È delizioso! It’s delicious! Italian Restaurant Vocabulary

In this post we’ll learn some Italian restaurant vocabulary. First, we’ll look at vocabulary and expressions that you can use when you arrive at a restaurant. Then we’ll turn to vocabulary related to ordering food. Next we’ll turn to special diets in case you need that vocabulary. After that we’ll look at vocabulary related to spice levels, which may or may not come in handy depending on what sort of food you like to eat. Finally, we’ll close with expressions that you can use if someone asks how your food is, or if there’s any problem with your order.

Al ristorante. At a restaurant.

First, let’s look at some Italian restaurant vocabulary that you can use when you arrive at a restaurant.

• Un tavolo per uno / due / tre / quattro / cinque, per favore.
  A table for one/two/three/four/five, please.
• Hai/Avete una prenotazione?
  Do you have a reservation?
• Ho una prenotazione. Abbiamo una prenotazione.
  I have a reservation. We have a reservation.
• Non ho una prenotazione. Non abbiamo una prenotazione.
  I don’t have a reservation. We don’t have a reservation.
• Hai/Avete un menu?
  Do you have a menu?
• Hai/Avete un menu in inglese?
  Do you have a menu in English?
• Hai/Avete una lista dei vini?
  Do you have a wine list?

Ordering Food

Now let’s turn to some vocabulary and expressions related to ordering food. For Italian vocabulary related to the food itself, check out this post.

• Sei pronto/a per ordinare?
  Are you ready to order?
• Sono pronto/a per ordinare. Siamo pronti/e per ordinare.
  I’m ready to order. We’re ready to order.
• Non sono pronto/a per ordinare. Non siamo pronti/e per ordinare.
  I’m not ready to order. We’re not ready to order.
• Ancora qualche minute, per favore.
  A few more minutes, please.
• Cosa consigli?
  What do you recommend?
• Potrei avere un tovagliolo / una forchetta / un coltello / un cucchiaio / bacchette?
  Could I have a napkin/fork/knife/spoon/chopsticks?
• Potrei avere un bicchiere d’acqua?
  Could I have a glass of water?
• Il conto, per favore.
  Check, please.
• Dove devo pagare?
  Where do I pay?

Sono vegetariano/a. I’m vegetarian.

Now let’s turn to special diets. If you’re on any kind of restricted diet, you may need to know these helpful expressions before you order. If you’re on any kind of restricted diet, you may need to know these helpful expressions before you order.

• Sono a dieta.
  I’m on a diet.
• Sono vegetariano/a. Non mangio né carne né pesce.
  I’m vegetarian. I don’t eat meat or fish.
• Sono vegano/a. Non mangio prodotti di origine animale.
  I’m vegan. I don’t eat any animal products.
• Non mangio glutine.
  I don’t eat gluten.
• Sono allergico/a alle arachidi.
  I’m allergic to peanuts.
• Sono allergico/a ai latticini.
  I’m allergic to dairy products.
• Sono allergico/a alle noci.
  I’m allergic to tree nuts.
• Sono allergico/a ai crostacei.
  I’m allergic to shellfish.
• Non bevo alcolici.
  I don’t drink alcohol.
• Non bevo caffeina/teina
  I don’t drink caffeine/caffeine in tea.
• Questo cibo è kosher?
  Is this food kosher?
• Questo cibo è halal?
  Is this food halal?

Non troppo picante! Not too spicy!

Depending on what kind of food you’re going to eat, spice may be something you need to talk about. People can tolerate different levels of heat in their food, so you may want to say:

• È piccante?
  Is this spicy?
• Mi piace il cibo piccante.
  I like spicy food.
• Non mi piace il cibo piccante.
  I don’t like spicy food.
• Molto piccante, per favore.
  Very spicy, please.
• Mediamente piccante, per favore.
  Medium spicy, please.
• Non piccante, per favore.
  Not spicy, please.
• È troppo piccante.
  It’s too spicy.

Com’è il cibo? How’s your food?

Finally, let’s wrap up our discussion of Italian restaurant vocabulary with some expressions you can use to talk about your food. The four basic tastes are salato (salty), dolce (sweet), amaro (bitter), aspro (sour). But if someone asks how your food is, you’ll probably want know a bit more than that.

• È delizioso.
  It’s delicious.
• È ottimo.
  It’s great.
• Questo cibo è eccellente.
  This food is excellent.
• È troppo caldo.
  It’s too hot.
• È troppo freddo.
  It’s too cold.
• È troppo dolce.
  It’s too sweet.
• È troppo salato.
  It’s too salty.
• È insipido.
  It’s tasteless/bland.
• È troppo cotto.
  It’s overcooked.
• È crudo.
  It’s undercooked.
• È oleoso.
  It’s oily.
• È grasso.
  It’s greasy.

Of course, you may prefer to stay in and cook. If so, check out this post. Either way, Buon Appetito! Enjoy your meal!

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