What to Know About Dining in Italy
Figuring Out Italian Dining Etiquette WhenTraveling to Italy
Sep 21, 2009
Follow these tips while at the Italian ristorante and one is sure to leave a better impression, escaping the hairy eyeball from waiters.
When to Pay at Italian Cafes, Before or After Eating
Confusion can arise over the mere simplicity of paying for one’s food. In cafes and gelaterias, sometimes proprietors want customers to pay first at the cassa (cash register) for their cappuccino. Save the receipt. It becomes the ticket to present to the barista to receive the desired drink.
However, not all cafes are like this. Some allow visitors to put their feet up at the table, order, and pay before leaving. In order to figure out what type of café wants payment first or later, look around at what the Italians are doing. If still unsure, asking “pago prima o dopo?” (I pay before or after?) will generally give café goers their answer to which type of establishment it may be.
Splitting Dishes and Taking Food Home in Italy
Sharing or splitting one dish for two people is for the most part frowned upon in Italy. However, frequented spots and some pizzerias do not seem to mind on occasion. Usually the more expensive the restaurant, the more looked down upon it is for two people to order just one dish.
When it comes to taking food left on the plate home in Italy, diners may be met with confused stares from the Italians. While some pizzerias may ask if one wants to take home the remaining pizza, asking for the American "doggie bag" is somewhat culturally diverse in Italy. The portions are generally smaller, allowing diners to do as the Italians do and finish a meal at the table instead of later as a midnight snack.
Getting the Check after Dinner
At the local burger barn back home, the bill is practically thrown at customers before they are finished eating. In Italy however, that is not the case. Culturally, meals are not rushed. For many accustomed to being hurried out the restaurant door, this may seem unusual and even annoying when in a hurry to leave dinner. Diners must ask for the bill in Italy, and may do so by simply saying “Il conto” (The bill).
Understanding the Charges at Italian Restaurants
Many diners will notice two categories added to their bill titled servizio and coperto. Servizio is the tip for the waiter or waitress. In Italy, diners do not have to tip if this fee has already been factored into the bill.
The coperto is essentially the cover charge for sitting at the table. The coperto usually is a certain amount multiplied by the number of people at the table. Usually, it is only a euro or two per person.
For more on travel to Italy, read What to Know About Train Travel in Italy and Learning Simple Italian No One Can Refuse
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