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PhrasesDietary RestrictionsSenza aglio, per favore.
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Senza aglio, per favore.

Without garlic, please.

Pronunciation

AH-lyoh — the 'gli' is a palatal lateral sound, similar to 'll' in 'million'. Soft and liquid.

When to use it

Use if you have a garlic allergy or intolerance. Garlic is fundamental in Italian cooking — this request may alter a dish significantly and should be made before ordering.

What it means

'Senza' + noun (no article needed) is the standard pattern for exclusion requests. Aglio is used raw, roasted, or sautéed in olive oil as the base of countless Italian dishes. Some chefs may suggest alternative preparations.

Variations

Sono allergico all'aglio.

I am allergic to garlic.

Medical framing for serious cases.

Niente aglio nel sugo?

No garlic in the sauce?

Checking a specific sauce.

Senza aglio e cipolla.

Without garlic and onion.

Common combined restriction — both are alliums.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Senza aglio, per favore. Sono intollerante. Cameriere: Capisco. La maggior parte dei nostri soffritti usa aglio. Le faccio la pasta con solo olio e sale? Cliente: Perfetto, grazie. Cameriere: Aggiungere del pepe e prezzemolo?

Client: Without garlic, please. I'm intolerant. Waiter: I understand. Most of our sautéed bases use garlic. Shall I make you pasta with just oil and salt? Client: Perfect, thank you. Waiter: Shall I add some pepper and parsley?

Cultural Note

Aglio e olio (garlic and oil) is one of Italy's simplest and most beloved pasta dishes, from Naples. Garlic intolerance is therefore challenging in Italian restaurants — the 'soffritto' (sauté base) almost always starts with garlic.