Food & Nightlife

Food is an important part of Italian life. Italians usually take their time when eating lunch and dinner. Italian meals consist of many courses: first there's an antipasto (appetizers, or "before the meal"), then il primo (first plate), il secondo (second plate), contorni (vegetable side dish), and then i dolci (the dessert). The antipasto usually consists of cold cuts, the primo consists of a pasta or rice dish, or soup, the secondo consists of a meat or fish dish, the contorni consists of a vegetable dish or salad. Italians tend to eat lunch later than Americans do, and dinner is after 8pm. The meal is usually accompanied by a good glass of wine. Breakfast in Italy is not considered an important meal, and if anything, Italians usually just eat fette biscotte (similar to a sweet-cracker) with jam, or a pastry with espresso. And since Italians take the time to enjoy their food, it is almost impossible to order coffee on the go. On that note, you will never see Italians eating while they are walking on the street. If people are in a rush, they will eat standing up.

 Student recommendations from Fall 2009. Let us know if this list should change!