Il Conto, Per Favore: Tips for Dining in Italy

Italy was not unified into one country until 1861. There are 20 different regions, further divided into 101 provinces. One of the reasons the language of talking with one’s hands in Italy is so vibrant is that the dialects were so different that a sign language during trade was necessary. The specialties that go with these provinces are highly unique and should be tried when you travel from one area to the next. There are some overriding expectations, or rules if you like, that are assumed throughout Italy. Here is our list of what to expect while dining in Italy.

1. Don’t eat fish with cheese. Even to the point of not ordering parmesan cheese with linguine – your waiter will be horrified.
2. Cappucino is only for breakfast. Milk with coffee after ten or eleven in the morning is just not the done thing. It has something to do with the idea of digestion of savory food and the harmful effects milk might have upon it. Something like that.
3. If you ask for a latte, you will be given a serving of milk. That’s what latte means in Italian: milk
4. Be prepared to stand while you drink your espresso – table service will triple your cost
5. Pasta is not for an entree. It is for the first course – primo. Secondo is for meat, fish or poultry
6. Pasta is not to be eaten with bread.  Starch and starch.
7. Spaghetti is not eaten with meatballs – that is an American invention. Pasta and meat are not seen on the same plate
8. Don’t cut your spaghetti with a knife. You will horrify your host and waiter! Use the plate to assist getting the spaghetti onto your fork, twirled.
9. Breakfast is most often a light pastry. Italians don’t have protein with breakfast.
10. No late lunches. 12:30 to 2:30 is usual
11. And there are no early dinners. Dinners are usually eaten from 7 pm onward
12. Don’t expect salad dressing outside of oil and vinegar. Salad is served after the first course (primo)
13. Soda pop like Coke or Sprite are not to be had during dinner or lunch – it is seen as a detraction from the flavor of the food.
14. Don’t order tap water with meals. It is customary to order bottled water (which is not free.)  Con gas (frizzente) or naturale.
15. Do try to order the local specialties
16. There is no main entree or main course. Enjoy smaller courses
17. You don’t share your pizza or ask that it be cut for you.
18. No ketchup – trust your chef for the flavor
19. Avoid the restaurants that have a greeter or someone enticing you to dine there. It is not the sign of a great restaurant

Don’t wait for the check to be given to you; you might end up waiting for a long time. It is considered rude to give the bill to someone while they dine. Summon your waiter, and ask, “il conto, per favore.”