When Americans think about Italian culture, food is most likely one of the first things that comes to mind. Approximately one-eighth of American restaurants serve Italian food, and more than one in five Americans say it’s their favorite cuisine. Learning some Italian food words can make your love go even deeper. And if you travel to Italy, as many people do, you can use your newfound language skills to order the most authentic meals and to discuss them with locals you meet along the way.
Check out the guide below for a list of Italian food words (and drink words) to help you navigate a delicious dining experience. Click the play button to hear how each word or phrase is pronounced. Bon appétit!
Italian Meal-Related Words
To eat — mangiare
To drink — bere
Restaurant — il ristorante
Fast food — il fast food
Menu — il menù
Breakfast — la colazione
Lunch — pranzo
Dinner — la cena
Appetizer — l’antipasto
Main Course — il piatto principale
Dessert — il dessert
Waiter — il cameriere (m) / la cameriera (f)
The check — il conto
Vegetarian — il vegetariano (m) / la vegetariana (f)
Vegan — vegano
Gluten/lactose-free — senza glutine / senza lattosio
Italian Food Words
Soup — la zuppa
Salad — insalata
Bread — il pane
Pasta — la pasta
Tomato — il pomodoro
Cheese — il formaggio
Rice — il riso
Potato — la patata
Fruit — la frutta
Vegetable — verdura
Beef — la carne di manzo
Pork — la carne di maiale
Chicken — il pollo
Fish — il pesce
Sausage — la salsiccia
Steak — la bistecca
Italian Drink Words
The drink — la bevanda
Beer — la birra
Wine — il vino
Tap water — l’acqua del rubinetto
Juice — il succo
Tea — il tè
Coffee — il caffè