, is very healthy and varies by region. Its good to know about how meals work in Italy, finding good places to eat and some practical advice.

 

Eating in Italy : Meals & times

  • ‘Colazione’ or Breakfast (8.00am – 11.00am)
  • ‘Pranzo’ or Lunch (1:00pm – 2:00pm)
  • ‘Aperitivo’ or Happy Hour (6:30pm – 7:30pm)
  • ‘Cena’ or Dinner (7:30pm – 10:00pm)

 

Eating in Italy : Different types of eateries & restaurants

  • Ristorante – a restaurant
  • Trattoria – a family run restaurant
  • Tavola calda – cafeteria
  • Osteria – rustic wine bar
  • Taverna – wine bar
  • Pizzeria – pizza restaurant
  • Bar – coffee and snacks
  • Pasticceria – a cafe of pastries, cakes, and sandwiches

 

Eating in Italy : a must-try list

  • Pizza
  • Coffee
  • Gelato
  • Prosciutto
  • Ribollita
  • Tortellini in Brodo
  • Anchovies

 

Eating in Italy : common phrases regarding drinking, eating and ordering

  • Please : Per favore
  • Thank you : Grazie
  • You’re welcome : Prego
  • I would like… : Vorrei…
  • A table for 1/2/3/4 people : Un tavolo per una persona/ due persone/ tre persone/ quattro persone
  • What’s the house specialty? : Quale e’ la specialita’ della casa?
  • What would you recommend? : Cosa consiglia?
  • water : Acqua
  • glass : Bicchiere
  • A glass of water, please : Un bicchiere di Acqua, per favore
  • Meat/ Fish : Carne/Pesce
  • Sparkling/ Non-sparkling water : Acqua Gassata/ Non Gassata
  • One litre : Un litro
  • Half a litre : Mezzo litro
  • wine : Vino
  • I would like some house wine : Vorrei il vino della casa
  • a bottle : Una bottiglia
  • I would like another bottle, please : Vorrei un’altra bottiglia, per favore
  • soft drink : Bibita
  • beer : Birra
  • Check, please : Il conto, per favore
  • I didn’t order this! : Non ho ordinato questo
  • Excuse me! : Mi scusi!
  • Some more …. : Ancora un po’ di ….
  • May I have another spoon / knife  / fork / plate? : Posso avere un altro cucchiaio / coltello  / forchetta / piatto?
  • I don’t eat… : Non mangio…
  • I am vegetarian : Sono vegetariano
  • I am allergic to… :  Sono allergico a…