{"id":5496,"date":"2013-10-08T11:17:05","date_gmt":"2013-10-08T10:17:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=5496"},"modified":"2025-02-12T15:14:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T15:14:23","slug":"dining-in-italy-italian-menu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu","title":{"rendered":"How to Read Italian Menus Like a Pro: A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dining in Italy is <strong>one of the best parts<\/strong> of traveling here&#8230; but reading an Italian menu? That, we know, can be intimidating. While some restaurants <strong>offer menus in English,<\/strong> many local, <strong>off-the-beaten-path favorites don&#8217;t.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\" lang=\"ES-ES\" xml:lang=\"ES-ES\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">Italian<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">menus<\/span><strong><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\"> can be <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">intimidating<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">, <\/span><\/strong><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">but<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">we&#8217;re<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">here<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">to<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">help<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141309723 BCX2\">. <\/span><\/span>Here are some helpful hints to help you choose not only where to eat in Italy, but <strong>how to navigate the restaurant&#8217;s menu,<\/strong> too.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22659\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22659\" class=\"wp-image-22659 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Devour_Florence_Tastes-and-Traditions_May24_0165.jpg\" alt=\"People sitting at a table enjoying sliced meats.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Devour_Florence_Tastes-and-Traditions_May24_0165.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Devour_Florence_Tastes-and-Traditions_May24_0165-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22659\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Don&#8217;t let Italian menus intimidate you. Let us help you navigate them.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#How_do_I_choose_where_to_dine_in_Italy\" >How do I choose where to dine in Italy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#What_time_are_meals_in_Italy\" >What time are meals in Italy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Breaking_down_the_Italian_menu\" >Breaking down the Italian menu\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#How_to_navigate_an_Italian_meal_Courses_explained\" >How to navigate an Italian meal: Courses explained\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Antipasti\" >Antipasti<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Primi\" >Primi<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Secondi\" >Secondi<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Contorni\" >Contorni<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Dolci\" >Dolci<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Digestivi\" >Digestivi<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Caffe\" >Caff\u00e8<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Bevande\" >Bevande<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Some_last_tips_for_dining_in_Italy\" >Some last tips for dining in Italy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Italian_menu_FAQ\" >Italian menu FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#What_is_the_difference_between_antipasti_and_primi\" >What is the difference between antipasti and primi?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#How_do_Italian_desserts_differ_from_other_cuisines\" >How do Italian desserts differ from other cuisines?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/dining-in-italy-italian-menu\/#Do_Italian_menus_include_vegetarian_options\" >Do Italian menus include vegetarian options?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_choose_where_to_dine_in_Italy\"><\/span>How do I choose where to dine in Italy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>From big cities to small towns, most Italian destinations offer a range of dining options to<strong> suit every budget.<\/strong> And the <strong>establishment&#8217;s name<\/strong> usually helps you figure out how expensive your meal will be.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For a laid-back meal:<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Try a <em>pizzeria <\/em>(for, of course, pizza), a\u00a0<em>trattoria <\/em>(usually a\u00a0<strong>no-frills family-owned establishment<\/strong>), or an\u00a0<em>osteria <\/em>or\u00a0<em>hosteria\u00a0<\/em>(serving up\u00a0<strong>simple meals<\/strong> with a focus on wine).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Want something more upscale?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Head to a\u00a0<em>ristorante\u00a0<\/em>for an <strong>elegant ambiance,<\/strong> larger dining room and more extensive menu.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We visit many of the above types of establishments on our<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/rome-tours\/\">Italy food tours<\/a> in Rome, Florence, and Venice\u2014<\/strong>join us to learn more about how to navigate each kind of dining establishment!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22284\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22284\" class=\"wp-image-22284 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Devour_Florence_Oltrarno-at-Sunset_0046.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people dining in Italy. \" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Devour_Florence_Oltrarno-at-Sunset_0046.