Italian language, food, meals and drinks
Italian Language
Meals, drinks and more
A guide to Italian meals, coffee, wine and other drinks
This page is divided up into
Italian Language
Many Italians in Venice speak some English, but it’s always polite to use a little of the local language when you can!
Hello
Ciao (informal) (pron: chow!)
Salve (formal) (pron: sal-vay)
Good Morning/ Good Day
Buongiorno (pron: bwon jaw-no )
Goodbye
Ciao (informal) (pron: chow!)
Arrivederci (formal) (pron: areev-e-der-chee))
Good Evening
Buonasera (pron: bwon-a say-ra)
Good Night
Buona Notte (pron: bwon-a nottay)
Please
Per favore (pron: pair fav-aw-ray)
Thank you
Grazie (pron: graz-ee-ay)
You’re welcome
Prego (pron: pray-go)
Yes & No
Si (pron: see)
No (pron: noh)
Meals
Breakfast (Prima Colazione)
Brioche (also called cornetto): Typically eaten at breakfast with a cappuccino. Brioche is like a croissant but with sweeter pastry. You can have them empty (vuoto) or filled with marmalade (marmalata), chocolate (cioccolato) or many other fillings.
Lunch (Pranzo)
Lunch can be anything from a Panino (a sandwich that can contain salami, tomatoes, cheese etc), cicchetti, to a slice of pizza or a sit-down meal of anything from lasagne to melanzane alla parmigiana (aubergine baked with basil, garlic and parmesan cheese) and more.
Evening Meal (Cena)
The evening meal can consist of a wide variety of courses. Typically you might start with an antipasto (often a shared
dish but not always!) followed by a primo (first course), followed by secondo (second or main course – often you will
order vegetables seperately) and then dolci (desserts). After this you might have a coffee and a digestivo (grappa,
genepi or limoncello for example). For special dietary requirements it’s always worth contacting the restaurant beforehand.
Italian Coffee Culture
Espresso
Usually ordered as simply ‘un caffè’, this is the original strong shot of coffee
Cappuccino
Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk.
Latte Macchiato
Steamed milk “marked” with a splash of espresso.
Be aware that if you order a “latte” you will, more than likely, be served a glass of milk!
Caffè Macchiato
Espresso with more steamed milk and less foam
Caffè Corretto
Literally translated to “corrected coffee,” this drink features espresso with a splash of alcohol, such as grappa or sambuca
Caffè Americano
Espresso diluted with hot water
Caffè Lungo
This “long coffee” comprises espresso with a splash of hot water but is stronger than the americano
Caffè latte
Espresso with more steamed milk and less foam
Caffè Decaffeinato
To order a decaffeinated coffee just ask for any of the above with ‘decaffeinato’ – or ‘dec’ (pron: dek) at the end e.g. Caffè Americano Dec
Aperitivo Drinks
An aperitivo is a pre-meal drink designed to whet your appetite. Often a bar will serve little snacks to go with your drink
Prosecco
Made in the Veneto region, Prosecco is a very popular sparkling white wine.
Spritz
A mix of soda, Prosecco and Campari or Aperol.
Negroni
Gin, Vermouth and Campari and garnished with orange peel
Vermouth
Typically Martini or Cinzano, red or white (rosso, bianco), served with ice
Campari / Aperol
Rich orange sweetness and bitter herbal undertones. Aperol is sweeter and fruitier than Campari.
Red Wines
There’s a large assortment of wonderful red wines in Italy. Here are a few of the main types including ones from the Veneto area.
Often restaurants will serve very palatable house wines which can be served as a glass, a quarter, a half or more. These will usually be cheaper than ordering a bottle. It’s always worth trying!
Bagnoli Friularo
Dry full-bodied red wines
Valpolicella
Fresh, light and very drinkable, a fruity wine.
Valpolicella Ripasso
Fuller and deeper than normal Valpolicella with hints of raisins.
Amarone
This world reknown wine is rich and aromatic and has a good roundness on the palate.
Bardolino
A light red made on the edges of Lake Garda. Go for the Superiore.
Recioto
A sweet desert wine
Barolo
The king of Piedmont wines, rich, full-bodied and delicious.
Barbaresco & Nebbiolo
Similar to Barolo, equally rich and full-bodied.
Barbera
Full of cherry flavours, soft and rounded
Dolcetto
Fruity with low acidity. Often compared to Beaujolais
White Wines
There are too many varieties of Veneto whites to list completely, however this list will help you get wine journey started!
Pinot Grigio
Well known light and zesty white wine
Soave
Made from Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grapes this popular white is clean and refreshing
Chardonnay
Bright, fruity white wine
Lison
A floral and fruity white that pairs well with a variety of dishes including seafood
Custoza
A dry white that’s very drinkable, traditionally serve with fish
Erbaluce
Erbaluce tends to be dry with noticeable acidity. There are also sweet versions. Apple aromas.
Digestivo Drinks
A digestivo is meant to be enjoyed after dinner to help you digest your food
Luxardo Amaro Abano
Made in the Veneto, Luxardo Amaro Abano contains herbs, cardamon, cinnamon and bitter orange peel.
Grappa
An Italian firewater often 60% proof or more. Traditionally produced in Bassano del Grappa in the Veneto.
Limoncello
An intensely lemon-flavoured liqueur
Genepi
A traditional herbal liqueur popular in Europe’s Alpine regions
San Simone
Traditional liqueur from Piemonte, made with selected herbs.
Mirto
Made from berries of the Myrtle plant. Bouquet of sweet herbs, dried fruit and kitchen-spice aromas
Montenegro
Made from a blend of 40 botanicals, including vanilla, orange peels and eucalyptus.
Braulio
A blend of medicinal herbs, fruits, roots and berries
Vecchi Amaro del Capo
Mint, aniseed and liquorice with herbs. Served cold