Visit MWR’s Outdoor Rec and Army Community Service (ACS) at Caserma Ederle for great lists of restaurants near Vicenza and language guides for dining out.
DINING OUT
The Slow Food movement originated in Italy and it’s no wonder because Italians enjoy good ingredients and savor them (over a 2-3 hour meal!) with friends and family.
Meals
- Breakfast (“colazione”) pastry/drink at a café or bar
- Lunch (“pausa pranzo”) 1200-1430
- Dinner (“cena”) 1900-2030
Restaurants
- Each person is charged a 1€-3€ table fee (“coperto”)
- Ask for your check (“Il conto, per favore.”)
- Pay at the register, not at the table
Tipping
- Service is included in the “coperto” cover charge
- For superior service, tip an extra 5-10%
Pizza
- Want pepperoni? Ask for “salamino piccante”
- Mushrooms (“funghi”) are fresh only if stated
Café/Bar or Autogrills (Highway Restaurants)
- Pay first then present your receipt at the counter
- More about Autogrills
GROCERY SHOPPING
Hours
- Local shops close for “riposo” from 1230-1530
- Local shops close on Sun with limited hours on Mon
- Chain stores are open all day (“orario continuato”)
Carts
- Insert 1€ coin to unlock; return it & take your coin
Produce
- Always use a glove to handle produce
- Weigh your produce before checking out
Bagging
- Customers bag their own groceries
- BYOB - Bring Your Own Bags or pay 0.10-0.50€/bag
Deli/Fish/Cheese/Pastry Counter
- Take a number and wait for it to be called
- ½ kilogram (“mezzo chilo”) = 500 grams = 1.1 lbs.
- 100 grams (“un etto”), 200 grams (“due etti”)
Milk
- Find raw milk (“latte crudo”) machines at farms
- Use www.milkmaps.com to find milk dispensaries
