Italian menus have 5 sections: Antipasti→Primi→Secondi→Contorni→Dolci. You don't need all 5. Primo + contorno is perfectly acceptable. Restaurant types → · Coperto explained →
ANTIPASTI (€6-15): Bruschetta, prosciutto e melone, caprese, tagliere salumi. PRIMI (€9-16): Pasta, risotto, zuppa — THE heart of Italian dining. Sufficient as a meal with a contorno. SECONDI (€12-25): Meat/fish — comes ALONE. Fish by weight: ask "quanto viene?" before ordering. CONTORNI (€4-8): Vegetable sides — ordered SEPARATELY (insalata, patate, verdure grigliate). DOLCI (€5-10): Tiramisù, panna cotta. Then caffè (€1-2) + digestivo.
COPERTO (€1-3/person): Cover charge for bread+table. Legal everywhere EXCEPT Lazio/Rome. SERVIZIO (10-15%): Service charge. If included: NO additional tip needed.
Minimum: 1 primo OR 1 secondo + contorno. Ask "cosa mi consiglia?" (what do you recommend?) — the waiter suggests the kitchen's best today. More phrases →