Chefs Reveal The 5 Best Dishes To Order At An Italian Restaurant And 6 You’re Better Off Skipping For Value
Ever stared at an Italian menu feeling overwhelmed by choices? I’ve been there too. Professional chefs have strong opinions about which Italian dishes deliver bang for your buck and which ones leave your wallet lighter than necessary. Here’s what culinary experts recommend ordering and avoiding, next time you’re craving pasta and pizza.
1. Handmade Pasta Carbonara
Fresh pasta tossed with eggs, pecorino, and guanciale creates magic that’s impossible to replicate at home without specialized equipment. The ingredients cost restaurants pennies compared to what they charge you. Most chefs agree this dish showcases a restaurant’s technique while offering exceptional value.
2. Chicken Parmesan
I ordered this at a fancy Italian place last month and nearly choked when I saw the $28 price tag. It’s basically breaded chicken with sauce and cheese: something you could make at home for about $5 per serving. Restaurants know it’s a safe choice for unadventurous eaters.
3. Risotto with Seasonal Ingredients
Restaurant risotto requires constant attention and specialized rice that most home cooks don’t keep stocked. When made with seasonal vegetables or mushrooms, it delivers incredible flavor complexity. The labor-intensive stirring process makes this a genuine restaurant treat worth every penny.
4. Plain Spaghetti and Meatballs
The markup on this nostalgic favorite is astronomical. Restaurants typically charge 300-400% over ingredient costs for this simple dish. The meatballs are often pre-made and reheated. You’re essentially paying premium prices for something a teenager could prepare at home.
5. Fresh Seafood Linguine
Seafood procurement requires restaurant connections most of us lack. A proper seafood linguine showcases delicate cooking techniques and fresh ingredients that would cost a fortune to source individually. The medley of clams, mussels, and shrimp in perfect doneness is worth splurging on.
6. Marked-Up Bottled Water
That fancy Italian mineral water with the pretty bottle? It’s typically marked up 500%. I’ve seen restaurants charge $8 for bottles that wholesale for less than a dollar. Ask for tap water instead: many high-end restaurants filter their tap water anyway.
7. Wood-Fired Specialty Pizza
Few home kitchens reach the 800°F temperatures of professional pizza ovens. This creates that characteristic charred crust with pillowy interior that’s nearly impossible to replicate at home. Specialty toppings on a properly wood-fired crust deliver genuine value compared to delivery pizza.
8. Basic Bruschetta
Paying $12-15 for toasted bread with tomatoes and basil borders on criminal. The ingredients cost maybe $2 total, and it requires minimal preparation or skill. My Italian grandmother would roll in her grave knowing what restaurants charge for this peasant appetizer!
9. House-Made Tiramisu
A properly executed tiramisu requires patience, technique, and quality ingredients. When made in-house, this dessert showcases a chef’s skill with its perfect balance of coffee, mascarpone, and cocoa. The labor involved makes restaurant versions superior to most home attempts.
10. Marked-Up Wines By The Glass
That $14 glass of Chianti comes from a bottle the restaurant purchased for about $12 total. Wine by the glass typically has a 400% markup, making it one of the worst value propositions on the menu. If drinking, always order by the bottle when with company.
11. Caprese Salad Out Of Season
A winter caprese made with mealy, pink tomatoes and packaged mozzarella is highway robbery at $15+. This simple salad should only be ordered during tomato season (summer through early fall). Restaurants know tourists order it year-round regardless of quality.