Useful Italian Phrases and Etiquette Tips for Going Out to Eat

Are you planning to learn Italian before your big trip? Below, Italian teacher Nadia B. shares some useful Italian phrases and etiquette tips for dining…

Yum, la gastronomia italiana  (Italian cuisine) –the heartbeat of Italian life occurs around the dinner table, and you won’t want to miss out on all of the delicious foods and wines when visiting Italy.

Keep reading to discover some useful Italian phrases for going out to eat. Learning how to order and converse with your waiter in Italian will allow you to enjoy your meal to the fullest and practice your Italian pronunciation at the same time.

But before we dive into these useful Italian phrases, there are some important dining etiquette rules one must remember when traveling to Italy.

What Are Some Common Italian Phrases? 

If you’re planning on eating at a restaurant or cafe while you’re in Italy (and we all need to eat!), you might find these terms to be some of the most useful phrases for how to eat in Italian:

• Prendo… (I’ll have…)
• Cosa ci consiglia? (What would you recommend for us?) 
• Non mangio… (I don’t eat…)
• la colazione (breakfast)
• il pranzo (lunch)
• la cena (dinner)
• Il conto, per favore (The bill, please)
• Dov’è il bagno?  (Where is the bathroom?).

These aren’t the only things you need to know in order to eat in an Italian restaurant, of course – there are plenty of other useful Italian phrases and etiquette tips (see below!) that you need to follow. 

If you’re planning on making a trip to Italy in the near future, you may want to consider taking some Italian lessons. You’ll learn all the basic grammar and vocabulary you need to know, plus pronunciation – with helpful information like what’s detailed in the video below!

What Special Rules Must You Follow When Dining in Italy? 

Before we dive into the list of the most useful Italian phrases for dining out, let’s address some basics of eating at restaurants in Italy.

In the Italian culture, eating is a way of life. Family and friend gatherings are often centered around food. Here are some major do’s and don’ts when eating in Italy.

• Don’t expect the waiter to bring you the bill. Until you ask for il conto (the bill), the waiter will not bring it to your table. Also, don’t be shocked when the bill includes a small bread fee.
• Do enjoy your meal slowly. Italians consider dinner to be a time when you relax with family and friends. There is no such thing as get a quick bite to eat.
• Don’t cut your spaghetti. Whatever you do, never cut your spaghetti; rather learn how to gracefully twirl it onto your fork or go old school with a spoon.
• Do arrive late. Whereas showing up late for dinner in the U.S. is considered rude, Italians are rarely ever on time. Therefore, it’s okay to arrive a few minutes after the appointed time.
• Don’t expect breakfast. Unless you’re staying at a hotel that caters to Americans, don’t expect to eat a breakfast filled with eggs, bacon, and toast. Italians typically start their day with a cappuccino.
• Do go where the locals go: Italy is home to some of the most delicious foods in the world. Don’t hunt down the one restaurant that serves an American cheeseburger—eat where the locals dine!

Useful Italian Phrases for Going Out to Eat

Here are some useful phrases in Italian for tourists who aren’t sure what to say when they sit down to eat at a restaurant or cafe.

A Waiter’s Most Used Phrases in Italian

The first thing to learn are common Italian phrases your waiter (il cameriere / la cameriera) may use. For example, the waiter may say the following:

• Cosa prende Lei? (What will you have?)
• Cosa desidera Lei? (What would you like?)

Dining Out: Common Italian Questions

If you are eating with one or more people, your waiter may phrase these questions in the plural to address all parties, or you may ask these questions when you are dining yourself:

• Cosa prendete voi? (What will you all have?)
• Cosa desiderate voi? (What would you all like?)
• Avete un tavolo per due persone? (Do you have a table for two people?)
• Potrei vedere il menu? (May I see the menu?)

Ordering Food: Most Commonly Used Italian Phrases 

In response to a waiter’s question about what you would like to eat, you can simply state the item(s) you want, or you can use a whole sentence:

• Un piatto di ravioli con un bicchiere di vino rosso, per favore. (A plate of ravioli with a glass of red wine, please.)
• Prendo il risotto ai funghi. (I’ll have the mushroom risotto.)
• Cosa ci consiglia? (What would you recommend for us?) 

What Do You Say Before a Meal in Italy?

• Before digging in, make sure your host sits down and announces “Buon appetito!”. It’s considered rude not to wait for this phrase!

Other Useful Italian Phrases for Tourists at Restaurants