When you’re ready, why not try them out at a local Italian-speaking restaurant?
Vegetarian? Not what you ordered? No problem! After this lesson you’ll be ordering from the menu in Italian like a pro, and impressing everyone at the table with your Italian language skills. Hungry? Let’s get started!
Resources for further reading:
Ordering at a restaurant in Italian
It's not common in Italy to be seated by the waiter or waitress. Instead you just choose the table yourself. In some restaurants the menu will be on the table already otherwise the waiter will bring it over to you as soon as possible. After being greeted you could get asked one of the following questions…
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Vuole iniziare ad ordinare da bere?
Would you like to order some drinks to start with?
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Ha già deciso?
Have you decided already?
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Cosa vorrebbe ordinare?
What would you like to order?
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Vuole l'antipasto?
Would you like an appetizer?
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Cosa desidera?
What would you like?
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Cosa desidera ordinare?
Would you like to order?
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Cosa desidera mangiare?
What would you like to eat?
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Sometimes all you might get asked is…
Sì, prego?
Yes, please?
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You could answer by saying one of these phrases…
Un momento, per favore.
One moment, please.
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Vorrei cominciare ad ordinare da bere.
I'd like to order something to drink to start with.
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Non lo so ancora.
I don't know yet.
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Not sure what you want to eat? Just ask the waiter what he recommends…
Cosa mi può raccomandare?
What can you recommend?
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Qual è la specialità del giorno?
What is the daily special?
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Qual è la zuppa del giorno?
What is the soup of the day?
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Here are the names of some dishes and drinks that you might find on the menu…
Il dolce
Dessert
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Il contorno
Side dish
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La zuppa
Soup
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L'insalata
Salad
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La salsa or Il sugo / il condimento
Sauce
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La verdura
Vegetables
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Le patate
Potatoes
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Il riso
Rice
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La carne
Meat
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La pasta
Pasta
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Il maiale
Pork
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Il pollo
Chicken
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Il manzo
Beef
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L'acqua minerale
Mineral Water
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Il succo di frutta
Fruit juice
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La birra
Beer
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Il vino rosso
Red wine
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Il vino bianco
White wine
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Lo spumante
Bubbly / Champers
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Lo champagne
Champagne
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L'antipasto
Appetizer / Starter
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Il primo
First Course
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Il secondo
Entree / Main Course
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In order to get the dish you want simply say…
Io prendo…
I'll have...
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Io vorrei…
I would like...
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Once you finished your meal you ask for the bill…
Il conto, per favore.
The bill, please.
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Vorrei pagare, per favore.
I would like to pay, please.
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In Italy the waiter or waitress will then bring the bill to your table. If you are eating out with a group you might get asked whether you want to pay…
Insieme.
Together
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Separatamente.
Separately
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In Italy tipping is not a common custom but waiters or waitresses really appreciate as a sign of having provided a good service to customers. Usually tourists leave around 10% of the bill total it at the table. The word for tip is…
La mancia
Tip
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Here are a few recommended Italian lessons to try next!
- Learn to sing Happy Birthday in Italian!
- The Italian alphabet has some subtle difference to the English alphabet. Find out all about it.
- An important lesson on the structure and pronouncing numbers in Italian. -Learn the right ways to say Yes and No in Italian.
A presto!
Maria DiLorenzi and the Rocket Italian Team
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