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Devour_Florence_Oltrarno-at-Sunset_0046-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22284\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The best part about visiting Italy is eating!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_time_are_meals_in_Italy\"><\/span>What time are meals in Italy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Lunch usually is served from 12pm to 2pm, and dinner from 8pm to 10:30pm. Many restaurants take <strong>reservations over the phone.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To ask for a table for two people at 9pm, for example, you&#8217;d say,\u00a0<em>&#8220;Vorrei fare una prenotazione per due persone alle nove&#8221;.<\/em> (Check out our <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/italian-words-and-phrases\">useful Italian for travelers guide<\/a> for more indispensable phrases).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22329\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22329\" class=\"wp-image-22329 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Food-tour-Bologna-DevourTours-269.jpg\" alt=\"woman passing around plates of pasta to people at a table\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Food-tour-Bologna-DevourTours-269.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Food-tour-Bologna-DevourTours-269-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22329\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Meal times in Italy are similar to the States.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Breaking_down_the_Italian_menu\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Breaking down the Italian menu<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you look at an Italian menu, you&#8217;ll see it&#8217;s <strong>divided into several sections,<\/strong> one for each course. You <strong>don&#8217;t have to order every single course,<\/strong> but the general rule of thumb is to<strong> order at least two<\/strong> (and you can split one of them).<\/p>\n<p>So a couple, for example, might share one\u00a0<em>antipasto,\u00a0<\/em>order individual\u00a0<em>primi,\u00a0<\/em>and then share a <em>secondo.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Here are what the different sections mean, and what food to expect under each.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22733\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22733\" class=\"wp-image-22733 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Bistecca-alla-fiorentina-.jpg\" alt=\"woman scooping meat or steak onto her plate.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Bistecca-alla-fiorentina-.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Bistecca-alla-fiorentina--768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22733\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">These Italian dishes are sure to put a smile on your face.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_navigate_an_Italian_meal_Courses_explained\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How to navigate an Italian meal: Courses explained<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Antipasti\"><\/span><em><strong>Antipasti<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Similar to an appetizer, this dish <strong>literally means &#8220;before the meal.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For <em>antipasti,\u00a0<\/em>most\u00a0menus offer a wide variety of cured meats and cheeses, <em>bruschetta<\/em> (toasted bread with tomatoes and other toppings), and pickled or fried vegetables and olives. Ask for the\u00a0<em>antipasto della casa\u2014<\/em>the\u00a0house special\u2014for <strong>seasonal and regional specialties.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21896\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21896\" class=\"wp-image-21896 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_1648.jpg\" alt=\"A waiter holding three plates of homemade bruschetta.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_1648.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_1648-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21896\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nothing beats homemade <em>bruschetta<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Primi\"><\/span><em><strong>Primi<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em>Primi,<\/em>\u00a0or <strong>&#8220;first dishes,&#8221;<\/strong> usually include pasta, <em>risotto<\/em> (creamy rice) or soup. Pasta, of course, comes in an especially endless variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and sauces.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As with everything else on the menu, of course, these dishes will very much <strong>depend on what region of Italy<\/strong> you&#8217;re in:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Many restaurants serve<\/strong> <em>al pomodoro\u00a0<\/em>(tomato) and\u00a0<em>aglio, olio e peperoncino\u00a0<\/em>(garlic, oil, and hot pepper).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Liguria: <\/strong>Look for a pasta with <em>pesto\u00a0<\/em>(basil, garlic, and cheese).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rome:<\/strong> Try pasta <em>all&#8217;amatriciana\u00a0<\/em>(tomato, pork jowl, and pecorino cheese) or <em>alla carbonara\u00a0<\/em>(pork jowl, pecorino or parmigiano, and egg).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Emilia-Romagna:<\/strong><em> Rag\u00f9 alla bolognese<\/em> (ground meat and tomato) is a must-try.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Remember that <strong>portions are much smaller<\/strong> than traditional American sizes, and many diners order a meat or fish entree to follow their <em>primi.