Understanding the Italian on the Restaurant Menu

Knowing Exactly What is Being Ordered While Traveling to Italy

Oct 30, 2009

While sitting down to the table in Italy to partake in one of the most acclaimed food cultures, restaurant goers may become a little confused by the Italian on the menu.

By understanding some Italian on the ristorante menu in Italy, travelers can eliminate confusion and mistakes made while ordering at the dinner table.

The Italian Menu Sections

An Italian menu is separated into several sections. Diners will notice the top of the menu will most likely list the appetizers first. Appetizers in Italian will appear antipasto, meaning before the first dish. One common Italian food item listed under this section might include prosciutto e melone or cured ham and melon.

The next subheading on the Italian menu will be listed as il primo or the first course. Sometimes this section of the menu includes la pasta or pasta, while other restaurants in Italy will have a separate category for the pastas offered. Primi may include soups, potatoto dumplings called gli gnocchi, or risotto, a creamy rich dish.

While restaurant visitors may be full after an Italian antipasto and a primo, the Italian menu keeps on giving. Il secondo or the main/second course will follow the primo or pasta course. These items are generally meats and fish entrées. If one is a vegetarian wanting to avoid ordering a meat dish, the Italian word for meat carne will give diners a clue of what they will be getting. Il pesce translates fish for the seafood-craving crowd.

More specific names of meat include il maiale for pork, il manzo, beef, il pollo, chicken, and il vitello, veal.

Following the main course sections, i contorni or side dishes will most likely be listed. These can include anything from salads or insalate, to French fries, patate fritte.

To close out the menu, most Italian restaurants will list dolci or the desserts. Typical desserts will include gelato or Italian ice cream, tiramisú, ladyfingers soaked in espresso layered with cream cheese and chocolate, or even la macedonia in summer months, a fresh fruit salad with juices or alcohol added on top.

Other Useful Words to Know for an Italian Restaurant in Italy

Diners will notice that in Italy, a meal is seldom rushed. While some enjoy a leisurely dinner, those looking for the bill will have to ask for it. Il conto, or the check can be said to speed up the process. Diners will also notice a service charge or servizio tacked on to the bill. Also a coperto or cover charge may be added based on the number of diners times a certain amount.

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