Ordering food and dining out
Ordinare cibo e mangiare fuori
- Ask food from the menu.
- Reserve a table in a restaurant.
- The polite form: vorrei
This lesson focuses on ordering food and dining out in Italian, teaching polite expressions like "vorrei" (I would like) and key vocabulary such as "il menù" (menu), "il conto" (bill), and "la bevanda" (drink). You'll practice common phrases for booking a table, ordering dishes, and asking for the bill.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (13) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Classify the words into two groups: things you find in a restaurant and actions or expressions used at the restaurant.
Cose che trovi in un ristorante
Azioni o espressioni al ristorante
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Il dolce
The dessert
2
La pizzeria
The pizzeria
3
La prenotazione
The reservation
4
Il conto, per favore!
The bill, please!
5
Buon appetito!
Enjoy your meal!
Esercizio 5: Conversation exercise
Istruzione:
- Order what you want from the menu. (Order what you want from the menu.)
- Play a dialogue in the restaurant. (Play a dialogue in the restaurant.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Posso avere il menu per favore? Can I have the menu please? |
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Vuoi fare un ordine? Do you want to order? |
|
Voglio un'insalata come antipasto. I want to have a salad as a starter. |
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Voglio i profiteroles per dessert. I want profiteroles for dessert. |
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Posso prenotare un tavolo per quattro persone alle 8? Can I reserve a table for four people at 8 o’clock? |
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Voglio una pizza come piatto principale. I want a pizza as my main dish. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Vorrei ______ una pizza margherita, per favore.
(I would like to ______ a Margherita pizza, please.)2. Al ristorante, spesso ______ il menù prima di scegliere.
(At the restaurant, I often ______ the menu before choosing.)3. Vorrei ______ un tavolo per due persone alle otto di sera.
(I would like to ______ a table for two people at eight in the evening.)4. Dopo cena, ______ sempre a prendere un caffè vicino al ristorante.
(After dinner, we always ______ to have a coffee near the restaurant.)Exercise 8: An Evening at the Restaurant
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Prenotare - To book
Presente
- io prenoto
- tu prenoti
- lui/lei prenota
- noi prenotiamo
- voi prenotate
- loro prenotano
Portare - To bring
Presente
- io porto
- tu porti
- lui/lei porta
- noi portiamo
- voi portate
- loro portano
Volere - To want
Presente condizionale
- io vorrei
- tu vorresti
- lui/lei vorrebbe
- noi vorremmo
- voi vorreste
- loro vorrebbero
Ordinare - To order
Presente
- io ordino
- tu ordini
- lui/lei ordina
- noi ordiniamo
- voi ordinate
- loro ordinano
Chiedere - To ask
Presente
- io chiedo
- tu chiedi
- lui/lei chiede
- noi chiediamo
- voi chiedete
- loro chiedono
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Ordinare to order Share Copied!
Presente
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| (io) ordino | I order |
| (tu) ordini | You order |
| (lui/lei) ordina | he/she orders |
| (noi) ordiniamo | we order |
| (voi) ordinate | You order |
| (loro) ordinano | they order |
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Ordering Food and Dining Out in Italian
This lesson introduces you to essential vocabulary, polite expressions, and common phrases used when ordering food and dining out in Italy. You will learn how to make reservations, ask about the menu, place an order, and request the bill, using polite forms that show courtesy in everyday conversations.
Key Phrases and Polite Expressions
The main polite form you will use is "vorrei", which translates to "I would like." It is an essential phrase used for making requests in a respectful and friendly manner. Examples include:
- Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per due, per favore. (I would like to book a table for two, please.)
- Il menù, per favore, vorrei vedere cosa offre il ristorante. (The menu, please, I would like to see what the restaurant offers.)
- Vorrei ordinare una pizza margherita e una bevanda. (I would like to order a margherita pizza and a drink.)
- Il conto, per favore, vorrei pagare adesso. (The bill, please, I would like to pay now.)
Vocabulary Grouped by Context
Places and Objects in a Restaurant
- il ristorante – the restaurant
- la pizzeria – the pizzeria
- il menù – the menu
- il conto – the bill
- la bevanda – the drink
Actions and Phrases for Ordering and Communicating
- ordinare – to order
- la prenotazione – the reservation
- buon appetito! – enjoy your meal!
Practical Dialogue Examples
Practice is key to mastering these conversations! Common scenarios include:
- Booking a Table by Phone: "Buongiorno, vorrei prenotare un tavolo per due persone per stasera." (Good morning, I would like to book a table for two people for tonight.)
- Ordering Food at the Restaurant: "Buonasera, vorrei una pizza margherita, per favore." (Good evening, I would like a margherita pizza, please.)
- Asking About the Menu: "Buongiorno, vorrei sapere se avete piatti senza glutine." (Good morning, I would like to know if you have gluten-free dishes.)
Verb Conjugation Highlights
This lesson pays special attention to verbs you will often hear and use, including their present tense forms. Some key verbs and examples are:
- prenotare (to book): io prenoto, tu prenoti, lui/lei prenota
- portare (to bring): io porto, tu porti, lui/lei porta
- volere (to want): io voglio, tu vuoi, lui/lei vuole
- ordinare (to order): io ordino, tu ordini, lui/lei ordina
Contextual Notes on Italian Politeness
Unlike in English, Italian uses the conditional form "vorrei" (I would like) to express polite requests rather than the simple present tense. This adds a layer of courtesy when ordering or asking. Also, notice expressions such as "buon appetito!" which is a culturally common phrase wishing diners to enjoy their meal, something English speakers don't say as frequently in the same context.
The vocabulary of dining out highlights the blend of places (like la pizzeria vs. il ristorante) and actions (such as prenotare, ordinare, and expressions like il conto, per favore), which help you navigate social interactions with ease.
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