How to eat pizza properly in a restaurant: etiquette rules

Even though pizza is a popular and fairly casual dish, there are certain rules for how it is served and eaten. Of course, when you are at home in front of the TV or relaxing with friends, you don’t have to follow them. But if you want to feel more confident in a restaurant, the Pronto team will explain how to eat pizza properly. Spoiler: there is nothing complicated about it – anyone can handle it.

Is it correct to eat pizza with a knife and fork?

Good news – using cutlery is not mandatory, although there are exceptions.

Traditionally, pizza in Italy is served whole, not sliced. So you need to cut it yourself into smaller pieces to make it easier to eat. That is where a knife and fork come in handy.

Italians carefully cut the whole pizza into smaller pieces and eat it slowly, with pleasure. The crust is often left on the plate – they enjoy it less than the topping.

In the United States, people usually eat pizza without cutlery. A slice is taken by hand and eaten with just as much enjoyment as in Italy.

So the general rule is: in Italy, according to etiquette, pizza is usually eaten with a knife and fork, while in the USA and many other countries people prefer to eat it with their hands. We recommend orienting yourself by the type of venue where you ordered the dish. If it is an elegant Italian restaurant, it is better to use cutlery. In a café or fast-food place, eating pizza with your hands is absolutely acceptable and will not be considered a mistake.

Serving pizza according to etiquette

In cafés and restaurants, pizza must be served hot, straight from the oven. It is important that the cheese is well melted. The pizza may be pre-sliced into equal portions or served whole. Whole pizzas (up to 30 cm in diameter) are usually intended for one guest.

To help you transfer your slice to the plate, the waiter will bring a special serving spatula.

In Italy and Italian restaurants around the world, pizza is also served with extra seasonings and olive oil infused with herbs. These additions are meant to enhance the flavour of the dish.

How to eat pizza in a restaurant: extra tips

• If you are using cutlery, avoid cutting off pieces that are too large.
• If you are eating with your hands, gently take a slice and fold it in half – this makes it easier to hold and keeps the topping in place.
• You can eat the crust; it is not considered bad manners. Modern cafés and restaurants often add fillings to the crust – for example, cheese-filled crusts. Even etiquette will not forbid you to enjoy such a treat.
• If a sauce is served with the pizza, drizzle a little over your slice. Do not use too much, as it is believed that an excess of sauce can spoil the original taste of the dish.

Now you know how to eat pizza “by the book”. But the main thing is to enjoy every slice. Pizza, one of the world’s most popular dishes, is created to bring pleasure from its unique taste. In the end, the way you eat it, whether you use cutlery or not, is much less important than the enjoyment you get.

The Pronto team wishes you a delicious meal!