You probably know many Italian words for food, like pizza, pasta, or gelato (ice cream). But are they enough to keep up with Italians? According to a 2018 study, 51% of Italians talk about food every single day. Even while eating!
However, this is more than just an obsession. Food is an indispensable part of people’s culture, identity, and history. Learning as many Italian food words as possible can put you at the heart of those conversations. It also comes in handy when exploring a local market or ordering food in Italian at a restaurant.
Table of Contents
Italian words for seafood and meat in Italian
In a traditional Italian meal, carne (meat) and pesce (fish) are usually main courses that follow pasta, risotto, or soup. Frutti di mare (shellfish) are sometimes main dishes, but they are also popular appetizers to share, especially during a fun pizza night at a local pizzeria.
| Italian | English |
| arrosto | roast |
| bistecca | steak |
| cacciagione | game meat |
| calamari | calamari (squid) |
| carne | meat |
| carpaccio | thinly sliced raw meat or fish |
| costine | ribs |
| cotoletta | breaded cutlet |
| crostacei | shellfish |
| filetto | filet (tenderloin cut) |
| fiorentina | Florentine T-bone steak |
| fritto misto | mixed fried seafood |
| frutti di mare | seafood and shellfish |
| gamberi/gamberetti | shrimps |
| maiale | pork |
| manzo | beef |
| pancetta | bacon |
| pesce | fish |
| polpette | meatballs |
| polpo | octopus |
| pollo | chicken |
| salmone | salmon |
| tagliata | sliced grilled steak |
| tartare | tartare |
| tonno | tuna |
| uova | eggs |
The terms in the chart are common words for meat cuts and popular seafood preparations you can taste in Italy. If you’d like to explore further, you can also practice with the names of animals in Italian.
Vegetables and legumes in Italian
No vocabulary list of Italian words for food is accurate without verdure or ortaggi (vegetables). They are very present in the Mediterranean diet, usually as a side dish for meat and fish, and as the main ingredients in many sauces.
Vegetables and legumes can also become the main dish, like the insalatona, a big mixed salad often enjoyed for lunch.
| Italian | English |
| aglio | garlic |
| asparago | asparagus |
| batata/patata americana | sweet potato |
| broccolo | broccoli |
| carciofo | artichoke |
| carota | carrot |
| cavolfiore | cauliflower |
| cavolo* | cabbage |
| ceci | chickpeas |
| cetriolo | cucumber |
| cipolla | onion |
| fagioli | beans |
| fungo | mushroom |
| insalata/insalatona | salad/big mixed salad |
| lattuga | lettuce |
| mais | corn |
| melanzana | eggplant |
| minestrone | chunky vegetable soup |
| patata | potato |
| piselli | peas |
| zucchina | zucchini |
| zucca | pumpkin |
*You’ll often hear “cabbages” in expressions like che cavolo, a typical Italian slang word for mild swearing.
Names of fruits in Italian
Fruits are so colorful and different from one another that you can practice your best descriptions with these common Italian words for food. So many food vocabulary in Italian became loan words in English (like pasta and pizza), you’ll see many Italian cognates among these fruit words too.
Pair the Italian words for food in the chart with as many Italian adjectives as possible, and spice things up using some of the many colors in Italian. Your sentences will instantly come to life like a true Italian speaker.
- Le mele verdi e croccanti sono le mie preferite. = Green, crunchy apples are my favorite.
- Guarda come sono rosse quelle fragole. Devono essere buonissime! = Look how red those strawberries are. They must be delicious!
| Italian | English |
| albicocca | apricot |
| ananas | pineapple |
| anguria | watermelon |
| arancia | orange |
| banana | banana |
| ciliegia | cherry |
| fico | fig |
| fragola | strawberry |
| frutti di bosco | mixed berries |
| kiwi | kiwi |
| limone | lemon |
| mandarino | tangerine |
| mela | apple |
| melograno | pomegranate |
| melone | melon |
| mirtillo | blueberry |
| pera | pear |
| pesca | peach |
| pomodoro | tomato |
| prugna | plum |
| uva | grapes |
Why is pomodoro the word for ‘tomato’ in Italian instead of tomate?
