Ordering Food and Drinks in Italian.
Ever dreamt of ordering your favorite pasta in the heart of Italy?
Well, get ready to make that dream a reality with my simple guide on ordering food and drinks in Italian.
Italy isn't just a place to visit. It’s a celebration of life through food and drink.
In Italy, each region has its special dishes. From Naples' classic Margherita pizza to Emilia-Romagna's hearty Bolognese, there's something tasty everywhere you go. The markets are filled with colorful fruits and veggies, and local restaurants (called trattorias) welcome you with friendly smiles and amazing food.
Picture yourself having a strong espresso in a cozy café in Rome or sharing laughs over a seafood feast by the Amalfi Coast. Every meal is a chance to feel the heart and soul of the country, where food is made with love, passion, and a commitment to being delicious.
Let’s take a look at the essential phrases and expressions to order your favorite dishes and drinks.
When entering a restaurant or bar, it's important to start a conversation with a friendly greeting. If you need some help with it, please check my previous blog titled: “Introductions and Greetings in Italian”.
You should also consider asking for a place to seat:
Vorrei una tavola per (number of people), per favore. - I would like a table for (number of people), please.
Posso avere un tavolo per due persone, per favore? - Can I have a table for two, please?
Avete un posto disponibile? - Do you have a seat available?
Mi scusi, posso sedermi qui? - Excuse me, can I sit here?
C'è un tavolo libero? - Is there a free table?
Vorrei una tavola vicino alla finestra, se possibile. - I would like a table near the window, if possible.
Once you’re seated, a waiter or waitress may ask you:
Cosa desidera? What would you like?
Come posso aiutarla? How can I help you?
Here are useful sentences to ask for information or recommendations:
Posso avere il menù, per favore? - Can I have the menu, please?
Cosa mi consiglia? - What do you recommend?
Quali sono le specialità della casa? - What are the house specialties?
C'è un menù del giorno? - Is there a daily menu?
Ci sono opzioni vegetariane/vegane? - Are there vegetarian/vegan options?
Quali sono gli ingredienti principali di questo piatto? - What are the main ingredients of this dish?
Ordering Food
Once you've got the menu, you're ready to explore!
Take a look at the menu categories:
Antipasti (Starters)
Primi Piatti (usually pasta or risotto)
Secondi Piatti (Main dishes)
Contorni (Side dishes)
Dolci (Desserts)
Bevande (Drinks)
After examining the menu, you'll be ready to order. Here's how to do it:
Vorrei... (I would like...)
Mi piacerebbe... (I would love...)
Prendo... (I'll have...)
Come antipasto, vorrei... (For the appetizer, I would like...)
Come primo piatto, prendo... (For the first course, I'll have...)
Come secondo piatto, vorrei... (For the second course, I would like...)
Per dessert, mi piacerebbe... (For dessert, I would love...)
Mi scusi, posso modificare questo piatto? (Excuse me, can I modify this dish?)
Posso avere questo senza (un ingrediente)? (Can I have this without (an ingredient)?)
2. Asking for information about food
If you have any questions about a specific dish or ingredients, here are some useful phrases:
Che tipo di pasta usate per questo piatto? - What type of pasta do you use for this dish?
È piccante? - Is it spicy?
È fatto in casa? - Is it homemade?
Quanto tempo ci vuole per preparare questo piatto? - How long does it take to prepare this dish?
Questo piatto contiene frutti di mare? - Does this dish contain seafood?
È possibile avere il condimento/salsa a parte? - Is it possible to have the dressing/sauce on the side?
Cosa contiene questo piatto? - What does this dish contain?
Ha ingredienti vegetariani/vegani? - Does it have vegetarian/vegan ingredients?
È senza glutine? - Is it gluten-free?
3. Expressing preferences
Here are some examples of how to express your preferences:
Preferisco cibi leggeri/pesanti. - I prefer light/heavy dishes.
Sono intollerante al lattosio/glutine. - I am lactose/gluten intolerant.
Mi piace provare piatti tipici della regione. - I like to try dishes typical of the region.
Cerco qualcosa di dolce/piccante. - I'm looking for something sweet/spicy.
Vorrei qualcosa di fresco e leggero. - I would like something fresh and light.
4. Ordering Drinks
In addition to food, you can also order drinks. Here are some useful phrases:
Mi piacerebbe un bicchiere di vino rosso/bianco. - I would love a glass of red/white wine.
Prendo una birra, per cortesia. - I'll have a beer, please.
Mi può consigliare un cocktail? - Can you recommend a cocktail?
Posso avere un'acqua minerale? - Can I have mineral water?
Vorrei una bottiglia di acqua, per favore. - I would like a bottle of water, please.
Prendo un caffè, per cortesia. - I'll have a coffee, please.
Vorrei un cocktail analcolico. - I would like a non-alcoholic cocktail.
Vorrei una bevanda analcolica. - I would like a non-alcoholic drink.
If you're ordering water, you can choose between "acqua naturale" (still water) or "acqua frizzante" (sparkling water).
5. Asking for the Bill
At the end of the meal, you should ask for the bill. Here are some common expressions you can use:
Posso avere il conto, per favore? - Can I have the bill, please?
Vorrei pagare. - I would like to pay.
Accettate carte di credito? - Do you accept credit cards?
Don’t forget to leave a small tip, especially if you enjoyed the meal. It will be a polite way to express your gratitude.
My tips😊
Remember to be polite and use "per favore" (please) and "grazie" (thank you) when interacting with the wait staff.
Practice often these expressions and phrases, and you'll be able to communicate effectively with the restaurant staff and enjoy your culinary experience in Italy even more.
I hope this practical guide has been helpful for you!
Mastering the art of ordering food and drinks in Italian not only enhances your dining experiences, but also deepens your cultural immersion. it strengthens language skills, and fosters meaningful connections with locals. It demonstrates respect for the customs and traditions of the country as well.
Buon appetito!