For Ordering Meals
BASIC RESTAURANT VOCABULARY
to be hungry |
aver fame |
to be thirsty |
avere sete |
to order |
ordinare |
to drink |
bere |
to eat |
mangiare |
check/bill |
il conto |
cover charge |
il coperto |
service charge |
il servizio |
menu |
il menu |
tip |
la mancia |
What would you like? I would like … |
Che cosa mangia? Io vorrei … |
I am a vegetarian. |
Sono vegetariano. |
I am on a diet. |
Sono a dieta. |
Essential
Some restaurants will add a cover charge — il coperto — and a service charge — il servizio — to your bill. This, by law, must be clearly marked on the menu. As a general rule, Italian waiters will not expect a tip, though adding a few euros to your payment will be appreciated.
WORDS FOR BASIC FOODS
apertif |
apertivo |
appetizer |
antipasto |
beef |
manzo |
bread |
pane |
butter |
burro |
cheese and fruit |
formaggio e frutta |
chicken |
pollo |
clams |
molluschi |
dessert |
dolce |
first course |
primo |
fish |
pesce |
garlic |
aglio |
lamb |
agnello |
lobster |
aragosta |
mushroom |
fungo |
mussels |
cozze |
olive oil |
olio d'olivia |
onion |
cipolla |
pepper |
pepe |
pork |
maiale |
post-dinner drink |
digestivo |
salad |
insalata |
salt |
sale |
second course |
secondo |
shrimp |
gambero |
side dish |
contorno |
soup |
minestra |
steak |
bistecca |
sugar |
zucchero |
tomato |
pomodoro |
veal |
vitello |
vegetable |
verdura |
UTENSILS, SERVICE, AND OTHER BASICS
chair |
sedia |
check |
assegno |
fork |
forchetta |
gratuity |
gratifica |
knife |
coltello |
napkin |
tovagliolo |
per person |
per la persona |
plate |
piatto |
spoon |
cucchiaio |
table |
tavola |
tax |
tassa |
waiter |
cameriere |
waitress |
cameriera |
DRINKS
beer |
birra |
coffee |
caffé |
decaffeinated coffee |
caffé decaffeinato |
decaffeinated tea |
tè decaffeinato |
hot chocolate |
cioccolata calda |
iced tea |
ha ghiacciato il tè |
lemonade |
limonata |
red wine |
vino rosso |
tea |
tè |
water |
acqua |
white wine |
vino bianco |
wine |
vino |
Alert
Tax and gratuity are often added to your restaurant check in Italy and presented to you as part of the total bill. You are not expected to offer an extra gratuity in addition to the one on the check. If no gratuity is included, Italians tend to tip less than Americans. Whereas you might leave a 15 percent tip at home, a 5 percent gratuity in Italy will do.
HELPFUL PHRASES
children's menu |
un menù per bambini |
I'm allergic to nuts. |
Sono allergic ai noci. |
less, please |
meno, per favore |
more, please |
più, per favore |
Fact
Outside of the primary tourist areas in Italy's bigger cities, restaurant owners often will not often bring the check until you request it, for fear of being rude or rushing you through your meal. Don't feel bad about requesting the bill. Otherwise, you may sit around all night waiting for it to come.
