| Italian food customs are many and they vary | | | | Meals are generally closed with fresh fruits, often |
| throughout the peninsula but there is consensus over | | | | cheeses and coffee. |
| some rules of Italian food culture. These are some of | | | | Cappuccino |
| the Italian food culture rules accepted all over our | | | | Cappuccino is served only for breakfast, never at the |
| country. | | | | end of a meal. If you can't resist the impulse of ruining |
| Meal Times | | | | a good meal with milk, ask for a "caffe' macchiato", |
| Timing of meals is crucial. Lunch is served at 1.00 PM | | | | coffee with just a drop of milk. It is considered an |
| and dinner at 8.00 PM. In northern Italy it can be a little | | | | acceptable alternative to cappuccino. |
| earlier and a little later towards the south but don't | | | | Drinking Milk |
| dream of eating at 4.00, the restaurant kitchens are | | | | Drinking milk at lunch or dinner is simply unheard of, it |
| closed until dinner time. | | | | will kill the flavor of whatever you are eating and the |
| Italian Food Menu | | | | relationship with the waiter. |
| A complete menu is composed of an "antipasto, primo, | | | | Drinks |
| secondo, contorno, dolce, frutta e formaggi". Nobody is | | | | Acceptable drinks during a meal are wine, mineral |
| capable of such a feat on an ordinary day. Most | | | | water, beer and, only for kids, sodas. |
| meals are composed of two courses, a "primo" (pasta | | | | No Cheese on Seafood |
| or rice) and/or a "secondo" (meat or fish) and a | | | | Never sprinkle or grate cheese on seafood or fish. |
| "contorno" (side dish). | | | | The strong cheese flavor would murder the seafood |
| Never in the Same Plate | | | | aroma. Try it only at your own risk, most restaurants |
| Every dish is served in a different plate, mixing is | | | | will decline any responsibility over the results. |
| strongly discouraged. | | | | Soffritto |
| Salad | | | | Most of the best Italian dishes start with a "soffritto". It |
| Salad is considered a side dish and, even if you order it | | | | is generally made with onion, carrot and celery, finely |
| as a starter, your request will be probably ignored. | | | | cut and lightly fried in a little olive oil. |
| Fruit and Cheese | | | | |