Lesson 7- The words that save you
Module 2 · Al Ristorante · Lesson 4 of 6
The words that save you
Three words that handle almost any dietary situation at an Italian table.
You don’t need perfect Italian to eat well in Italy. You need three words: senza, al posto di, and sono allergico/a. Master these and you can handle almost any situation — a preference, a substitution, or a genuine allergy.
senza
without
The most useful word at the table. Put it before any ingredient you don’t want.
- Senza aglio, per favore. Without garlic, please.
- Senza cipolla. Without onion.
- Senza glutine, è possibile? Without gluten, is that possible?
- Senza formaggio, grazie. Without cheese, thank you.
- Senza burro. Without butter.
al posto di
instead of
Use this when you want to swap one thing for another. Keep it simple — Italian kitchens are not always flexible, but a clean swap usually works.
- Al posto delle patate, posso avere l’insalata? Instead of potatoes, can I have the salad?
- Al posto del riso, posso avere la pasta? Instead of rice, can I have pasta?
- Al posto del vino, prendo un’acqua naturale. Instead of wine, I’ll have a still water.
sono allergico/a
I am allergic
Use allergico if you are male, allergica if you are female. The ending changes — the meaning doesn’t. Say it clearly and the kitchen will take it seriously.
Common allergens / Allergeni comuni
il glutine
gluten
il lattosio
lactose
la frutta a guscio
tree nuts
le arachidi
peanuts
i frutti di mare
seafood
le uova
eggs
il pesce
fish
il sedano
celery
Important
Since 2014, Italian restaurants are legally required to list the 14 main allergens on the menu or make them available on request. If you have a serious allergy, ask: “Può verificare con la cucina?” A good restaurant will always check.
🧔 Se sei uomo / If you are male
- Sono allergico ai frutti di mare. I’m allergic to seafood.
- Sono allergico alla frutta a guscio. I’m allergic to tree nuts.
- Sono intollerante al lattosio. I’m lactose intolerant.
- Sono celiaco. I have coeliac disease.
- Sono vegetariano. I’m vegetarian.
- Sono vegano. I’m vegan.
👩 Se sei donna / If you are female
- Sono allergica ai frutti di mare. I’m allergic to seafood.
- Sono allergica alla frutta a guscio. I’m allergic to tree nuts.
- Sono intollerante al lattosio. I’m lactose intolerant.
- Sono celiaca. I have coeliac disease.
- Sono vegetariana. I’m vegetarian.
- Sono vegana. I’m vegan.
Per tutti / For everyone
- Non mangio carne. I don’t eat meat.
- Non mangio pesce. I don’t eat fish.
- Mangio tutto tranne il sedano. I eat everything except celery.
- Può verificare con la cucina? Can you check with the kitchen?
- Avete piatti senza glutine? Do you have gluten-free dishes?
Vegetarian in Italy
Vegetarian options have improved enormously in Italy over the last decade. Vegan is less common outside major cities, but asking is always worth it. One thing to watch: brodo (stock) in risotto and some soups is often meat-based even when the dish looks vegetarian. If in doubt, ask: “Il brodo è vegetale?”