Fruit names can be distinct between Italian and English. But one, particularly, is unique in Italian: pomodoro (tomato).
Almost every language in the world took its word for tomato from the Aztec tomatl. For instance, you have tomate in Spanish and Portuguese and tomat in Danish and Norwegian. But not Italian!
Most likely, the first tomato varieties coming from the Americas were golden yellow, so Italian botanists coined the word pomodoro, which means “golden apple.” At that time, tomatoes were considered beautiful ornamental plants but not edible. Who could imagine they would soon become an iconic ingredient in Italian cuisine?
Dairy product names in Italian
Milk is widely used in Italy. So learning the basic Italian words for dairy products is essential, whether you need to avoid them for dietary reasons or ask for your favorite cheese in Italian.
| Italian | English |
| burrata | mozzarella with cream |
| burro | butter |
| formaggio | cheese |
| gorgonzola | gorgonzola cheese |
| grana padano | grana padano cheese |
| latte | milk |
| mozzarella | mozzarella |
| panna da cucina | cream |
| panna montata | whipped cream |
| parmigiano reggiano | parmesan cheese |
| pecorino | pecorino (sheep cheese from Rome or Sardinia) |
| provola | provolone cheese |
| ricotta | ricotta cheese |
| yogurt | yogurt |
Italian words for food: seasonings and sauces
One of the best ways to learn Italian is to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. The kitchen is a great place to start. You could label your ingredients with their translated Italian names to reinforce your vocabulary as you cook.
So, let’s begin this overview of common Italian words for food with something you may already have in your pantry: condimenti (seasonings) and salse (sauces), two essentials for creating Italian cuisine flavors.
| Italian | English |
| aceto | vinegar |
| alloro | bay leaf |
| basilico | basil |
| cannella | cinnamon |
| ketchup | ketchup |
| maionese | mayonnaise |
| margarina | margarine |
| noce moscata | nutmeg |
| olio d’oliva | olive oil |
| origano | oregano |
| passata di pomodoro | strained raw tomato purée |
| pepe | pepper |
| peperoncino | chili pepper |
| pesto | pesto |
| prezzemolo | parsley |
| ragù | Bolognese (meat) sauce |
| rosmarino | rosemary |
| sale | salt |
| salsa tartara | tartar sauce |
| salsa tonnata | tonnata (tuna) sauce |
| salsa verde | green herb sauce |
| salvia | sage |
| senape | mustard |
| sugo di pomodoro | tomato sauce |
| timo | thyme |
| zafferano | saffron |
| zenzero | ginger |
‘Sauce’ is salsa or sugo in Italian?
Watch out for the difference between sugo and salsa in Italian. They both translate to “sauce,” but they are two different things in Italy.
Sugo is a cooked, hearty sauce, often made from tomatoes, meat, or vegetables. It’s not just an addition, but part of the dish itself.
- Questa carne ha proprio un buon sughetto. = This meat has a really good sauce.
- Vorrei delle tagliatelle al sugo/al ragù. = I’d like some tagliatelle with tomato sauce/Bolognese.
Salsa includes dressings like ketchup, mayonnaise, or other sauces to dip or drizzle.
- Nel Nord Italia, è tipica la carne in salsa verde. = In Northern Italy, meat with green sauce is a traditional dish.
- Avete qualche salsa per le patatine? = Do you have any sauce for the fries?
Types of pasta in Italy
Talking at the table and sharing food are Italians’ favorite ways to spend time together.
