a second course (Secondo), based on meat, fish, dairy products such as cheese, or eggs (served in various ways, such as in a frittata, in a pan, boiled, or scrambled); a side dish of raw or cooked vegetables, which accompanies the second dish; seasonal fruit as a conclusion.
The primo: In Italy, pasta is a first course, or primo, served as an appetizer, not as the main event. Soup, rice, and polenta are the other options for the primo. The secondo: The main course is called il secondo, or the second course. Chicken, meat, or fish are the usual choices, and portions are generally small.
Primi (first courses—such as pasta or risotto) Secondi (second courses—typically meat or seafood) Contorni (side dishes)
Secondi: The secondi are the meat and fish dishes that could be equated to a main course but, as mentioned before, they are usually only protein and aren't substantial enough as a meal on their own.
Antipasti are appetizers—the “before dish” that is often innovative, lighter, and very tempting. Main courses are separated into primi (firsts) and secondi (seconds). Primi are soups, pastas, and rice dishes. Secondi are fish- (pesce) and meat- (carne) based dishes, and are often heartier.
Outside the big cities, many Italians still go home for lunch where they will eat an antipasto and a primo. In the evening, they will have a secondo and a dolce (which often consists of fresh, seasonal, fruit).
You don't have to order every single course, but the general rule of thumb is to order at least two (and you can split one of them). So a couple, for example, might share one antipasto, order individual primi, and then share a secondo.
Secondi. If there is a literal first course in Italian dining, or a "Primi," then that must mean there is a second course that follows. This is called "Secondi" on menus (or Secondo), and it is where you will find your main meals that come with some sort of protein, like meat or seafood.
Primo. The primo is the first course to choose from; Pasta is served first as another appetizer but not the main event. You may also see soup, rice, and even polenta on the menu.
Before eating a meal, Italians say to each other #BuonAppetito. It is their way of wishing everyone a good appetite so that they enjoy their meal.
No matter where you stand, there is no question that buon appetito is still very much in use across Italy. Waiters say it with a gleeful smile as they serve you your meal. Children say it to their parents. Hosts say it to their guests.
One New Year's Eve tradition is to break old plates, dishes, and other kitchenware at midnight to help keep evil spirits away and promote good fortune in the coming year. Italians call this tradition Il Lancia Dei Cocci.
A typical Italian lunch consists of a primo (pasta, soup or risotto dish), a secondo (meat or fish-based dish) and a contorno (side dish). Italians love their carbs and enjoy adding freshly grated Parmesan cheese to their dishes. Italians also exhibit a truly incredible talent for reinventing leftovers.
Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per due alle venti / per stasera / per domani. I'd like to reserve a table for two at 8pm / for tonight / for tomorrow. Important: Italians tend to use the 24 hour clock, so 7pm is 19h (le diciannove), 8pm is 20h (le venti), 9pm is 21h (le ventuno), and so on.
The bill, please. — Il conto, per favore. - or - Il conto, prego.
In Italy, even the most informal meals commonly include multiple courses. This doesn't mean that people eat more food – the various courses are a way to break down the meal into different sections, add variety and create a progression.
When we think of Italy, sumptuous meals come to mind, but “passeggiata,” the Italian tradition of taking a stroll after meals, may be just as much fun, and even healthier. Italians do not slip on sneakers or spandex. They simply stand up after a meal, walk outside, and take a short stroll.
It's called the passeggiata, meaning a short walk taken purely for pleasure, and many Italians do it multiple times a day, typically after meals.
Typically an Italian meal consists of four courses (starter, first course, main course, and dessert), although this can be stretched to eight courses or more (starter, first course, fish main course, meat main course, cheese, and dessert).
Lunch (Pranzo)
a first course (Primo), usually a dish based on pasta, risotto, rice, polenta, legumes, or a soup; a second course (Secondo), based on meat, fish, dairy products such as cheese, or eggs (served in various ways, such as in a frittata, in a pan, boiled, or scrambled);
Pasta is often served as a primo (first course), with a meat, seafood or vegetable course called a secondo coming after that. To do as the Italians do, try serving a smaller portion of pasta as a primo for an Italian-inspired dinner party, or as precursor to a meat, fish or vegetable main.
Serving salad after the main course of a meal is an older tradition in Italy, and nowadays it is usually observed at large and formal dinners rather than during everyday meals. Eating a salad after a meal can help digestion, while eating one before a meal may help discourage overeating.