Italian cuisine
How Italians eat: antipasto, primo, secondo and dolce
In short: a full Italian meal follows a set order: aperitivo, antipasto, primo (pasta or risotto), secondo (meat or fish) with a contorno (vegetable side), dolce (dessert), caffè and digestivo. In everyday life, Italians choose just a few.
The courses one by one
- Aperitivo: a bitter drink to whet the appetite.
- Antipasto: the starter, often shared.
- Primo: the first main course, usually pasta, risotto or soup.
- Secondo: meat or fish, with a separate contorno (vegetables or salad).
- Dolce: dessert, such as tiramisù.
- Caffè: an espresso.
- Digestivo: limoncello, amaro or grappa.
Do you have to order every course?
No. Even in Italy, a meal with every course is reserved for celebrations and Sundays. A shared antipasto followed by a pasta or pinsa is perfect.
How to order at Benoti
Start with an Aperol Spritz and a Tagliere Misto for two, then each choose a pasta or pinsa, and finish with a tartufo and an espresso. Buon appetito!
Frequently asked questions
Do Italians eat pasta as a main course?
Traditionally pasta is a primo, followed by a secondo. Today, pasta as a main dish is perfectly normal in restaurants and at home.