Italy : Dining and Eating Rules

Many countries have some unspoken rule about how one should eat or behave at the dining table. Italy is no exception. Below are some of the things a tourist needs to know about dining in Italy. Although it is not against any law to break any of these rules, following some of these may just be good, sensible thinking. After all, you can’t enjoy your authentic Italian meal when you are getting strange looks from the locals for not doing it right.

Traditionally, a typical Italian meal is multi-course. Many restaurants serve meals with at least two courses. To just take one meal and leave the other courses may be interpreted as an insult.

- Italian portion size combines a healthy balance of pasta, meat, fish vegetables and fruit. But they are served in smaller sizes than common American meals.
- Spreading butter on bread is a no-no. It should also not be eaten while you’re having pasta.
- Leaving large amounts of food on your plate may be taken as an insult to the cook.
- You may get discouraging frowns from the locals if you pick off vegetables from your plate. Italians love their healthy food.
- Italians are not fond of ranch-style salad dressings, so you might not find much of these there.
- Wine or mineral water is usually the beverage of choice. Never soda.
- Coffee and the main meal don’t go together. Coffee must be taken during desert. Coffee with milk (lattes or cappuccinos) are best for breakfast; Espressos for lunch.
- Cinnamon and cappuccinos do not go together, but whipped cream and cappuccino do.
- Lastly, unlike many countries, there is no age limit for drinking alcohol in Italy.