Italian Cafe and Restaurant Survival Guide
For all those heading off to Italy this summer we’ve put together a useful guide to Italian food terms and how to order in cafes and restaurants.
At the Bar
And we’re talking about a coffee bar here not a bar like in the UK! You’ll find bars all over Italian towns and cities typically on corners.
Drinks:
- Caffè: This means coffee. But if you order this you’ll get an espresso.
- Caffè macchiato: An espresso “stained” with milk. Hot foamy milk on top of espresso.
- Caffè Americano: An espresso with hot water added and much like a typical filter coffee in the UK.
- Caffè latte: An espresso with hot milk added but not frothy like a Cappuccino. You need to order a caffè latte and not just latte or you’ll end up with glass of hot milk!
- Cappuccino: Espresso and hot milk and frothed.
- Caffè corretto: The literal translation is “corrected coffee” and it’s an espresso with a shot of alcohol such as sambuca, cognac or grappa.
- Caffè shakerato: Espresso mixed with ice and sugar and shaken to froth. Great for hot summer days.
- Caffè con panna: Like a macchiato but sweeter and topped with whipped cream.
- Caffè lungo: Like an Americano but stronger.
Snacks:
- Un cornetto/una brioche: Italian style pastry/croissant
- Un panino: A sandwich
- Una focaccia: Toasted sandwich made with white pizza dough
- Un ventaglio: Pastry in the shape of a fan
- Un ciambellone: Plain or chocolate cake in the shape of a ring
- Un bruschetta: Toasted bread with various toppings
- Un crostino: A smaller version of bruschetta
- Un tramezzino: Soft white bread sandwich in a triangle shape typically from Rome and Venice
- Una crostata: Jam, fruit or cream tart
- Una pizzetta: Small pizza
- Un toast: A toasted sandwich
- Una piadina: Flatbread from the Emilia Romagna region
3 Golden Rules of Ordering and Drinking Coffee!
- Italian will only order milky coffees in the morning typically up to 11am. Order after this time and you’ll get some strange looks from the barista!
- Double Trouble! You can order a double espresso (caffè doppio) if you want and you’ll be understood, but it is not an Italian habit. Order a single and top up at the next bar in a hour or so!
- No sitting! Typically Italians will stand at the bar (al banco) and drink their coffee rather than sitting down.
At the Restaurant
Before you sit down
- I would like to book a table for (number of people) at (time).
- Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per (numero di persone) per le (ora).
- Do you offer vegetarian food?
- Avete piatti vegetariani?
- Do you accept credit cards?
- Accettate carte di credito?
- A table for (number of people), please.
- Un tavolo per (numero di persone). e.g. un tavolo per due
- May I see the menu, please?
- Mi porta il menù?
- Do you have a (set) menu?
- c’è un menù (fisso)?
- Excuse me. We would like to order, please.
- Scusi. Vorremmo ordinare.
- What can you recommend?
- Cosa mi può raccomandare?
- What is the daily special?
- Qual è la specialità del giorno
- Is there a local specialty?
- C’è una specialità locale?
- What is the soup of the day?
- Qual è la zuppa del giorno?
- I am allergic to __. Does this contain __?
- Sono allergico a _. C’è _ in questo piatto?
- I’m a vegetarian.
- Sono vegetariano/a
- Appetizer
- Antipasto
- First course
- Primo
- Second or main course
- Secondo
- Cheese course
- Formaggi
- Dessert
- Dolci
- May I have …?
- Vorrei …
- Is the sauce spicy?
- La salsa è piccante?
- I’d like a beer.
- Vorrei una birra.
- I’d like a glass of red wine.
- Vorrei una bichiere di vino rosso.
- I’d like some water.
- Vorrei dell’aqua.
- Would you like to order some drinks to start with?
- Vuole iniziare ad ordinare da bere?
- What would you like to order?
- Cosa vorrebbe ordinare?
- Would you like to order?
- Cosa desidera ordinare?
- What would you like?
- Cosa desidera?
- What would you like to eat?
- Cosa desidera mangiare?
- Have you decided already?
- Has già deciso?
And a few ways you might like to respond to the waiter:
- Yes, please
- Sì, prego
- One moment, please.
- Un momento, per favore
- I don’t know yet.
- No lo so ancora
Before you leave:
- The bill, please.
- Il conto, per favore
- Can we have the bill?
- possiamo avere il conto?
- I would like to pay, please.
- Vorrei pagare, per favore.
And lots of food vocabulary…
Acciughe: Anchovies
Agnello: Lamb
Anitra: Duck
Antipasto misto: Mixed appetizers
Aragosta: Lobster
Arancia: Orange
Asparagi: Asparagus
Bistecca: Steak
Brodo: Broth
Burro: Butter
Calamari: Squid
Carciofi: Artichokes
Caroti: Carrots
Carne: Meat
Cavolfiori: Cauliflower
Ceci: Chick peas
Cervo: Venison
Ciliege: Cherries
Coniglio: Rabbit
Crema inglese: Custard
Fagiano: Pheasant
Fichi: Figs
Finocchio: Fennel
Fragole: Strawberries
Frittata: Omelette
Frutti di mare: Shellfish
Fungi: Mushrooms
Grancho: Crab
Grasso: Fat
Lattuga: Lettuce
Lenticchi: Lentles
Lumache: Snails
Macedonia (di frutta): Fresh fruit salad
Mandorla: Almonds
Manzo: Beef
Mela: Apple
Melanzana: Eggplant
Olio di olive: Olive oil
Ostriche: Oysters
Pancetta: Bacon
Patate: Potatoes
Pepe nero: Black pepper
Pepe rosso: Hot red peppers
Peperoni: Peppers
Pesche: Fish
Piselli: Peas
Polipo: Octopus
Pollo: Chicken
Prociutto cotto: Cooked ham
Prociutto crudo: Cured ham
Quaglia: Quail
Riso: Rice
Sale: Salt
Salsiccia: Sausage
Salsa/Sugo: Sauce
Sformato: Pie
Tacchino: Turkey
Tartufi: Truffles
Tonno: Tuna
Uova: Egg
Verdura: Vegetable
Vitello: Veal
Vongole: Clams
Zuppa: Soup