Italy is famous for its delicious cuisine and eating out is part of the culture.
Whether it’s an elegant restaurant in the city center or a traditional trattoria, there are some things that are useful to know to enjoy a dinner in Italy to the fullest and avoid embarrassing misunderstandings.
Choose your favorite place: ristorante or trattoria?
In Italy, the difference between a ristorante and a trattoria is mainly in the type of cuisine, the atmosphere and the service. A restaurant tends to have a wider and more sophisticated offering, with elaborate dishes and a refined presentation. Ristorante may often have a seasonal menu and a selection of fine wines, and the atmosphere is generally more formal. On the other hand, a trattoria is usually more informal and welcoming, serving typical regional dishes, often prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Trattorias have a more familiar and convivial atmosphere, and prices tend to be more affordable. The emphasis is on the quality of the food and the sharing experience, rather than the formality of the service.
What about osteria?
Historically, an osteria was a place where to have a quick snack and where mainly drink good wine. The difference between a trattoria and an osteria is in the focus. The first was mainly a place to eat, specializing in typical local dishes. Instead, an osteria was a place for travellers to stop and enjoy wine and simple food. Today, this difference has almost completely disappeared, and even if they are not the same thing, trattoria and osteria are used as synonyms.
Always read the menu: pay attention to the items!
The most important thing when entering an Italian restaurant is to know what is on the menu. Most of the time the menu is all in Italian. Fortunately, some restaurants today have menus translated into English. However, if this does not happen, here are the terms to pay attention to.
Antipasti
These are the appetizers or dishes to share that are served at the beginning. In some cases, appetizers can be cold, such as salads or fish dishes. Or hot, such as croquettes, vegetables, or fried food as supplì.
Primi
In Italy, the primo is a dish of pasta, rice or soup. Each region has different specialties, so don’t be afraid to try local dishes! Carbonara in Rome, Lasagna in Bologna! It’s always best to find out about the typical dishes and you won’t make a mistake.
Secondi
These are the main dishes, usually meat or fish based. If you go to a seafood restaurant, you might find typical dishes such as frittura mista, a mix of fresh fried fish, or branzino al forno, the oven baked seabass.
Contorni
Rather than being a separate dish, the side dishes are often simple grilled vegetables, salad or potatoes. They are usually ordered together with the second courses and thus make up a single dish.
Dolci
At the end of the meal, there is always room for dessert! Italian classics obviously include tiramisù, panna cotta, or maybe a cannolo if you’re in Sicily, a Babà if you’re in Naples, and Cantucci and vin santo if you’re in Florence.
What to order and what to avoid: some tips
Don’t ask for pasta with chicken or other combinations that are considered strange by Italians. In Italy, it is not common to pair pasta with ingredients such as chicken or meatballs, for example. Especially if the menu says spaghetti with meatballs, or pizza with pineapple, it is better to leave the field. Most likely it is a very touristy and not authentic restaurant. Don’t ask for a cappuccino after the meal. This is a classic tourist mistake. In Italy, cappuccino is a drink that is consumed only at breakfast, never after a meal. If you want a hot drink, ask for an espresso.
How to order: speak like an Italian
Once you’ve decided what to eat, it’s time to order. A few phrases in Italian could be very much appreciated and can always come in handy. Especially in those family-run restaurants where the grandmothers or grandfathers of the family are still the ones taking the orders. Here are some useful phrases:
- Vorrei… (for example, I would like a plate of spaghetti carbonara)
- Mi può portare… (to ask for something specific, for example, Can you bring me a glass of water?)
- Cosa mi consiglia? (If you’re not sure what to order, ask the waiter. Italians are very proud of their cuisine and will be happy to recommend the best dish.)
- Il conto, per favore. (When you’ve finished eating and are ready to pay, use this phrase to ask for the bill.)
Water: sparkling or still?
When ordering water, the question we are always asked is: still or sparkling? Very often, in Italy sparkling water is not as you might imagine, but it is naturally effervescent. This is a medium sparkling water that has taken on carbon dioxide naturally thanks to the movement of the water. As a result, the bubbles are very pleasant to the palate. Often water is not free, so it is better to check the price per bottle to avoid unpleasant surprises.
When to eat: the right time
Meal times in Italy are different from many other countries in the world. Restaurants generally open for lunch from 12:30 am to 2:30 pm, and for dinner from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. If you arrive too early or too late, you may not find the restaurant open yet or it may already be full. In Rome, the right time for dinner is around 8:00-8:30 pm. To ensure a table, therefore, it is always best to book. Or go around 7:30 pm, which for the Romans is still too early for dinner.
Paying: how the bill works
In Italy, the bill is usually brought to the table when you ask for it. You can choose to pay by credit card or in cash. In some restaurants you also pay the cover charge, usually 2 euros, already included in the receipt once you ask for the bill. An important detail: in Italy, a tip is not mandatory, but if you are satisfied with the service, you can leave the amount you prefer. Generally, if the service is unsatisfactory, you can also leave nothing; 10 percent if it is mediocre; 15 if it is satisfactory; even 20 percent if it is excellent. Usually the tip is divided among the waiters at the end of the shift, but you can also give the tip to a particular waiter, if his service was particularly appreciated.
Come and dine with us and choose the evening that best suits you by choosing one of our tours!
