1. Courses
Antipasti are starters, primi are pasta, risotto, or soup, secondi are meat or fish, and contorni are side dishes ordered separately. A secondo usually comes without sides.
🇮🇹 Country menu guide
How to read an Italian menu and order in a restaurant in Italy
Italian menus are organized by course, and a few small lines — coperto, per etto, and an asterisk — explain most surprises on the bill. You do not have to order every course; Italians often share a starter and choose either pasta or a main.
How ordering works in Italy
2. Coperto
Many restaurants add a coperto, a per-person cover charge that usually includes bread. It is listed on the menu and is not a tip.
3. Prices by weight
Fish and Florentine steak may be priced per etto (100 g) or marked S.Q. (by quantity). Ask for the weight and total price before ordering.
4. Asterisks and paying
An asterisk often marks a frozen ingredient (surgelato). Ask for il conto when you are ready to pay. Tipping is not expected, though rounding up is appreciated.
Words you will see on a Italian menu
| On the menu | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Antipasti | an-tee-PAHS-tee | Starters |
| Primi | PREE-mee | First courses: pasta, risotto, soup |
| Secondi | seh-KON-dee | Main courses: meat or fish |
| Contorni | kon-TOR-nee | Side dishes, ordered separately |
| Dolci | DOHL-chee | Desserts |
| Coperto | koh-PAIR-toh | Per-person cover charge |
| All’etto / S.Q. | al-LET-toh / S.Q. | Price per 100 g / by quantity |
| Surgelato (*) | soor-jeh-LAH-toh | Frozen ingredient |
| Della casa | DEL-lah KAH-sah | House (wine, specialty) |
| Acqua naturale / frizzante | AH-kwah nah-too-RAH-leh / freet-SAHN-teh | Still / sparkling water |
| Senza glutine | SEN-tsah GLOO-tee-neh | Gluten-free |
| Piatto del giorno | PYAHT-toh del JOR-noh | Dish of the day |
Dishes you will often see
Spaghetti alla carbonara
spah-GET-tee al-lah kar-boh-NAH-rah
Pasta with egg, pecorino, cured pork cheek, and pepper
Cacio e pepe
KAH-choh eh PEH-peh
Pasta with pecorino cheese and black pepper
Spaghetti alle vongole
spah-GET-tee al-leh VON-goh-leh
Pasta with clams, garlic, and white wine
Trofie al pesto
TROH-fee-eh al PES-toh
Short pasta with basil, pine nut, and cheese pesto
Lasagne
lah-ZAH-nyeh
Baked layers of pasta, meat sauce, béchamel, and cheese
Risotto ai funghi
ree-ZOT-toh eye FOON-ghee
Creamy rice with mushrooms and parmesan
Pizza margherita
PEET-tsah mar-gheh-REE-tah
Pizza with tomato, mozzarella, and basil
Bistecca alla fiorentina
bee-STEK-kah al-lah fyoh-ren-TEE-nah
Large T-bone steak, priced by weight
Saltimbocca alla romana
sal-teem-BOK-kah al-lah roh-MAH-nah
Veal with prosciutto and sage
Vitello tonnato
vee-TEL-loh ton-NAH-toh
Cold sliced veal with tuna-caper sauce
Arancini
ah-rahn-CHEE-nee
Fried rice balls with ragù or cheese
Tiramisù
tee-rah-mee-SOO
Coffee-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone cream
Phrases to show restaurant staff
Show these on your screen. The written Italian is more reliable than pronunciation.
Vorrei questo, per favore.
Vor-RAY KWES-toh, per fah-VOH-reh.
I would like this, please.
Due di questi, per favore.
DOO-eh dee KWES-tee, per fah-VOH-reh.
Two of these, please.
Acqua naturale, per favore.
AH-kwah nah-too-RAH-leh, per fah-VOH-reh.
Still water, please.
Qual è il piatto del giorno?
Kwahl EH eel PYAHT-toh del JOR-noh?
What is the dish of the day?
Posso pagare con la carta?
POS-soh pah-GAH-reh kon lah KAR-tah?
Can I pay by card?
Il conto, per favore.
Eel KON-toh, per fah-VOH-reh.
The bill, please.
Common questions
What is coperto on an Italian bill?
Coperto is a per-person cover charge, often including bread. It is legal when shown on the menu and is not a tip.
Do I have to order every course in Italy?
No. It is normal to order a starter to share and then either a pasta or a main course.
What does “all’etto” mean on a menu?
The price is per 100 grams. Ask how much your portion weighs before ordering.