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Types of Italian Restaurants![\"man-in-red-jacket-entering-a-pizzeria-in-rome-italy\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/2\/man-in-red-jacket-entering-a-pizzeria-in-rome-italy.jpg\")
<\/a><\/h2>\nThere are so many different places to choose from to eat delicious Italian food! It all depends on the time of day, what you would like to eat and the amount you are willing to spend.<\/p>\n
Il ristorante<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Restaurant<\/p>\nLa trattoria<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2014 Tavern
\nA little less formal than a ristorante<\/em>, and more rustic.<\/p>\nLa tavola calda<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Cafeteria
\nTavola calda<\/em> literally translates to \u201chot table\u201d and they offer a range of prepared dishes that you choose from at the counter. Side dishes often cost about three euros, and main course dishes (meat, fish, etc.) are a bit more expensive.<\/p>\nLa paninoteca<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Sandwich shop, serving panini<\/em>\u00a0(sandwiches; note that the singular is\u00a0un panino).<\/em><\/p>\nIl bar<\/em><\/strong> \/ Il<\/em> caff\u00e8<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Bar\/Caf\u00e9
\nThese are small establishments that mainly serve drinks, as well as aperitivi\u00a0<\/em>(snacks\/appetizers), dolci<\/em> (sweets\/desserts) and\u00a0piccole pizze<\/em>\u00a0or pizzette<\/em> (tiny pizzas). Note that prices are slightly cheaper if you choose to have your drink at the counter (al bar<\/em>), and there may also be variance\u00a0between inside (dentro<\/em>) and outside (sulla terrazza<\/em>) tables.<\/p>\nLa pizzeria<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Pizza restaurant\/bar<\/p>\nPhrases for Entering Italian Restaurants<\/h2>\n
You’ll need a few phrases when you enter an Italian eating establishment not just for politeness, but also perhaps to get the attention of busy waiters.<\/p>\n
Buongiorno<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Good day<\/p>\nBuonasera<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Good evening<\/p>\nCiao<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Hi (informal)<\/p>\nAvete un tavolo per due?<\/em> \u2014 <\/strong>Do you have a table for two<\/a>?<\/p>\nSiamo in due \/ tre \/ quattro<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 There are two\/three\/four of us<\/p>\nPer favore<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Please<\/p>\nGrazie<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Thank you<\/p>\nVorremmo mangiare…<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 We would like to eat…\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nDentro<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Inside<\/p>\nSulla terrazza<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 On the terrace<\/p>\nIn veranda<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 In the veranda (a semi-enclosed space with view of outside)<\/p>\nIn giardino<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 In the courtyard<\/p>\nDov\u2019\u00e8 il bagno, per favore?<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Where’s the bathroom, please?<\/p>\nUomini<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Men<\/p>\nDonne<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Women<\/p>\nZona fumatori<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 <\/em>Smoking zone<\/p>\nZona non-fumatori <\/em><\/strong>\u2014 <\/em>Non-smoking zone<\/p>\nNon fumiamo<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 We don’t smoke<\/p>\nNon ci sono fumatori nel gruppo<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 <\/em>There are no smokers in this group<\/p>\nNon siamo fumatori<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 <\/em>We’re not smokers<\/p>\n\u00c8 permesso fumare qua?<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 <\/em>Is smoking allowed here?<\/p>\nNote that by law, smoking is not allowed inside Italian restaurants<\/a>, but you’ll likely be allowed to smoke if you’re seated outside. You should of course refrain from doing so if you’re seated near non-smokers.<\/p>\nMeals and Courses in Italian Restaurants<\/h2>\n
![\"two-women-eating-pizza-and-drinking-wine-at-an-italian-restaurant\"](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/2\/two-women-eating-pizza-and-drinking-wine-at-an-italian-restaurant.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOnce you are in the restaurant and settled, what will you be ordering? It depends on the time of day!<\/p>\n
La prima colazione<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Breakfast
\nIn Italy, breakfast is light and simple. It usually consists of a pastry and an\u00a0espresso or\u00a0cappuccino.<\/p>\nIl pranzo<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Lunch
\nFor many, it’s the most important meal of the day. Pranzo<\/em> at home usually consists of pasta, a meat dish and a side of vegetables.<\/p>\nLa cena<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Dinner
