How to Order Food and Drinks in Italian: A Tasty Guide

Visiting Italy opens up a world of exciting flavors and cultural experiences. Whether traveling for leisure or planning a more permanent stay, knowing how to order Italian food and drinks in Italian can significantly enhance your trip.

In this guide, you’ll explore how to order meals, from a simple breakfast at a cafe to dining in Italy’s variety of eateries, such as trattorias and osterias. You’ll also learn tips on meal courses, useful phrases, and some essentials of Italian food etiquette.

Familiarizing yourself with these basics will make your dining experiences memorable parts of your Italian journey.

Basics of Ordering Food and Drinks in Italy

how to order food in Italian at the restaurant

Italian Meal Routine

In Italy, people usually eat three meals a day.

  • Breakfast, or la prima colazione, is typically light in Italy. Most Italians start their day with a quick espresso or cappuccino accompanied by a sweet pastry like a cornetto, often consumed standing at a bar counter between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m.
  • Lunch, or il pranzo, is the main meal in many regions. It’s typical for Italians, especially in the south, to have a long lunch break at home with family.
  • Dinner, or la cena, can vary depending on where you are. For instance, in Northern Italy, dinner is typically served earlier, with restaurants opening around 7:00 PM, while in Southern Italy, locals often start their evening meal around 8:30 PM or even later.

Different Dining Places

There are several types of eating places you can explore:

  • An osteria offers simple dishes at moderate prices, like pasta and grilled meats.
  • A trattoria gives you a rustic home-cooked dining experience, often run by a family.
  • For a more formal meal, you can go to a ristorante.
  • A pizzeria is perfect for enjoying pizza in a laid-back setting.
  • Lastly, enoteca is ideal for wine lovers, often offering small plates too.

Recommended Read: Dive deeper into Italy’s culinary scene with our guide 10 Different Types of Italian Restaurants Explained. Discover the unique charms and specialties of each dining establishment, from cozy osterias to elegant ristorantes.

Experience at an Italian Bar

In Italy, a bar is similar to a café elsewhere. Breakfast at a café usually includes coffee and croissants, known as un caffè e un cornetto.

Many Italians revisit the bar in the afternoon for a snack or a pre-dinner drink called an aperitivo. A bar is a lively place to enjoy drinks and light bites casually.

Culture of Coffee in Italy

Coffee is an integral part of life in Italy. If you order un caffè, you’ll receive an espresso. This strong, small coffee is the standard. Italians often stand at the bar to drink their coffee instead of sitting.

Pro Tip: Remember not to order a cappuccino after noon since drinking milk after the morning is unusual.

Handy Coffee Words in Italian

When you wish to try different coffees, here are some terms to know:

  • Un caffè ristretto: Intense and concentrated espresso.
  • Un caffè doppio: Double espresso.
  • Un caffè lungo: Espresso with extra water.
  • Un cappuccino: Espresso topped with frothy milk.
  • Un caffè macchiato: Espresso with a splash of milk.
  • Un caffè americano: Less strong, similar to filter coffee.
  • Un cappuccino decaffeinato: Decaffeinated cappuccino.

Recommended Read: Master the art of Italian coffee culture with our guide How to Order Coffee in Italy Like a Local: Top 10 Ways. Learn the secrets to blend in at any Italian bar and savor your caffè like a true local.

Words for Asking for Food

Using Prendere

When you want to order food or drinks in Italian, you use the verb prendere. This word means “to take,” but in this setting, it’s used as “to have.”

When speaking, you need to change the verbs based on who the person is doing the action. Here’s how to change prendere based on who is ordering:

  • Io prendo – I have
  • Tu prendi – You have
  • Lui/Lei prende – He/She has
  • Noi prendiamo – We have
  • Voi prendete – You all have
  • Loro prendono – They have

Using Volere

Another way to order is to use the verb volere, which means “to want.” To be more polite, you should always use the conditional form of this verb, which is similar to saying “would like” in English. Here’s how to use volere in this way:

  • Io vorrei – I would like
  • Tu vorresti – You would like
  • Lui/Lei vorrebbe – He/She would like
  • Noi vorremmo – We would like
  • Voi vorreste – You all would like
  • Loro vorrebbero – They would like

The Many Uses of Prego

The word prego is one of the most helpful words in Italian. You will hear it often, and it can mean different things depending on the situation. Sometimes it is used as “you’re welcome” after someone says thank you.

Other times, it might mean “please,” like when you’re inviting someone to do something or offering something to them. Knowing when and how to use prego helps a lot in conversations.

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

Tips for Ordering and Being Polite

As mentioned earlier, Italian coffee culture has unique customs. For a truly local experience, remember to enjoy your cappuccino before 11 a.m. and stand at the bar.

Ways to Order Drink Amounts

When specifying drink quantities, use these helpful phrases:

  • Un bicchiere di… (A glass of…)
  • Una bottiglia di… (A bottle of…)
  • Una caraffa di… (A carafe of…)
  • Un mezzo litro di… (Half a liter of…)

These expressions allow you to order precisely the amount you desire. Familiarizing yourself with these phrases will enhance your ordering experience and help you blend in with the locals.

Ordinare e Pagare: Ordering and Paying for Food and Drinks in Italian

restaurant bill with coperto

Ordering a Full Italian Meal: Course by Course

When ordering a traditional Italian meal, you might hear these phrases:

Antipasto (Starter): “Per antipasto, vorrei un tagliere misto, per favore.” (For starter, I’d like a mixed platter, please.)

Primo (First Course): “Come primo, prendo gli spaghetti alla carbonara.” (For the first course, I’ll take spaghetti carbonara.)

Secondo (Main Course): “Per secondo, volevo il branzino al forno.” (For the main course, I wanted the baked sea bass.)

Contorno (Side Dish): “Come contorno, un’insalata mista.” (As a side dish, a mixed salad.)

Dolce (Dessert): “Per dolce, vorrei il tiramisù.” (For dessert, I would like the tiramisu.)

Remember, ordering just one or two courses is perfectly acceptable if you’re not too hungry.

How to Pay for Food and Drinks in Italy

In Italy, payment procedures can vary depending on the establishment:

  • Cafes (Bar): Order and pay “alla cassa” (at the counter). Sometimes, you pay first, then show your receipt to receive your order.
  • Restaurants (Ristorante): Usually pay after eating. Ask for “il conto, per favore” (the bill, please).
  • Pizzerias: Similar to restaurants, but more casual. You might pay at your table or the counter.

Remember, tipping isn’t mandatory in Italy, but rounding up the bill is appreciated for good service.

Conclusion: Embrace the Italian Dining Experience

Mastering the art of ordering food and drinks in Italian opens up a world of culinary delights. From navigating payment customs to confidently ordering a multi-course meal, these skills will enhance your Italian adventure.

To further improve your skills, consider learning Italian conversations, which will help you engage more fully with Italy’s rich food culture.

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