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22251\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22251\" class=\"wp-image-22251 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Walks.Devour_Rome_Pasta-Class_3316.jpg\" alt=\"A woman taking a bite out of her pasta dish.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Walks.Devour_Rome_Pasta-Class_3316.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/Walks.Devour_Rome_Pasta-Class_3316-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22251\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Smaller portions mean you can try more dishes!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Secondi\"><\/span><em><strong>Secondi<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is a\u00a0<strong>meat, fish or vegetable main dish,<\/strong> and usually most expensive area of the menu.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Popular <em>secondi\u00a0<\/em>include:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Pollo <\/em>(chicken), <em>bistecca<\/em> (steak), <em>manzo<\/em> (beef), <em>agnello<\/em> (lamb), <em>arrosto<\/em> (roast), <em>gamberi<\/em> (shrimp), <em>salmone<\/em> (salmon), <em>frutti di mare<\/em> (mixed shellfish) and <em>frittata<\/em> (omlette).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Want to know how a dish is being prepared? <strong>Be on the look out for this:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong>Al forno<\/strong> <\/em>(baked)<\/li>\n<li><strong><em> Fritto <\/em><\/strong>(fried)<\/li>\n<li><strong><em> Alla griglia <\/em><\/strong>(grilled)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Items with a\u00a0<em>S.Q.<\/em> <\/strong>indicated next to the name mean<strong> price according to weight,<\/strong> so don&#8217;t be afraid to ask your server for more details.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21814\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21814\" class=\"wp-image-21814 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0362.jpg\" alt=\"A woman eating typical Tuscan dishes and drinking wine.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0362.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0362-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21814\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Reading an Italian menu takes skill, but once you know how, you&#8217;ll be able to order like a pro.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contorni\"><\/span><em><strong>Contorni<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em><strong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"58\">Primi<\/strong><\/em> and<em> <strong data-start=\"63\" data-end=\"74\">secondi<\/strong><\/em> don&#8217;t come with any sides or vegetables unless otherwise noted, so diners typically order a <em><strong data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"179\">contorno<\/strong> <\/em>(side dish) separately.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Popular <em>contorni<\/em> include:<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Grilled or saut\u00e9ed vegetable<\/strong>s (<em data-start=\"264\" data-end=\"283\">verdure grigliate<\/em> or <em data-start=\"287\" data-end=\"304\">verdure saltate<\/em>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mixed green salad<\/strong> (<em data-start=\"326\" data-end=\"342\">insalata mista<\/em>)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Roasted potatoes<\/strong> (<em data-start=\"363\" data-end=\"380\">patate al forno<\/em>)<\/li>\n<li><strong> Saut\u00e9ed spinach<\/strong> (<em data-start=\"403\" data-end=\"420\">spinaci saltati<\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In some regions, you may also find <strong>legumes like lentils or chickpeas,<\/strong> as well as seasonal specialties such as artichokes or asparagus.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22353\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22353\" class=\"wp-image-22353 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/People-eating-and-drinking.jpg\" alt=\"Person passing food in a table full of people\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/People-eating-and-drinking.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/People-eating-and-drinking-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22353\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">After <em>contorni<\/em> comes our favorite part of a meal.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dolci\"><\/span><em><strong>Dolci<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"626\">Many great meals end with a dessert, ranging from light and creamy options to rich pastries.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"626\"><strong>Popular choices include:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"626\"><strong> Gelato<\/strong> (Italy\u2019s famous dense and flavorful ice cream)<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"626\"><strong data-start=\"235\" data-end=\"247\">Tiramisu<\/strong> (a coffee-soaked sponge layered with mascarpone and cocoa)<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"626\"><strong data-start=\"308\" data-end=\"319\">Cannoli<\/strong> (crispy pastry shells filled with sweet ricotta)<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"626\"><em><strong data-start=\"374\" data-end=\"389\">Panna cotta<\/strong><\/em> (a silky, custard-like cooked cream often served with fruit or caramel sauce)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You might also find regional specialties like <em><strong data-start=\"515\" data-end=\"531\">sfogliatella<\/strong> <\/em>(a flaky Neapolitan pastry) or<em> <strong data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"577\">zabaglione<\/strong><\/em> (a whipped egg yolk and Marsala wine dessert).