Italy is a food lover’s paradise, and there’s no better way to immerse oneself in its rich culinary culture than by dining like a true Italian. Before moving to Italy, we visited several times and explored many regions and always managed to learn something new about the local food traditions. Now that we are immersed in local culture, mixing it up with the locals and away from restaurants that cater to tourists, we can fully appreciate how to eat like an Italian. In this post, you’ll learn insider tips to experience Italy’s delicious food traditions the Italian way. That’s not to say you need to eat like a local, you do you, friend, but it certainly makes it easier to get into the swing of true Italian life if you know what to expect.
Understand the Italian Meal Times
When travelling to Italy, it’s important to understand the local meal times to ensure you get the most out of your culinary experience. Italians take their meals seriously, and meal times are no exception. Although timing of meals may vary in the north versus the south (they tend to eat later in the south), here’s a breakdown of the typical meal times in Italy:
Breakfast
Breakfast (colazione) is a simple and sugar-laden affair in Italy. Unlike the hearty breakfasts common in many other countries, breakfast in Italy is light and typically consists of coffee and a pastry or biscuit. Eggs are not considered a breakfast food (gasp) and any pancakes or crepes you will find are either made to meet foreigners’ expectations or considered dessert. Italians usually enjoy their breakfast at a bar, standing up at the counter, rather than sitting down at a table. So if you want to start your day like a true local, ask for an espresso (caffe) and croissant (cornetto) which will be filled with something tasty (chocolate/nutella, jam, cream).
Lunch
Lunch (pranzo) is the most important meal of the day in Italy. It usually starts from around 12:30pm to 2:00pm and is a leisurely affair that can last for hours. Many Italians go home for lunch (see my musings on this subject here), but restaurants and trattorias also offer set menus or à la carte options. You can expect to find a wide range of pasta dishes, meat and fish dishes, and of course, pizza. Although you don’t need to order the multi-course lunch Italians would traditionally consume, you’ll find lots of options in every category. It’s also not uncommon to enjoy your lunch with wine and water.
Dinner
Dinner (cena) is typically served from 7:30pm to 9:30pm (in the south where we live, it’s rare to see any locals dining before 8:30pm). Like lunch, dinner is a relaxed, social affair that often lasts for hours. Italians enjoy a variety of appetizers (antipasti), first course pasta dishes (primi), second course meat and fish dishes (secondi), and side dishes (contorni) throughout the meal. Salads are usually found on the contorni menu and served after the main course, so if you’d like your salad as your main dish, just be sure to ask the server. At the end of a meal, coffee and dessert (dolci) is usually served and many restaurants will offer you a digestif like an amaro (ask for a local version).
Go Local Across the Menu for the Best Experience
Italian cuisine is well-known and loved all around the world (obviously). In Toronto, you can’t throw a rock without hitting an “authentic” Italian restaurant. But when you travel to Italy and immerse yourself in local cuisine, you get to taste true authenticity that the locals enjoy. Here are some tips to allow you to get the best food experience during your Italian visit.
Know Your Pasta Shapes
Pasta is a staple in Italian cuisine, and there are so many shapes to choose from. From spaghetti to penne to fettuccine, each shape has its own texture and sauce pairing, so it’s essential to know what you’re ordering. For example, carbonara typically goes with spaghetti, while arrabbiata goes better with penne. Look up the local pasta for the region of your destination (e.g. in Puglia, it’s orecchiette) as it will be the freshest. And don’t hesitate to ask your server for local recommendations to have a true Italian pasta experience.
Embrace the Seasonal Menu
Italian cuisine is heavily influenced by the seasons, and you’ll find that most restaurants have a seasonal menu. This means that the ingredients used in the dishes are fresh and locally sourced, making them even more delicious. For instance, in the summer, you’ll find lots of fresh tomatoes, basil, and eggplant in Italian dishes. In the winter, you may find a hearty stew or pasta with meat sauce is more common. Like at home, when a specific fruit is in season, it’ll boost a local dessert with flavour so look out for fruit-based gelato and desserts.
Explore the Regional Cuisine
Italy is divided into 20 regions, and each one has its own unique cuisine. From pizza in Naples to risotto in Milan, each region has its own signature dishes you won’t want to miss. When you travel to Italy, look up the regional cuisine so you can try dishes which regions are best known for. For example, if you’re in Tuscany, try the famous steak Florentine or ribollita, which is a hearty vegetable soup. If you’re in Sicily, try the arancini or caponata, which are both delicious and flavourful. Here in Puglia, we are obsessed with their orecchiette dishes and simply prepared grilled squid with fennel. Wine is no different, find the regional varietals and order something local with your meal.
Italian Food Rules You Likely Did Not Know
Okay “rules” is a strong term. Italians won’t lose their minds if you fail to adhere to their local customs, but you may get some eye rolls or curious looks. If your goal is to blend in with the locals, here’s what to expect in terms of unwritten rules of order.
1. Cappuccino is Only for Breakfast
If you want to blend in with the locals, avoid ordering a cappuccino after 11am. Italians believe that milk can upset your digestion, so they only drink cappuccino in the morning. If you want to have a coffee after lunch or dinner, order a regular caffe (which will get you an espresso) instead, or caffe americano if you want a more diluted version. This one is strange to me considering how much dairy is consumed in Italy, in general, but the one time we attempted to order an iced espresso and add milk to it, the confused look we got back made it pretty clear that we were the oddballs.
2. Don’t Ask for Parmesan Cheese on Seafood Dishes
If you order a seafood pasta dish in Italy, don’t ask for Parmesan cheese or assume it will be served on the side. It’s considered a faux pas because the strong flavour of the cheese can overpower the delicate taste of seafood. Instead, you’ll see locals may sprinkle some black pepper or chili flakes on top.
3. Eat Pizza with a Fork and Knife
If you’re used to eating pizza with your hands, you might be surprised to see Italians using a fork and knife. It’s not because they’re snobbish, but because pizza in Italy is often served with a thin crust that can be difficult to pick up. Thin Neapolitan-style pizza (pizze napoletana) with gooey fresh fior di latte cheese will fall right through your hands and onto your lap, so join the fun and use utensils!
4. Don’t Ask for Extra Sauce with Pasta or Butter with Bread
Italians take their pasta seriously, and they believe that the sauce should be just enough to coat the noodles, not drown them. I’m a huge fan of this rule, but some people believe more sauce means more flavour. If you want to avoid the strange looks, just ask for some olive oil or chili flakes to boost the flavour. Likewise, bread, typically served before the meal, is eaten on its own or dipped into olive oil, so don’t expect butter on the side.
5. Drink Wine with Your Meal, Beer with Your Pizza
Italians love their wine, and they believe that it should be enjoyed with food (duh). Although you don’t need to drink wine, the wine list (carta dei vini) will typically be brought to you at the start of the meal. If you’re not a wine aficionado, ask your server for a recommendation for a local wine that would complement what you ordered. Locally brewed beers and international varieties are also found everywhere. Italians enjoy beer with pizza so often an extensive beer list will be available at a pizzeria (that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy wine too).
Conclusion
Eating like a local in Italy is not only about satisfying your hunger, but also about experiencing the culture and traditions of the country. As mentioned, you can go your own way, but by following the tips mentioned in this blog post, it will be easier to immerse yourself with authentic Italian cuisine while mingling with the locals. Look out for regional specialties, ask for recommendations from the locals, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Buon appetito!