{"id":15943,"date":"2019-05-09T15:50:31","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T15:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devourromefoodtours.com\/?p=2960"},"modified":"2023-07-13T16:05:23","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T16:05:23","slug":"ordering-in-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"Ordering In Italy: Navigating the Menu, Tipping & More"},"content":{"rendered":"

A meal in Italy is a little ritual, one that every restaurant tweaks to make its own. We all know Italians love food, and love to go out to eat. Otherwise, why would we travel to Italy? To get the most out of every restaurant experience, follow these tips for ordering in Italy!

So, at Devour we’ve put together a guide to ordering in Italy, so you can escape the anxiety of making those typical tourist mistakes, and return to the anxiety of deciding which pasta you want<\/a> (don’t worry, we’ve all been there).<\/p>

\"People
Italian meals are long, leisurely affairs, so plan your time accordingly. Photo credit: Cottonbro<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

10 Tips for Ordering Food in Italy<\/h2>

Finding a restaurant<\/h3>

If a restaurant has a big, multilingual menu on a poster outside, and\/or someone trying to coax you in, go in the other direction. This is most likely a tourist trap, and they’re quite common near monuments and in city centers. Do your research and find a well-regarded place where Italians actually want to go, without someone needing to convince them to step inside.<\/p>

On that note, once you’ve picked your restaurant, it’s always best to make a reservation ahead of time. Many restaurants will turn you away without one, because meals are leisurely and therefore they have no way of telling you when a table might free up.<\/p>

Knowing when to eat<\/h3>

Italians tend to eat both lunch and dinner later than Americans. Most places open for lunch around 12:30, get really busy around 1:30, and finish up around 3:00. At dinner, the restaurant might open at 7:30, but doesn’t start to fill up until 8:30 or 9:00.<\/p>

Generally, the further south in Italy you go, the later people eat. A good rule of thumb? Reserve at 1:00 for lunch, and 9:00 at dinner.<\/p>

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Follow these tips for ordering in Italy and you’ll be a pro in no time!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>

Deciding what to drink<\/h3>

When you sit down, the first thing the waiter will ask you is if you want acqua naturale<\/em> or acqua frizzante<\/em>. The former is still water, the latter sparkling (both will be bottled, as Italians think tap water is uncivilized for a restaurant).<\/p>

He’ll also ask you about wine. If you want the list, ask for the <\/a>carta dei vini<\/a><\/em>. If the house rosso<\/em> (red) or bianco <\/em>(white) is more your thing, you can get either in a quartino<\/em> or mezzo<\/em> carafe (quarter or half liter).<\/p>

\"Group
Italian wine is always a good idea.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Understanding the menu<\/h3>

At many restaurants, they’ll hand you a written menu<\/a>, divided into antipasti, primi, secondi, <\/em>and contorni <\/em>(more on those below). However, this is Italy we’re talking about, so it’s never that simple.<\/p>

A lot of places will have specials written on the blackboard, or rattled off by the owner of the restaurant when she comes to greet you. There’s also the distinct possibility the waiter will just name a few dishes he thinks you should get, without even giving you a menu. In Italy, where restaurants are viewed as homes rather than businesses, this is considered as a sign of hospitality.<\/p>

Sharing appetizers<\/h3>

Italians tend to not eat very elaborate or composed dishes as antipasti<\/em>. Instead, you’ll find cured meats and cheeses, marinated vegetables, bread, and fried things.<\/p>

Some typical plates are sliced prosciutto with mozzarella<\/a>, bruschetta<\/em> (toasted bread with anything from tomatoes to truffle), and fritto misto vegetale <\/em>(a mix of fried vegetables). All are usually meant to be shared.<\/p>

\"Fried
Sharing is caring when it comes to appetizers like fritto misto<\/em>. Photo credit: iSAW Company<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Diving into the first course<\/h3>

Primi<\/em> are first courses, which means starches. The obvious one is pasta, which comes in hundreds of varieties around Italy<\/a>.<\/p>

