Italian at the restaurant: a beginner’s guide to ordering food and drinks

Italians love food. You can tell from the care they put into every detail and from the taste of the dishes in restaurants all over Italy. And visitors love Italian food too: it would be a shame to travel to Italy without really tasting it.

In this guide we’ve put together a selection of common phrases that come in handy at the restaurant, at the bar, at the pizzeria, and any time food is involved.

At the Café (Al Bar/Caffè)

Un caffè, per favore One coffee, please

Un cappuccino One cappuccino

Un cornetto One croissant

Quanto costa? How much does it cost?

Caldo o freddo? Hot or cold?

Con / senza zucchero With / without sugar

Un bicchiere d’acqua A glass of water

At the Restaurant (Al Ristorante)

Un tavolo per due, per favore A table for two, please

Il menu, per favore The menu, please

Cosa mi consiglia? What do you recommend?

Qual è la specialità della casa? What’s the house specialty?

Vorrei ordinare I’d like to order

Come antipasto… As a starter…

Come primo piatto… As a first course…

Come secondo piatto… As a main course…

Come contorno… As a side dish…

Il conto, per favore The bill, please

Posso pagare con carta? Can I pay by card?

At the Pizzeria (In Pizzeria)

Una pizza margherita One margherita pizza

Piccola, media o grande? Small, medium or large?

Da asporto o qui? Takeaway or here?

Quanto tempo ci vuole? How long does it take?

Wine and Beverages (Vini e Bevande)

La carta dei vini, per favore The wine list, please

Un bicchiere di vino rosso / bianco A glass of red / white wine

Una bottiglia d’acqua A bottle of water

Acqua frizzante o naturale? Sparkling or still water?

Una birra A beer

Un aperitivo An aperitif

Salute! Cheers!

Special Diets and Allergies (Diete Speciali e Allergie)

Sono vegetariano/a. Sono vegano/a I’m vegetarian. I’m vegan

Sono allergico/a a… I’m allergic to…

Sono celiaco/a I’m celiac

Senza glutine Gluten-free

Senza lattosio Lactose-free

Non mangio carne / pesce / maiale I don’t eat meat / fish / pork

È piccante? Is it spicy?

Want a Hand?

This guide gives you the phrases to order with confidence anywhere in Italy, but the best way to make them stick is to practice them with a real teacher before you leave: someone who can correct your pronunciation, act out a whole meal with you, and get you speaking naturally from the moment you sit down.

Book a free trial lesson and get ready to eat your way through Italy!