Say Delicious in Italian: 15 Best Phrases for Foodies

Ciao, food lovers! Wondering how to say delicious in Italian? Whether you’re planning a trip to Italy or just want to express your love for Italian cuisine like a local, the Italian language offers plenty of mouthwatering ways to show your appreciation.

The Many Ways to Say Delicious In Italian Language: The Ultimate Guide

From casual trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants, knowing how to compliment your meal in Italian properly will enhance your dining experience and delight the locals.

This guide goes beyond “delizioso” to equip you with 15 authentic Italian expressions that make you sound like a true food connoisseur.

Ready to expand your Italian food vocabulary? Let’s explore these flavorful phrases, which will serve you well on your next Italian adventure!

1. Delizioso (Delicious)

This is the most straightforward way to say “delicious” in Italian. Delizioso is perfect for describing any delicious Italian dish that leaves you wanting more.

• Il piatto principale era delizioso, non vedo l’ora di tornare in questo ristorante. (The main course was delicious, I can’t wait to come back to this restaurant.)
• Abbiamo gustato un pasto delizioso in quella trattoria tipica. (We enjoyed a delicious meal at that traditional trattoria.)

Pro Tip: Looking for a way to say “yummy” in Italian? Try the more casual “Che bontà!” (pronounced “keh bohn-TAH”)

2. Buono (Good)

“Buono” is a versatile term that can describe anything from food to experiences. It’s a more general way to express that something is good or enjoyable.

A common expression in Italian is “Che buono!” (How good!) which is frequently used to comment on any type of food, often while enjoying the dish.

• La pizza è molto buona. (The pizza is very good.)
• L’insalata di verdure fresche era davvero buona e rinfrescante. (The fresh vegetables salad was really good and refreshing.)

Suggested Read: 30 Italian Sayings About Food to Inspire You

3. Appetitoso (Appetizing)

This expression is perfect for describing a dish that looks so tempting you can’t wait to dig in. “Appetitoso” captures a dish’s enticing appearance and aroma, making your stomach rumble with anticipation.

• Il piatto di antipasti è molto appetitoso. (The antipasti plate is very appetizing.)
• Questo piatto di pasta con salsa di pomodoro e parmigiano è davvero appetitoso. (This pasta dish with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese is truly appetizing.)

4. Ottimo (Excellent)

When a dish is more than just good, you can use “ottimo” to express that it’s truly excellent. This is a great word to use when you’re particularly impressed with a meal.

• I biscotti ai pinoli erano ottimi. (The pine nuts cookies excellent.)
• Questo olio d’oliva è veramente ottimo. (This olive oil is really excellent.)

Suggested Read: How to Say Eat in Italian: Your Guide to Mangiare

5. Squisito (Exquisite)

“Squisito” is used to describe food that is not only delicious but also refined and sophisticated. This word is perfect for conveying the elegance and artistry of Italian cuisine.

• Gli spaghetti alla bolognese erano squisiti. (The spaghetti bolognese was exquisite.)
• La crema pasticcera di questa crostata è squisita. (The pastry cream in this tart is exquisite.)

6. Fa Venire L’Acquolina in Bocca (Makes your mouth water)

This expression literally means, “it makes the water come to your mouth.” Use it when a dish is so tempting and delicious that it makes you salivate in anticipation.

• Questa carbonara fa venire l’acquolina in bocca. (This carbonara makes your mouth water.)
• Il profumo della focaccia appena sfornata fa venire l’acquolina in bocca. (The smell of freshly baked focaccia makes your mouth water.)

7. Gustoso (Tasty)

“Gustoso” is a simple yet effective way to describe a dish that is full of flavor and truly tantalizing to the taste buds.

• Gli spaghetti alla carbonara con il pecorino romano sono molto gustosi. (The spaghetti carbonara with pecorino romano are very tasty.)
• I cannoli siciliani sono sempre gustosi. (Sicilian cannoli are always tasty.)

Pro Tip: What to express “very tasty” in Italian? Use “molto gustoso” (pronounced “MOHL-toh goo-STOH-soh”)

8. Da Leccarsi i Baffi (Lick one’s mustaches)

This idiom, which literally means “to lick one’s mustache,” is used to describe a dish that is so delicious you can’t help but clean your plate (and maybe even your face).

