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Want to know when to eat in Italy?
Well of course the answer is all day!
But seriously I think one of the toughest things for North Americans to decipher is when to eat in Italy. We always show up for dinner far too early. Not only do Italians eat dinner much later than we would, they also have more meals in a day. Instead of showing up at a restaurant at 5pm learn when Italians eat. I promise you it will be worth it.
In ModenaI mastered the art of Italian meal times. Here are the basics:
Breakfast… La Colazione
7am-10:30am
Much different than what exists in the UK or North America, breakfast in Modena is modest.It is often served with hot coffee and milk (caffè e latte) and something sweet, either bread withcondiments or fette biscottate cookies.
In fact many Italians eat breakfast at a bar on their way to work, ordering cappuccino or espresso with a cornetto pastry.
If you are eating at a hotel restaurant you can also find cappuccino, cereal, fruit and yogurt.Don’t worry if this doesn’t seem robust enough as it’s common to have a second breakfast mid-morning.You can easily find a coffee and small panino to satisfy you until lunch.
Lunch… Il Pranzo
1-3pm
I know you’re thinking 1pm – that’s way too late! But remember you need to have a panino for your second breakfast to survive until lunch.
As with much of Europe, this is the most important meal of the day as well as the largest and usually includes pasta. Many Italians go home to eat lunch and so there is a pausa pranzo – similar to the Spanish siesta and many shops close down 1-4pm.
Primi
The first course and more substantial than antipasti. Expect a pasta dish, likely tortellini, tortelloni, lasagne, tagliatelle or gramigna.
Don’t be fooled by those who tell you Italians eat smaller portions of pasta than their American cousins – they are the same so if you plan on also eating a main course you may want to split the pasta.
If you’re not keen on a large lunch with several courses you can get a panino at a bar, piadineria or tigellerie.
Aperitivo is NotHappy Hour
7-9pm
Aperitivo is not an Italian happy hour. In fact, drinks are more expensive, but includessnacks at the bar. As Italians eat at a later hour, it acts as a pre-dinner drink and snackwith friends.
As students, many locals used this as an allyou- can-eat buffet as you can often order a drink and eat for under 10 Euro. But keep in mind not all aperitivo are the same, while some bars will have pizza and pasta, others serve chips and crostinis.
In Modena you’ll find locals on Via Taglio, where young and old pack the bars and pour out onto the streets.
BONUS:Order Like a Local
Any co*cktail from gin and tonic to mojito is available but the local choice is Spritz made with Campari or Aperol (lower alcohol) mixed with sparkling wine and water.
Dinner… La Cena
8-10pm
Dinner is about socializing so take your time and enjoy.
Antipasto
Slices of cured meats with cheese – shaved parmesan cheese served with culatello, mortadella, prosciutto and salame. Also try baccalà salted cod fritters, polenta fritters or gnocco fritto.
Pasta
While pasta is more common at lunch you’ll find it on the menu at dinner. Tortelloni and big brother tortelloni are fresh egg pasta filled with a mixture of meat or ricotta and/or pork and vegetables.
Secondo
The home to delicious pork, be prepared to find it many different ways and opportunities to try it with the classic Modenese balsamic sauce.
Contorno
Side dishes served with the secondo, these vegetables are almost always
served on a separate dish.
If you want to know more about eating in Italy – the customs, traditions and food
check out my free culinary travel guide to Modena.
FAQs
Lunch is taken quite seriously in Italy. It is a time to bond with friends and family. Some shops even close for people to go to lunch. It is also the most important meal of the day.
Are there any special rules or habits to observe when eating the foods from Italy? ›
Although not mandatory, Italians will wish each other 'good eating' or buon appetito before they begin a lunch or dinner. Italians do not put different foods together on one plate, instead they eat in courses. So, the salad ofter comes after the first course and the meat, not the other way around.
What must you not expect to eat for breakfast in Italy? ›
No Eggs, No Bacon: Unlike American or English breakfasts, Italians don't commonly eat eggs, bacon, or any other meat for breakfast.
