Our comprehensive guide on how to read Italian menus, and how to order

 If you’re reading this, you’re almost certainly familiar with Italian dishes and ingredients that were decidedly foreign in the U.S. not too long ago! But on your first outings to restaurants in Italy, it’s likely that you’ll still be struck with a surprise when you go out to eat. Most American restaurants that serve Italian food have not adopted the traditional Italian restaurant structure, so even if phrases such as fritto misto or al dente roll off your tongue­, you might feel a little lost the first time you head out for dinner in Italy.  And we will remind you, that if you're looking for a restaurant and you're standing in the street looking at a  menu and it's in English, there's a good chance this is not going to be your best choice.   

A traditional Italian meal generally has three courses—antipasti, primi, and secondi (with the option for  a fourth; dolce, or dessert, of course!)—that follow a standard template. Read on for your simple guide to deciphering a menu and ordering the Italian way.  But know this; over the decades, Americans have been led to believe that, in Italy, they must order all of these courses... If you've heard that, let us be the first to tell you:  "You do not."  Don't let any waiter intimidate you into ordering more foods or courses than you want...  Italians don't always order all the courses!  In most cases, it would be a huge amount of food!  Just order what you want!  Often when Terese and I go out to restaurants in Italy, we share an antipasto (often we get a charcuterie board with specialty meats & cheeses), and we each order a primi, and then share dolce.   

Antipasti

What we here in the US would typically call appetizers...  While the word has become synonymous in many American stores with a genre of oil-cured snacks such as olives and artichoke hearts, antipasto is derived from the Latin for “before the meal,” and can be any small dishes that are served as the first course of a meal. A plate of assorted salumi & cheeses such as prosciutto, mortadella, or bresaola is a favorite antipasto option in Italian restaurants, as are bruschettas, raw-fish crudos, and salads. These are almost always shared among the table, and there’s no set amount that is best to order. Let your appetite be your guide!  Special Note: Italians eat their salad after the meal... but most waiters will recognize you're American, and if you order a Salad, they'll ask you if you want it before your meal, if they don't ask, tell them when you want it... Otherwise you'll get it after your meal and you probably won't want it at that point, and it will become a problem, because they'll likely charge you for it...

Primi Piatti

Literally “first plates,” primi piatti are almost always pastas. That’s right: In an Italian restaurant meal, pasta isn’t usually the star of the show! They’re always presented in smaller portions than you find in American restaurants, to reflect their position as just one part of the meal. Primi are usually chosen individually, but it’s totally OK to order a dish to share between two people if you know your appetite can’t handle the whole thing. As we mentioned earlier, Terese & I often each order a Primi as our main course, especially if it's at lunch...

just a little forewarning: it's difficult to order & receive beef that
is "well-done" in Italy... If you definitely need it well done
"ben cotta", take the time to make sure your waiter understands...
and if they tell you no, you might be better off ordering pasta

Secondi Piatti

This is what we might call the main course or entrée in the U.S.  Secondi are usually a fish, poultry or meat dish, often roasted, grilled, or braised. These are generally ordered individually, but some showpiece dishes like the famously massive Bistecca Fiorentina are meant to be shared among the table. This section of the menu is not always the most vegetarian-friendly, although you may sometimes find a veggie option like eggplant parmigiana here. You can certainly skip this course if you’re not very hungry or if there are no options that suit your diet, or you can order a few contorni or even another antipasto or primi in place of a meat dish. Secondi are most commonly served ala carte, so don't just expect your meat to come with sides like they often do in the US...  if you want sides (contorni)  like potatoes or vegetables you'll often need to order them separately...

Contorni

Because many secondi are plated on their own, if you want any sides like vegetables or potatoes to accompany your dish, you’ll have to order them separately. Think of this like the typical upscale steakhouse model here in the US—you can customize your meal to get exactly the things you love. One note: As fine dining becomes more popular in Italy, many high-end restaurants will now plate secondi as a composed dish complete with the chef’s recommended sides. Check the menu description to get a sense of whether you’ll need to order contorni, or, when in doubt, ask your server!

Dolce

Italians love their sweets... and they rarely skip dessert!  The most popular dolce in Italy are Gelato, Tiramisu, Cannoli and Panna Cotta... and of course Limoncello...  and of course, in Tuscany; Vin Santo!   

Acqua

In all of Italy, water served in restaurants is almost always bottled water... (au naturale or fizzante). This bothers many of us from the States as most of us aren't usually accustomed to ordering bottled water in restaurants... But again, this is their culture, and most all Italians want bottled water, not water from the tap... you can ask for tap water (“acqua del rubinetto”)  but you'll likely get funny looks or often they'll shake their head and just say no... Again, we've learned to embrace this tradition and realize that for the 2 euros they might charge for a liter (34 oz) bottle of really good mineral water, likely saves us the price of two additional glasses of wine.

Coperto

And lastly, we always like to remind you that in Italy, most all restaurants charge you a "Coperto" to sit down...  This is basically a 2 to 3 euro per person cover charge... Yes, we know this sounds crazy to Americans... but it is what they do... In Rome, (the only district of Italy) where coperto is not allowed, you'll often see the charge as "pane" (the charge for the bread). But it will do you no good to tell them you don't want the bread; you'll still get charged... While this might add a few euros to your bill, you might as well just accept it, and remember that "tipping" is a lot less in Italy.  

A few last thoughts

Again, we remind you, you're halfway across the globe in a different country... a country with deep history & traditions that go back thousands of years... Nothing you say or do will change this, so it's best to just embrace these Old World traditions... You didn't travel halfway across the world to have everything the same as it is in your hometown... Relax, embrace their traditions and their culture...  and enjoy this Old World adventure!

he's still got it after all these years!