• Dopo aver mangiato quella parmigiana, mi sono leccato i baffi. (After eating that parmigiana, I licked my chops.)
• Il tiramisù era così buono che ci siamo leccati i baffi. (The tiramisu was so good that we licked our chops.)

9. Eccellente (Outstanding)

“Eccellente” describes a truly outstanding dish in terms of flavor, presentation, and overall culinary experience.

• La mozzarella di bufala in questo ristorante è eccellente. (The buffalo mozzarella in this restaurant is outstanding.)
• Questo vino bianco è eccellente. (This white wine is excellent.)

Suggested Read: 100 Most Interesting Italian Food Facts You’ll Love

10. Saporito (Flavorful)

This term is perfect for describing rich and rich dishes, leaving a lasting impression on your taste buds.

• Il sugo di questo ragù è molto saporito. (The sauce of this ragù is very flavorful.)
• La minestra di ceci è saporita e nutriente. (The chickpea soup is flavorful and nutritious.)

11. Succulento (Succulent)

Use “succulento” to describe tender, juicy, and mouthwatering dishes that are cooked to perfection.

• Il filetto di manzo era succulento e tenero. (The beef fillet was succulent and tender.)
• Questi gamberi alla griglia sono succulenti. (These grilled shrimp are succulent.)

12. Allettante (Alluring)

“Allettante” is used to describe dishes that are so visually appealing and tempting that they draw you in and make you eager to taste them.

• La presentazione di questo piatto è davvero allettante. (The presentation of this dish is truly alluring.)
• La vetrina di questa pasticceria è sempre allettante. (The display window of this pastry shop is always alluring.)

13. Uno Tira L’Altro (One leads to another)

This expression is used when a dish is so delicious that you can’t stop eating it, and one bite naturally leads to the next.

• Questi grissini sono così buoni che uno tira l’altro! (These breadsticks are so good that one leads to another!)
• I baci di dama sono irresistibili; uno tira l’altro. (Lady’s kisses cookies are irresistible; one leads to another.)

Suggested Read: 47 Best Italian Sayings About Life: Proverbs & Quotes

14. Spettacolare (Spectacular)

Use “spettacolare” to describe a truly impressive dish, whether due to the combination of flavors, the presentation, or the overall dining experience.

• Il gelato che abbiamo condiviso era spettacolare. (The ice cream we shared was spectacular.)
• La vista sul mare in questo ristorante rende la cena spettacolare. (The sea view in this restaurant makes the dinner spectacular.)

15. Invitante (Inviting)

This term is perfect for describing dishes that look and smell so appetizing that they practically invite you to dig in and enjoy.

• La tavola imbandita con tutti questi piatti è molto invitante. (The table set with all these dishes is very inviting.)
• La crema di zucca fumante è un piatto invitante nelle serate fredde. (The steaming pumpkin cream is an inviting dish on cold evenings.)

Suggested Read: 10 Different Types of Italian Restaurants Explained

A Quick Refresher on Italian Adjective Grammar Rules

Since we’re primarily discussing adjectives that describe food, it’s essential to understand the basic Italian grammar rules for adjectives. This will help ensure you correctly use these delicious expressions (pun intended).

• Italian adjectives, like nouns, are conjugated based on gender and number.
• Masculine adjectives typically end in -o (with the masculine plural form ending in -i).
• Feminine adjectives end in -a (with the feminine plural form ending in -e).
• There is also a third category of adjectives that end in -e (with the plural form ending in -i), which have the same form for masculine and feminine nouns.

Mastering the Art of Saying Delicious in Italian

Whether dining at a local trattoria or cooking up Italian dishes at home, these expressive phrases will help you appreciate Italian cuisine like a true local.

From the first bite of antipasto to the last spoonful of tiramisu, you’re now ready to share your culinary enthusiasm in authentic Italian style.

So go ahead – put these phrases to use and watch Italian faces light up when you compliment their cooking with the perfect expression. Buon appetito!