\nLocals tend to make it a lighter meal. It’s eaten later in the evening, usually around 8 p.m. or after and is typically a slow and social meal.<\/p>\nWhen you are looking through the menu, this is how the courses will likely be sorted:<\/p>\n
Gli antipasti<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Starters or appetizers
\nUsually, you will find cured meats, cheeses and vegetables.<\/p>\nIl primo<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 First course
\nThis will usually be a pasta dish.<\/p>\nIl secondo<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Second course or main course (depending on what region you are dining in)
\nIt consists of meat or fish.\u00a0<\/p>\nIl contorno<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Side-dish<\/p>\nIl dolce<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Desserts
\nThese can be anything from tiramisu to gelato, panna cotta<\/a> to zeppole<\/a>\u00a0and a number of other sweet treats.<\/p>\nTableware in Italian<\/h2>\n
Is your table fully set? Do you need extra cutlery or plates? Here is what you need to ask for:<\/p>\n
Il piatto<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The plate<\/p>\nLa ciotola<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 The bowl<\/p>\nLa tazza<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The cup<\/p>\nIl bicchiere<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The glass<\/p>\nLa forchetta<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The fork<\/p>\nIl cucchiaio<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The spoon<\/p>\nIl coltello<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The knife<\/p>\nHow to Order in Italian Restaurants<\/h2>\n
Once you’re settled and have had a look at the menu, it’s time to order! Below you’ll find the most common vocabulary terms and phrases for ordering food in Italian<\/a>!<\/p>\nMy recommendation for dining anywhere is to always order the most unknown thing you can find on the menu. In Italy this is a particularly useful strategy; there are many delightful dishes that you cannot eat anywhere else!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Il cameriere<\/em> \/<\/em> la cameriera<\/em> <\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 The waiter\/the waitress<\/p>\nSiete pronti per ordinare?<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Are you ready to order?<\/p>\nAncora un momento, per favore<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 One moment, please<\/p>\nCosa mi pu\u00f2 raccomandare?<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 What do you recommend?<\/p>\nPrendo…<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 I will have…<\/p>\nVorrei<\/em>\u2026 <\/strong>\u2014 I would like…<\/p>\nImportant Italian Food Vocabulary and Ingredients\u00a0<\/h2>\n
La trattoria<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2014 Tavern La tavola calda<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Cafeteria La paninoteca<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Sandwich shop, serving panini<\/em>\u00a0(sandwiches; note that the singular is\u00a0un panino).<\/em><\/p>\n Il bar<\/em><\/strong> \/ Il<\/em> caff\u00e8<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Bar\/Caf\u00e9 La pizzeria<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Pizza restaurant\/bar<\/p>\n You’ll need a few phrases when you enter an Italian eating establishment not just for politeness, but also perhaps to get the attention of busy waiters.<\/p>\n Buongiorno<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Good day<\/p>\n Buonasera<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Good evening<\/p>\n Ciao<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Hi (informal)<\/p>\n Avete un tavolo per due?<\/em> \u2014 <\/strong>Do you have a table for two<\/a>?<\/p>\n Siamo in due \/ tre \/ quattro<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 There are two\/three\/four of us<\/p>\n Per favore<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Please<\/p>\n Grazie<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Thank you<\/p>\n Vorremmo mangiare…<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 We would like to eat…\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Dentro<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Inside<\/p>\n Sulla terrazza<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 On the terrace<\/p>\n In veranda<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 In the veranda (a semi-enclosed space with view of outside)<\/p>\n In giardino<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 In the courtyard<\/p>\n Dov\u2019\u00e8 il bagno, per favore?<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Where’s the bathroom, please?<\/p>\n Uomini<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Men<\/p>\n Donne<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Women<\/p>\n Zona fumatori<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 <\/em>Smoking zone<\/p>\n Zona non-fumatori <\/em><\/strong>\u2014 <\/em>Non-smoking zone<\/p>\n Non fumiamo<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 We don’t smoke<\/p>\n Non ci sono fumatori nel gruppo<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 <\/em>There are no smokers in this group<\/p>\n Non siamo fumatori<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 <\/em>We’re not smokers<\/p>\n \u00c8 permesso fumare qua?