Italian Food Customs and Traditions

Anyway, these are some of the main universally accepted Italian food culture rules.

Meal Times

Timing of meals is crucial. Lunch is served at 1.00 PM and dinner at 8.00 PM. In northern Italy it can be a little earlier and a little later towards the south but don’t dream of eating at 4.00, the restaurant kitchens are closed until dinner time.

Italian Food Menu

A complete menu is composed of an antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno, dolce, frutta e formaggi.

Nobody is capable of such a feat in an ordinary day. Most meals are composed of two courses, a primo (pasta or rice) and/or a secondo (meat or fish) and a contorno (side dish).

Never in the Same Plate

Every dish is served in a different plate, mixing is strongly discouraged.

Salad

Salad is considered a side dish and even if you order it as a starter your request will be probably ignored.

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Fruit and Cheese

Meals are generally closed with fresh fruits, often cheeses and coffee.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino is served only for breakfast, never at the end of a meal. If you can’t resist the impulse of ruining a good meal with milk, ask for a caffe’ macchiato, coffee with just a drop of milk.

Drinking Milk

Drinking milk at lunch or dinner is simply unheard of, it will kill the flavor of whatever you are eating and the relationship with the waiter.

Drinks

Acceptable drinks during a meal are wine, mineral water, beer and, only for kids, sodas.

No Cheese on Seafood

Never sprinkle or grate cheese on seafood or fish, it has a far too strong flavor that will kill the dish.

Try it only at your own risk, most restaurants will decline any responsibility over the results.

Soffritto

Most of the best Italian dishes start with a soffritto. It is generally made with onion, carrot and celery, finely cut and lightly fried in a little olive oil.

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