42 phrases · Levels: A1A2B1B2
Il conto, per favore.
The bill, please.
Use at the end of the meal when you are ready to pay. In Italy, waiters do not bring the bill automatically — you must ask. This is standard practice and not considered rude.
Paghiamo separatamente.
We are paying separately.
Use when a group wants to split the bill individually. Inform the waiter early — ideally before ordering — as splitting bills can be complex for Italian restaurants.
Pago io.
I'll pay.
Use when you want to treat the whole group or insist on paying. The 'io' (I) at the end adds emphasis — 'I will pay' (as opposed to someone else).
Accettate carte di credito?
Do you accept credit cards?
Ask before sitting down in smaller restaurants or trattorias, as card acceptance is not universal in Italy. Many smaller establishments still prefer or require cash.
Posso pagare in contanti?
Can I pay in cash?
Use when you want to pay cash, which is still preferred in many traditional Italian restaurants. Cash payment often avoids surcharges and is always appreciated.
Credo che ci sia un errore nel conto.
I think there's a mistake in the bill.
Use politely when you spot a discrepancy on the bill. The subjunctive 'sia' after 'credo che' softens the accusation — you're suggesting a possible error rather than accusing.
Cosa include il coperto?
What does the cover charge include?
Use when you see a 'coperto' charge on the bill and want to understand what it covers. The coperto is a standard Italian restaurant charge, not optional in most cases.
Quanto lasciamo di mancia?
How much should we leave as a tip?
Use to consult your dining companions about tipping. Tips are appreciated but not obligatory in Italy — the coperto partially serves this function.
Il servizio è incluso?
Is service included?
Ask when you see 'servizio' on the bill or when dining in upscale restaurants that add a service charge. If service is already included, tipping additionally is unnecessary.
Tenga il resto.
Keep the change.
Use when paying with cash and you want to leave the change as a tip. This is the natural Italian way to tip in cash — clean and direct.
Posso avere la ricevuta?
Can I have the receipt?
Ask for a receipt for expense reports or personal records. By Italian law, restaurants must provide a fiscal receipt ('scontrino fiscale' or 'ricevuta fiscale'). You can also request it if you believe you were overcharged.
Possiamo dividere il conto a metà?
Can we split the bill in half?
Use when dining as a pair and wanting to split equally. More specific than 'paghiamo separatamente' — you're proposing an equal 50/50 split regardless of what each person ordered.
Posso pagare tramite bonifico?
Can I pay by bank transfer?
Use for large catering orders, private dining events, or advance restaurant reservations where bank transfer is the preferred payment method.
Scusi, aspettavo il conto da un po'.
Excuse me, I've been waiting for the bill for a while.
Use politely when you've been waiting too long for the bill after requesting it. Italian restaurants can be slow — this gentle reminder is appropriate and common.
Accettate Apple Pay o Google Pay?
Do you accept Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Use in modern restaurants, cafés, and bars to check for mobile payment options. Apple Pay and Google Pay are increasingly accepted across Italy, particularly in cities.
Vorrei la fattura, per favore.
I would like an invoice, please.
Use for business meals when you need a proper invoice (not just a receipt) for tax deduction purposes. Restaurants can issue invoices (fatture) but need your VAT number (Partita IVA).
Quanto viene?
How much does it come to?
Use at a bar, kiosk, or casual restaurant when asking the total amount. 'Quanto viene?' is extremely natural and idiomatic Italian — more so than 'quanto costa il conto?'
Il prezzo non corrisponde a quello del menu.
The price doesn't match the menu.
Use when billed more than the menu price for a dish or drink. This happens occasionally in tourist areas — politely pointing to the menu price is the appropriate response.
Abbiamo già pagato.
We already paid.
Use if approached for payment a second time or if there's confusion about whether you've already settled the bill.
Non ho moneta spicciola.
I don't have small change.
Use when paying in cash but only have large notes. This alerts the cashier to prepare change in advance.
Pago solo la mia parte.
I'll pay only my share.