In the south, it tends to be dried pasta, served with vegetables or fish, whereas the north places more emphasis on fresh pasta with meat or butter. In the north, you tend to also find more rice, made into risotto<\/em>. Soups like minestrone <\/em>(mixed vegetable) and Roman stracciatella <\/em>(chicken broth with beaten egg) are also here.<\/p>

Primi<\/em> are not usually shared, so if you want less, you can ask the waiter for a mezza porzione (<\/em>half-portion).<\/p>

\"Close
Pasta is traditionally served as a first course. Photo credit: Joanne Wan<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Selecting the main course<\/h3>

Like with antipasti<\/em>, secondi<\/em> tend to be very bare-bones, with just a portion of the chosen protein and a little sauce.<\/p>

Where you are in Italy determines the offering. In Florence, you’ll find bistecca alla fiorentina<\/a><\/em>, a giant porterhouse steak priced by the etto <\/em>(100 grams), and always served rare. Near the sea, there will be lots of fish<\/a>, cooked alla brace <\/em>(on a wood grill), served with just some lemon and parsley.<\/p>

Sharing main courses is common, so if you want it like that, just say da dividere.<\/em><\/p>

\"Bistecca
Bistecca alla fiorentina<\/em> has a juicy center and blackened grill marks on the exterior. Photo credit: McPig<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Choosing sides<\/h3>

Contorni <\/em>are side dishes, usually whatever vegetable is in season, simply prepared.<\/p>

Romans and Florentines like to eat greens like chicory, spinach and bieta <\/em>(chard) with meat. The greens are usually ripassati<\/em>, meaning they’ve been boiled and then “repassed” in a pan with olive oil.<\/p>

All throughout Italy, you’ll find patate al forno <\/em>(roasted potatoes), and insalata<\/em> (mixed salad, meant to be dressed with oil and vinegar at the table).  <\/p>

Ordering dessert and after-dinner drinks<\/h3>

Italian desserts are often al cucchiaio<\/em>, literally “by the spoon,” meaning they’re served in little glasses and meant to be eaten with the titular utensil. The waiter might bring you a menu, but equally likely she’ll gesture to a refrigerated case that contains individual tiramisu<\/em>, macedonia <\/em>(marinated fruit salad), creme caramel<\/em> (flan) and millefoglie <\/em>(puff pastry layered with cream). Or, you can get a slice of a simple cake like torta di nonna <\/em>(pie crust with pastry cream and pine nuts). Fresh fruit is always available, especially ananas <\/em>(pineapple), for which Italians have a perverse love.<\/p>

After dessert you can have an espresso (never a cappuccino<\/a>). And only then are you ready for a digestivo<\/em>. It could be limoncello<\/em> (lemon liqueur), grappa <\/em>(made from grapes), or an amaro <\/em>(alcohol steeped with spices and flavorings).<\/p>

\"close
Don’t want a caffein buzz after dinner? Ask for a deca” or decaf coffee. Photo credit: tabitha turner<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tipping at restaurants in Italy<\/h3>

When you’re ready for the check, just ask for il conto<\/em>. But when it comes, should you leave a tip<\/a>?<\/p>

The answer is yes, but not like in America. Italians consider tipping to be a nice little addition to, rather than an integral part of, the bill. Usually, you round up to a whole number and leave your waiter the change. So, if the bill is €92, leaving €100 is perfectly okay.<\/p>

And no, contrary to popular belief, the staff will not be offended by tipping. They’ll warmly thank you, and maybe even offer you another limoncello<\/em> before you leave.<\/p>

Update notice: This article was updated on July 13, 2023.<\/em><\/p>

 <\/p>

You know how to navigate your meal like a real Italian, but that’s just the beginning. Live like a born-and-bred Roman for a full morning on our Testaccio Neighborhood Food & Market Tour<\/a>, and you’ll come away with an even deeper understanding of what it means to do food like a local in Rome. From breakfast at a local cafe, to a stop at the local market where Romans grocery shop, to a traditional lunch and so much more, this experience takes you off the beaten path and into everyday life here in the Eternal City. <\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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