Ordering Food and Drink

Italy has one of the world's greatest food cultures, and understanding how to order is essential. Italian bars (which serve coffee, not just alcohol) and restaurants have their own customs and etiquette that differ from what you might be used to. In this lesson you will learn about Italian caffè culture, bar etiquette, and how to order food and drink like a local.

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Italian Coffee Culture

Coffee in Italy is a ritual, not just a drink. Here are the key things to know:

Types of Coffee

Italian	What It Is	When to Order
un caffè / un espresso	A single shot of espresso	Any time of day
un caffè macchiato	Espresso with a dash of milk	Any time
un caffè lungo	A slightly longer espresso	Any time
un caffè ristretto	A very short, strong espresso	Any time
un cappuccino	Espresso with steamed milk and foam	Only in the morning (before 11am)
un caffè latte	Coffee with lots of milk	Morning only
un caffè corretto	Espresso "corrected" with a dash of grappa or liqueur	After lunch or dinner
un caffè freddo	Cold coffee (sweetened)	Summer
un caffè shakerato	Shaken iced espresso	Summer
un decaffeinato / un deca	Decaffeinated coffee	Any time

Cultural Note: Italians NEVER drink cappuccino after a meal or after 11am. If you order one at 3pm, the barista will know you are a tourist. There is no rule against it, but locals simply don't do it. If you want milky coffee later in the day, order a "caffè macchiato" instead.

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At the Bar (il bar)

An Italian "bar" is a café that serves coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and drinks. It is not primarily a place for alcohol (though they serve it too).

Bar Etiquette

1. Standing vs. sitting: Drinking at the counter (al banco) is cheaper than sitting at a table (al tavolo). In some bars, sitting down can double the price.
2. Pay first or after? It depends on the bar. In busy city bars, you often pay at the cassa (cash register) first, get a receipt (lo scontrino), then take it to the barista. In smaller bars, you order first and pay when leaving.
3. Speed: Italians drink their espresso quickly, standing at the bar. It takes about 30 seconds.

Ordering at the Bar

Italian	English
Un caffè, per favore.	An espresso, please.
Un cappuccino e un cornetto.	A cappuccino and a croissant.
Vorrei un caffè macchiato.	I'd like a macchiato.
Quanto costa al banco?	How much is it at the counter?
Pago alla cassa?	Do I pay at the cash register?
Possiamo sederci fuori?	Can we sit outside?
Il conto, per favore.	The bill, please.

Sample Dialogue: At the Bar

You: Buongiorno. Un caffè e un cornetto alla crema, per favore. Barista: Subito. Altro? You: Basta così, grazie. Barista: Sono due euro e cinquanta. You: Ecco a Lei. Grazie!

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