Almost everyone has a story about their nonna (grandma) cooking a special Sunday lunch or a beloved family recipe passed down through generations. And you can bet those precious memories include pasta!
| Italian | English |
| bucatini | thick spaghetti with a hole |
| canederli | bread dumplings (Trentino-Alto Adige) |
| cannelloni | pasta tubes, filled and baked in the oven |
| capelli d’angelo | angel air (for soup) |
| farfalle | bow-tie pasta |
| fettuccine | fettuccini (long, thin strands) |
| gnocchi | soft potato dumplings |
| lasagne | wide flat sheets |
| maccheroni | macaroni |
| malloreddus/gnocchetti sardi | ribbed shell shaped pasta (Sardinia) |
| pasta/pastasciutta | dry pasta |
| pasta fresca | fresh pasta |
| pasta ripiena | stuffed pasta |
| pastina | tiny pasta used in soups |
| penne | short tubes |
| polenta | cornmeal mush (Northern Italy) |
| ravioli | stuffed square pasta |
| rigatoni | similar to macaroni, but straighter |
| spaghetti | spaghetti |
| tagliatelle | long flat ribbons |
| tortellini | stuffed ring-shaped pasta |
| trofie | short, twisted pasta (Liguria) |
| ziti | long tubes broken by hand (Naples and Sicily) |
Note: There are over 400 types of pasta in Italy, and sometimes the same shape of pasta can go by different names depending on the region.
Words for common drinks in Italy
Learning the words for drinks in Italian is a skill you can build progressively. Starting with the following table will be handy in every situation, from asking for a glass of water to choosing your perfect bibita (soft drink) or aperitivo.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can take it further and become an expert in specific beverages, like regional wines. When you take that planned trip to the best wineries in Tuscany, you’ll leave everyone amazed!
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
| Italian | English |
| acqua naturale/frizzante | still/sparkling water |
| amaro | bitter herbal digestif |
| analcolico | non-alcoholic drink |
| aranciata | orange soda |
| birra | beer |
| chinotto | chinotto (bitter soft drink from Sicily) |
| digestivo | digestif, after-dinner liquor |
| grappa | grappa (Italian grape brandy) |
| limonata | lemon soda |
| limoncello | lemon liqueur |
| liquore | liqueur |
| prosecco | slightly sparkling white wine |
| spremuta | freshly squeezed juice |
| spritz | popular aperitif cocktail |
| spumante | fermented sparkling wine |
| succo ACE | orange, carrot & lemon juice |
| succo d’arancia | orange juice |
| succo di frutta | fruit juice |
| succo di mele | apple juice |
| succo all’albicocca | apricot juice |
| succo alla pesca | peach juice |
| succo di pompelmo | grapefruit juice |
| vino bianco/rosso/rosato | white/red/rose wine |
Coffee and hot beverages in Italian
Hot beverages are central to daily routines and social moments, from breakfast to after dinner. Italians even enjoy a delightful merenda (afternoon snack) with tea and pastries. Among these traditions, Italian coffee is the most celebrated: a staple in every Italian’s life and something they take very seriously, so learning all the words for coffee in Italian is a must.
| Italian | English |
| caffè americano | American-style, filtered coffee |
| caffè corretto | espresso with a shot of liquor |
| caffè d’orzo | barley coffee (caffeine-free) |
| caffè latte | coffee with lots of milk |
| caffè macchiato | espresso stained with a little milk |
| camomilla | chamomile tea |
| cappuccino | cappuccino |
| cioccolata calda | hot chocolate |
| deca/decaffeinato | caffeine-free coffee |
| ristretto | very short espresso |
| tisana | herbal infusion |
| latte d’avena | oat milk |
| latte di soia | soy milk |
| latte macchiato | steamed milk stained with espresso |
| marocchino | espresso with cocoa and milk foam |
| moka | Moka pot |
| tè/tè deteinato | tea/caffeine-free tea |
Italian food words used during l’aperitivo
The meaning of the word aperitivo referred initially to a pre-dinner drink meant to stimulate the appetite. Over time, this beloved Italian tradition has become a way to socialize, relax, and enjoy light bites with friends.