<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 <\/em>Is smoking allowed here?<\/p>\n Note that by law, smoking is not allowed inside Italian restaurants<\/a>, but you’ll likely be allowed to smoke if you’re seated outside. You should of course refrain from doing so if you’re seated near non-smokers.<\/p>\n Once you are in the restaurant and settled, what will you be ordering? It depends on the time of day!<\/p>\n La prima colazione<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Breakfast Il pranzo<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Lunch La cena<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Dinner When you are looking through the menu, this is how the courses will likely be sorted:<\/p>\n Gli antipasti<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Starters or appetizers Il primo<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 First course Il secondo<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Second course or main course (depending on what region you are dining in) Il contorno<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Side-dish<\/p>\n Il dolce<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 Desserts Is your table fully set? Do you need extra cutlery or plates? Here is what you need to ask for:<\/p>\n Il piatto<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The plate<\/p>\n La ciotola<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 The bowl<\/p>\n La tazza<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The cup<\/p>\n Il bicchiere<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The glass<\/p>\n La forchetta<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The fork<\/p>\n Il cucchiaio<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The spoon<\/p>\n Il coltello<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 The knife<\/p>\n Once you’re settled and have had a look at the menu, it’s time to order! Below you’ll find the most common vocabulary terms and phrases for ordering food in Italian<\/a>!<\/p>\n My recommendation for dining anywhere is to always order the most unknown thing you can find on the menu. In Italy this is a particularly useful strategy; there are many delightful dishes that you cannot eat anywhere else!\u00a0<\/p>\n Il cameriere<\/em> \/<\/em> la cameriera<\/em> <\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 The waiter\/the waitress<\/p>\n Siete pronti per ordinare?<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Are you ready to order?<\/p>\n Ancora un momento, per favore<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 One moment, please<\/p>\n Cosa mi pu\u00f2 raccomandare?<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0\u2014 What do you recommend?<\/p>\n Prendo…<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 I will have…<\/p>\n Vorrei<\/em>\u2026 <\/strong>\u2014 I would like…<\/p>\n
\nA little less formal than a ristorante<\/em>, and more rustic.<\/p>\n
\nTavola calda<\/em> literally translates to \u201chot table\u201d and they offer a range of prepared dishes that you choose from at the counter. Side dishes often cost about three euros, and main course dishes (meat, fish, etc.) are a bit more expensive.<\/p>\n
\nThese are small establishments that mainly serve drinks, as well as aperitivi\u00a0<\/em>(snacks\/appetizers), dolci<\/em> (sweets\/desserts) and\u00a0piccole pizze<\/em>\u00a0or pizzette<\/em> (tiny pizzas). Note that prices are slightly cheaper if you choose to have your drink at the counter (al bar<\/em>), and there may also be variance\u00a0between inside (dentro<\/em>) and outside (sulla terrazza<\/em>) tables.<\/p>\nPhrases for Entering Italian Restaurants<\/h2>\n
Meals and Courses in Italian Restaurants<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn Italy, breakfast is light and simple. It usually consists of a pastry and an\u00a0espresso or\u00a0cappuccino.<\/p>\n
\nFor many, it’s the most important meal of the day. Pranzo<\/em> at home usually consists of pasta, a meat dish and a side of vegetables.<\/p>\n
\nLocals tend to make it a lighter meal. It’s eaten later in the evening, usually around 8 p.m. or after and is typically a slow and social meal.<\/p>\n
\nUsually, you will find cured meats, cheeses and vegetables.<\/p>\n
\nThis will usually be a pasta dish.<\/p>\n
\nIt consists of meat or fish.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nThese can be anything from tiramisu to gelato, panna cotta<\/a> to zeppole<\/a>\u00a0and a number of other sweet treats.<\/p>\nTableware in Italian<\/h2>\n
How to Order in Italian Restaurants<\/h2>\n
Important Italian Food Vocabulary and Ingredients\u00a0<\/h2>\n
![\"pizza-on-a-plate-on-a-wooden-table-surrounded-by](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/2\/pizza-on-a-plate-on-a-wooden-table-surrounded-by-tomatoes-mushrooms-herbs-and-garlic.jpg\")
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