Food, drinks & a little dolce vita.
Menus, coffee, shared plates, familiar choices and enough Italian to order what sounds good.
Part of the adventure.
Expect lemon groves, seaside restaurants, beautiful terraces and menus filled with fresh seafood, handmade pasta, pizza, ripe tomatoes, olive oil, mozzarella, local cheeses and seasonal vegetables. Lemons appear everywhere — from pasta and desserts to cocktails and limoncello — and meals are often leisurely, social and served in several courses.
The point is not to eat everything. It is to have choices, share a few things, and try whatever sounds good.
Family-Style Dining
When it makes sense, we’ll order a variety of dishes for the table so everyone can sample different foods without committing to a full portion of everything.
Try a little pasta, pizza or dessert so you don’t miss out — or skip anything that simply isn’t for you. There is no need to order every course.
Share a few things. Order what you actually want. No pressure.
High-Protein / Lower-Carb Options
For those prioritizing protein and limiting carbohydrates, Italian menus are also quite flexible. Along with pasta and pizza, you will commonly find grilled chicken, steak, veal, lamb, cured meats, eggs, cheese, salads and grilled vegetables.
Choose a protein with a salad or vegetable side, enjoy smaller tastes of other dishes, and be as selective as you need to be.
Courses are options, not obligations.
A traditional menu may be divided into several sections. You can order only what you want — it is completely fine to skip pasta and order a meat entrée with a side, or share.
A quick cheat sheet.
Enough vocabulary to spot familiar choices without translating the entire menu.
Meat & eggs
Pollo alla griglia — grilled chicken
Filetto di manzo — beef filet
Bistecca — steak
Tagliata di manzo — sliced grilled steak
Scaloppina di vitello — veal
Prosciutto — cured ham
Frittata — Italian egg dish
Cheese & salads
Mozzarella / burrata — fresh cheese
Caprese — tomatoes and mozzarella
Insalata mista — mixed salad
Sides
Verdure grigliate — grilled vegetables
Patate al forno — roasted potatoes
Contorno — side dish
A few restaurant customs.
The check usually will not appear automatically. Say Il conto, per favore.
Vegetables or potatoes may be separate from the main entrée. Order a contorno if you want one.
Bread often accompanies the meal and is generally not presented as an olive-oil dipping course.
Choose naturale (still) or frizzante (sparkling).
Cappuccino is traditionally a morning drink; espresso is more typical later. Order what you like.
Tipping is appreciated but not expected in the same way as in the U.S. Check the bill for service-related charges and leave a little extra for excellent service if you want.
Espresso, cappuccino — or pivot to tea.
Coffee culture is part of the fun, but nobody needs to become an espresso person overnight.
Espresso
Espresso with a little milk
Espresso + steamed milk
Espresso + hot water
Milk marked with espresso
Milk — literally
- In many cafés, you may order/pay at the register and take the receipt to the bar.
- Standing at the bar is part of the local café experience; table service can cost more.
- Traditional cafés may focus less on takeaway coffee than U.S. coffee shops.
A few phrases to keep handy.
You do not need perfect Italian. These are simply useful when you want to make a small request.
Cafés and casual spots are also great for sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, salads and simple dishes. A favorite sealed snack can be handy on sightseeing or boat days.