are menus in english or italian in Italy? Im trying to decide if i need to buy a translator?

Mostly they are only in Italian unless you hit a really touristy place that may even have a laminated English menu.

But the good news is -- you probably know much of it anyway.
I'm sure you're familiar with pastas:
tagliatelle
spaghetti
linquini
pappardelle
fusilli

and many other things shouldn't throw you much either:
vitello (veal) picatta, milanese, parmigiana, etc.

and of course, pizza is pizza.

I think you'll find it all easier than you suspect, and most servers will be able to help you as well.


In fact, now that I think about it, many Italian restaurants I go to in the US pretty much only do their menus in Italian as well.

I recommend buying "Eating and Drinking in Italy" a menu translator with great information about eating in Italy. Well worth the 10 bucks.

But why?! Don't you like adventure and suspense? Just kidding

Get an electronic multi-language translator. They are pretty cheap, and will serve you well.

Whatever you do, don't eat anyplace where the menu is translated into bunches of languages (complete with little flags)--mediocre-to-bad food for sure!!!

I would bring a small tranlation book. The one night we forgot ours at our hotel while in Umbria, my husband ended up with Pork Liver...it looked like three turds on a plate and didn't taste great either. There were no English menus at most of the place we ate in Umbria and I agree with DejaVu...the places that cater to tourists usually don't have the best food. Eat with the locals and you will eat well.

I find you'll get better treatment if you try to speak a few words of the local language. Make an effort and it will be met with appreciation.

At the back of most small travel phrase books there are usually a few pages with restaurant/menu words. That has always been sufficient for my needs.

(Sometimes the menus were also in English, like at tourist areas of Venice, sometime only in Italian).

If it is, you probably don't want to eat there.

I agree with the recommendation for Eating and Drinking in Italy. I found it extrememly helpful and wouldn't go to Italy without it.

Rarely. And - you don;t want to eat in the places that have menus in 14 languages - with pictures - outside. the food is usually poor and expensive.

Italian food is easy - since the names are the same as those here for many things. Just get a pocket menu reader and you'll be fine. And - if you have questions most waiters have at least a little "food" english.

It depends, are you going Rome, Venice, Florence then yes. If going outside the golden triangle then less likely to no.