53 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1
Posso avere il menù, per favore?
Can I have the menu, please?
The first thing you say when you sit down at a table and the waiter has not yet brought the menu. Works in any restaurant across Italy.
Avete un tavolo per due?
Do you have a table for two?
When you walk into a restaurant without a reservation and want to know if there is space.
Siamo pronti per ordinare.
We are ready to order.
Use this to flag down the waiter when your group has decided what to eat and is waiting to order.
Cosa consigliate?
What do you recommend?
When you are unsure what to order and want the staff's recommendation. Works equally well for food and wine.
Per me la pasta al pomodoro.
For me the pasta with tomato sauce.
Use 'per me' (for me) when placing your individual order. It is the most natural Italian way to specify your choice.
Avete piatti senza glutine?
Do you have gluten-free dishes?
Essential phrase for anyone with coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance. Ask before sitting down to avoid issues later.
Il conto, per favore.
The bill, please.
Said at the end of the meal when you are ready to pay. You must always ask — waiters will never bring the bill unsolicited.
È incluso il servizio?
Is the service charge included?
Ask this when you receive the bill and want to know whether a tip is already factored in before deciding whether to leave extra.
Sono allergico alle noci.
I am allergic to nuts.
Tell the waiter about any food allergy as soon as you sit down, before looking at the menu.
Com'è il piatto del giorno?
What is the dish of the day like?
Ask this to get a description of the daily special, which is often the freshest and best-value option.
Mezzo litro di vino rosso, per favore.
Half a litre of red wine, please.
Use this in traditional trattorias and osterias where house wine is sold by the carafe rather than by the bottle.
Acqua naturale o frizzante?
Still or sparkling water?
This is the question the waiter will ask you. Knowing the answer — 'naturale' (still) or 'frizzante' (sparkling) — is essential.
È un piatto senza carne?
Is this a meat-free dish?
Ask when a dish's name does not make the ingredients immediately obvious and you need to confirm there is no meat.
Il pane è incluso nel prezzo?
Is the bread included in the price?
Ask this if you want to avoid a surprise on the bill. In many restaurants, bread is charged as part of the 'coperto'.
Scusi, ho aspettato molto — quando arriva il mio piatto?
Excuse me, I have been waiting a long time — when will my dish arrive?
After a noticeably long wait (30+ minutes for a single course) when you need to politely check on the status of your order.
Posso portare via quello che avanza?
Can I take away what is left over?
At the end of a meal when you have not finished your dish and want to take the leftovers home.
Ho una prenotazione a nome Ferrari.
I have a reservation under the name Ferrari.
When you arrive at a restaurant where you have booked a table. Say this to the host or first staff member you meet at the entrance.
È buonissimo! Complimenti allo chef.
It is delicious! Compliments to the chef.
When you want to express that the food is excellent. Italians truly appreciate genuine compliments about their cooking.
Possiamo sederci fuori?
Can we sit outside?
When there is outdoor seating and you prefer to eat outside. Very common in summer throughout Italy.
Possiamo pagare separatamente?
Can we pay separately?
When you are dining with others and each person wants to pay their own share individually.
Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per sabato sera.
I would like to book a table for Saturday evening.
When calling or visiting a restaurant in advance to secure a table for a future date.
Mi dispiace, questo non è quello che ho ordinato.
I'm sorry, this is not what I ordered.
When the wrong dish has been brought to your table. Start with 'mi dispiace' to soften the correction.
Posso assaggiare prima di decidere?
Can I taste it before deciding?
When choosing between wines or dishes and you want a small taste before committing to ordering a full portion.
È un po' troppo salato per i miei gusti.
It is a little too salty for my taste.
When something about the food is not to your taste and you want to mention it politely without making a formal complaint.
Avete qualcosa di buono per dolce?
Do you have something good for dessert?
After finishing the main course when you want to explore the dessert options in a casual, open way.
Un caffè, per favore.
A coffee, please.
After finishing dessert — or instead of dessert — to close the meal. In Italy, 'un caffè' always means an espresso.
Avete un digestivo?
Do you have a digestif?
After the coffee, when you want to finish the meal with a small spirit. Common at the end of a long, celebratory dinner.
Siete aperti a pranzo?
Are you open for lunch?
Before going to a restaurant for lunch, especially at smaller or family-run places that may close in the afternoons.
Possiamo avere un tavolo vicino alla finestra?
Can we have a table near the window?
When you enter a restaurant and want to request a specific table position — near the window, in a corner, away from the kitchen, etc.
Siamo un po' di fretta — quanto tempo ci vuole?
We are in a bit of a hurry — how long will it take?
When you have a time constraint — catching a train, returning to work — and need to know if the kitchen can serve you quickly.
Posso avere lo scontrino?
Can I have the receipt?
After paying, especially if you need the receipt for expense reporting or want to verify the itemised bill.
È fresco il pesce oggi?
Is the fish fresh today?
Before ordering fish or seafood, especially at inland restaurants where freshness can vary depending on the day's delivery.
È possibile avere una mezza porzione?
Is it possible to have a half portion?
When you want to taste a dish but the full portion is too large, or when you want to try multiple dishes without overeating.
Avete qualcosa di analcolico?
Do you have something non-alcoholic?
When you do not drink alcohol and want to see the non-alcoholic drink options beyond water.
Possiamo unire i tavoli? Siamo in dieci.
Can we join the tables? There are ten of us.
When arriving with a large group and there are no tables big enough — you need to combine two or more tables.
Avete un vino locale che consigliate?
Do you have a local wine you recommend?
When you want to experience the regional wine tradition rather than ordering a well-known label. This question shows cultural curiosity and usually gets enthusiastic responses.
Scusi, può portarci altro pane?
Excuse me, could you bring us some more bread?
When the bread basket is empty and you want more. In Italy, bread is used to 'fare la scarpetta' — wipe the plate clean with bread at the end.
La pasta è un po' scotta.
The pasta is a bit overcooked.
When your pasta is noticeably overcooked and soggy — a genuine culinary crime in Italy. Use with care; it is a sensitive subject.
Posso avere questo piatto senza aglio?
Can I have this dish without garlic?
When you want to modify a dish to remove a specific ingredient you dislike or are allergic to.
Scusi!
Excuse me!
To attract the attention of a waiter. This is the most important single word in a restaurant context — learn it before anything else.
Vorrei ordinare il secondo adesso.
I would like to order the main course now.
After finishing the first course ('primo') and ready to order the second course ('secondo') — the meat or fish course.
Il contorno è incluso o a parte?
Is the side dish included or separate?
When ordering a main course and you want to know whether vegetables or sides are included in the price or must be ordered separately.
Posso vedere la carta dei vini?
May I see the wine list?
When you want to browse the wine selection. You can ask this at the same time as the food menu.
Avete un menù degustazione?
Do you have a tasting menu?
At higher-end or creative restaurants when you want to experience the chef's full repertoire in a structured multi-course format.
Avete un menù per bambini?
Do you have a children's menu?
When dining with young children and looking for simpler or smaller portioned dishes.
Dov'è il bagno?
Where is the bathroom?
When you need to use the bathroom during or after a meal. This is one of the most useful phrases in any situation.
Accettate la carta di credito?
Do you accept credit cards?
Before ordering or at the point of payment to confirm the restaurant accepts cards. In Italy, cash is still sometimes preferred at small trattorias.
Abbiamo mangiato benissimo, grazie!
We ate very well, thank you!
When leaving the restaurant, to express genuine appreciation for the meal. This phrase will be remembered and will guarantee a warm welcome on your return.
Aspettiamo ancora una persona.
We are waiting for one more person.
When someone in your group is late and you want to let the waiter know before they start taking orders.
Scusi, questo piatto è freddo.
Excuse me, this dish is cold.
When a hot dish arrives at the table clearly cold — possibly because it sat too long in the kitchen or service was slow.
Avete una saletta privata?
Do you have a private room?
When planning a celebration, business dinner, or event and you need a private or semi-private dining space.
Qual è il vostro giorno di chiusura?
What is your closing day?
When planning to visit a restaurant on a specific day and wanting to check if they are open.
Qual è la specialità della casa?
What is the house speciality?
One of the best questions you can ask in an Italian restaurant — the answer reveals the chef's proudest creation and usually leads to the best meal.