<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"768\">For a lighter option, some menus offer a <em><strong data-start=\"669\" data-end=\"691\">piatto di formaggi<\/strong><\/em> (cheese plate), often featuring local varieties paired with honey or jams. Ask your server for the <strong data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"817\"><em>dolci fatti<\/em> in casa<\/strong> (homemade desserts) for an extra-special treat, as these often highlight traditional family recipes and seasonal ingredients.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21812\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21812\" class=\"wp-image-21812 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0381.jpg\" alt=\"A plate of freshly made tiramisu in a white ceramic bowl.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1800\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21812\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Can you resist Italian desserts?<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Digestivi\"><\/span><em><strong>Digestivi<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Need to digest after your meal? Do it as the Italians do&#8230; with a strong liquor!<\/p>\n<p><em>Digestivi <\/em>are<em>\u00a0<\/em><strong>usually made from fruit:<\/strong> <em>grappa<\/em> from grapes, <em>mirto<\/em> from bluberries, and\u00a0<em>limoncello<\/em> from lemons.<\/p>\n<p>Try <em>c<\/em><em>ynar,\u00a0<\/em><strong>made from artichokes,<\/strong> if you&#8217;re feeling adventurous. Another popular <em>digestivo\u00a0<\/em>is\u00a0<em>amaro,\u00a0<\/em>bitter digestive; order it\u00a0<em>ghiacciato\u00a0<\/em>if you prefer it iced.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22427\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22427\" class=\"wp-image-22427 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Devour_Florence_Oltrarno-at-Sunset_0217.jpg\" alt=\"a round board with several small glasses and cookies\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Devour_Florence_Oltrarno-at-Sunset_0217.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Devour_Florence_Oltrarno-at-Sunset_0217-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22427\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Which <em>digestivi<\/em> will you try first?<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Caffe\"><\/span><em><strong>Caff\u00e8<\/strong><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Coffee is often<strong> ordered after a meal,<\/strong> either <em>normale\u00a0<\/em>(espresso shot),\u00a0<em>macchiato\u00a0<\/em>(with a drop of milk) or\u00a0<em>lungo <\/em>(a &#8220;long&#8221; coffee).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cappuccino is never drunk after dinner:<\/strong> Italians believe that the milk will hinder digestion.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22765\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22765\" class=\"wp-image-22765 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/coffee-espresson.jpg\" alt=\"hand stirring sugar into small cup of espresso\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/coffee-espresson.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/coffee-espresson-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22765\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Be like the Italians and order an espresso after your meal.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bevande\"><\/span><em><b>Bevande<\/b><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Another popular section of an Italian menu? The wine list, of course.<\/p>\n<p>Many restaurants offer white, red and sparkling varieties <strong>by the bottle or glass.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> Cocktails are very rarely drank with meals,<\/strong> and beer often accompanies pizza. <strong>Tap water is very rare<\/strong> to come by; it is customary to order a bottle of <em>naturale<\/em> (still) or <em>frizzante<\/em> (sparkling) water with meals.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21816\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21816\" class=\"wp-image-21816 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0328.jpg\" alt=\"A woman raining a glass of Italian wine.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0328.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0328-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21816\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wine and Italian dishes go hand in hand.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some_last_tips_for_dining_in_Italy\"><\/span>Some last tips for dining in Italy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Don&#8217;t hesitate to ask your waiter for a <strong>recommendation about what to eat<\/strong> (<i>&#8220;Cosa ci consiglia?&#8221;),\u00a0<\/i>request a<i>\u00a0<\/i>translation of ingredients (&#8220;<em>C<\/em><i>osa vuol dire&#8230;?&#8221;), <\/i>or alert your server to any food allergies (<em>&#8220;Ho una grave allergia alimentare a&#8230;&#8221;).<\/em><\/p>\n<p>An extra fee, called <em>coperto <\/em>(or sitting charge), is almost always <strong>tacked onto the bill.<\/strong> On some occasions, and usually only in touristy areas and restaurants, <em>servizio\u00a0<\/em>(a service charge) is added, too.<\/p>\n<p>If\u00a0<em>servizio\u00a0<\/em>is added, <strong>don&#8217;t tip at all;<\/strong> if just the\u00a0<em>coperto\u00a0<\/em>is, you can feel free to simply &#8220;round up&#8221; on your meal and leave a couple of extra coins, if you enjoyed it.<\/p>\n<p><em>Buon appetito!<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21892\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21892\" class=\"wp-image-21892 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_2102.jpg\" alt=\"People standing in the entrance of a restaurant in Trastevere neighborhood.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_2102.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_2102-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21892\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Remember that gratuity is included at restaurants in Italy.