Depending on the region, the aperitivo (ape in slang) can even evolve into an apericena, a combination of aperitivo and cena (dinner), including pasta salads, finger foods, and a generous buffet-style spread.
| Italian | English |
| affettati | deli meats |
| bruschetta | toasted bread with toppings |
| cicchetti | toasted bread with meats and veggies (Venice) |
| crostini | small toasted bread slices |
| focaccia | flatbread |
| mortadella Bologna | Bologna-style mortadella sausage |
| noccioline | peanuts |
| olive | olives |
| patatine | potato chips |
| piadina | thin Italian flatbread folded with fillings |
| pizzette | mini pizzas |
| prosciutto (cotto or crudo) | ham (cooked or dry-cured) |
| salame | salami |
| stuzzichini | finger food |
| tagliere | charcuterie board |
| taralli | crunchy bread rings |
| tartine | canapé |
| tramezzini | crustless sandwich triangles |
Breakfast sweets and classic desserts in Italian
Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth? Start your day with a typical Italian breakfast, usually a caffè (coffee) with a cornetto (French croissant) or pane, burro e marmellata (bread, butter, and jam), and end it with a classic zeppola napoletana (fried dough ball) for a day full of sweetness.
| Italian | English |
| amaretti | small almond-flavored cookies |
| babà | rum-soaked sponge cake (Naples) |
| biscotti | cookies |
| bombolone | cream/jam-filled doughnut |
| brioche | sweet bun or soft pastry (varies by region) |
| cannolo | pastry with ricotta filling (Sicily) |
| cantucci | almond cookies typically served with vin santo |
| cereali | cereals |
| ciambella | ring-shaped cake or doughnut |
| colomba | dove-shaped cake for Easter in Italy |
| cornetto/croissant | French croissant |
| crostata | jam tart or fruit tart |
| fette biscottate | rusks |
| frittelle | Carnival fried sweet fritters |
| gelato (cono or coppetta) | ice cream (cone or cup) |
| maritozzo | sweet bun filled with whipped cream (Rome) |
| marmellata | jam |
| pandoro | fluffy Italian Christmas cake |
| panettone | Christmas sweet bread with raisins and candied fruit |
| panna cotta | cooked cream dessert |
| pasticciotto | shortcrust pastry filled with custard (Puglia) |
| seadas | fried pastry filled with cheese and honey (Sardinia) |
| sfogliatella | layered pastry, filled with ricotta (Naples) |
| tiramisù | tiramisu |
| tortina | store-bought pastry |
| zeppola | fried dough ball, often cream-filled (Naples) |
How to talk about good food in Italian
Italians are very proud of their cooking abilities and are genuinely pleased when you appreciate Italian food.
To praise a dish, you can use expressions like “very good” in Italian or classic adjectives:
- Gli spaghetti erano buonissimi! = The spaghetti was very good!
- È tutto delizioso. Grazie! = Everything is delicious. Thank you!
But if you want to take it up a notch, try using an Italian word for good food that conveys more than just “delicious.” These elegant Italian nouns are perfect for describing dishes that truly stand out:
- squisitezza = delicacy/something exquisitely good
- Ogni piatto era una squisitezza. = Every dish was a delicacy.
- prelibatezza = gourmet delight
- Questa pasta al tartufo è una prelibatezza. = This truffle pasta is a gourmet treat.
- bontà = goodness
- Ma che bontà! = What a treat!
- delizia = delight
- Il dessert è stata una vera delizia. = The dessert was a true delight.
- leccornia = treat
- Al mercato c’erano tante leccornie dolci e salate. = There were so many sweet and savory treats at the market.
From ABC to the best Italian pronunciation with Rosetta Stone
So how long does it take to learn Italian and start speaking confidently? That depends on how much you practice. For example, memorizing all the words in this article without context can be a waste of time.
With Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method, you’ll learn Italian in context while gaining insights into Italian culture. This way, you can build a solid foundation and track your progress, from basic concepts to perfecting your skills with live Rosetta Stone Italian tutors.
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