First Phrases

Table for one · Italiano

Table for one phrases in Italian: 15 phrases

Ask for a table for one, check whether you need a reservation, book for tomorrow, sit at the bar or counter, order the menu of the day, ask what they recommend, mention vegetarian or allergies, ask for tap water, then get the bill, pay by card, ask about service and take the rest home. Short, natural phrases for eating out on your own.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "Lei" with waiters and restaurant staff, with "per favore" or "per cortesia". "Cameriere" (waiter) or "Scusi" gets their attention. "Il menù" is the menu, "il banco" or "il bancone" the counter, "il conto" the bill. Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

How to read the sounds: Italian is spoken as written. Double consonants (tt, ll, zz) are held longer. c before e/i = ch, g before e/i = j, gn = ny, gli = ly, sc before e/i = sh. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Un tavolo per uno, per favore.
    Say it like: oon TAH-voh-loh payr OO-noh, payr fah-VOH-reh
    A table for one, please.
    Register: Also "Un tavolo per una persona".
  2. 02Neutral
    Serve la prenotazione?
    Say it like: SEHR-veh lah preh-noh-tah-TSYOH-neh
    Do I need a reservation?
    Register: Also "Bisogna prenotare?" (Does one have to book?).
  3. 03Neutral
    Posso prenotare per domani alle otto di sera?
    Say it like: POHS-soh preh-noh-TAH-reh payr doh-MAH-nee AHL-leh OHT-toh dee SEH-rah
    Can I book for tomorrow at 8 in the evening?
    Register: "Di sera" avoids any doubt about a.m. or p.m. Add "per una persona".
  4. 04Neutral
    La cucina è ancora aperta?
    Say it like: lah koo-CHEE-nah eh ahn-KOH-rah ah-PEHR-tah
    Is the kitchen still open?
    Register: Also "Si può ancora mangiare?" (Can one still eat?).
  5. 05Neutral
    Posso sedermi al bancone?
    Say it like: POHS-soh seh-DEHR-mee ahl bahn-KOH-neh
    Can I sit at the counter?
    Register: "Al bancone" is the bar counter. "A un tavolo" = at a table.
  6. 06Neutral
    Avete un menù del giorno?
    Say it like: ah-VEH-teh oon meh-NOO dehl JOR-noh
    Do you have a menu of the day?
    Register: "Piatto del giorno" is the dish of the day. "Avete" is "you" (plural, for the restaurant).
  7. 07Neutral
    Cosa mi consiglia?
    Say it like: KOH-zah mee kon-SEE-lyah
    What do you recommend?
    Register: Informal: "Cosa mi consigli?".
  8. 08Neutral
    Sono vegetariano.
    Say it like: SOH-noh veh-jeh-tah-RYAH-noh
    I'm vegetarian.
    Register: A woman says "vegetariana". Ask "C'è carne?" (Is there meat?).
  9. 09Neutral
    Sono allergico a …
    Say it like: SOH-noh ahl-LEHR-jee-koh ah
    I'm allergic to …
    Register: A woman says "allergica". Add: "alle noci" (nuts), "al glutine", "ai crostacei" (shellfish).
  10. 10Neutral
    Acqua del rubinetto, per favore.
    Say it like: AHK-kwah dehl roo-bee-NET-toh, payr fah-VOH-reh
    Tap water, please.
    Register: "Una bottiglia d'acqua" = a bottle of water.
  11. 11Neutral
    Il conto, per favore.
    Say it like: eel KON-toh, payr fah-VOH-reh
    The bill, please.
    Register: Softer: "Posso avere il conto?".
  12. 12Neutral
    Posso pagare con la carta?
    Say it like: POHS-soh pah-GAH-reh kon lah KAR-tah
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: "In contanti" means in cash.
  13. 13Neutral
    Il servizio è incluso?
    Say it like: eel sehr-VEE-tsyoh eh een-KLOO-zoh
    Is service included?
    Register: "Incluso" means included.
  14. 14Neutral
    Posso portare via il resto?
    Say it like: POHS-soh por-TAH-reh VEE-ah eel REH-stoh
    Can I take the rest away?
    Register: "Portare via" = take away. Ask for "un contenitore" (a container) if needed.
  15. 15Neutral
    Era tutto buonissimo, grazie.
    Say it like: EH-rah TOOT-toh bwoh-NEES-see-moh, GRAH-tsyeh
    It was all delicious, thank you.
    Register: Also "Era squisito" (It was exquisite).

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Quick answers

How do you ask for a table for one in Italian?

Say: "Un tavolo per uno, per favore." (A table for one, please.)

Should I use informal or formal Italian with a waiter?

Use "Lei" with waiters and restaurant staff, with "per favore" or "per cortesia". "Cameriere" (waiter) or "Scusi" gets their attention. "Il menù" is the menu, "il banco" or "il bancone" the counter, "il conto" the bill. Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

How do I say I am vegetarian or allergic in Italian?

Say: "Sono vegetariano." (I'm vegetarian.) and "Sono allergico a …" (I'm allergic to …)

How do I ask for the bill and pay by card in Italian?

Try: "Il conto, per favore." (The bill, please.) and "Posso pagare con la carta?" (Can I pay by card?)

Table for one phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

Italian, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

All survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

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