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Italian_menu_FAQ\"><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW243838931 BCX2\" lang=\"ES-ES\" xml:lang=\"ES-ES\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW243838931 BCX2\">Italian<\/span> m<span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW243838931 BCX2\">enu<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243838931 BCX2\"> FAQ<\/span><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_antipasti_and_primi\"><\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the difference between <em>antipasti<\/em> and <em>primi<\/em>?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em>Antipasti<\/em> are appetizers <strong>served before the main part of the meal<\/strong> and can include cured meats, cheeses, marinated vegetables, and <em>bruschetta<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Primi<\/em> (first courses) are <strong>usually warm dishes<\/strong> such as pasta, risotto, gnocchi, or soup, and they do not typically include meat or fish.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21828\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21828\" class=\"wp-image-21828 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0093.jpg\" alt=\"People sampling slices of Pecorino cheese in a small shop.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0093.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Walks_Rome_Tuscany-from-Rome_0093-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21828\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pecorino cheese is a great option for an <em>antipasti<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_Italian_desserts_differ_from_other_cuisines\"><\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How do Italian desserts differ from other cuisines?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodandwine.com\/desserts\/italian-desserts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Italian desserts<\/a> emphasize <strong>simplicity, quality ingredients, and traditional flavors.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Popular choices include:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em> Tiramisu<\/em><\/strong> (coffee-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone)<\/li>\n<li><strong><em> Panna cotta<\/em><\/strong> (a creamy, custard-like dessert)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gelato,<\/strong> which has a denser, more intense flavor than traditional ice cream<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Italian desserts often pair well with sweet wines or <em data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"869\">caff\u00e8<\/em> (espresso).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_21887\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21887\" class=\"wp-image-21887 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_2407.jpg\" alt=\"A display of gelato as a shop keeper takes a scoop.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_2407.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Devour_Rome_Trastevere_2407-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-21887\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">When it comes to gelato and ice cream, gelato is the clear winner.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Italian_menus_include_vegetarian_options\"><\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do Italian menus include vegetarian options?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Yes, many <em>primi<\/em> dishes,<\/strong> such as pasta with tomato sauce (<em data-start=\"995\" data-end=\"1014\">pasta al pomodoro<\/em>), mushroom risotto, or vegetable-based soups, are vegetarian. Additionally, <em>contorni<\/em> (side dishes) feature grilled vegetables, salads, and potatoes.<\/p>\n<p>Some regions also offer<strong> cheese-based dishes<\/strong> like <em data-start=\"1215\" data-end=\"1242\">melanzane alla parmigiana<\/em> (eggplant Parmesan). Always check for ingredients like meat-based broths or sauces if you&#8217;re strictly vegetarian.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13245\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13245\" class=\"wp-image-13245 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Sam-20170731-ROME-Pasta-Making-Class-0061-BEST-OF-scaled-e1729239223128.jpg\" alt=\"A close up of someone eating ravioli in Italy.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13245\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Make sure to ask the waiter if your dish is 100% vegetarian.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em>Update Notice: This post was updated on February 12, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dining in Italy is one of the best parts of traveling here\u2026 but reading an Italian menu? That, we know, can be intimidating! While some restaurants offer menus in English, many local, off-the-beaten-path favorites don\u2019t.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":18218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[62,65,63],"ppma_author":[160],"class_list":["post-5496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food-and-wine","tag-food","tag-act-like-a-local","tag-trip-planning"],"authors":[{"term_id":160,"user_id":28,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly-2","display_name":"Elena Ciprietti","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9faa64906a691c0581a37e3599ce455d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"","first_name":"Elena Ciprietti","job_title":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5496"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5496"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22956,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5496\/revisions\/22956"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5496"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}