What is the number 1 food in Italy? ›
Besides pasta, pizza is perhaps the most popular and recognized Italian food. Pizza is considered a national symbol representing Italy to the rest of the world, so much so that UNESCO has acknowledged pizza as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
What do Italians eat for dinner every night? ›
Dinner (Cena)
A typical dinner at an Italian home is usually pasta, meat, and vegetables, and takes place around 8 p.m. Going out for dinner in Italy is a pretty big thing to do, or eat, for that matter: Several courses, wine, and a long time chatting and lingering are all part of the event.
What are the don'ts in Italy? ›
Don't wear shorts and other skimpy outfits, particularly if you are planning on visiting a few churches on your tours. For women, off-shoulder outfits, clothing that expose the knees, and bare midriffs are unacceptable when going to religious buildings in Italy.
Is it rude to leave food on your plate in Italy? ›
And don't worry – it's not considered rude if you don't completely clear your plate. If you eat all your food while dining in Italy, it's a sign that you want more food, while if you're full and leave a bite of food on your plate, this lets the waitstaff know that you don't want more.
Why do Italians eat dinner so late? ›
Italy is known for it's very late meals - lunch is about 1.30pm (earliest!) and dinner depends on the season - it can be as late at 11pm! One of the reasons for such late dinners, is so that the members of the family can wait for each other to come back from work and sit down at the table all together.
How do Italians eat eggs? ›
One way which Italians eat most of their eggs is probably hard boiled eggs, which we call uova soda. Many on a diet like to eat these for breakfast, with lunch or dinner for extra protein with a low calorie count. However, most Italians eat them occasionally in a salad, in a sandwich or in a pie.
How do Italians drink coffee? ›
- In bars, coffee is often served with a small glass of water; the water is supposed to be drunk first to cleanse the palate. - In some busy bars (especially train stations), you must pay for your coffee upfront at a till and then present your receipt to the barista. - Italians drink coffee regularly in small amounts.
Yoghurt and Fruit
Italians also love to have breakfast with yoghurt and fresh fruit. In order to be even more healthy, you may choose low-fat yoghurts and seasonal fruit. To have a complete meal you can add some dried fruit – highly satiating – and a teaspoon of honey.
What is bacon called in Italy? ›
Sometimes called “Italian bacon”, pancetta is a pork belly side, salted and cured with pepper, spices and rolled into a casing.
What is a common lunch in Italy? ›
A typical Italian lunch consists of a primo (pasta, soup or risotto dish), a secondo (meat or fish-based dish) and a contorno (side dish). Italians love their carbs and enjoy adding freshly grated Parmesan cheese to their dishes.
What do Italians eat with their coffee? ›
Other sweet options include maritozzi, the famous Italian sweet bread often found in Rome, or biscotti to go with your coffee. A healthy Italian breakfast might consist of some bread, butter, jam, some yogurt, and fruit. Italians also eat muesli and cereal in the mornings with yogurt or milk.
What is Italy's main meal of the day? ›
Lunch is the day's main meal, lasting up to two hours! If you plan to eat lunch with locals, block out time. A typical Italian lunch consists of a primo (pasta, soup or risotto dish), a secondo (meat or fish-based dish) and a contorno (side dish).
What is the national Italian meal? ›
The central region of Emilia-Romagna is home to such cities as Parma (think Parma ham and Parmigiano), Modena (which boasts the best restaurant in the world) and Bologna, the regional capital. And it is from Bologna that the Ragú alla Bolognese hails, which has the best claim to be the national dish of Italy.
What are 3 major food dishes in Italy? ›
Famous food and drink of Italy
- Pizza.
- Pasta.
- Risotto.
- Polenta and cured meats.
- Seafood.
- Gelato and Dolce.
- Coffee and famous tipples.
The primo: In Italy, pasta is a first course, or primo, served as an appetizer, not as the main event. Soup, rice, and polenta are the other options for the primo. The secondo: The main course is called il secondo, or the second course. Chicken, meat, or fish are the usual choices, and portions are generally small.
