I don't eat fish.
PEH-sheh — the 'sc' before 'e' makes a 'sh' sound. Short, clear vowels throughout.
Useful in coastal towns where seafood dominates menus. State this upfront so staff can guide you to suitable dishes on the menu.
'Non mangio' + food item is the simplest way to express dietary restrictions in Italian. 'Pesce' covers fish and often implies seafood in general — if you also avoid shellfish, add 'frutti di mare'.
Non mangio frutti di mare.
I don't eat shellfish/seafood.
Frutti di mare literally means 'fruits of the sea' — mussels, clams, squid, etc.
Sono allergico ai crostacei.
I am allergic to crustaceans.
Medical phrasing for shrimp, crab, lobster allergies.
Preferisco non mangiare pesce.
I prefer not to eat fish.
Softer phrasing, suggesting preference rather than restriction.
In Italy, 'pesce' (fish) and 'carne' (meat) are treated as separate categories. Someone who avoids meat but eats fish is called 'pescetariano', a term Italians understand well.