Italian key phrases to use at restaurant when in Italy
In this page you will find a complete list of sentences that will make your life easier when at a restaurant in Italy.
Before going through the list, you might also want to know that..
- It is customary to be seated or to make a reservation, especially at weekends.
- On paying, unlikely from many other countries a tip is not expected because included in the bill under the voice coperto. However, if the service was excellent you can leave a tip to show your satisfaction for the service.
- We have mostly four different types of restaurants:
the proper ristorante: a place where you can expect a full-service, a touch of gourmet, a professional staff and a higher price. It’s the place to have a more sophisticated food. The atmosphere should me more sophisticated too.
la trattoria: less pricey and less formal than a restaurant, it is usually a family owned business. It’s the place to have the traditional and comfort Italian food. The atmosphere is usually rustic.
la pizzeria: a pizzeria in Italy works just like any other restaurants. You make a reservation for a table and then you order from the menu. Often antipasti are also served.
la rosticceria (mainly in the South of Italy): it’s an informal take away place with none or few tables where Italians lie to buy ready to eat comfort fried food (arancini, calzoni, mozzarelle in carrozza and the likes)
PRENOTARE UN TAVOLO – BOOKING A TABLE
Vorrei / Vorremmo prenotare un tavolo per domani sera alle 19 – I/ We would like to book at table for tomorrow night at 7 pm
Domani a mezzogiorno – tomorrow at midday
Domani alle 13 – tomorrow at 1 pm
Un tavolo per due – a table for two
Un tavolo per tre – a table for three
Un tavolo per quattro – a table for four
ORDINARE – ORDERING
Potrei avere il menù? – Could I have the menu?
Posso vedere il menù? – Can I see the menu?
Potrei avere la carta dei vini? – Could I have the wine list?
Potrei avere il menù dei dolci? – Could I have the dessert menu?
Avete un menù per bambini? – Do you have a children’s menu?
Avete un menù del giorno? – Do you have a daily menu?
Qual è il piatto del giorno? – What is the dish of the day?
Sul menù c’è ‘un antipasto della casa’, che cos’è? – On the menu I read ‘Antipasto della casa’, what is it?
Lei cosa mi consiglia? – What would you recommend me?
Sono allergico/a a.. – I am allergic to…
Latticini – dairy products
Glutine- gluten
Sono vegetariano – I am a vegetarian
Sono vegano – I am a vegan
Non mangio carne di maiale – I don’t eat pork
Per me / Prendo / Vorrei – I’ll have…
Un antipasto di mare
Spaghetti alle vongole
Una macedonia
Una porzione di patatine fritte – a portion of..
– Una cotoletta
– Pasta
– Carne al sangue – rare meat
– Carne poco cotta – medium rare
– Carne ben cotta – well-done meat
Scusa, mi (ci) può portare… del pane? Una bottiglia d’acqua? Dell’olio? – Excuse-me, could I have some..bread? A bottle of water? Some oil?
CAMERIERE – WAITER
Siete pronti per ordinare? – Are you ready to order?
Posso portarvi da bere? – Can I get you something to drink?
L’acqua gasata o naturale? – The water sparkling or still?
PROBLEMI – PROBLEMS
La pizza è bruciata – the pizza is burned
L’insalata è scondita – the salad is undressed
La zuppa è fredda – the salad is cold
La pasta è fredda – the pasta is cold
C’è ancora molto da aspettare? – is our food long?
Stiamo aspettando da troppo tempo – we are waiting too long
PAGARE – PAYING
Il conto, per favore – The bill, please
Paga in contanti o con carta? – Do you pay cash or by card?
Pagate insieme o separatamente? – Do you pay all together or separately?
Posso pagare con carta di credito? – Can I pay by credit card?
Dividiamo il conto – Les’s split it
COSE CHE POTRESTI SENTIRE – THINGS YOU MIGHT HEAR
Posso offrirle un caffè o un amaro? – Can I buy you an espresso or a liquor?
Il pranzo /la cena è di vostro gradimento? – Did you like the meal?
Tutto apposto? – Was everything alright?
Vuole qualcos’altro? No grazie – Do you want anything else?
