1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Chat

4 Things to Know About Italian Food Culture Before Coming to Italy

4 Things to Know About Italian Food Culture Before Coming to Italy

Apr 21, 2023

Discover the Essentials of Italian Food Culture: 4 Must-Know Tips for Anyone Planning a Trip to Italy

The USA Abroad! series is a look at the experiences of Americans who are having an international student experience in Europe.

Although Italian food is a prevalent type of cuisine in the United States, the food itself and its consumption are exponentially different in Italy. I have highlighted four “food shocks” an American might have upon setting foot in Italy–and I have also briefly explained some myths about Italian food that stemmed from the States! 

1. Breakfast is sweet and simple 

In the United States, if your friend asks you to go out to breakfast, you probably imagine a full and hearty breakfast with bacon, eggs, hash browns, and a decadent serving of pancakes or waffles. In Italy, breakfast is much more simple — and significantly lighter. 

The typical Italian breakfast consists of coffee, a cornetto, and often orange juice, too. A cornetto is a typical breakfast pastry eaten in Italy. It is similar to a croissant but not as buttery and flaky. Cornetti can have all types of fillings, ranging from Nutella to chocolate to various jams, but my favorite is pistachio. While in big cities like Rome and Milan, you can find an “American style” breakfast in some restaurants, but don’t be surprised if you walk into a cafe to get breakfast and don’t see the typical savory options common in the United States! 

2. Posso avere un espresso per favore… 

Coffee culture is a big part of Italy’s culture and is incredibly different from the coffee culture in the United States. Everyone in Italy drinks espresso, a short and condensed portion of coffee, around 1-2 ounces. However, not everyone drinks straight espresso — there are many delicious espresso-based drinks that Italians enjoy, like a cappuccino, caffè macchiato, or a caffè latte, to name a few. Different consistencies and amounts of steamed milk are added to make these drinks. 

In Italy, coffee culture is not merely about the type of coffee drink you have; it is also about the community aspect associated with drinking coffee, often at your neighborhood bar. Your interactions with the barista and the people around you are meaningful and even familial in many settings. 

3. Water — Naturale o Frizzante? 

After sitting at a restaurant in Italy (and many other European countries), your waiter will first ask you which type of water you would like. In Italy, drinking sparkling water is very common, so at restaurants, you can choose between still or sparkling water — and sometimes you can even choose if you want slightly sparkling water (leggermente frizzante) or normal sparkling water (frizzante). Another point to know about drinking water in restaurants is that your water will not be served with ice (ghiaccio) like it usually is in the States. In Italy, ice is only used in cocktails or served alongside soda.

4. Aperitivo 

Aperitivo in Italy is similar to happy hour in the United States. It is a time when friends, family, or colleagues can get together between the end of work and before dinner to relax and enjoy a drink or two accompanied by some light snacks — chips, olives, small sandwiches, or pizzette (small pizzas). Standard drinks at aperitivo are spritz (usually with Aperol or Campari), Negroni, wine, beer, or prosecco. The social aspects of eating and drinking in Italy are as important as the dishes themselves, and aperitivo is an excellent example of the conviviality that is valued so much here. 

Debunking American Myths About Italian Food! 

Spaghetti with meatballs can be argued as being one of the most common Italian-American dishes, but unfortunately, it does not exist in Italy. Instead, spaghetti and meatballs are served separately. Instead of spaghetti and meatballs, Polpette al sugo (meatballs with sauce) is a typical dish found at restaurants in Italy, and it is well worth the try! 

Another pairing of foods that is extremely common in the States but could never be found in Italy is Chicken Alfredo. Pasta and chicken are seen as two separate dishes in Italy and are never paired; instead, they are divided into primi and secondi (first and second course). Alfredo sauce in the United States is also different from Alfredo in Italy. In Italy, Alfredo is less heavy than in the States because different (and fewer) ingredients are used.

 

Francesca Bizzarri-Black is a student from Seattle, Washington, studying Archeology and Classics at the American University of Rome. She has lived in The Eternal City for almost two years and is in her sophomore year. Francesca loves to read, write, go to museums, and, most of all, try new foods from the different cities and countries she travels to.

Follow us:
Written by

Francesca Bizzarri-Black

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the blog post titled Let’s Get Mental
Let’s Get Mental
Main image for the blog post titled Join Us for a Virtual Event: Planning for International Study and Understanding the U.S. Education System
Join Us for a Virtual Event: Planning for International Study and Understanding the U.S. Education System
Main image for the blog post titled It's Not Too Late to Apply to Lycoming College
It's Not Too Late to Apply to Lycoming College
Main image for the blog post titled Why Should You Apply to Appalachian State University?
Why Should You Apply to Appalachian State University?
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Evergreen Valley College

Evergreen Valley College

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

Certificate/Short Term 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Bachelor Degree
Contact
Truckee Meadows Community College

Truckee Meadows Community College

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Undergraduate Bachelor Degree
Contact
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

$1,000—$5,000 Semester

Certificate/Short Term English Programs Bachelor Degree
Contact

Related Stories

International Women's Day is March 8!

Main image for the article titled International Women's Day is March 8!
Happy Memorial Day!

Main image for the article titled Happy Memorial Day!
Happy International Women's Day!

Main image for the article titled Happy International Women's Day!
Happy International Women's Day!

Main image for the article titled Happy International Women's Day!

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Find the perfect student housing with Unilodgers

Find the perfect student housing with Unilodgers

Choose an entire apartment, a studio, a shared room, or a private room, with 24x7 assistance from Personal Student Advisors. Book Now!

Read more
Partner service logo for CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

Most U.S. apartments come unfurnished. Make your move easy with a student furniture rental package from CORT. Flexible lease terms. Delivered before you arrive. Starting at $99 per month.* *with a 12-month lease

Read more
Partner service logo for BetterHelp

BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. You get the same professionalism and quality you expect from in-office therapy, but with access to a huge network of therapists, more scheduling flexibility, and at a more affor...

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

The first time I met with StudyUSA was when I was searching which college I should attend. StudyUSA helped me out in some ways. I was able to review a lot of detailed college information in your website. That included not only just about colleges, but also many of real voices from the students in the US. The real information helped me to make decision where I should go for studying. I'm sure that StudyUS would help much more students who are trying to start adventures in the US all over the world!

Nana Katsumi Japan

I remember my excitement when I first found Study in the USA's website. I subscribed to their website using my email and it used to send me success stories and the best universities to apply to in the USA.

Muhammadrazhab Elmurodov Tajikistan

I am always checking study USA to keep me updated on any important changes and how schools treat international students.

Eduardo Rodrigues Brazil

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Featured Programs
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    English العربيـة Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.