Tips for Vegetarians (Or Vegans!) Travelling to Italy
For vegetarians (or vegans!), it can often be daunting travelling to another country. For many cultures, the instance of 'vegetarianism' may not be as widely-spread, and therefore, it can be challenging to find items in the menu that do not have any meat in it. Today, we are going to provide you with useful tips for travelling and eating in Italy while being vegetarian. Rest assured, once you learn how to tackle any situation, Italy isn't so bad for vegetarians after all! In our Alpine Hotel, we want to provide the best service for any visitor, and that includes those of you who have dietary restrictions! In our Restaurant Menu, we made sure to include dishes that cater to those who don't eat meat while being incredibly delicious! So, without further ado, have a read below:
RESEARCH FIRST
It's essential that before you go to Italy, you should do some thorough research before eating in a restaurant. Don't hold yourself back, search online for the menu and even look at reviews! By researching, you can prevent any future disappointments when you finally get to the country. Knowing where to eat and what you want before travelling, can save so much time for you as you don't have to scan through the entire menu and wonder whether it caters to you or not. If you happen to be travelling to the Italian Alps, have a visit to our Hotel Restaurant - we offer a great selection of dishes suitable for any vegetarian.
LEARN HOW TO TELL THE WAITER
When anyone travels to Italy, it is incredibly useful to learn several Italian phrases to help you get through the day. However, if you're a vegetarian, it becomes even more crucial to learn Italian. Why? You are bound to have some miscommunication if both sides don't understand each other. So, if you are in an Italian restaurant, it's vital that you know to convey your dietary requirements to them. To save you some time, here are some keywords to know:
Carne = Meat
Formaggi = Cheese
Latte = Milk
Uova = Egg
Burro = Butter
Pasta senza Carne, per favore = Pasta with no meat, please.
WHEN IN DOUBT, OPT FOR THE MARINARA
Sometimes, you don't have the time to research nor remember Italian phrases. Therefore, your next plan of action would be to learn the dishes that do not have any meat in them. The most foolproof dish you could ever order is the pizza marinara or Margherita. For vegans, pizza marinara is a pizza with plain marinara sauce, garlic and oregano; then for vegetarians, Pizza Margherita is the same but with cheese on top. For more facts about Neapolitan Pizza, read our article.
COURSES
When reading an Italian menu, you should know that there are different courses that you should be aware of, therefore, making it easier finding the vegetarian options on the menu.
Antipasto: This is your starter. For vegetarians, we recommend bruschetta or crostini; you may even decide to choose some marinated vegetables.
Primo: Your first course, consisting of hot food a little heavier than the antipasto. Many of the dishes in this course are vegetarian-friendly.
Insalata: You can't go wrong with this course as a vegetarian, as it is essentially salad.
Pizza: As we mentioned, try ordering pizzas. There are many vegetarian-friendly dishes everywhere.
Contorno: Also known as your 'side dish'. Often served alongside a secondo piatto, consists of mostly vegetables. If you're having a hard time choosing from any other courses, we recommend you order a ton of sides, and you cannot go wrong.
We hope that these tips and tricks can help you when eating in Italy as a vegetarian. Why not stay at Albergo Miramonti? We are located within the Alps, with a Hotel Spa, relaxing Cigar Lounge and an Italian Restaurant that serves local Valtellina Cuisine.
For more articles about the Italian Alps and Northern Italy, read our blog: