Imagine this: you are finally in Italy, far from the tourist crowds, sitting at a table in a real trattoria, where the menu is only in Italian and the prices are refreshingly honest. Here, in a cozy atmosphere filled with the aroma of Italian cheeses , charcuterie and olives, Italian becomes useful – even necessary.

In such places, it is common for the staff to not speak much English (and certainly not Danish!). But don’t worry: Italians are very welcoming and will be happy to help explain the dishes or adapt the recipe to suit your wishes. Don’t be shy about asking for details or mentioning your preferences – we appreciate it when someone tries to speak our language!

Here are some phrases to help you enjoy the entire experience in a trattoria , from ordering to asking for the bill.

Essential phrases for ordering in Italian

"Buonasera, un tavolo per due, per favore."

• Use this phrase when you arrive at the restaurant and would like to ask for a table.
• English : Good evening, a table for two, please.
• English : Good evening, a table for two, please.

"Potete raccomandare qualcosa?"

• If you don't know what to choose, asking for a recommendation is always a good start.
• English : Can you recommend something?
• English : Can you recommend something?

"C'è qualche piatto fuori menù?"

• Trattorias often have special dishes that are not on the menu. Use this phrase to ask about them.
• English : Is there any dish off the menu?
• English : Are there any dishes off the menu?

"I'm allergic/a..."

• Necessary if you have allergies: specify the ingredient for safety reasons.
• English : I am allergic to… (e.g. nuts or gluten).
• English : I am allergic to… (eg, nuts or gluten).

"C'è qualcosa per vegetariani?"

• Perfect for those with special food preferences.
• English : Is there anything for vegetarians?
• English : Is there something for vegetarians?

"Prendo un antipasto di salumi, per favore."

• Ideal for ordering a starter: a charcuterie board is an Italian classic.
• English : I'll have a starter with cold cuts, please.
• English : I'll have a starter of cured meats, please.

"Può spiegarmi gli ingredienti, per favore?"

• If you don't understand all the ingredients, don't be afraid to ask for an explanation.
• English : Can you explain the ingredients, please?
• English : Could you explain the ingredients, please?

"Vorrei un po' di parmigiano, grazie."

• To add extra flavor to dishes, you can ask for some parmesan or other ingredients like chili oil ... just not ketchup on pasta or parmesan on seafood :-).
• English : I would like some parmesan, please.
• English : I'd like some parmesan, please.

"Un bicchiere di vino rosso, per favore."

• Enjoy the meal with a good local glass of wine.
• English : A glass of red wine, please.
• English : A glass of red wine, please.

"The bill, please."

• When you are ready to leave, you can politely ask for the bill.
• Danish : The bill, please.
• English : The bill, please.

Last Tips

• Ask for recommendations with confidence : The staff loves to talk about the dishes and is happy to explain what they contain or make small adjustments to your wishes.
• Be specific about any food intolerances : If you have allergies or intolerances, it's best to mention them right away to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
• Enjoy the local specialties : If you don't understand exactly what a dish contains, asking for details adds more authenticity to the experience and you'll learn more about Italian cuisine at the same time!

Now you are ready for an authentic experience in a trattoria – buon appetito!