Ordering at a Restaurant
Use these phrases when you visit an Italian restaurant to secure a table, ask for recommendations, and order food and drinks.
Key Phrases
Desidero un tavolo per due persone vicino alla finestra, per favore.
I would like a table for two people near the window, please.
💡 Use this polite phrase to request your preferred seating when arriving.
Che cosa ci consiglia come antipasto o come primo piatto?
What do you recommend to us as a starter or first course?
💡 A great way to ask the waiter for recommendations.
Per favore, voglio ordinare un antipasto e poi un piatto principale.
Please, I want to order a starter and then a main course.
💡 Use this to structure your order using the word 'poi' (then).
Prendo una bottiglia di acqua minerale e un bicchiere di vino rosso.
I will take a bottle of mineral water and a glass of red wine.
💡 A natural way to order your drinks without using complex verbs.
Non mangio mai la carne perché preferisco i piatti vegetariani.
I never eat meat because I prefer vegetarian dishes.
💡 Useful for explaining dietary preferences to your waiter.
La pasta al pomodoro è più leggera del pollo con le patate.
The pasta with tomato sauce is lighter than the chicken with potatoes.
💡 Helps you compare different options on the menu.
Possiamo pagare il conto adesso perché noi dobbiamo andare via?
Can we pay the bill now because we have to go?
💡 Use this when you are ready to pay and need to leave quickly.
Il cameriere porterà il dolce dopo la fine della cena.
The waiter will bring the dessert after the end of dinner.
💡 Uses the future tense 'porterà' to describe what will happen next.
Avete ordinato anche una insalata verde o solo questa pizza?
Did you also order a green salad or only this pizza?
💡 Useful if you are dining with others or verifying the order.
Desidero ordinare una birra media e un piatto di pasta, grazie.
I would like to order a medium beer and a pasta dish, thank you.