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PhrasesAt the PizzeriaAvete il babà?
A2

Avete il babà?

Do you have babà?

Pronunciation

ba-BÀ — two syllables, accent on the last. Equal stress on both, with the last slightly stronger.

When to use it

In a Neapolitan pizzeria at the end of the meal, asking for the most iconic Neapolitan dessert.

What it means

'Babà' is a Neapolitan dessert — a light yeast cake soaked in rum syrup. It is one of the most beloved Neapolitan sweets and is the traditional dessert in Neapolitan pizzerias and restaurants.

Variations

Avete il tiramisù?

Do you have tiramisu?

The most famous Italian dessert — found in pizzerias across Italy

Una pastiera per favore.

A pastiera please.

Neapolitan Easter cake with ricotta and citrus — available year-round in good pizzerias

Cosa avete di dolce?

What do you have for dessert?

Open question — better in unfamiliar pizzerias where the dessert menu is unknown

Mini Dialogue

— Avete il babà? — Certo! Lo vogliamo con il rum o con la panna fresca? — Con il rum — come si fa a Napoli. — Brava! È il miglior modo.

— Do you have babà? — Of course! Would you like it with rum or fresh cream? — With rum — as they do in Naples. — Excellent! That's the best way.

Cultural Note

The Neapolitan babà is served soaked in rum to the point of being almost entirely liquid — very different from the French version. In Naples there is even a saying: 'Si tu nun si' amico mio, si' comme 'o babà' (if you're not my friend, you're like a babà — soaked).