Aside from its rich history, architecture and art, Italy is also well known for its beautiful and mouth-watering cuisine. People who have the good fortune of traveling to Italy will definitely be treated to the added pleasure of partaking of world-renowned Italian food and drink.

A typical Italian breakfast normally consists of a cup of rich Italian coffee or cappuccino and a croissant. For lunch, you may go to the local store known as alimentari to get yourself deliciously toasted ciabatta sandwiches called ‘pannini’. For dinner, you may have a full course consisting of an appetizer (anti-pasto), a pasta/shop (primo), meat/fish (secondo) which is normally accompanied by a salad and sometimes vegetables (contorno). You can also just go grab a pizza in one of the many pizzerias. Though relatively cheap, this option is a tasty one for the simple reason that Italy is the home of the pizza. When partaking of sumptuous Italian food always remember to be careful as Italian cuisine can sometimes be quite spicy and very often dishes are tomato based.

Wine is the most popular drink in Italy with most Italian wines prepared for a specific menu item. Wine is drunk with almost every meal and can be purchased in restaurants in quarter, half and litre bottles. The cheaper option is, of course, to purchase the wine from supermarkets.

Most people think that planning an Italian meal is highly complicated and that preparing one takes hours. This is simply not the case. While Italian food is always high in the taste department, Italian meals are very flexible and can be prepared consisting of one or two courses that compliment each other.

Formal meals can consist of a combination of the following:

Antipasti: Appetizers

Literally meaning “before the meal”, these do not form a part of the typical family meal but play an important role in a formal dinner.

Primi Piatti: First Courses

These consist of either a soup, a pasta or a rice dish. The Italian staple, pasta, can be prepared in numerous ways.

Secondi Piatti: Entrees

These consist of a meat or fish dish. Because an Italian meal is usually started with a pasta dish, this serving is usually small. Seafood of all types are also served.

Contorni: Vegetables or Side Dishes

These are side dishes of deliciously cooked vegetables that compliment the meat or fish course.

Insalata: Salad

In Italy, salads are served after the final course, which both refreshes the diner after a heavy course and cleans the palate before the desert course.

Frutta: Fruit

This is usually fresh fruit kept ice cold in a bowl of ice water.

Dolci: Desserts

A typical meal at home is normally followed by a fresh bowl of fruit, but on special occasions a little sweet is offered complemented by coffee, usually an espresso. Cappuccino is considered a morning drink, rarely served in the afternoons.