Food & Drinks

1. Il menù, per favore

   The menu, please

   Usage

   Ask for the menu at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Menù" is borrowed from French and is masculine. Note the accent on the final u

2. Un caffè, per favore

   A coffee, please

   Usage

   Order an espresso at an Italian bar — the daily ritual

   Grammar Note

   In Italy, "caffè" means espresso. "Cappuccino" is with milk foam; "caffellatte" is a latte

3. Il conto, per favore

   The bill, please

   Usage

   Ask for the bill at a restaurant or bar

   Grammar Note

   "Conto" means bill, count, or account. It's masculine, hence the article "il"

4. È squisito!

   It's exquisite!

   Usage

   Express that food is exquisitely delicious. Stronger than "buono" (good)

   Grammar Note

   From Latin "exquisitus" (specially sought). A stronger compliment than "buono" or "delizioso"

5. Ha un tavolo per due?

   Do you have a table for two?

   Usage

   Ask for a table at a restaurant (formal register)

   Grammar Note

   "Ha" is third person of avere. Italian formal "Lei" (you) uses third person verb forms

6. Vorrei la pasta al pomodoro

   I would like the pasta with tomato sauce

   Usage

   Order a classic pasta dish at an Italian restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Al" = a + il (to/with + masculine article). "Vorrei" (conditional) is the polite way to order

7. Sono vegetariano / vegetariana

   I am vegetarian

   Usage

   Tell the waiter you are vegetarian

   Grammar Note

   Adjust the ending to match your gender. Same pattern for vegano/vegana (vegan)

8. Ha un piatto del giorno?

   Do you have a dish of the day?

   Usage

   Ask the waiter about the daily special

   Grammar Note

   "Del" = di + il (of + the masculine article). "Piatto" (plate/dish) is masculine

9. Posso avere del pane in più?

   Could I have some more bread?

   Usage

   Ask for more bread at the table during a meal

   Grammar Note

   "Del" is the partitive article (di + il), meaning "some." "Pane" (bread) is masculine

10. Dov'è il bagno?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    Ask where the toilet is at a restaurant or café

    Grammar Note

    "Bagno" means bathroom/toilet. "Il gabinetto" is more specific for toilet but "bagno" is more common

11. Piccante

    Spicy hot

    Usage

    Chilli heat specifically; salty is "salato"

12. Dolce

    Sweet

    Usage

    Sweet in taste; as a menu heading the same word means "dessert"

13. Crudo

    Raw (not cooked)

    Usage

    Point at this to avoid uncooked meat or fish; note "prosciutto crudo" is cured ham

14. Il riso

    Rice

    Usage

    Italian uses "riso" for both raw and cooked rice — show it together with the dish you want

15. Il pane

    Bread

    Usage

    The bread served with a meal; also useful when checking for wheat

16. La pasta

    Pasta / noodles

    Usage

    The word for noodles in Italy; in a bakery the same word can mean dough

17. Il formaggio

    Cheese

    Usage

    Used both to order cheese and to check for dairy

18. Il miele

    Honey

    Usage

    Refers to honey as a sweetener

19. La zuppa

    Soup

    Usage

    A thick soup; a clear broth is "il brodo"

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