Use when you want to pay only for what you personally consumed, not share equally with the group. More specific than 'paghiamo separatamente'.
Il caffè lo offro io.
The coffee is on me.
Use at the end of a meal when you want to treat your companions to the post-meal coffee. This is a very common Italian social gesture.
Avete un menu a prezzo fisso?
Do you have a fixed-price menu?
Ask at lunchtime or when on a budget. Many Italian restaurants offer a set 'menu del giorno' (today's menu) with 2-3 courses at a fixed price — often excellent value.
Fate sconti per gruppi?
Do you offer group discounts?
Ask when booking for large groups. Some Italian restaurants offer discounts or fixed menus for groups of 10 or more.
Ha una lista prezzi?
Do you have a price list?
Use at a market stall, wine bar, or when selecting products to ensure you know the prices before committing. Also useful at delis and specialty food shops.
La tassa di soggiorno è già inclusa?
Is the tourist tax already included?
Use at hotel restaurants or when dining as part of a hotel package. The tourist tax is a municipal hotel charge, but this question shows awareness of potential surcharges.
Può addebitarlo alla mia stanza?
Can you charge it to my room?
Use in hotel restaurants or bars when you want to charge food and drinks to your room bill for payment at checkout.
Può spiegarmi le voci del conto?
Can you explain the items on the bill?
Use when the bill contains unfamiliar charges or when the total seems higher than expected. Politely asking for an explanation is reasonable and expected.
Accettate Satispay?
Do you accept Satispay?
Use in Italian bars, restaurants, and shops. Satispay is Italy's most popular mobile payment app and is widely accepted — often more so than foreign digital wallets.
Arrotondiamo a venti euro.
Let's round it up to twenty euros.
Use when the bill is a few cents under a round number and you want to simplify payment. Common in casual settings — a friendly way to round up as an informal tip.
Grazie per la bella serata.
Thank you for the lovely evening.
Use when paying and leaving after a pleasant dinner. This warm closing phrase is appreciated by Italian restaurant staff and leaves a positive impression.
Un attimo, cerco il portafoglio.
One moment, I'm looking for my wallet.
Use when the waiter arrives with the bill and you need a moment to find your wallet or prepare payment.
Posso avere una copia del conto?
Can I have a copy of the bill?
Use when you need a copy of the bill for records, expense reports, or when sharing costs with others who weren't present.
Ci sono commissioni per il pagamento con carta?
Are there fees for card payment?
Ask before paying by card in smaller establishments. Some Italian restaurants, despite the legal requirement to accept cards, add a small surcharge for card transactions.
Vuoi che paghi io?
Do you want me to pay?
Use with a close friend or partner when offering to pay for the meal. The subjunctive 'paghi' after 'vuoi che' is grammatically correct Italian.
Grazie mille, servizio eccellente.
Thank you very much, excellent service.
Use when paying to give genuine compliment to the service. Simple, warm, and always welcome. Can be combined with a tip for maximum effect.
Posso pagare adesso?
Can I pay now?
Use when you want to pay early — perhaps before dessert or because you need to leave. Also useful at the bar before consuming, which is the practice in some Italian bars.
Non ho abbastanza contanti.
I don't have enough cash.
Use when you realize mid-payment that your cash is short. Follow up with a request to pay the difference by card.
C'è uno sconto per gli studenti?
Is there a student discount?
Use in university towns or student-friendly restaurants. Some Italian restaurants near universities offer 'convenzioni' (agreements) with student organizations.
Vorrei pagare prima di ordinare.
I would like to pay before ordering.
Use at the counter of a busy Italian bar where the standard procedure is to pay at the cashier before ordering at the counter — a common Italian bar practice.
Posso avere un rimborso?
Can I have a refund?
Use when you've been overcharged or when a dish was significantly different from what was described. Refunds are unusual in Italian restaurants but legitimate in clear cases of billing error.
Mi scusi, il bancomat non funziona?
Excuse me, is the ATM not working?
Use when you want to pay by debit card and the terminal seems to be having issues, or when asking about a nearby ATM if you need cash.