5 Mistakes to Avoid at an Italian Restaurant

Italians and their eating habits... Nice article, though I do not quite agree with all points. The coffee is clear and undisputed. Never a cappuco after 11h (though this can change when you just got out of bed :-). But I agree with the first comment and want to generalize it even further: you should just eat/drink the way you like it.

I have seen the doggie bag habit in Rome (yes, outside of the touristy center). Only with pizza. The salt thing I have not noticed, though I can imagine where this story comes from. Italians tend to put enough salt on their food. But usually it is on the table.

Ciao,
Tom (Roma)

I get so tired of these stupid rules. As an American of Italian descent, I like to eat and drink what I want, when I want it. I love bread with pasta, my grandparents (Nanu from Sicily, and nana from Naples), had it ALL the time. I've vacationed to italy the last 3 yrs, and actually find the restaurants kind of boring, they are all the same, same menu, everything even listed in the exact same order no matter what restaurant you go to. Also, I like to eat my food all at the same time, the primi, secondi, method of eating, just doesn't meet my lifestyle. Is that so bad?? get real folks.

Well I really dont care what they do over there as they probably dont care what we do. I am Italian my father and grandparents were from Italy. And as long as i have the smiles and expressions and laughter as we Italians enjoy at the table is all you need to know

Remember quote

" The French can cook But only the Italians know how to eat"

Thanks for reading

Hi Roberto,
Not bad, per se, just very "Italian American", that's all. To each his own, that's for sure. Our job is to prepare people for cultural differences they will find in Italy, whether you choose top follow our advice or not is beyond our control!
Thanks for stopping by, your comments are appreciated.

A great list. thanks!

Just one thing: wiping your plate with bread ("scarpetta") as an acceptable practice? That really depends where you are. I would recommend that you look at what everyone else is doing, and follow suit .... But, if no-one is wiping, then abstain ...

There's no problem with doggie bags in my experience (2 years living just south of Rome), we've never had any raised eyebrows, and my mother-in-law (who's Italian) does it all the time.

I have heard of all of these but any true Italian would tell you that if that's the way you like it, then that's the way you eat it......with exception of doggie bags which I know are a HUGE faux pax. I think it's a waste of food to leave it and wasting food is so non-Italian!

I don't know from where are you from, but this article is kinda bulls**t. Here's why:

- You almost always get bread (in a separate basin) when you eat pasta (or other), so you can make "la scarpetta" (If you'll not get it, it's because that "restaurant" doesn't deserves that name).

- Cheese on Fish.. Well... That's why italian cuisine is the best in the world. (cheese on fish? Come on... Maybe you don't know what "taste" means or your mouth is filled with mcDonalds crap :D)

- Cappuccino during meal.. same as above. Or you like everything to taste like a coffee.. you decide, not our fault.

- Doggie bag is unusual here (like tips or.. Cappuccino during meal) but is always well accepted. Next time, maybe, take your own bag from home.

- Regarding the salt.. Well.. Maybe you found the only restaurant in Italy that does this way. Please tell me the name. You always get salt, pepper, oil and vinegar on the table.

Maybe, next time, try to choose a better resturant and not the cheapest one :D.

As an Italian, I have to correct one of your rules.
Using bread with pasta, although not common, is not seen as a sin. For all the rest, thumbs up! :D

Do not order Pasta Alfredo.

I'm Marco. I'm Italian and I think these rules are not very real. Sorry for the bad English. I eat bread with the pasta, it is strange, but it is not prohibited. The restaurant does not give bread and pasta together if you want you can ask politely. Take away food from the restaurant is an old tradition , but you can ask anyway. For other rules are agreed. Greetings from italy CIAO

Pizza is normally not meant to be eaten at lunch. It's mainly a dinner item and many restaurants won't even serve it at lunchtime even if it's on the menu. If you are in a touristy restaurant they will though.

BUT... you CAN get pizza any time of the day at any of the little pizza stalls and bakeries that sell them by the slice.

You nailed it on the head! Especially the salt bit; Italians almost seem insulted when they see you adding something extra to their creation.

Nice work!

Cappuchino is also usually considered a breakfast drink, only to be consumed with pastry etc.

Great list. I would dispute #4, though. There are plenty of fish dishes where cheese is an important ingredient: the stuffing in calamari ripieni has pecorino, so does my favorite pasta dish at Tempio di Iside in Rome (gamberi rossi con pecorino fresco). At Da Danilo in the Esquilino neighborhood, anchovies are stuffed with mozzarella and deep fried. I think the cheese rule depends on the type of cheese and region's traditions. But if you put parmigiano on your spaghetti alle vongole in Rome, expect to pay the consequences!

Thanks for your comment Katie, very true! Also Pasta con le sarde e pecorino, naturally there are exceptions to every rule!

Surely the best of the worst is cutting up your spaghetti with a knife and fork!...i've seen it done!

That's a good one Deborah! Especially if you are older than 3 years of age :) :)

OK I have to respond to "An Italian that owns a restaurant"

Uhmm, bulls**T? Not sure what you're talking about since

1) The article clearly says that La scarpetta is in fact encouraged.

2) no where did I suggest putting cheese on fish, although you will find plenty of authentic Italian recipes like those listed in other comments such as sarde with pecorino, etc etc. These are exceptions, but the rule is a general no.

Did you really need to go and make personal insults like that?!?

3) Cappuccino during meal, did I say it was a good idea?

Back off man? We're trying to have some fun here, no need for angry insults when they are completely unprovoked.

I'm an Italian living in ireland since 2003, bu before my parents and I used to run a restaurant/tattoria, a bar/piadineria and one of those on the move hot dog and chips trucks.
Scarpetta IS ok in Italy, maybe a bit frowned upon in Expensive restaurants, but since portions are smaller and pricier you should not have this problem :)

I don't like coffee or cappuccino myself, but i would say that i have never seen any Italian order it during a meal.Some DO order cappuccino instead of an espresso after a meal, especially if it's cold outside.

Cheese on fish i agree that there are exception to the no cheese on fish rule and each recipe is made keeping in mind the different flavors.

Salt IS on every table. What you shouldn't ask is for ketchup unless you ordered chips. No Ketchup on pasta, pizza or a good steak. again..it;s all about flavors!!!

Pizza is definitely eaten during Lunch too!! It was a staple lunch during long school days and almost all pizzerias serve them at lunch!! they are the easiest and quickest thing to cook!

bread is also usually on each table and in most places you can keep it coming! but except for the Scarpetta use i wouldn't eat it with the pasta. it's just a double dose of carbohydrates and they have very different tastes.

Garlic bread is not an Italian traditional recipe :) although i love it!

as a suggestion, always ask about a dish. Italians love to talk about food and explain what it is and how it's made.

and to end my comment...Italians do eat each course separately and it is great! you can taste all the different dishes separately (not like lasagna with chips or salad!!! Heresy!) although after living abroad for almost 8 years i can never finish all the food that my grandma serves me!!! i have to split it in lunch and dinner when once i would have eaten everything in one go!! awwwwww good times!

enjoy your holidays!!